JP2001186306A - Facsimile equipment and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide facsimile equipment and its control method capable of facilitating confirmation of presence/absence of a desired incoming original and its obtaining work by sorting a paper eject tray for every incoming call. SOLUTION: When a designated tray is not at a first set position, the designated tray is replaced with another incoming call tray and when it is at the first set position, the incoming call original is ejected to the designated tray. Next, when another incoming call tray is not at a second set position, the designated tray to which the incoming original is ejected is released to move to the second position and when another incoming call tray is at the second set position, the release of the designated tray is prohibited. Next, recovery processing is prompted by the display of incoming call and generation of an alarm sound and when the recovery processing is not performed, the equipment is shifted to 'manual tray release mode'.

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 plurality of discharge trays and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a conventional facsimile apparatus has a single paper output tray, and incoming documents are output and discharged uniformly to the same paper output tray regardless of the destination. They are sorted and classified. Also,
In a combined apparatus of a copier and a facsimile machine, a plurality of bins of a sorter connected to an incoming document output port can be used as a paper output tray.However, the bin from which an incoming document is output is usually determined. Normally, all incoming documents are ejected to the upper or lower bin or the open bin.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, when an incoming original addressed to a plurality of users is included in one original bundle, it is difficult to know whether or not there is an original addressed to itself and to extract it. . In addition, since all the manuscripts for the other person are read, the chances of seeing the incoming manuscript by the other person are increased, which is not preferable for the private manuscript, and reduces the usefulness of the apparatus.

Further, in an apparatus which can use a plurality of bins as a paper discharge tray, it is difficult to see at a glance which of a large number of bins has an incoming document, and especially if the paper is discharged to a lower bin, the user must bend down. You must check the presence of the manuscript in an unreasonable position.

[0005] As described above, there is a problem that it is not easy to quickly obtain a target document addressed to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to sort out a paper discharge tray for each incoming call to easily confirm the presence or absence of a desired incoming original and to obtain it. And a control method thereof.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus for receiving a plurality of discharge trays for discharging incoming originals and facsimile data containing predetermined information. Receiving means for selecting a discharge tray from the plurality of discharge trays based on the predetermined information in the facsimile data received by the receiving means, and receiving the received facsimile in the selected discharge tray. Control means for outputting and discharging the incoming original corresponding to the data, and notifying means for performing a predetermined notification for recognizing that the incoming original has been output and discharged to the discharge tray selected by the control means. It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the predetermined notification includes a visual display, a voice display on the display unit, and the output discharge. The change is made by at least one of changes in the appearance of the discharged paper tray.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein a change in the appearance of the output tray on which the output sheet is discharged is determined by the change of the incoming document. A second mode that allows the user to easily take out the incoming document discharged from the first position where the output can be output from the discharge port.
Is performed by moving to the position of.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the second position of the output tray from the first position of the output tray on which the output sheet is discharged is set. Is moved by utilizing the weight of the paper discharge tray.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the control means is arranged such that the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is the first tray. When the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is not at the first position, another discharge tray is selected.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the other discharge tray is a predetermined step from a discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information. The paper tray is selected from the paper trays at the first position among the paper trays separated as described above.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the control means is separated from a discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information by a predetermined step or more. The first of the paper discharge trays
If there is no paper discharge tray at the position, the received facsimile data is output and discharged to a paper discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information, and the output facsimile data is moved to a second position of the output paper discharge tray. Is prohibited.

