JP2001177674A - Double-sided facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide double-sided facsimile equipment which can prevent waste of paper. SOLUTION: The image data on a received original are read by a read part 11 and stored in an image memory 6. A recording part 12 has a double- sided print unit and records the image data on both sides of paper. When the image data on a fully blank sheet of paper are transmitted at the transmission side, these transmitted image data are not recorded on the paper and the image data on the next page are recorded on the relevant surface of the paper. The image data on all pages are held at a storage part for a prescribed period, read out as necessary and can be recorded on the paper including the fully blank pages.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a double-sided facsimile apparatus which prevents waste of paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of communication technology, facsimile apparatuses having various functions have been developed. As one example, there is known a facsimile apparatus having a double-sided print unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a double-sided facsimile apparatus) for receiving image data of a double-sided document from a transmitting side and recording the image data on both sides of a sheet.

The double-sided print unit uses, for example, an electrophotographic printer, records one side of image data of a double-sided document on one side (front side) of the sheet, temporarily stores the image data in an intermediate tray, and turns the front and back of the sheet. The image data of the other side of the double-sided document is recorded on the reverse side after being reversed.

A double-sided facsimile apparatus can respond to a user's demand for saving paper from the viewpoint of recent growing interest in environmental conservation and effective use of resources. In addition, recording image data on both sides of a sheet also has the advantage of reducing costs, so that an increase in the number of users who use a double-sided facsimile machine is expected.

[0005]

When using a two-sided facsimile apparatus on the receiving side, if image data of a two-sided original is transmitted from the transmitting side, the image is printed on the front and back sides of the paper as described above. The data is recorded. However, since image data of various originals is transmitted from the transmission side,
Image data of a one-sided original may be received.
In such a case, on the receiving side, the image data is recorded on the front side of the sheet, but only the source information is recorded on the back side, and the rest is discharged in a blank state. Therefore, there is a problem that the paper is wasted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a double-sided facsimile apparatus which prevents waste of paper.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a double-sided facsimile apparatus for receiving image data of a double-sided original and recording the data on both sides of a sheet. In a two-sided facsimile apparatus having a two-sided printing unit, a determination unit for determining whether a page of a received document is blank, and an instruction unit for instructing recording of the image data on paper are provided, and the page determined to be blank is provided. The image data of the original is not recorded on the predetermined surface of the sheet, but the image data of the document of the next page is recorded on the predetermined surface of the sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, a blank page is not determined for the first predetermined number of lines of the page of the received document.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a memory for holding image data of the received document for a predetermined period is provided. When there is a page that has not been recorded, the image data, including the page determined to be blank, is read from the memory and recorded on a sheet according to an instruction from the instruction means.

According to the feature of the invention according to claim 1,
The image data of the page determined to be blank is not recorded on the predetermined surface of the sheet, but the image data of the document of the next page is packed and recorded on the predetermined surface of the sheet. For this reason, it is possible to prevent waste of paper.

In the invention according to the second aspect, blank judgment is not performed for the first predetermined number of lines.
For this reason, when the image data is only the source information, it is possible to avoid erroneous recognition that the image data is not blank.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3,
All image data of the received document is stored in the memory for a predetermined period of time, and when there is a page determined to be blank, the image data of the received document including the blank page is recorded on paper. Therefore, even when a page determined to be blank at a later date becomes necessary, recovery can be easily performed.

[0013]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double-sided facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a communication procedure (protocol) in a sequence, in which a facsimile apparatus on a calling side (transmitting side) transmits a facsimile original (image data) to a facsimile apparatus on a called side (receiving side). FIG. 9 shows an example of transmitting (-). Next, this communication procedure will be described. In the following, “the calling facsimile machine” and “the called facsimile machine” are abbreviated and simply expressed as “the calling machine” and “the called machine”.

The notation in FIG. 2 is the International Telegraph and Telephone Union (Int).
electronic Telecommunications
Recommendation of the standardization (T) of the cable system of the Ion Union (ITU) (recommendation of the ITU-T). 30.

