JP2001333242A - Image processor and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and a control method therefor, with which the recording part of the image processor connected with an external device can be shared for recording images based on data from the external device and for recording images based on data processed by the other processing part. SOLUTION: When recording images based on data from external equipment connected through an external centronics connector 109, a facsimile MPU 101 performs control to dispatch a command according to a general command system from the external equipment to a printer part 2, and when recording images based on data from a read part 105 or data received by a communication part 104, the facsimile MPU 101 issues commands according to the general command system and a facsimile command system to the printer part 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus including a recording unit connectable to an external device and capable of recording an image based on input data, and a processing unit for performing processing other than processing by the recording unit. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus including a facsimile unit and a printer unit has been configured as follows (FIG. 39).

The facsimile unit includes an MPU 101 for controlling the operation of the entire facsimile unit, a ROM 102 for storing a control program executed by the MPU 101, and a RAM 10 for storing a work area of the MPU 101 and an image.
3. A communication unit 104 for transmitting and receiving data, and an image reading unit 105 for reading an image.

The printer unit includes an MPU 201 for controlling the operation of the entire printer unit, a ROM 202 storing a control program to be executed by the MPU 201, an accumulator for printing data supplied from a facsimile unit, and an MPU 2 for printing.
01, a RAM 203 used for a work area and the like, and a print head 205 for image recording.

Further, there is a signal line 301 for exchanging data between the facsimile unit and the printer unit.

In the facsimile apparatus configured as described above, the communication unit 104 of the facsimile unit receives image data transmitted from a remote facsimile transmitter, and supplies the received image data to the printer unit. The received image is recorded using the print head 205.

In recent years, proposals have been made to use a printer section of a facsimile apparatus as a printer for an external device such as a personal computer or a word processor.

[0008]

However, when a facsimile apparatus including a printer unit and a facsimile unit is used as an output terminal of an external device, there are the following problems.

Generally, a command system, an emulation mode, a character font, and the like to be used are different between an external device and a facsimile. Therefore, simply connecting the device cannot be used as an output terminal of the external device.

That is, if the facsimile printer unit is simply connected to an external device via an external centronics connector or the like, and the facsimile printer is also used as an output device of the external device, the external device side needs a special function. Since it was necessary to prepare a simple command system, not only the number of man-hours for designing the driver on the external device side increased, but also the printer side could not use the existing printer for the external device, resulting in an increase in cost. Was supposed to be there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a recording unit of an image processing apparatus connected to an external device, which is used for recording an image based on data from the external device and for processing by another processing unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof that can be efficiently used for recording an image based on the obtained data.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, connection means (FIG. 1: 109) for connecting to an external device, recording means (FIG. 1: printer unit 2) for recording an image based on input data, and processing other than recording by the recording means (Facsimile unit 1 in FIG. 1) and a recording instruction sent from the external device when the recording device records an image based on data from an external device connected via the connection device. A command (a control command according to a general command system from an external device, image data, character code data) is passed to the recording means (centro switch 1 in printer mode).
08), a recording instruction command including a command similar to the command sent from the external device when the image based on the data processed by the processing unit is recorded by the recording unit (general command issued by the facsimile MPU 101). A control means (facsimile M) for issuing a command according to a command system and a facsimile command system to the recording means (issuing a command by the facsimile MPU 101 in response to switching by the centro switch 108 in the facsimile mode).
PU101).

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail using preferred embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 305 denotes a document tray on which a document to be transmitted or copied by facsimile is placed with its image surface facing downward. Reference numeral 301 denotes an actuator which is operated by a document, and when the document is not present, the document detection sensor 110 formed of a reflection sensor is set in an inoperative state. The center of gravity of the actuator 301 is set so that the original detection sensor 110 is disabled when the facsimile apparatus is installed as shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a roller for feeding a document to a reading position, and reference numerals 306, 307, and 308 denote conveyance rollers for conveying the document at a proper speed on a reading unit 309 having a contact sensor.

Reference numeral 310 denotes a cut sheet (recording sheet) of a predetermined size.
The recording paper stored in the paper cassette 310 is picked up one by one by the action of a pickup roller 313, and further supplied to a rear end sensor (PE sensor) 206 by a recording paper transport roller 311. Sent.