In order to achieve the same object, the facsimile apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control means determines that the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is the first paper tray. If the paper ejection tray at the second position exists within the range of not more than a predetermined step from the paper ejection tray and the received paper tray is received by the paper ejection tray corresponding to the predetermined information. Output facsimile data, and prohibit movement of the output discharge tray to the second position.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, wherein the output original is taken out from the paper output tray at the second position. A prompting means for prompting a return to the first position is provided.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to any one of the third to ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect has a configuration in which It is characterized in that the user can manually return to the first position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the facsimile apparatus detects the presence or absence of a received incoming document on the plurality of paper output trays. Means, and when the incoming original discharged to the discharge tray returned to the first position by the user remains, the discharge tray is moved to the second position.
And re-moving means for re-moving to the position.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the predetermined information includes a facsimile number of a transmission source and the facsimile number. The information is one of information associated with a plurality of paper discharge trays.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method of a facsimile apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a control method of a facsimile apparatus for controlling a facsimile apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays for discharging incoming originals. Receiving a facsimile data including predetermined information, and selecting a discharge tray from among the plurality of discharge trays based on the predetermined information in the facsimile data received by the reception step; A control step of outputting and receiving an incoming original corresponding to the received facsimile data to the selected output tray; and recognizing that the incoming original has been output and output to the output tray selected by the control step. And a notification step of performing a predetermined notification for causing the notification to occur.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 14 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 13.
In the configuration described above, the predetermined notification is made by at least one of a visible display on a display unit, an audio display, and a change in the appearance state of the output tray on which the output sheet is output.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 15 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 14.
In the configuration described above, the change in the appearance state of the output tray on which the output sheet has been discharged is such that the user can easily take out the incoming document discharged from the first position where the output sheet can be output and discharged from the discharge port of the incoming document. The movement is performed by moving to the second position.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method of a facsimile apparatus according to claim 16 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 15.
In the configuration described above, the movement of the output tray on which the output sheet has been discharged from the first position to the second position is performed using the weight of the sheet discharge tray.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method of a facsimile apparatus according to claim 17 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 15.
In the configuration according to the sixteenth aspect, the control step selects the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information when the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is at the first position. When not at the first position, another discharge tray is selected.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method of a facsimile apparatus according to claim 18 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 17.
In the configuration described above, the other discharge tray is selected from among the discharge trays located at the first position among the discharge trays separated from the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information by a predetermined step or more. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 19 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 18.
In the configuration described in the above, the control step includes the step of determining whether the discharge tray at the first position among the discharge trays separated from the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information by a predetermined step or more does not include the discharge tray at the first position. The received facsimile data is output and discharged to a corresponding discharge tray, and movement of the output discharge tray to the second position is prohibited.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 20 of the present invention is as described in claim 15.
In the configuration according to the above or 16, the control step may include setting the second tray within a range in which a discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is at the first position and is not separated from the discharge tray by a predetermined step or more. If there is a discharge tray at the position, the received facsimile data is output and discharged to the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information, and the output discharge tray is moved to the second position. It is characterized in that movement is prohibited.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method of a facsimile apparatus according to claim 21 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 19.
21. The configuration according to claim 20, further comprising a prompting step of performing a display for prompting the user to take out the output document from the paper discharge tray at the second position and return to the first position.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 22 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 15.
22. The configuration according to any one of claims 21 to 21, wherein
The return of the paper discharge tray at the position (1) to the first position can be manually performed by a user.

In order to achieve the same object, a control method of a facsimile apparatus according to claim 23 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 22.
In the configuration described above, a detecting step of detecting presence / absence of a discharged incoming document on the plurality of discharge trays, and receiving the received document discharged to the discharge tray returned to the first position by the user. And a re-moving step of re-moving the paper discharge tray to the second position when the sheet remains.

To achieve the same object, a control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 24 of the present invention is the above-mentioned claim 13.
24. The configuration according to any one of items 23 to 23, wherein the predetermined information is at least one of information for specifying a facsimile apparatus of a transmission source and information associated with each of the plurality of discharge trays. Features.

In order to achieve the same object, a facsimile apparatus according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention is adapted to include the predetermined information in facsimile data and to transmit the predetermined information to the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects. It is characterized by comprising.

[0032]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This apparatus has a ROM 1, a RAM 3, a MODEM (modem) 4 and a CPU 1 (control means, notifying means).
(Receiving means), an image forming control circuit 5, a reading control circuit 6, an operation section control circuit 8, and an I / O (input / output) circuit 9 are connected via a CPU bus 14. The printing mechanism 51 is connected to the image forming control circuit 5, and the reading mechanism 61 is connected to the reading control circuit 6. The operation unit control circuit 8 is connected to the operation unit 7 (notification unit). The tray drive motor 11 is connected to the I / O circuit 9 via a tray drive circuit 10.
Is connected. The I / O circuit 9 is further connected to a selection axis angle detection sensor 12, a release cam angle detection sensor 13, a tray position detection sensor (SW) 1016, and a paper detection sensor (photo sensor) 1019 in the tray.

The CPU 1 controls the overall operation of the apparatus. The ROM 2 stores a control program to be executed by the CPU 1. The RAM 3 stores variables and various data of the facsimile operation program. MODEM4 is
Controls communication with the public line. The image forming control circuit 5
An image corresponding to the facsimile data received via the MODEM 4 is formed and output to the printing mechanism 51. The printing mechanism 51 prints the image output from the image forming control circuit 5 on a recording sheet to create an incoming original. The reading control circuit 6
By controlling a reading mechanism 61 having a scanner, a document image to be transmitted placed on a document table (not shown) of the facsimile apparatus is read.

The operation unit 7 has an LCD display 71 for displaying device control contents on the operation unit 7, an operation key 72 for a user (facsimile operator) to input an operation instruction, and informs the user of a request from the device. A buzzer circuit 73 for generating a warning sound is provided. The operation unit control circuit 8
It controls the exchange of data between the CPU 1 and the operation unit 7. I
The / O circuit 9 converts a program execution operation by the CPU 1 into an actuator drive signal and outputs the signal to each component, and transmits a detection signal obtained by detecting a mechanical operation state of the apparatus to the CPU 1.

The tray drive circuit 10 receives the output from the I / O circuit 9 and supplies a drive current to the tray drive motor 11. The tray drive motor 11 includes a plurality of incoming trays 101 to 105, which will be described later, for sorting incoming documents.
(Paper discharge tray) is designated by the control of the CPU 1, and the designated incoming tray is moved from the first set position (first position) to the second set position (second set position). The first set position is a position suitable for output paper discharge in the vicinity of a discharge port (not shown) of the received document, and the second set position is a position where the user can easily take out the received document discharged to the tray. Position. For example, referring to FIG. 2 described later, only the incoming tray 105 is located at the second set position, and in FIG. 3, only the incoming tray 103 is located at the second set position.