In (1), after the called party responds to the incoming call and closes the DC circuit of the line, the called side transmits a called terminal identification signal (CED) to the calling side. Next, in (2), the non-standard function identification signal (NSF), the called terminal identification signal (CSI), and the digital identification signal (DIS) relating to the capability of the facsimile apparatus are transmitted from the called side to the calling side.

Next, in step (3), the calling side transmits a non-standard function setting signal (NSS) and a digital command signal (DCS) for transmitting a facsimile document to the called side. In step (4), a training check (TCF) is started from the calling side to the called side.

When the training check is completed,
In step (5), the called party sends a reception preparation confirmation signal (CF
R). If the training check fails, the called party transmits a training failure signal (FTT) to the calling party in (6). Next, when the training check is completed normally, that is, when the CFR is transmitted to the calling side, the image data PIX is transmitted from the calling side to the called side in (7). .

When the transmission of the image data is completed, the calling side transmits a procedure end signal (EOP) (8) to the called side.
One of the multi-page signal (MPS) of (9) and the message end signal (EOM) of (10) is transmitted. From the called side, the message confirmation signal (M) of (11)
CF), (12) Retraining negative signal (RTN)
Is transmitted to the calling party. From the calling side,
The disconnection command signal (DCN) of (13) is transmitted to the called side to end the communication.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device of a double-sided facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a control device 1 for a double-sided facsimile machine
Has a control unit 2 for processing various signals and data. The control unit 2 is constituted by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The control unit 2 includes a line control unit (NCU) 4,
Modem 5, image memory 6, RAM 7, ROM 8, display unit 9, operation unit 10, reading unit 11, recording unit 12, clock unit 13
Is connected.

The line control unit 4 is connected to the external line 3 and transmits dial pulses corresponding to the dial number of the other party.
And an incoming call are detected. The modem 5 modulates / demodulates data transmitted / received to / from a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device of the other party, and connects to the line control unit 4. The image memory 6 stores image data to be transmitted and received. The RAM 7 stores management data for reservation transmission or memory reception. The ROM 8 stores data and programs necessary for various operations of the double-sided facsimile machine.

A cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LC)
Various messages necessary for the operation of the double-sided facsimile apparatus are displayed on the display unit 9 using D). An operation unit 10 including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like instructs various operations and stoppages of the double-sided facsimile machine.

The reading unit 11 reads image data of a double-sided document transmitted from the transmitting side. That is, reading of image data on the front side and reading of image data on the back side are performed. The recording unit 12 records the image data transmitted from the destination on a sheet. The recording of image data may be performed on both sides of the sheet, or may be performed on one side of the sheet as described later. The clock unit 13 counts the current time, and counts how long the image data stored in the image memory 6 is held.

In the present invention, if it is determined on the receiving side that the image data of the document is an all-white page, the image data is not recorded on paper, but is advanced to the image data of the next page. It is characterized by recording on paper. Line skipping is performed for the image data for one line corresponding to the transmission source information, so that the image data is not determined as an all white page.

FIGS. 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the image data receiving processing of the present invention. Next, this flowchart will be described.

(1) In step S1, the program for the duplex reception process is started, and then in step S2 the page number is set to 1
Set to. Subsequently, in step S3, the pre-procedure of communication such as transmission of the called terminal identification signal (CED) and training check (TCF) as described in FIG. 2 is executed.

(2) Next, steps S4 to S1
In the process of 0, the resolution is determined and the number of skip lines corresponding to the resolution is set. Resolution is 8 dots x
If it is 3.851 lines / mm (step S4),
The number of skip lines is set to N × 3.85 (step S5). Here, N corresponds to the size of one line of image data of a document.

(3) If the resolution is 8 dots × 7.71 lines / mm (step S6), the number of skip lines is set to N × 7.7 (step S7). If the resolution is 8 dots × 15.4 lines / mm (step S
8) The number of skip lines is set to N × 15.4 (step S9).