The recording paper fed to the PE sensor 206 is conveyed over the recording position by conveyance rollers 311, 303 and 312.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a recording head for performing ink jet recording. The recording head 205 sequentially records images on recording paper by repeatedly moving in a main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface) by a scanning mechanism (carriage) (not shown). The recording head 205 in this embodiment is of a type that ejects ink droplets from ejection ports by causing a state change in ink using thermal energy, has 64 nozzles in the sub-scanning direction, and has 360 dpi. It is possible to record an image at a resolution of.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a recording paper trailing edge sensor for detecting the trailing edge of the conveyed recording paper. A footer sensor 207 detects a footer recorded on a recording sheet.

A pickup roller 313 for picking up the recording paper from the cassette 310 is driven by a motor for driving the original conveying rollers 304, 306 to 308.

Reference numeral 314 denotes a recovery system unit which includes a cap member for capping the discharge port of the recording head 205, a suction pump, and the like, and performs suction with the discharge port of the recording head 205 capped by the cap member during automatic recovery or manual recovery. Operate the pump to discharge ink from the discharge port.

The discharged ink is guided to a discharged ink reservoir 315.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the recording paper transport system.

Pickup roller 3 from cassette 310
13, the recording paper fed is conveyed by the conveyance roller 311, conveyed by a predetermined amount after the leading edge of the recording paper is detected by the PE sensor 206, and set at the recording position by the print head 205. Then, the main scanning is performed by the print head 205, and band recording with a recording width of 64 nozzles is performed. When the main scanning is completed, the recording paper is conveyed by a distance corresponding to the recording width to perform the sub-scanning. By repeating this main scanning and sub-scanning a plurality of times, image recording for one page is performed. After recording the image for one page, a footer mark for detecting the presence or absence of ink is recorded at the rear end of the recording paper, and the footer sensor 207 detects the footer mark. The presence or absence is determined.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment includes a facsimile unit 1 on the left side of a dotted line and a printer unit 2 on the right side.

The facsimile unit 1 performs facsimile communication,
It performs various functions of facsimile operations except image recording operations such as image reading, image memory management, and user registration. The printer unit 2 performs a recording operation of a copy image, a received image, and an external input image.

The facsimile unit 1 comprises the following. A facsimile MPU 101 controls the operation of the facsimile unit 1, and a ROM 102 stores program codes, initial value data, table data, TTI font data, and the like. This ROM
The TTI font data stored in 102 is font data for sender information added to the image data when the image data is transmitted, and includes characters such as numerals, alphabets, katakana, and symbols.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a RAM allocated to an image storage buffer, a reading line buffer, a recording line buffer, a user registration data area, a work area, and the like. The image storage buffer is a buffer for storing received image data or unprinted image data, and is also called an image memory. The read line buffer stores the raw image data 4 after reading.
A line buffer having a line size (216 bytes × 4 lines) and a recording line buffer having a line size (400 bytes × 4 lines) of 4 lines of raw image data (including commands) before recording. It is.

A communication unit 104 includes an image communication modem, an NCU, and the like.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a contact for reading an image.
Sensor, image processing LS for performing image processing of the read image
A reading unit that includes I and performs reading control.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a converter for converting image data in the run-length (RL) format soft-decoded by the facsimile MPU 101 into raw image (RAW) data.

Reference numeral 107 denotes raw image data having a main scanning resolution of 8 pel / mm on the facsimile unit 1 side, and 360 dpi (dots per inc.) On the printer unit 2 side.
h) is a resolution converter for converting into raw image data.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a changeover switch for selecting data to be transferred to the printer unit via the Centronics interface, and a facsimile mode operating as a recording system of the facsimile unit 1 or an external device such as a connected word processor or personal computer. This is a centro output changeover switch that performs a changeover operation in accordance with an instruction of the facsimile MPU 101 depending on whether the printer mode operates as a printer.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a Centronics-compliant external Centronics connector terminal for connecting to an external device in the printer mode.

An original detecting sensor 110 detects an original.
Reference numeral 111 denotes a motor for picking up an original or recording paper, and 1
An operation panel 12 includes a keyboard such as a copy key and a printer key.

Next, the configuration of the printer unit 2 will be described.

