JP2001169046A - Facsimile terminal and method for receiving facsimile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile terminal and a receiving method which prevents the segmentation of a facsimile printout and can reliably transmit a series of facsimile information to a receiver. SOLUTION: A digital compound machine 1 comprises a FAX board 603 for receiving facsimile data, a memory 403 for storing data received by the board 603, a laser recording part 32 for printing the data stored by the memory 403 on paper, a cassette paper feeding device 51 for housing paper, a tray 55a for both surface printing, a residual quantity sensor 58 for detecting the paper residual quantity Nr in the device 51, a paper sensor 59, a main image processing board 400 for controlling the memory 403 and the part 32, etc. When a series of data reception is completed, the machine 1 calculates the number Nd of pieces of paper needed to printout the received data stored in the memory 403, compares the number Nd of needed pieces of paper with the paper residual quantity Nr obtained by residual quantity detection, performs received data printing in the case of Nd<=Nr and stores the data in the memory 403 without printing the data in the case of Nd>Nr.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a memory receiving function and a facsimile receiving method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-152820 discloses a method in which received data is temporarily stored in a memory, and printout is collectively executed when a set time is reached or when the memory is full. A copying machine with a facsimile function has been proposed.

[0003] Such a memory reception function is mainly used when a user is absent in a time zone such as at night or on a holiday.

[0004]

In a conventional facsimile apparatus, regardless of the amount of received data stored in a memory,
In order to print out all the received data at once,
If the paper runs out during printing, only part of the received data will be printed.

For this reason, in the state of partial printing, another job such as copying in a copying machine mode in the early morning or after holidays,
If printing is performed in the printer mode, printing paper of another job is stacked on the previous printing paper, and even if the rest of the received data is printed thereafter, the relevance of the print output is interrupted. As a result, it is expected that only the previous print output will pass to the recipient, or the recipient of the later print output will not be specified due to the disappearance of the first page.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile receiving method which can prevent a facsimile print output from being divided and can reliably transmit a series of facsimile information to a recipient.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a data communication section for receiving facsimile data, a data storage section for storing data received by the data communication section, and a data storage section for storing data stored in the data storage section. A printing unit for printing on paper, a paper storage unit for storing paper, a remaining amount detection unit for detecting a remaining paper amount Nr in the paper storage unit, a data storage unit, and a printing unit are controlled. The control unit calculates the number of sheets Nd required for printing the received data stored in the data storage unit when a series of data reception is completed, and calculates the required number Nd and the remaining amount detection unit. Is compared with the remaining amount of paper Nr detected in step, and when Nd ≦ Nr, the received data is supplied to the printing unit to execute printing, and when Nd> Nr, the data storage unit continues to save the data without printing. Characterized by It is a Akushimiri apparatus.

According to the present invention, the received data is temporarily stored in the data storage unit, and the number of sheets Nd required for printing the received data is calculated and compared with the remaining amount of paper Nr.
When the required number of sheets Nd is equal to or less than the remaining amount of paper Nr, the received data can be printed collectively, so that the received data is supplied to the printing unit and printing is executed immediately. On the other hand, the required number Nd
Is larger than the remaining paper amount Nr, the printing is not executed, and the data storage in the data storage unit is continued until the paper is replenished, for example. Therefore, since the processing of a series of received data is limited to either all printing or all saving,
It is possible to prevent the facsimile print output from being divided.

Further, according to the present invention, the control unit compares the remaining amount of paper Nr with a predetermined value Nc before starting data reception, and determines that Nr> N.
In the case of c, the data received by the data communication unit is supplied to the printing unit to execute printing.

According to the present invention, before starting data reception, it is determined whether or not there is ample paper in the paper storage unit by a predetermined value N.
When the remaining amount of paper Nr is large to some extent, there is no risk of running out of paper, and the data received by the data communication unit can be supplied to the printing unit as it is to perform printing. Therefore, it is possible to omit the analysis processing of the received data necessary for calculating the required number Nd, and to improve the processing efficiency.