(4) The steps S4, S6,
The resolution of step S8 is as follows in G3 facsimile.
These are defined as standard, fine, and super fine, respectively. If the resolution does not correspond to any of these, the number of skip lines is set to N × 15.4 in the processing of step S10.

(5) When the setting of the number of skip lines is completed, the process proceeds to step S11, and the image line flag is reset. Subsequently, one-line decoding is executed in the process of step S12.

(6) Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the number of skip lines is zero. This determination result is N
If so, the process proceeds to step S14, and the skip line number is decremented by one. If the determination result in the step S14 is Y, it is determined whether or not there is a continuous black pixel in a step S15. Note that the determination is made based on continuous black pixels in order to prevent erroneous determination of a black isolated point caused by noise or the like as significant information.

(7) If the decision result in the step S15 is Y, an image line flag is set in a step S16. After subtracting 1 the number of skip lines in step S14, and when the determination result in step S15 is N,
After the processing of step S16, step S17
Move to the processing of.

(8) In the process of step S17, the image data of one line decoded in the process of step S12 is compressed by the MMR method, encoded again, and stored in the image memory. Next, in step S18, a page end signal (R
TC) is detected.

(9) If the decision result in the step S18 is N, the process returns to the step S11, and the process returns to the step S11.
-Loop processing of step S18 is repeated. As described above, in the present invention, all the image data is stored in the image memory in the process of step S17. For this reason,
Even if the image data of the received page is only the source information,
This image data will be stored.

(10) When the end signal (RTC) of the page is detected and the determination result of step S18 becomes Y, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, it is determined whether the image line flag is set. If the result of this determination is N, the fact that the page is an all-white page is stored in the page attribute in step S20.

(12) Step S19, Step S20
In the processing of step S13, the number of skip lines is 0 in step S13.
Is determined, there is no continuous black pixel in step S15, and this corresponds to a case where a page end signal (RTC) is detected in step S18. For this reason, it is based on the determination that image data of only the sender information is formed on the page.

(13) In the process of step S21, the page number is incremented by 1, and then in step S22, the procedure end signal (E
Perform post-communication procedures such as transmission of OP). Subsequently, in step S23, it is determined whether or not image data of all pages has been received. If the determination result is N, the process returns to step S3, and the loop process of each step following the execution of the pre-procedure of communication is repeated. When the determination result in the step S23 becomes Y, the process exits the loop processing and proceeds to the step S24.
To end the processing program.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure for recording image data received and stored in the image memory on paper. Next, this flowchart will be described.

(1) In step S30, the processing program is started. Next, in step S31, image data of all white pages is read.
Data reception job flag is cleared. Then, step S
In step S32, the front surface recording flag is set, and step S3 is executed.
The process moves to the process of No. 3.

(2) In the process of step S33, it is determined whether the page attribute is an all white page. If the result of this determination is N, the process moves to step S37 as described below.
If the decision result in the step S33 is Y, then in a step S34, it is determined whether or not the automatic setting of the all-white-page skip is performed.

(3) If the decision result in the step S34 is Y, the process shifts to a step S38. Step S3
If the result of the determination in step 4 is N, then in step S35, "all white page image data" is displayed on the display. Subsequently, in step S36, it is determined based on the user's operation on the operation unit 10 whether or not image data recording of all white pages is to be executed.

(4) If the decision result in the step S36 is N, the process shifts to a step S38 to set an image data reception job flag for all white pages. Step S
If the determination result at Y is Y, then it is determined in step S37 whether or not the front side recording flag is set. As described above, in the present invention, the image data of all white pages is not recorded on paper.
It is also possible to set the recording of the image data of the entire white page on the paper, thereby facilitating the recovery when the image data of the entire white page becomes necessary at a later date.

(5) If the decision result in the step S37 is Y, then in a step S39, the image data is recorded on the surface of the paper by using the double-sided printing unit, and a step S40 is performed.
To reset the front side recording flag. If the decision result in the step S37 is N, in a step S41 the image data is recorded on the back surface of the sheet by using the double-sided printing unit, and a front surface recording flag is set in a step S42.