The printer section 2 is configured as follows.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a printer MPU for controlling the operation of the printer unit 2; 202, a ROM in which program codes, initial value data, table data, various font data, and the like are stored; 203, a reception buffer, raster buffer, text It is a RAM including a buffer, a print buffer, a footer buffer, a work area, and the like.
In the receiving buffer, since the centro output switch 108 of the facsimile unit 1 transfers data at high speed,
The raster buffer is a buffer for temporarily holding the received data, the raster buffer is a buffer for the printer MPU to analyze the data of the received buffer for each byte, and only the print data is extracted, and the text buffer is a buffer for the printer. A buffer for the MPU to analyze the data in the reception buffer byte by byte and extract only the character code.
The print buffer is a print data buffer immediately before printing, and has a size of two scans (360 bytes × 64 bytes).
(Nozzle x 2 scans) and used alternately. The footer buffer is a character code buffer for printing a footer character.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a horizontal / vertical conversion circuit for storing print data of a horizontal raster buffer in a vertical print buffer. Reference numeral 205 denotes a print head for discharging ink by a heater driver.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a recording paper trailing edge detection sensor.
Detects the trailing edge of the recording paper.

Reference numeral 207 denotes a footer sensor including an LED light source for footer detection and a light receiving element for detecting light reflected from the footer mark. The footer sensor is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge,
It is detected whether a predetermined pattern (footer mark) has been printed at a predetermined position on the recording paper.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a motor for conveying the recording paper.

Next, the interface between the facsimile unit 1 and the printer unit 2 will be described.

Reference numeral 301 denotes a signal line connecting the facsimile unit MPU 101 and the printer unit MPU 201. Details will be described later.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a centro output switch 1
A control command, image data, and character code data are transferred from the facsimile unit 1 according to a general command system and a facsimile command system by a Centronics interface connecting the RAM 08 and the RAM 203. An external centronics connector is connected to the centro output switch 108, and an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer is connected to the centro output switch 108 via the external centronics connector 109. As a result, control commands, image data, and character code data are transferred from the external device to the printer unit 2 according to the general command system.

Switching between the facsimile mode and the printer mode is performed by a centro output switch 108. Reference numeral 4 denotes a power supply unit.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the signal line 301. A facsimile unit MPU 101 is connected to the signal line 301.
301-1 from the printer unit MPU 201 to the facsimile unit MPU 10
1 and a signal line group 301-2.

The signal line group 301-1 from the facsimile unit MPU 101 to the printer unit MPU 201 comprises the following.

(1) Reset signal line This signal is used when the power is turned on and when the printer unit 2 is reset.

(2) Automatic recovery prohibition signal line Used to prohibit the automatic recovery operation of the printer unit 2.
Used when the automatic recovery operation is not required, in the serviceman mode, and in the factory assembling process. This is because when the recovery operation is performed with the main body upright as described later,
This is used to prevent the occurrence of ink dripping.

(3) Facsimile mode signal line The printer unit 2 is informed that the printer unit 2 is operating in the facsimile mode. The facsimile command system (described later) can be used only when the facsimile mode signal line is active.
The MPU 201 on the printer side determines whether the data or command sent to the printer unit 2 via the Centronics interface 302 is from the facsimile unit 1 or from an external computer using the facsimile mode signal line.

(4) Emulation mode signal line The type of the emulation mode in the printer mode is transmitted to the printer unit 2. The emulation mode can be changed in the user registration operation. This is a signal line for selecting the command system because the command system used in the printer differs depending on the type of the external device.

(5) Soft power switch signal line Controls the soft power ON / OFF of the printer unit 2. When the power is turned on, before and after the printing operation, when the printer setting registration is changed, and when the printer mode is entered, the soft power supply of the printer unit 2 is started using the soft power switch signal line. Details will be described later.

(6) Online Switch Controls ON / OFF of the facsimile unit 1 and the printer unit 2.

Next, the signal line group from the printer unit MPU 201 to the facsimile unit MPU 101 will be described.

(7) Idle signal line The idle state of the printer unit 2 is notified to the facsimile unit 1. The idle state refers to a state in which the printer unit 2 has processed all the received control commands. When not in the idle state, the facsimile unit 1 must not turn off the power of the printer unit 2 by software.