Each of the selection shaft angle detection sensor 12 and the release cam angle detection sensor 13 is a photo interrupter, and is attached to a mechanical mechanism (FIG. 2 described later) driven by the tray drive motor 11. The selection axis angle detection sensor 12 transmits a signal for selecting and specifying one of the plurality of incoming trays 101 to 105 to the I / O circuit 9. The release cam angle detection sensor 13 detects a rotation axis angle of a mechanical cam (a tray release cam 1117 described later) for moving the designated incoming tray from the first set position to the second set position.

Tray position detection sensor (SW1) 1016
Is configured to be able to detect that a plurality of incoming trays 101 are at the first set position. The paper detection sensor 1019 in the tray is configured to be able to detect the presence or absence of an incoming document in the plurality of incoming trays 101. The tray position detection sensors (SW1 to SW5) 1016 to 1056 and the in-tray paper detection sensors 1019 to 1059 are configured to be independently detectable for each tray.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the incoming tray moving mechanical mechanism of the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a state where the fifth incoming tray 105 from the top is at the second set position.

The configuration relating to the incoming tray 101 will be mainly described, but the plurality of incoming trays 101 to 105 and their accompanying components are all configured similarly.

The incoming tray 101 receives an incoming document discharged from an incoming document outlet (not shown) of the apparatus.
The tray slide groove 1011 is provided on the apparatus main body side plate, and movably supports the incoming tray 101 on the apparatus main body side plate. The slide roller 1012 is fixed to the incoming tray 101 and movably supports the incoming tray 101 on the apparatus body side plate. The tray hold pin 1013 engages with a tray hold unit (not shown), and is released from the tray hold unit, thereby releasing the incoming tray 101 and moving the incoming tray 101 from the first set position to the second set position. Becomes possible.

The tray release pin 1014 is pushed toward the incoming tray 101 by the rotation of the pin select cam 1017, and releases the support position of the incoming tray 101. The pin push-back spring 1015 is
The tray release pin 1014 is returned from the pushed position to the original position in accordance with the rotation of the button 17. The paper detection sensor 1019 in the tray is arranged above the incoming tray 101, and a paper detection LED 1018 is arranged below the incoming tray 101. Paper detection L
The ED 1018 has a corresponding paper detection sensor 101 in the tray.
Light is projected onto the tray 9, whereby the presence or absence of a document in the incoming tray 101 is detected by the paper detection sensor 1019 in the tray.

The tray drive motor 11 (M 1) provides a drive force via the output shaft 110 for selecting and specifying an incoming tray and releasing the holding of the specified tray. CW
One-way clutch 112 transmits the output torque from output shaft 110 in one direction (CW direction = clockwise as viewed from right) with respect to the left side in FIG. Worm gear 1121
Are connected to the CW one-way clutch 112.
The spur gear 1122 transmits the output from the worm gear 1121. The pin select camshaft 1123 is
The output of the spur gear 1122 is transmitted. The above-described pin select cam 1017 is a pin select camshaft 11
23.

The select pin encoder 1124 links to the pin select camshaft 1123 and indicates the cam angle of the pin select cam 1017. The above-described selected shaft angle detection sensor 12 converts the cam position of the pin select cam 1017 into an electric signal by the rotation of the select pin encoder 1124. By this signal, a plurality of incoming trays 1
One of the trays 01 to 105 is defined. The select pin push-up bar 1118 is driven downward by a tray release cam (release cam) 1117.
The release bar push-up spring 1119 moves the select pin push-up bar 1 according to the rotation of the tray release cam 1117.
Push up 118.

The CCW one-way clutch 111 transmits the output torque of the output shaft 110 with respect to the right side of the motor 11 in one direction (CCW direction = counterclockwise as viewed from the right). The worm gear 1111 is connected to the CCW one-way clutch 111. The spur gear 1112 outputs an output from the worm gear 1111 to an output shaft 1113.
To communicate.

The worm gear 1114 is connected to the output shaft 1
The output torque is transmitted to the output shaft 1116 via the spur gear 1115 by changing the rotation direction of the output torque by 90 degrees. The above-described tray release cam 1117 is linked to the output shaft 1116. The tray release cam 1117 is linked to the select pin push-up bar 1118, and is connected to the first tray of the designated tray.
The restriction on the movement from the set position to the second set position is released. The encoder 11110 is connected to the tray release cam 11
17, the above-described release cam angle detection sensor 13 detects the slit of the encoder 11110 and detects the rotation axis angle of the tray release cam 1117.

In this configuration, the designation of a tray (called a release tray or a designated tray) to which an incoming document is to be output and discharged is defined by the rotation of the pin select camshaft 1123 due to the rotation of the motor 11 in the CW direction. The movement of the designated tray from the first set position to the second set position is released by pushing down the select pin push-up bar 1118 by rotating the motor 11 in the CCW direction. This operation will be specifically described.