Further, according to the present invention, the sheet storage unit includes first and second trays, and a sheet transfer unit that transfers sheets stored in the first tray to the second tray, and the remaining amount detection unit includes: The number of sheets transferred by the sheet transfer unit is counted.

According to the present invention, the sheet remaining amount Nr can be measured in units of one sheet by transferring the sheets one by one from the first tray to the second tray and counting the sheet remaining amount Nr. The measurement accuracy is improved.

Further, the invention is characterized in that the first tray is a tray for storing unprinted paper, and the second tray is an intermediate tray for double-sided printing.

According to the present invention, the intermediate tray for double-sided printing is used, for example, in a copying machine mode or a printer mode, and is not frequently used in a facsimile mode. By utilizing this, a dedicated paper transfer tray can be omitted.

Further, according to the present invention, the sheet storage unit includes a plurality of trays for storing sheets of different sizes, and the remaining amount detection unit sets any one of the plurality of trays as an object of the remaining sheet detection. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, when the facsimile apparatus is provided with a plurality of trays for storing sheets of different sizes, any one of the plurality of trays is to be subjected to the remaining sheet detection. Thus, the remaining amount detection unit can be simplified. In this case, it is preferable that a tray that stores a sheet that is frequently used and has a high probability of running out of paper, for example, A4 size paper, is to be detected.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the sheet storage section includes a plurality of trays having different maximum storage numbers, and the predetermined value Nc is set to be equal to or less than the smallest maximum storage number among the trays.

According to the present invention, when the facsimile apparatus is provided with a plurality of trays having different maximum storage numbers, Nr> is set by setting the predetermined value Nc to be equal to or less than the minimum maximum storage number among the trays. The possibility of establishing Nc, that is, the probability of direct printing of received data can be increased as much as possible, and the probability of data storage due to paper shortage can be reduced as much as possible.

The present invention also provides a document reading unit for reading a document image and supplying read data to a data storage unit;
A host interface unit for receiving host data transmitted from an external host and supplying the host data to a data storage unit; and a clock unit for counting the date and time. A copier mode for printing read data, and a printer mode for printing host data, wherein the facsimile mode is preferentially operated in a predetermined time zone.

According to the present invention, a predetermined time zone, for example, a weekday night and a holiday (Saturday, Sunday, holiday, summer vacation, etc.)
In the all day period, since the frequency of use of the copier mode and the printer mode is reduced, it is easy to secure the right to use the double-sided printing intermediate tray. When switching from the facsimile mode to another mode, it is necessary to forcibly discharge the facsimile paper remaining in the intermediate tray and leave it in an empty state. Therefore, if the mode switching is frequent, the paper discharge operation becomes a heavy load. Therefore, by giving priority to the facsimile mode only in a predetermined time zone, the influence on other modes is small, and wasteful discharge operation can be avoided.

Further, the invention is characterized in that the control section discharges the paper remaining on the intermediate tray for double-sided printing after a predetermined time period has elapsed.

According to the present invention, if sheets remain in the intermediate tray even after the time period in which the facsimile mode has priority, the remaining sheets are discharged when the mode is switched to the copier mode or the printer mode. May cause the user to dispose of the remaining paper by mistake.However, after the priority time period of the facsimile mode has elapsed, the remaining paper in the intermediate tray is immediately discharged, and Management becomes easier.

Further, according to the present invention, when Nd> Nr, the control unit issues a warning urging the replenishment of the paper, and supplies the received data stored in the data storage unit to the printing unit after the replenishment of the paper to execute printing. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, when the required number of sheets Nd is larger than the remaining amount of sheets Nr, a warning is issued to prompt the user to replenish the sheets, so that the apparatus manager can be alerted. When the paper is replenished, the reception data stored in the data storage unit is supplied to the printing unit and printing is automatically performed, so that the work of the print instruction operation can be omitted.

Further, according to the present invention, the remaining amount of paper N in the paper storage unit is
r, receiving facsimile data, storing the received data in the data storage unit, and printing the received data stored in the data storage unit after a series of data reception is completed. Calculating the required number of sheets Nd and comparing the required number of sheets Nd with the remaining amount of paper Nr, supplying received data to the printing unit when Nd ≦ Nr, and executing printing, and when Nd> Nr A facsimile receiving method including a data step of continuing to save data in the data storage unit without printing.