(8) Feed Request Signal Line The facsimile unit 1 is informed that the printer unit 2 feeds recording paper. In the facsimile mode, the feed request signal line is used when data to be printed is received from the facsimile unit 1 or when printing a long print in which the print data exceeds one recording sheet. Further, even in the printer mode, the paper supply request signal line is used when data to be printed is received from an external device or when printing a long print in which the print data exceeds one recording sheet. Exceptionally, the paper feed request signal line is also used when feeding test prints in the printer mode.

(9) Ink remaining amount detection output signal line The facsimile unit 1 determines that the result of the presence or absence of ink has been determined.
Inform The function is achieved in combination with the ink remaining amount detection result signal line described in the next section. The facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment has an ink remaining amount detection function as a function only during printing of a received image in the facsimile mode. This means that the received image must be reliably printed due to the nature of the received image. Therefore, when the ink runs out, the fact is notified to the facsimile unit 1. The facsimile unit 1 stores the received image memory, and displays a message to prompt the user to replace the cartridge. Then, an attempt is made to print the received image again. As a method for detecting the remaining amount of ink, footer print detection is performed. The footer print detection is a method of printing an ink remaining amount detection mark (footer) at a predetermined position at the rear end of each page of a received image and detecting the mark with a photo sensor. If the output of the photosensor is black, there is ink, and if it is white, there is no ink.

(10) Ink remaining amount detection result signal line Notifies the facsimile unit 1 of the result of the ink presence / absence. The function is achieved in combination with the ink remaining amount detection output signal line described in the preceding section. When the absence of ink is detected, the present ink remaining amount detection result signal is output, and then the ink remaining amount detection output signal line described in the preceding section is activated. Therefore, the facsimile unit 1 can confirm the presence or absence of ink by referring to the remaining ink detection result signal after checking the remaining ink detection output signal line described in the preceding section. The ink remaining amount detection processing will be described later.

(11) Recording paper color paper signal line The facsimile unit 1 is notified that the recording paper is colored paper. The function is achieved in combination with the ink remaining amount detection output signal line described in the preceding section. When it is detected that the recording paper is colored paper, after outputting this recording paper colored paper signal, the ink remaining amount detection output signal line of the preceding paragraph is activated. Therefore, the facsimile unit 1 can check whether or not the recording paper is a colored paper by referring to the recording paper color paper signal after confirming the ink remaining amount detection output signal line described in the preceding section. The ink remaining amount detection processing will be described later.

(12) Cartridge presence / absence signal line The facsimile unit 1 is notified of the presence / absence of an ink cartridge. The printer unit 2 changes the cartridge presence / absence signal line when the cartridge absence or presence state continues 16 times in a 100 msec timer interrupt. When the facsimile unit 1 detects the absence of the cartridge by the present cartridge presence / absence signal line, the facsimile unit 1 prompts the user to mount the cartridge on an LCD display or the like, and prohibits the printing operation in the facsimile mode.

(13) Cartridge correct / error signal line The facsimile unit 1 is notified of the correctness of the cartridge. The printer unit 2 changes the cartridge correct / wrong signal line when the state of the incorrect cartridge installation or the correct cartridge installation continues 16 times in succession in the timer interruption of 100 msec. When the facsimile unit 1 detects a cartridge error by the cartridge error signal line, the facsimile unit 1 prompts the user to mount a correct cartridge on an LCD display or the like.

(14) Soft power signal line This indicates a soft power state of the printer unit 2. In the facsimile mode, it is turned on during the printing operation and the recovery operation. On the other hand, in the printer mode, it is always on regardless of whether it is in a recording operation or in a standby state.

(15) Online signal line Indicates online / offline of the printer unit 2 in the facsimile mode. When offline, commands using the Centronics I / F are not accepted.

(16) Error signal line Indicates an error state of the printer unit 2.

Next, the command system will be described in detail.

The Centronics interface 302
There are a general command system and a facsimile command system.

The general command system is a command system generally used, and can be used in both the facsimile mode and the printer mode. The setting of the command system in the printer mode can be changed by user registration.

The facsimile command system is a special command system prepared for functions that cannot be realized by the general command system alone. It is supported only in facsimile mode because of its special function. If the printer unit receives the command in the printer mode, the command is ignored.

The facsimile command system is composed of the following.

(1) Printer setting command This is a command for initial setting of the printer unit 2. The command is used when the power is turned on, when the printer setting registration is changed, when the facsimile mode is fed, when the facsimile mode is discharged, and when the facsimile mode ends abnormally.