When detecting an incoming signal from the telephone line, the CPU 1 shifts from the standby state to an incoming call processing operation. In the incoming call processing operation, facsimile image data from the line is decoded by the MODEM 4 and sent to the image forming control circuit 5 as image data. The image forming control circuit 5
The received image data is converted into print data for printing on recording paper, and is printed on the recording paper by the printing mechanism 51.
In conjunction with this printing operation, the CPU 1 selects a tray from which the incoming original is to be actually discharged from the incoming trays 101 to 105 until the printed incoming original is discharged from the paper output port. Activate the mechanical mechanism accordingly.

The following method can be considered as a method for classifying and discharging incoming originals.

A user specifies a facsimile number (or name) for specifying a facsimile machine of a business partner that is a sender.
The (predetermined information) is associated with one of the incoming trays 101 to 105 and stored in the RAM 3 in advance by the operation unit 7. For example, the following correspondence is made.

Incoming Tray Number Customer FAX Number Customer Name # 1 (101) 045-123-4567 Awai Seiki # 2 (102) 03-3456-7890 Yokota Art A fixed tray is specified, and the business partner does not care about the tray to be discharged.

The information of the tray number of this (reception side) is added to the facsimile data of the transmission source, the information of the tray number (predetermined information) in the received facsimile data is detected, and the corresponding incoming tray is detected. , As a tray to be discharged. For example, the correspondence is made as follows.

Incoming tray number User name of the FAX machine # 1 (101) Kajiwara # 2 (102) Tanioka In this case, the tray to be ejected is determined by the information added by the supplier of the transmission source. It is also possible to specify the tray to be ejected with consideration. In the present embodiment, the incoming tray is specified by using the above-mentioned method and the method described above together. However, if the tray can be specified by the method described above, it is given priority. In addition, you may employ | adopt either one of them.

Next, the operation after the CPU 1 determines the incoming tray will be described.

In the present apparatus, an incoming tray release mode (a mode in which an incoming original is ejected to a designated tray and the state where the original can be moved from the first set position to the second set position depending on the situation). 2), two modes of a “manual tray release mode” and an “auto tray release mode (automatic release mode)” can be arbitrarily set by the operation unit 7 or controlled by the CPU 1.

First, the "manual tray release mode" will be described. The "manual tray release mode" is a mode in which the CPU 1 designates an incoming tray and discharges incoming documents to the designated tray, but prohibits sliding movement of the designated tray from the first set position to the second set position. It is. This mode is useful when handling many incoming originals that you do not want others to see, such as confidential, and as described later,
It is also used when it is desired to secure incoming and outgoing facsimile data. Even if the user is absent, the incoming incoming document can be sorted and classified.

When the "manual tray release mode" is set in the RAM 3 via the operation unit 7 and the operation unit control circuit 8, the following operation is performed.

When a facsimile call is received, the CPU 1
It is checked whether or not the communication information from the MODEM 4 includes any number information of the receiving trays 101 to 105. Then, the tray number determined corresponding to the facsimile number of the transmission source is stored in the RAM3. Check if it is registered in. If any of the number information of the incoming trays 101 to 105 is included, the incoming tray is selected and designated. If not, the tray corresponding to the facsimile number of the transmission source is selected and designated. I do.

Normally, when a receiving tray is designated, the CPU 1 outputs and discharges incoming documents to the receiving tray, and gives an instruction to display an incoming call indicating the tray number to the LCD display 71 of the operation unit 7. At the same time, the buzzer circuit 7
3 is given a ringing instruction for notifying the user of the facsimile incoming call so as not to generate noise. The warning sound may include a sound indicating the number of the designated tray. When the CPU 1 discharges the incoming document to the designated tray and completes the instruction, the CPU 1 returns to the standby state and prepares for the next incoming call.

Next, an operation in which the user takes out an incoming original from the facsimile apparatus will be described.

The user uses the ringing sound of the buzzer circuit 73 as a clue, or checks the incoming call information displayed on the LCD display 71 to confirm whether there is an incoming original addressed to himself or another person. The LCD display 71 constantly displays the incoming call status of the facsimile machine for each tray. In order to manually release the desired tray and take out the incoming document, the user inputs the number of the tray from the operation keys 72.
Then, the next tray movement sequence by the CPU 1 is executed. However, if the corresponding tray is in the process of receiving an incoming call, the tray moving sequence is executed after the process is completed and all incoming documents are discharged to the tray.

That is, the CPU 1 recognizes through the operation section control circuit 8 that the key input for canceling the incoming tray has been made from the operation section 7, and drives the tray drive circuit 10 through the I / O circuit 9. At this time, the CPU 1 supplies a control current to the tray drive circuit 10 so that the output shaft 110 of the tray drive motor 11 rotates in the CW direction (clockwise).
The output of the tray drive motor 11 is transmitted to the CW one-way clutch 112 and the CCW one-way clutch 111 through the output shaft 110.