According to the present invention, when the remaining amount of paper Nr in the paper storage unit is detected in advance and facsimile data is received, the received data is temporarily stored in the data storage unit.
After a series of data reception is completed, the number of sheets Nd required for printing the received data is calculated and compared with the remaining amount of paper Nr. When the required number of sheets Nd is equal to or less than the remaining amount of paper Nr, the received data can be printed collectively, so that the received data is supplied to the printing unit and printing is executed immediately. On the other hand, when the required number Nd is larger than the remaining amount of paper Nr, the printing is not executed, and the data storage in the data storage unit is continued until, for example, paper is replenished. Therefore, the processing of a series of received data is limited to either all printing or all saving, so that it is possible to prevent the facsimile print output from being divided.

The present invention also includes a step of comparing the remaining amount of paper Nr with a predetermined value Nc before data reception is started, and a step of executing printing by supplying received data to a printing unit when Nr> Nc. It is characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, before the data reception is started, it is determined whether or not the sheets in the sheet storage section are full by a predetermined value N.
When the remaining amount of paper Nr is large to some extent, there is no risk of running out of paper, and the data received by the data communication unit can be supplied to the printing unit as it is to perform printing. Therefore, it is possible to omit the analysis processing of the received data necessary for calculating the required number Nd, and to improve the processing efficiency.

[0029]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 has a facsimile function for printing received data, a copying function for printing read data, and a printer function for printing host data, and has a scanner unit 31, a laser recording unit 32, and the like.

The scanner unit 31 includes a document table 35 made of a transparent glass plate and a RADF (both sides automatic document feeder: R).
The optical system includes an eversing automatic document feeder () 36, a scanner unit 40, and the like, and optically reads a document image on a document table 35 and outputs image data.

The RADF 36 conveys the originals set on the original tray one by one to the original mounting table 35 and stops the originals.
When the reading operation is completed, it has a function to carry it out to another paper output tray. In the case of double-sided reading, the original on the paper output tray is further turned over, and is conveyed again to the original mounting table 35 to be stopped. It also has the function of carrying it out to the original paper output tray.

The scanner unit 40 includes a first scanning unit 40a, a second scanning unit 40b,
3 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 44, etc.
The original placed on the original placing table 35 is read by line scanning.

The first scanning unit 40a comprises a linear light source 41 for illuminating the original, a reflecting mirror 42a for reflecting the reflected light of the original toward the second scanning unit 40b, and the like. At a constant speed V from left to right.

The second scanning unit 40b is composed of two reflecting mirrors 42b and 42c for reflecting the light from the first scanning unit 40a toward the optical lens 43, so as to follow the first scanning unit 40a. Speed V / from left to right
Move with 2.

The optical lens 43 includes a second scanning unit 40
The light from b is focused on the imaging surface of the CCD 44. CCD4
Reference numeral 4 denotes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, which convert a document image into an analog signal line by line, and further convert the digital image data into digital image data by an AD converter (not shown) at a subsequent stage.

The laser recording unit 32 has a laser writing unit (LSU: Laser Scanning Unit) 46, an electrophotographic processing unit 47, a paper transport mechanism 50, etc., and receives facsimile received data, read data from the scanner unit 31,
An image is printed on a sheet based on image data included in external host data or the like.

The laser writing unit 46 has a laser light source, a polygon mirror, a scanning lens, and the like, and scans a laser beam modulated based on image data in a line shape, thereby forming a photosensitive drum 48 of the electrophotographic process unit 47. To form an electrostatic latent image.

The electrophotographic process unit 47 includes a photosensitive drum 48, a charger, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a peeling unit, a cleaning unit, and a static eliminator arranged along the periphery of the drum, and is formed by laser scanning. The developed electrostatic latent image is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to paper.

The paper transport mechanism 50 includes a transport section 33, cassette paper feeders 51 to 53, a manual paper feeder 54, a fixing device 49 for fixing a toner image to paper, and a re-supply path 5.
6, a paper discharge roller 57, a two-sided copying unit 55, a post-processing device 34, and the like. The paper is supplied to the electrophotographic process unit 47, the toner is fixed by the fixing unit 49, and the paper is discharged to the outside. It has a function to do.