(2) Bidirectional printing correction command This command corrects a reciprocal printing deviation during bidirectional printing. Used when turning on the power and feeding paper in facsimile mode. Because the printer unit 2 is a shuttle printing system in which an image is recorded while moving a head having a plurality of ink ejection ports in a main scanning direction by a carriage, correction of printing deviation by forward and backward scanning is performed for each printing mode and for each device. To the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 performs the bidirectional printing correction based on the bidirectional printing correction value when the software power is turned on and immediately before the start of printing.

(3) Bidirectional printing command This is a command for bidirectional printing and one-way printing. Used when feeding recording paper in facsimile mode. The bi-directional and uni-directional printing settings selected by user registration (separate settings for image printing and character code printing in facsimile mode) are transferred to the printer unit. In printer mode, user registration is not followed.

(4) Footer print command This command collects the reception information footer printing / not printing, the ink remaining amount detection / not printing, recording paper trailing edge detection start scanning number, and footer character code. Used when feeding each page of the received image.

The received information footer is information characters including the date and time when the image was received by the user, the reception number, the received image page, and the like. When the reception information footer is set to be printed by user registration, the printer prints information characters developed on the received image using the printer-side font data at the rear end of the recording paper immediately before the paper is discharged. In addition, when the setting is made to detect the remaining amount of ink by user registration, a mark (footer) for detecting the remaining amount of ink for detecting the remaining amount of ink.
Are drawn in the same scan as the received information footer, and the remaining ink amount detection process is performed.

(5) Facsimile image command The conversion ratio of the resolution conversion in the sub-scan is transferred together with the image data of one line. Used for printing received images, copy images, and transmission failure images. The resolution conversion in the main scanning direction is performed by a hardware circuit (8 pel-360 dpi resolution converter 107), while the resolution conversion in the sub-scanning direction is realized by software. M of facsimile unit 1
The software of the PU 101 calculates the conversion ratio, and transmits the conversion ratio of the resolution conversion together with one line of image data by the command. On the other hand, the software of the MPU 201 of the printer unit 2 that has received the one-line image data and the conversion ratio expands the one-line image data by the conversion ratio and prints it.

(6) Facsimile reset command Various flags of the printer unit used in the facsimile mode are initialized. Used when discharging recording paper in facsimile mode.

Next, the following operation will be described in detail.

At power-on Standby Copy operation Received image output operation Report output operation Printer mode The operation at power-on will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

When the power of the facsimile apparatus is turned on, the facsimile unit 1 operates as a peripheral device (communication unit, reading unit, RL-
After initializing the RAW converter (7-1), the printer unit 2 is reset by a reset signal line to the printer unit 2 (7-2). Then, after waiting for 100 ms (7
-3), the MPU 101 performs a soft power ON process of the printer unit via the soft power switch signal line of the signal line 301 (7-4), and executes an error check (7-).
5). The period of 100 msec is because the printer unit 2 is also performing initialization at the same time when the power is turned on, and waits for completion. If there is an error, after displaying the error (7-6), the software power OFF process (7-8) is performed. If there is no error, the printer setting process (7-7) is performed, and the final initialization of the printer unit is completed. After that, soft power off
The processing is performed (7-8), and the printer unit is set in a standby state.
After that, if necessary, a memory clear report is output (7
-9), the facsimile unit enters a standby state.

On the other hand, when the power is turned on, the printer unit 2 performs the hard power-on initialization process shown in FIG. 8 by the reset signal output in (7-2) of FIG. First, MP
The watchdog timer for preventing runaway of U201 is initialized (8-1), and then the register is initialized for preventing malfunction of MPU201 (8-2). Further, the horizontal / vertical converter 204, the Centronics interface 302, etc. The peripheral device is initialized (8-3), and the work area of the RAM is initialized to prevent malfunction of the MPU 201 and to set initial values of each parameter (8-4). Thereafter, a timer interrupt is started (8-5). Next, the RAM is initialized to erase the data remaining in each buffer (8-6).

When the soft power is turned on by the MPU 101 of the facsimile unit 1 via the soft power switch signal line of the signal line 301, the soft power ON is initialized in the printer unit 2 (FIG. 9).

The facsimile apparatus has three power states. The first state is a state where the power is turned off by hardware and the power is not supplied to the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 1.