The CW one-way clutch 112 transmits clockwise rotational torque to the worm gear 1121. At this time, since the rotation direction of the output shaft 110 is clockwise as viewed from the right, the rotation torque is not transmitted to the CCW one-way clutch 111 but is transmitted only to the worm gear 1121. The output of the worm gear 1121 drives the pin select camshaft 1123 via the spur gear 1122. Pin select camshaft 1
123 includes pin select cams 1017, 1027, 1037 and 104 for selectively pushing up the incoming tray held at the first set position and moving the tray.
7, 1057 are linked.

Also, the pin select camshaft 1123
The select pin encoder 1124 has a plurality of slits corresponding to the cam ridge positions of the pin select cams 1017 to 1057. Selection axis angle detection sensor 12
Are positions where the specified trays can be released, and the tray release pins 1014, 1024, 1034, 10
44 and 1054 generate a position matching signal immediately before the maximum discharge state is attained.

The CPU 1 sets the tray drive motor 11 to CW
The tray drive motor 11 is rotated until the home position pulse generated by the select pin encoder 1124 is detected. The first pulse position occurring after the detection of the home position pulse is the position at which the incoming tray 101 (# 1) is released, and the second pulse position occurring is the position at which the incoming tray 102 (# 2) is released. is there. Hereinafter, the release position of each tray is also referred to as a “release position”.

The slit of the select pin encoder 1124 is adjusted to a position where the CPU 1 detects a home position pulse and the tray drive motor 11 loses inertial force and stops rotating. For example, when an instruction to release the incoming tray 105 is received, the CPU 1 gives a braking stop instruction to the tray driving circuit 10 through the I / O circuit 9 when the fifth pulse from the home position pulse is detected. The tray drive motor 11 stops in the minimum stop time.
In this state, the tray release pin 1054 of the incoming tray 105 is in the maximum discharge state as shown in FIG.

Next, the CPU 1 sends the tray drive motor 11 to the tray drive circuit 10 through the I / O circuit 9 in the CCW mode.
A control current for rotating in the direction (counterclockwise as viewed from the right in the figure) is given. The output of the tray drive motor 11 is transmitted to the worm gear 1111 via the output shaft 110 and the CCW one-way clutch 111. At this time, since the rotation direction of the output shaft 110 is counterclockwise as viewed from the right, torque is transmitted to the worm gear 1121 and transmitted only to the worm gear 1111. The rotational torque of the worm gear 1111 is
To the worm gear 1114, the spur gear 1115, and the output shaft 111 via the output shaft 1113.
6, transmitted to the tray release cam 1117.

The output shaft 1116 is provided with a position detecting mechanism including the encoder 11110 and the release cam angle detection sensor 13 described above. The encoder 11110 is provided with a slit at a position corresponding to the cam ridge of the tray release cam 1117. ing. The position detection mechanism detects the position of the tray release cam 1117.

The CPU 1 controls the tray drive motor 11
Rotating in the W direction and releasing cam angle detection sensor 1
The output signal of No. 3 is monitored, and when the generation of one pulse is confirmed, the rotation of the tray drive motor 11 is stopped.

In FIG. 2, the select pin push-up bar 11
The tray release pin selected and discharged at 18 is the tray release pin 1054 corresponding to the incoming tray 105. The incoming tray 105 is provided with a tray release pin 1054.
The tray hold pin 105 is pushed up by the tray hold portion provided in the tray slide groove 1051.
By mechanically removing 3, the slide moves down from the first set position to the second set position by its own weight or the weight of the incoming original.

Next, the "automatic tray release mode" will be described. In the “auto tray release mode”, the CPU 1 designates an incoming tray, discharges incoming documents to the designated tray, and slides the designated tray from the first set position to the second set position according to the situation. This is the mode to execute or prohibit. This mode is useful for promptly recognizing the presence or absence of an incoming original addressed to the user when the apparatus is used jointly. In addition, facilitation of the take-out operation, and the arrival of facsimile data that subsequently arrives and the securing of output are also considered.

In the "automatic tray release mode", the mechanism and operation for releasing the designated tray are the same as those in the "manual tray release mode". Hereinafter, mainly the determination of the designated tray and the determination of the execution of the release of the designated tray will be described. I do.

When the setting input of “automatic tray release mode” is made from the operation key 72 of the operation unit 7, the input is made by the CPU 1.
Is recognized through the operation unit control circuit 8, and the incoming tray 101
Tray position detection sensors 1016 to 105 to determine whether or not... 105 are at the first set position or the second set position.
6 for detection. The designated incoming tray automatically moves to the second set position after the incoming original is discharged.
The second set position is a position where the incoming document can be easily taken out, and is separated from the paper exit of the apparatus main body.
In the set position, the incoming document cannot be discharged to the tray. When there is an incoming tray at the second set position, the CPU 1 displays a message for urging the user to remove incoming documents from the tray and return the tray to the first set position (return process). It is displayed on the display 71. If no operation is performed by the user even after a certain time has elapsed after the display, a warning sound is generated by the buzzer circuit 73 through the I / O circuit 9 to further urge the above-described return processing.