The transport section 33 supplies the sheet to the transfer position of the electrophotographic processing section 47. Cassette paper feeder 51-5
Reference numeral 3 denotes a paper storage tray, which feeds the paper stored in the tray to the transport unit 33. The manual sheet feeding device 54 sends the sheet inserted by the user to the transport unit 33.

The upper part of the cassette sheet feeding device 51 has
A remaining amount sensor 58 for detecting the remaining amount of paper Nr is provided, and a paper sensor 59 for detecting the passage of paper is provided near the paper feeding path of the cassette paper feeding device 51.

The double-sided copying unit 55 has a tray 55a for double-sided printing, temporarily stores the sheet fixed by the fixing unit 49, and sends the sheet to the transport unit 33 again. At this time, in the re-supply path 56, the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 49 is turned over, and then transported to the duplex copying unit 55. The paper discharge roller 57 transports the paper passing through the fixing device 49 to the post-processing device 34.
Alternatively, it is selectively conveyed to the resupply path 56.

The post-processing device 34 includes a paper receiving roller 343 for receiving the paper passing through the paper discharge roller 57, three transport paths 344, 345, and 348, switching gates 346 and 347 for switching the transport paths, Output trays 34
1, 342, discharge rollers 349, 350 for sending out paper
The paper passing through the paper discharge rollers 57 is selectively discharged to discharge trays 341 and 342, and subjected to post-processing such as stapling.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The digital MFP 1 includes an operation panel board 100, a machine control board 200, a CCD board 300, a main image processing board 400, a sub image processing board 500,
It is composed of an extension board group 600 and the like, and controls the operation of each component shown in FIG.

The main image processing board 400 includes a main C
PU 401, multi-value image processing unit 402, memory 403
And a laser controller 404, etc., and performs image processing on image data included in read data from the CCD board 300, facsimile reception data, external host data, and the like.

The main CPU 401 controls the operation of the main image processing board 400 and controls the operation of the entire digital multifunction peripheral in cooperation with another CPU. The multi-valued image processing unit 402 performs image processing on multi-valued image data, such as shading correction, density correction, area separation, filter processing, MTF correction, resolution conversion, scaling processing, gamma correction, etc. Image data having gradation is generated.

The memory 403 stores multi-valued image data after image processing, control data necessary for image processing, and the like. The laser controller 404 transmits the image data after the image processing stored in the memory 403 to the laser writing unit 4 shown in FIG.
Supply to 6.

The sub image processing board 500 includes a binary image processing section 501, a memory section 502, a hard disk drive 503, an interface section 504, and the like. Further image processing is performed.

The binary image processing unit 501 is connected to the main image processing board 400 via connectors 405 and 505 and is controlled by the main CPU 401. The binary image processing unit 501 converts a multi-valued image into a binary image, and rotates the image. The input image data is binarized and necessary image processing is performed, such as image rotation to be performed, binary zoom as a scaling process of a binary image, and data compression / expansion processing. Also, a binary image processing unit 501
Is an FA for connecting to a FAX board 603 described later.
An X interface is provided.

The memory section 502 includes a page memory 502a.
And the gate array 50 for controlling the page memory 502a
2b and the like, and stores binary image data after image processing, control data necessary for image processing, and the like. The hard disk device 503 includes a disk memory 503a, a gate array 503b for controlling the disk memory 503a, and the like, and stores a large amount of image data.

The interface unit 504 includes a SCSI terminal 504a conforming to the SCSI standard and a SCSI terminal 50.
4a, and a printer board 601 and a function expansion board 602 to be described later.
Send and receive data to and from

The operation panel board 100 includes a sub CPU 1
01, a memory 102 and the like. Sub CPU10
1 controls an LCD (liquid crystal display) 104 and operation keys 105 mounted on an operation panel 103,
It controls the clock unit 106 that counts time, day of the week, year, month, day, and the like, and sends and receives data to and from the main CPU 401.