In the second state, although the power is turned on in terms of hardware and power is supplied to the facsimile unit 1 and the printer unit 2, only the initialization of the hardware power supply of the printer unit 2 is performed. Since the LED and the like are also turned off, the printer unit 2 is in the same state as when the power is turned off.

In the third state, the power is turned on in terms of hardware, power is also supplied to the facsimile unit 1 and the printer unit 2, and the printer unit 2 is also in the operating state (recording, printer setting, etc.). State.

The three states are provided for the following reasons.

The first reason is that the MPU 20 of the printer unit 2
MPU 1 of facsimile unit 1
It is possible that the MPU 201 of the printer unit 2 runs out of control when a recording request for copying and receiving from the printer 01, a printing request from an external device (not shown), and the like are complicatedly involved. In order to prevent this, the MPU 201 of the printer unit 2 is initialized each time there is a print request such as copying or receiving.

The second reason is that every time the printer unit 2 is initialized, if the same initialization operation as the initialization at the time of power-on is performed, it takes a long time for the initialization, and the performance of the entire system is reduced. It is because it lowers.

The third reason is that turning on the LED or the like of the printer unit 2 consumes unnecessary power until the printer unit 2 is not used, such as in transmission and memory reception. This is to prevent it.

The fourth reason is that if the LED of the printer unit 2 is kept lit, the user mistakenly recognizes that the printer unit 2 is in the operating state, and this is to prevent this.

The fifth reason is that the error state can be easily canceled by initializing the printer unit 2 when the error ends.

Next, initialization when the soft power supply is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. Initialization when the software power is turned on is initialized only for resources used after the software power is turned on. First, the RAM is checked (9-1), the work area is initialized (9-2), and the RAM is initialized (9-
3) Initialize the data analysis program sent from the Centro interface (9-4), and initialize the carriage control and paper transport control (9-5). The MPU 201 of the printer unit 2 performs initial setting of the position of the carriage, that is, the position of the print head 205, using a home position sensor (not shown) (9-6). In this processing, since the carriage position is recognized based on the number of pulses applied to the pulse motor that drives the carriage, the reference position is set using the home position sensor. Next, the carriage is moved in the forward direction by a predetermined amount from the reference position to perform bidirectional correction, and then moved in the reverse direction to sample the state of the home position sensor (9-7). The number of pulses required for movement in the forward direction and the number of pulses required for movement in the reverse direction are counted, and a correction value in bidirectional printing is obtained based on the counted value. If the correction value exceeds a predetermined range, an error occurs and the recording operation is disabled.

Next, it is determined whether there is any remaining paper by the PE sensor 2.
06, etc., and if there is any remaining paper, the remaining paper is discharged (9-8).

Next, it is determined whether or not automatic recovery is performed (9).
-9). Automatic recovery is a process performed to prevent nozzle clogging when the print head 205 is of an inkjet type or the like. This determination is based on the MP of the facsimile unit 1.
It is checked whether or not the automatic recovery is prohibited from the signal line U101 via the signal line 301, and when the automatic recovery is performed in accordance with the conditions described later, the automatic recovery operation is performed (9-1).
0), the initialization process ends. On the other hand, when the automatic recovery operation is not performed, the initialization process is terminated.

Next, the automatic recovery operation will be described.

The automatic recovery prohibition signal line of the signal line 301 prohibits the automatic recovery of the printer unit 2 from the MPU 101 of the facsimile unit 1. In the case of the ink jet recording method, even though the printing ink remains inside the cartridge, the printing ink may not be discharged due to the clogging of the printing ink discharge nozzle or the like. The operation for preventing the print ink non-discharge state is automatic recovery. After recovering the discharge port of the print head, the suction pump is driven with the cap member in the unit 314 capped, and the ink is discharged from the discharge port. Is carried out by discharging On the other hand, when an ejection failure has already occurred, manual recovery can be performed by performing the above operation by operating a key (not shown).

The conditions for performing the automatic recovery operation are as follows. -Hard power ON-72 hours have passed since the last recovery operation-Cartridge replacement The following are the timings at which the automatic recovery operation is actually performed. • When the software power is turned on • Immediately before paper feeding • Immediately after paper ejection The time required for the automatic recovery operation is about 15 seconds when the hardware power is turned on and 72 hours have elapsed, and 30 seconds when the cartridge is replaced. .