When the user executes a return process of removing the incoming document from the tray at the second set position and returning the tray to the first set position, the "automatic tray release mode"
Move to When there is an incoming call in this mode, the CPU 1
Searches the tray information from the decode information from the MODEM4 in the same manner as described above,
It is checked whether the received document is registered in M3, and a tray for actually receiving the incoming document is specified. Hereinafter, this will be described with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the automatic tray release processing.

First, it is determined whether or not the tray release mode has been switched to the "automatic tray release mode (automatic release mode)" in response to a key input instruction from the operation unit 7 (step S401). If the mode is not switched to the "automatic tray release mode", the mode is shifted to the "manual tray release mode" (step S412), and this processing is ended. On the other hand, when the mode is switched to the “automatic tray release mode”, the tray information is extracted from the incoming data from the MODEM 4 received while waiting for the incoming call, and the incoming tray (specified tray) specified by the tray information is set to the first set. The tray position detection sensors 1016 to 1056 through the I / O circuit 9 determine whether or not the
Is determined based on the detection result (step S402).

As a result of the determination, if the designated tray is not at the first set position, incoming documents cannot be discharged to that tray. Therefore, the designated tray is changed to another incoming tray at the first set position. (Step S411). As a result, the next incoming call is secured. Then, step S
Proceed to 412. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S402 is that the designated tray is at the first set position, the incoming document is discharged to that designated tray (step S403).
It is determined whether there is another incoming tray at the second set position (step S404).

As a result of the determination, if there is no other incoming tray at the second set position, the designated tray from which the incoming document has been discharged is released (released) and the first set position is moved to the second set position. It is moved (step S405) (predetermined notification). As a result, the incoming tray from which the incoming original is output and discharged is noticeable and clearly recognized. After that, it advances to step S406. On the other hand, if there is another incoming tray at the second set position, the process immediately proceeds to step S406 without releasing the designated tray. As a result, a situation that hinders the work of taking out the incoming document is avoided.

In the following step S406, the user is requested to perform a return process for removing the incoming document from the tray at the second set position and manually returning the tray to the first set position (predetermined notification). . Specifically, an incoming call indicating the tray number is displayed on the LCD display 71 of the operation unit 7. The tray number referred to here is the number of "another incoming tray" if "YES" in step S404, and is the number of "designated tray" if "NO".

In step S404, it may be determined whether there is another incoming tray in a range separated by a predetermined step (for example, two steps). That is, if both trays adjacent to each other jump out to the second set position, it is extremely difficult to take out the incoming document from the lower tray. Is a tray that is separated from the designated tray by a predetermined step, releasing the designated tray and moving it to the second set position does not significantly hinder each other from taking out incoming documents. With this processing, it is possible to select an incoming tray that makes it easy to see the presence of the incoming document and to easily take it out so as not to interfere with the tray already at the second set position. In this case, in step S406, it is sufficient to prompt the return processing of the designated tray instead of the "other tray". However, it is more desirable to prompt the return processing of the "other tray".

Next, in step S407, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a return process within a predetermined time (for example, several minutes) after the display of the incoming call. As a result of the determination, if the return process is performed by the user within the predetermined time, the process returns to step S401. If the return process is not performed by the user within the predetermined time, a warning sound is output through the I / O circuit 9. (Step S40)
8), further prompt the return process (predetermined notification).
Then, it is determined whether or not the return process has been performed by the user within a predetermined time (for example, several minutes) after the generation of the warning sound (step S409). As a result of the determination, if the user performs the return process within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S401.
On the other hand, if the return processing is not performed by the user within the predetermined time, the warning sound is stopped, the "auto tray release mode" is stopped (step S410), and the operation is shifted to the "manual tray release mode". Step S412
Proceed to.

According to the present embodiment, the designated tray is determined based on the information on the facsimile number and tray number of the business partner included in the received facsimile data, and the incoming document is discharged to that tray. Therefore, it is possible to sort incoming trays for each incoming call, such as for each destination user, and to easily check whether or not a target incoming original exists. That is, if the user is appropriately assigned and assigned to each tray, the discharge tray for incoming originals addressed to the user is fixed,
The presence or absence of an incoming call can be recognized at an early stage, and incoming documents addressed to a plurality of users are discharged to one tray and mixed less, so that the chance of others seeing the incoming original document is reduced. Further, if the tray to be discharged is set within a range of a tray having a height that is easy to take out, it is not necessary to take out the document in an unreasonable posture.

When the incoming original is ejected to the designated tray, the incoming original is made to jump out of the other trays, and the incoming call is displayed and a warning sound is generated if necessary, so that the incoming original is output and discharged. Not only can the tray be clearly recognized and the output paper and the incoming document take-out work can be performed smoothly, but also the tray that has received the incoming document and has been moved to the second set position can be quickly returned. it can. Further, when the other tray is at the second set position, the movement of the designated tray to the second set position is prohibited, so that the original is taken out and returned from the tray already at the second set position. , And the incoming call can be secured while avoiding a situation in which the calls interfere with each other. And
When the return of the tray already at the second position is promptly performed, the prohibition of the movement of the designated tray is released, and the designated tray discharged this time can be promptly moved to the second set position.