The machine control board 200 comprises a sub CPU 201, a memory 202 and the like. Sub C
The PU 201 includes the scanner unit 31 shown in FIG.
36, electrophotographic process unit 47, double-sided copy unit 5
5. It controls the post-processing device 34, the paper transport mechanism 50, etc., and sends and receives data to and from the main CPU 401.

The CCD board 300 is provided with the CC board shown in FIG.
D44 and a gate array 302 for controlling the CCD 44
And an analog circuit 303 for amplifying an analog image signal from the CCD 44, an AD converter 304 for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and the like. These operations are controlled by the main CPU 401, and the obtained digital image data is It is supplied to the multi-value image processing unit 402.

The extension board group 600 includes the printer board 6
01, a function expansion board 602, and a FAX board 603.
These are connected to the sub-image processing board 500. The printer board 601 includes a sub CPU, a memory, a SCSI terminal, a network interface, and the like, receives host data transmitted from an external device such as a host computer via a network, and supplies the host data to the sub image processing board 500. Function expansion board 602
Is composed of a sub CPU, a SCSI terminal, and the like, and is for expanding the processing content of the sub image processing board 500.

The FAX board 603 includes a sub CPU 603
a, a memory 603b, a gate array having a modem function, etc., and transmits read data from the CCD board 300 to an external facsimile apparatus via a telephone line, and transmits received data from the external facsimile apparatus to a sub-image processing board. Supply 500.

Next, the operation will be described. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 has a facsimile mode for printing data received from an external facsimile machine, a copy mode for printing data read from the CCD board 300, and a printer mode for printing host data from a host device.

The facsimile mode includes a transmission mode in which the digital multi-function peripheral 1 transmits data to an external facsimile apparatus and a reception mode in which data is received from the external facsimile apparatus. Further, the reception mode includes a night reception mode and a normal reception mode set for each time zone.
Each of the above modes is set by a manual operation of the operation panel 103 or an operation command from the host device.

First, regarding the transmission mode, the user
The original is set on the original tray of F36, and the operation panel 10
When the start button 3 is depressed, the RADF 36 conveys the document one by one to the document placing table 35 and stops it, and then the scanning operation of the scanner unit 40 causes the CCD 44 to read the document image and convert it to, for example, 8-bit image data. The image data is stored in the memory 403 of the main image processing board 400. After performing predetermined image processing on the image data, the multi-value image processing unit 402 supplies the processed image data to the binary image processing unit 501. The binary image processing unit 501 converts the data into 2-bit image data using an error diffusion method or the like, further compresses the data, and stores the data in the memory unit 502. Note that the error diffusion method is a method of binarizing a gradation image while minimizing image quality deterioration, and the amount of image data can be significantly reduced by binarizing an 8-bit image.

When the communication route with the partner facsimile machine is established, the FAX board 603 reads out the image data stored in the memory unit 502, performs necessary processing such as changing the compression format, and transmits the data to the partner facsimile machine. I do.

Next, the reception mode will be described. FAX
The board 603 establishes a communication route in response to a call from the partner facsimile machine, and then receives data transmitted by the partner facsimile machine and supplies the data to the binary image processing unit 501 of the sub-image processing board 500. Binary image processing unit 50
Reference numeral 1 denotes a memory 403 of the main image processing board 400 after performing data expansion corresponding to the facsimile compression format.
To supply. The multi-value image processing unit 402 performs predetermined image processing, for example, gamma correction, on the image data, and then supplies the image data to the laser writing unit 46. The laser writing unit 46 modulates the laser light based on the image data, scans the laser light in a line, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 48 of the electrophotographic process unit 47. Electrophotographic process part 4
7 develops the electrostatic latent image with toner, transfers the toner image to a sheet, and further records an image on the sheet by the fixing device 49.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the operation in the night reception mode. The night reception mode is F
When printing the received data supplied from the AX board 603 via the sub-image processing board 500, the main CPU
Reference numeral 401 denotes a mode in which printing is performed while considering the remaining amount of printing paper. The paper used for facsimile reception can be supplied from any of the three cassette paper feeding devices 51 to 53. Here, an example in which the cassette paper feeding device 51 is set for facsimile reception will be described.