(6) As described above, the surface recording flag is reset and set in steps S40 and S42, respectively. Therefore, for the image data of the next page, the result of the determination in step S37 is the opposite of the current processing, and the image data is sequentially recorded on both sides of the sheet.

(7) Next, it is determined whether or not printing of all pages is completed in step S43. If the result of this determination is N, the process returns to step S33, and the loop processing following the determination of whether the page attribute is an all-white page is repeated. It should be noted that even after the image data reception job flag for all white pages is set in the process of step S38, the process proceeds to step S43.
Execute the processing of

(8) When the printing of all pages is completed, the determination result of step S43 becomes Y, the processing exits from the loop processing and shifts to the processing of step S44, and the image data receiving job of all white pages is performed. Determine whether the flag is set.

(9) If the decision result in the step S44 is Y, the process shifts to a step S45 to determine whether or not a holding period has been set for the received image data. If the determination result is Y, step S47
To end the processing program. If the determination result in step S44 or S45 is N, the image data received in step S46 is deleted from the image memory, and the processing program ends in step S47.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining whether image data received and stored in the image memory is to be retained. Next, this flowchart will be described.

(1) In step S50, the processing program is started. Next, in step S51, it is determined whether or not the image data reception job flag for all white pages is set. If the result of this determination is Y, then in the processing of step S52, it is determined whether or not the retention period has elapsed.

(2) If the decision result in the step S52 is N, then in a step S53, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to delete image data of all the originals. When the result of this determination is N, the process moves to step S54.

(3) If the result of the determination in step S51 is N
And when the determination result of step S52 is Y,
Further, when the determination result in step S53 is Y, image data of all white pages is not required to be held in any case. Therefore, in these cases, the received image data is erased from the image memory in the process of step S56, and the process proceeds to step S5.
Then, the processing shifts to step S7.

(4) In the process of step S54, it is determined whether or not there is a print instruction for the image data of all the originals. When the result of this determination is N, the process moves to step S57. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S54 is Y, then in a step S55, the received image data is printed on all pages and erased from the image memory.

(5) In the process of step S57, it is determined whether there is a job for receiving image data. When the result of the determination is N, the processing program ends in step S58. If the decision result in the step S57 is Y, the process returns to the step S51, and the loop process from the step S51 to the step S57 is repeated.

[0054]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data of the page determined to be blank is not recorded on the predetermined surface of the sheet, and the image data of the original of the next page is not recorded. Data is recorded on a predetermined surface of the paper. For this reason, it is possible to prevent waste of paper.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, blank determination is not performed for the first predetermined number of lines.
For this reason, when the image data is only the source information, it is possible to avoid erroneous recognition that the image data is not blank.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3,
All image data of the received document is stored in the memory for a predetermined period of time, and when there is a page determined to be blank, the image data of the received document including the blank page is recorded on paper. Therefore, even when a page determined to be blank at a later date becomes necessary, recovery can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a control device of a two-sided facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure in a sequence.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control apparatus 2 Control part (CPU) 6 Image memory 7 RAM 8 ROM 9 Display part 10 Operation part 11 Reading part 12 Recording part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A double-sided facsimile apparatus having a double-sided printing unit for receiving image data of a double-sided original and recording the image data on both sides of a sheet, determining means for determining whether a page of the received original is blank, and the image data. An instructing means for instructing recording of data on a sheet of paper, the image data of the document of the page determined to be blank is not recorded on a predetermined surface of the sheet, but the image data of the document of the next page is A two-sided facsimile apparatus for recording on a predetermined surface of a sheet. 2. The double-sided facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a blank page is not determined for the first predetermined number of lines of the page of the received document. 3. A memory for holding image data of the received document for a predetermined period is provided. When there is a page which is determined as the blank page and has not been recorded on the sheet, the blank page is instructed by the instruction means. Image data including the page determined to be read from the memory and recorded on paper.
The double-sided facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.