When the designated tray is not at the first set position, the designated tray is changed to another tray. Therefore, a tray at the second set position exists and is discharged to that tray before that. Even if a paper document remains, the next incoming call can be secured.

Further, the movement from the first set position to the second set position utilizes the own weight of the receiving tray 101 and the like, and the movement to the first set position is performed manually by the user. The structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

If the discharged incoming original remains on the tray returned to the first set position by the user, the tray is automatically moved to the second set position again. It may be controlled. Thus, it is possible to prevent mixing with the next incoming document, and to improve the usability by assisting the user.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a mechanical mechanism for moving the incoming tray is different from that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the slide roller 1012 is held in the tray slide groove 1011. However, in the second embodiment, the tray side hook 1011 is held.
A tray hold mechanism composed of a zero and a solenoid hook 10111 is employed. Solenoid 10112 is CP
When the tray side hook 10110 and the solenoid hook 10111 are detached under the control of U1, the incoming tray 101 is released, and it becomes possible to move to the second set position. The other incoming trays are similarly configured.

According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the number of incoming trays can be increased by simplifying the structure of the mechanical mechanism for moving the incoming tray.

[0091]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the facsimile machine control method of the present invention or the control method of the facsimile machine according to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to sort out a paper discharge tray for each incoming call, and to easily confirm the presence or absence of a target incoming original and obtain the same.

According to the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention or the method for controlling a facsimile apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to recognize the paper discharge tray on which the incoming original is output and discharged.

According to the facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention or the method for controlling the facsimile apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, the discharge tray on which the incoming original has been output can be clearly recognized so as to stand out. At the same time, it is possible to smoothly carry out the output discharge and the operation of taking out the incoming document.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention or the control method of the facsimile apparatus of the sixteenth aspect, the configuration of the driving source can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

According to the facsimile apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention or the control method of the facsimile apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect, it is determined whether or not a document discharged beforehand remains in a discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information. Regardless of whether the call is received, the incoming call can be secured.

According to the facsimile apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention or the control method of the facsimile apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect, the presence of the incoming document is determined so as not to interfere with the discharge tray already at the second position. Paper can be discharged to a paper discharge tray that is easy to see and take out.

According to the facsimile apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention or the method for controlling a facsimile apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, it is necessary to wait for the document to be taken out and returned from the paper discharge tray already at the second position, and to interfere with each other. It is possible to secure the incoming call while avoiding the situation.

According to the control method of the facsimile apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention or the facsimile apparatus according to the twentieth aspect, it is necessary to wait for the document to be taken out and returned from the paper discharge tray already at the second position, and to interfere with each other. It is possible to secure the incoming call while avoiding the situation.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present invention or the control method of the facsimile apparatus of the twenty-first aspect, it is possible to promptly return the paper discharge tray already at the second position. When the return is made promptly, the prohibition of the movement is released, and the discharge tray discharged this time can be promptly moved to the second position.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention or the control method of the facsimile apparatus of the twenty-second aspect, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

According to the facsimile apparatus of claim 11 or the control method of the facsimile apparatus of claim 23, mixing with the next incoming original is prevented,
The usability can be improved by assisting the user.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the twelfth aspect of the present invention or the control method of the facsimile apparatus of the twenty-fourth aspect, it is possible to appropriately assign a user to each discharge tray.

According to the facsimile apparatus according to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the user of the facsimile apparatus at the transmission destination can be specified and transmitted, and the presence or absence of the intended incoming document can be promptly confirmed to facilitate the acquisition operation. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an incoming tray moving mechanical mechanism of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an incoming tray position state in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an automatic tray release process in the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU (control means, notification means) 4 Modem (MODEM) (reception means) 7 Operation part (notification means) 10 Tray drive circuit 11 Tray drive motor 12 Selection axis angle detection sensor 13 Release cam angle detection sensor 1016 Tray position detection sensor (SW) 1019 In-tray paper detection sensor 101 Incoming tray (discharge tray) 1011 Tray slide groove 1012 Slide roller 1013 Tray hold pin 1014 Tray release pin 1017 Pin select cam 1118 Select pin push-up bar 1123 Pin select cam shaft 1117 Tray release cam

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Takashi Awai, Inventor Takashi Shimomaruko 3-30-2, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Matsumoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon F term (reference) 3F054 AA01 AC03 BF03 BF07 BF23 BJ02 CA03 CA31 5C062 AA02 AB23 AB26 AB35 AE15 AF02 AF15 5C075 CF05

Claims (25)