First, in step s1, the main CPU
Reference numeral 401 refers to the date and time data of the clock unit 106, compares it with a preset night reception time zone, and if the current time is the night reception time zone, shifts to step s2 to change the reception mode from the normal reception mode to the night reception mode. And switch to L
The standby display of the CD 104 is switched from a normal copy machine display to a facsimile reception display.

Here, the standby display on the LCD 104 is a screen display during a period when the function of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is not used. In general, the display is frequently used in the daytime as a copying machine. Is set as shown. On the other hand, in the nighttime, the frequency of use as a copier decreases and the frequency of use as a facsimile apparatus increases, so that the setting is switched to the screen display for facsimile reception.

In step s3, the main CPU 401 refers to the detection signal of the remaining amount sensor 58 and determines whether or not the remaining amount of paper Nr of the cassette sheet feeding device 51 is sufficient by comparing with a predetermined value Nc. In this determination, it is sufficient to roughly estimate the remaining amount Nr of the sheet, and a method of measuring the thickness of the entire sheet remaining in the cassette sheet feeding device 51, for example, by using a microswitch as the remaining amount sensor 58, A method in which the apparatus 51 is slowly moved upward to measure the time until the top surface of the remaining sheet reaches the detection position of the remaining amount sensor 58 is applicable.

The remaining amount of paper Nr is larger than a predetermined value Nc (Nr
> Nc), it is considered that there is no fear of running out of paper, and the process proceeds to step s10, where the main CPU 401 determines the presence or absence of facsimile reception as in the normal reception mode.
Using the paper stored in the cassette paper feeder 51,
Execute printing of received data. On the other hand, in step s13, while waiting for facsimile reception, the main CPU 401 determines whether or not the current time is in the night reception time zone. If the night reception time zone has passed, the night reception mode is canceled in step s12. Then, the standby display on the LCD 104 is switched to the screen display for the copying machine.

If it is determined in step s3 that the remaining amount of paper Nr in the cassette paper feeding device 51 is not sufficient, that is, if the remaining amount of paper Nr is equal to or less than the predetermined value Nc (Nr ≦ Nc), step s4.
Then, a remaining amount counting routine for accurately measuring the remaining amount of paper Nr per sheet is executed. In the remaining amount counting routine, the main CPU 401 feeds the remaining sheets in the cassette sheet feeding device 51 one by one in a state where the operation of the electrophotographic processing unit 47 is stopped, and feeds the sheet to the transport unit 33 and the re-supply path 5.
6, the sheet is sent to the double-sided printing tray 55a, and the sheet sensor 59 detects the passage of the sheet, thereby measuring the sheet remaining amount Nr for each sheet. At this time, a predetermined value N is set to prevent overflow of the sheet in the duplex printing tray 55a.
It is preferable that the value of c be equal to or less than the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the double-sided printing tray 55a. Normally, tray 5 for double-sided printing
The maximum storage number of 5a is designed to be about 50 sheets.

Next, at step s5, the main CPU
401 determines whether or not the remaining amount of paper Nr measured in the remaining amount counting routine is equal to or less than a second predetermined value Nf. If the remaining amount of paper Nr is larger than the second predetermined value Nf (Nr> Nf), the process proceeds to step s14, where the main CPU 401 determines whether or not facsimile reception is performed, as in the normal reception mode, and facsimile reception occurs. Then, step s16
The printing of the received data is executed using the paper housed in the double-sided printing tray 55a. On the other hand, step s1
5, the main CPU 40 waits for facsimile reception.
1 determines whether or not the current time is in the night reception time zone, and if the night reception time zone has elapsed, the night reception mode is canceled in step s12.

The second predetermined value Nf is the value of facsimile reception 1
This is equivalent to the maximum number of sheets used for a case, and is set to a numerical value that can avoid memory reception described later. If the predetermined value Nc is set to be equal to or smaller than the second predetermined value Nf, the determination process of step s5 is omitted and step s5 is immediately performed.
You may move to 6.