[Claims] A plurality of discharge trays for discharging an incoming original; a receiving unit for receiving facsimile data including predetermined information; and a receiving unit for receiving facsimile data containing the predetermined information based on the predetermined information in the facsimile data received by the receiving unit. A control unit for selecting a paper output tray from the plurality of paper output trays, and outputting and receiving an incoming original corresponding to the received facsimile data to the selected paper output tray; A facsimile apparatus comprising: a notifying unit that performs a predetermined notification for recognizing that the incoming original has been output and discharged to a discharge tray. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined notification is made by at least one of a visible display on a display unit, an audio display, and a change in the appearance state of the output tray on which the output sheet is discharged. A facsimile machine as described. 3. The change in the appearance state of the output tray on which the output sheet has been discharged is such that the user can easily take out the incoming document discharged from a first position where the output document can be discharged from the discharge port of the incoming document. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said facsimile apparatus is moved by moving to a second position. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the output tray on which the output sheet is discharged is moved from the first position to the second position by using the weight of the sheet discharge tray. Item 3
A facsimile machine as described. 5. The control means, when the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is at the first position, selects the discharge tray while the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is the second discharge tray. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the position is not at the position 1, another discharge tray is selected. 6. The discharge tray selected from among the discharge trays located at the first position among the discharge trays separated from the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information by a predetermined step or more. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the output tray located at the first position among the output trays separated from the output tray corresponding to the predetermined information by a predetermined distance or more does not exist.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the received facsimile data is output and discharged to a discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information, and movement of the output discharge tray to a second position is prohibited. A facsimile machine as described. 8. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is located at the first position, and is located within the range not more than a predetermined step away from the discharge tray. If there is a certain discharge tray, the received facsimile data is output and discharged to a discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information, and the output discharge tray is moved to a second position. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the facsimile is prohibited. 9. A prompting means for prompting the user to take out an output document from a discharge tray at the second position and return to the first position. A facsimile apparatus according to 7 or 8. 10. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the paper discharge tray at the second position can be returned to the first position manually by a user. Facsimile machine. 11. A detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a discharged incoming document on the plurality of discharge trays, and detecting the incoming document discharged to the discharge tray returned to the first position by the user. 11. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: re-moving means for re-moving the sheet discharge tray to the second position when the sheet remains. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information is one of a facsimile number of a transmission source and information associated with the plurality of discharge trays. Facsimile machine. 13. A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus for controlling a facsimile apparatus having a plurality of paper output trays for discharging incoming originals, comprising: a receiving step of receiving facsimile data including predetermined information; Selecting a paper output tray from the plurality of paper output trays based on the predetermined information in the facsimile data received in the step, and placing an incoming document corresponding to the received facsimile data on the selected paper output tray. A facsimile including: a control step of outputting and discharging; and a notification step of performing a predetermined notification for recognizing that the incoming document has been output and discharged to the discharge tray selected by the control step. How to control the device. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined notification is made by at least one of a visible display on a display unit, an audio display, and a change in an appearance state of the output tray on which the output sheet is discharged. A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus as described in the above. 15. The change in the appearance state of the output tray on which the output sheet has been discharged is such that the user can easily take out the incoming document discharged from the first position where the output document can be discharged from the discharge port of the incoming document. 15. The control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the method is performed by moving to a second position. 16. The paper discharge tray on which the output paper has been discharged is moved from the first position to the second position by using the weight of the paper discharge tray. Item 16. A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus according to Item 15. 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein, if the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is at the first position, the control unit selects the discharge tray, and the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information is set to the second position. 17. The control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein when the position is not at the position 1, another discharge tray is selected. 18. The discharge tray selected from among the discharge trays located at the first position among the discharge trays separated from the discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information by a predetermined step or more. The method for controlling a facsimile apparatus according to claim 17, wherein 19. The method according to claim 19, wherein, if there is no paper discharge tray at the first position among the paper discharge trays separated from the paper discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information by a predetermined distance or more, the predetermined information is output to the predetermined information. 19. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the received facsimile data is output and discharged to a corresponding discharge tray, and movement of the output discharge tray to a second position is prohibited. Control method. 20. The control step, wherein the sheet ejection tray corresponding to the predetermined information is located at the first position, and the sheet ejection tray is moved to the second position within a range not more than a predetermined step away from the sheet ejection tray. If there is a certain discharge tray, the received facsimile data is output and discharged to a discharge tray corresponding to the predetermined information, and the output discharge tray is moved to a second position. 17. The control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the control is prohibited. 21. A prompting step for performing a display for prompting the user to take out the output document from the paper discharge tray at the second position and return to the first position. 21. A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus according to claim 20. 22. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the paper discharge tray at the second position can be returned to the first position manually by a user. Facsimile machine control method. 23. A detecting step of detecting the presence or absence of a discharged incoming document on the plurality of discharge trays, and detecting the incoming document discharged on the discharge tray returned to the first position by the user. 23. The facsimile machine control method according to claim 22, further comprising: a re-moving step of re-moving the paper discharge tray to the second position when the sheet remains. 24. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined information is at least one of information for specifying a facsimile apparatus of a transmission source and information associated with each of the plurality of paper output trays. A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus according to any one of the above. 25. A facsimile apparatus wherein the predetermined information is included in facsimile data and can be transmitted to the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.