In step s5, the remaining amount of paper Nr in the double-sided printing tray 55a is equal to or less than the second predetermined value Nf (Nr ≦ N).
In the case of f), it is considered that there is a possibility of running out of paper, and the process proceeds to step s6, where the main CPU 401 determines whether or not facsimile reception is performed. When facsimile reception occurs, the received data is subjected to main image processing in step s7. A memory reception operation temporarily stored in the memory 403 of the board 400 is executed.

When a series of data reception is completed, in the next step s8, the received data stored in the memory 403 is analyzed to calculate the number of sheets Nd required for printing the received data, Printing tray 55a
Is compared with the remaining paper amount Nr. If the required number Nd is equal to or less than the remaining amount of paper Nr (Nd ≦ Nr), it is considered that the received data can be printed collectively, and the process proceeds to step s9 to remove the paper stored in the duplex printing tray 55a. Used to execute printing of received data.

On the other hand, if the required number Nd is larger than the remaining amount of paper Nr (Nd> Nr), it is considered that the paper may run out during printing, and the state where the received data is stored in the memory 403 is maintained. To step s6.

If there is no facsimile reception in step s6, the process proceeds to step s17, and the main CPU 401 determines whether or not the current time is in the night reception time zone while waiting for facsimile reception. After the lapse of the band, the process proceeds to step s18 in FIG. 4 to release the night reception mode.

Next, in step s19, the memory 40
It is determined whether or not unprinted data exists in the received data stored in step 3. If there is no unprinted received data, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is unprinted received data in the memory 403, the process proceeds to step s20, and a warning display is displayed on both sides of the LCD 104 to urge the user to supply sheets of the facsimile target size to the cassette sheet feeding device 51.

In step s21, it is determined whether or not a sufficient amount of facsimile target size paper capable of printing the unprinted received data is present in the cassette feeding device 51 and the double-sided printing tray 55a. LC if enough
A warning is displayed to urge both sides of D104 to replenish the supplement, and the process waits.

When a sufficient amount of paper is replenished, it is determined in step s22 whether or not paper remains in the duplex printing tray 55a, and in step s23, the paper in the duplex printing tray 55a is used first. The printing of the unprinted received data stored in the memory 403 is executed. On the other hand, if there is no more paper in the duplex printing tray 55a, step s
At 24, printing of the unprinted received data is executed using the paper of the cassette paper feeding device 51.

In the above description, the data received in memory is automatically printed when paper is supplied. For example, if there is unprinted received data in the memory 403 in step s19, the print result of facsimile reception is printed. The table may be printed or displayed on an LCD, and the administrator or the like may selectively execute printing by manual operation with reference to the print result table.

Further, when the night reception mode is canceled in step s12, it is preferable to forcefully discharge the paper remaining in the double-sided printing tray 55a to the discharge trays 341 and 342. This is because if sheets remain on the duplex printing tray 55a even after the time zone in which the facsimile mode has priority has elapsed, the remaining sheets will be discharged when the mode is switched to the copier mode or the printer mode. This is to prevent the user from erroneously treating the remaining paper.
In addition, by discharging the remaining paper from the double-sided printing tray 55a in advance, the copying operation speed of the first page during double-sided copying can be maintained.

[0079]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the received data is temporarily stored in the data storage unit, and the number of sheets Nd required for printing the received data is calculated and compared with the remaining amount of paper Nr. However, when the required number Nd is equal to or less than the remaining amount of paper Nr, the received data can be printed collectively, so that the received data is supplied to the printing unit and printing is executed immediately.
On the other hand, when the required number Nd is larger than the remaining amount of paper Nr, the printing is not executed, and the data storage in the data storage unit is continued until, for example, paper is replenished. Therefore, since the processing of a series of received data is limited to either printing or all saving, it is possible to prevent the facsimile print output from being divided, and to reliably transmit a series of facsimile information to the recipient. Before starting reception, it is determined whether or not there is ample paper in the paper storage unit by comparing the magnitude with a predetermined value Nc.
Since there is no fear of running out of paper, the data received by the data communication unit can be directly supplied to the printing unit and printing can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to omit the analysis processing of the received data necessary for calculating the required number Nd, and to improve the processing efficiency.

When the remaining amount is detected, the first sheet is
By transferring the sheet from the tray to the second tray and counting the number of remaining sheets Nr, the remaining sheet number Nr can be measured in units of one sheet, so that the measurement accuracy is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a night reception mode.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a night reception mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction machine 31 Scanner part 32 Laser recording part 33 Conveyance part 40 Scanner unit 44 CCD 46 Laser writing unit 47 Electrophotographic process part 50 Paper conveyance mechanism 51-53 Cassette paper feeder 55 Duplex copying unit 55a Duplex printing tray 56 Re Supply path 58 Remaining amount sensor 59 Paper sensor 100 Operation panel board 106 Clock section 200 Machine control board 300 CCD board 400 Main image processing board 500 Sub image processing board 603 FAX board

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masao Miyaza 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Masashi Toyoda 22-22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (72) Inventor Takeshi Iwamoto 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Toshio Tanoue 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Sharp Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2H078 FF04 FF11 FF13 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA13 AA27 AB08 AB22 AB30 AB32 AB35 AB41 AB42 AC09 AC35 AC60 AC67 AC68 AC71 AF06 AF07 AF10 AF15 BA00

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A data communication unit for receiving facsimile data, a data storage unit for storing data received by the data communication unit, and a printing unit for printing data stored in the data storage unit on paper And a paper storage unit for storing paper, a remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining paper amount Nr in the paper storage unit, and a control unit for controlling the data storage unit and the printing unit. When a series of data reception is completed, the control unit sets the number of sheets Nd required for printing the reception data stored in the data storage unit.
Is calculated, and the required number of sheets Nd is compared with the remaining amount of paper Nr detected by the remaining amount detection unit. When Nd ≦ Nr, the received data is supplied to the printing unit and printing is performed. A facsimile apparatus characterized by continuing data storage in a data storage unit without printing. 2. The control section compares the remaining amount of paper Nr with a predetermined value Nc before starting data reception, and when Nr> Nc, supplies data received by the data communication section to the printing section to execute printing. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. A paper storage unit comprising: first and second trays; and a paper transfer unit configured to transfer paper stored in the first tray to a second tray. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of sheets transferred is counted. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first tray is a tray for storing unprinted paper, and the second tray is an intermediate tray for duplex printing. 5. The paper storage unit includes a plurality of trays for storing paper of different sizes, and the remaining amount detection unit determines that any one of the plurality of trays is a target for detecting the remaining amount of paper. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 6. The paper storage unit according to claim 2, wherein the paper storage unit includes a plurality of trays having different maximum storage numbers, and the predetermined value Nc is set to be equal to or less than the minimum maximum storage number among the trays. Facsimile machine. 7. A document reading section for reading a document image and supplying read data to a data storage section, and receiving host data transmitted from an external host and supplying host data to the data storage section. A host interface unit; a clock unit for counting date and time; a control unit, a facsimile mode for printing received data,
5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a copier mode for printing read data and a printer mode for printing host data, wherein the facsimile mode is preferentially operated in a predetermined time zone. 8. The control unit, after a predetermined time period elapses,
8. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sheet remaining on the intermediate tray for duplex printing is discharged. 9. The control unit issues a warning urging replenishment of paper when Nd> Nr, supplies received data stored in the data storage unit to the printing unit after replenishment of paper, and executes printing. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 10. A step of detecting a remaining amount of paper Nr in a paper storage unit, a step of receiving facsimile data, a step of storing the received data in a data storage unit, and after a series of data reception is completed, Calculating the number of sheets Nd required for printing the received data stored in the data storage unit and comparing the required number of sheets Nd with the remaining amount of paper Nr; and supplying the received data to the printing unit when Nd ≦ Nr. A facsimile receiving method comprising the steps of: performing printing by using a printer; and a data step of continuing to save data in a data storage unit without printing when Nd> Nr. 11. A method comprising: comparing a remaining amount of paper Nr with a predetermined value Nc before starting data reception; and supplying a received data to a printing unit when Nr> Nc to execute printing. The facsimile receiving method according to claim 10, wherein