Therefore, if the facsimile unit 1 determines that the automatic recovery operation is not required, the use of the automatic recovery signal line to prohibit the automatic recovery operation saves unnecessary time.

Also, utilizing the fact that the document sensor changes to document present when the housing is raised, automatic recovery is prohibited in this case. This prevents ink leakage when automatic recovery is performed with the housing upright.

This state will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the housing is set normally, FIG. 4 shows a state in which a document is present, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the housing is set upright. In FIG.
The actuator 301 is in a state where the document detection sensor 110 is blocked. On the other hand, FIG. 4 does not cover the document detection sensor 110 due to the weight of the actuator due to the presence of the document, and FIG.

The conditions for judging that "the automatic recovery operation is not required" are as follows.

(1) Factory assembling process Waste time for an automatic recovery operation during assembling can be eliminated, and assembling efficiency can be improved. In addition, ink leakage when assembling while standing the housing is prevented.

(2) Test Print No wasted time is spent during test print. If a print ink non-ejection state occurs, a manual recovery operation is performed.

(3) Document sensor 110 with document at power-on There is a possibility that the power is turned on while the housing is standing up, and ink leakage due to the automatic recovery operation is prevented.

(4) Printer Setting Processing During the printer setting processing, no printing operation is performed, and therefore, no automatic recovery operation is required. This saves wasted time on the automatic recovery operation.

Next, a standby state after the initialization of the facsimile unit 1 and the printer unit 2 has been completed will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 will be described.

In the standby state of the facsimile unit 1 (FIG. 10) In the standby state of the MPU 101 of the facsimile unit 1, the presence or absence of reception (10-1-1) and the reception of a key by the user (10-1-3) are monitored. . If there is a reception, a received image is output (10-1-2), and if there is a key input, key input processing is performed (10-1-2).
4). Further, in the timer interrupt, for example, a printer setting request such as bidirectional printing or unidirectional printing, or whether to print a footer mark or the like is monitored (10-2-2).
1). When the previous printing operation ends abnormally or when the printer setting is changed by user registration (10-3-1), the printer setting request becomes active (10-3-2), and the printer setting request becomes active. (10-2-1), the printer setting process is performed (10-2-3).

Printer Unit Standby State (FIG. 11) In the standby state of the printer unit MPU 201, the software power is off and the MPU 1 of the facsimile unit 1
It monitors that the soft power switch signal line of the signal line 301 changes to ON due to 01 (10-4-1).
When the soft power switch signal changes to ON, soft power ON processing is performed (10-4-2), and a command receiving state is set (10-4-3).

For initialization of the soft power ON process,
This is as described with reference to FIG.

Next, the copy operation will be described.

When a copy operation is instructed by a key (not shown), different processing is performed depending on the number of copies. That is, when the number of copies is one, a single copy operation is performed, and when two or more copies are specified, a multicopy operation is performed.

First, the single copy operation will be described with reference to FIG.

In this mode, a single copy operation is realized by transferring the raw image data of the original read by the original reading unit 102 to the printer unit 2 after the resolution conversion by the resolution converter 107.

When a copy operation is performed, it is determined whether or not the printer is ready (11-1-1). Printer ready refers to a state in which recording paper is present, an ink cartridge is present, a recording cover is closed, no recording system error occurs, and the printer unit power is off. If NG, the error message is displayed (11-1-2), and then the copy operation is terminated. If the printer is ready, a read semaphore and a record semaphore are obtained (11-1-3).
A record semaphore cannot be acquired when another task (reception record transmission) is running. If you can't get both,
After releasing the semaphore, an error is displayed (11-1-4), and the copy operation ends. If you can get both, soft power ON
Processing is performed (11-1-5). If there is an error in the soft power ON processing (11-1-6), the forced soft power OFF
Processing (11-1-7), error display (11-1-4),
After releasing the semaphore, the copy operation ends. If there is no error, the recording paper feeding process is performed. If there is an error in the recording paper feeding process, the forced software power OFF process (11-1-1)
0), printer setting request (11-1-11),
Error display (11-1-4), after semaphore release (11-
1-19), the copy operation ends.

If there is no error in the recording paper feeding process, the process proceeds to reading and recording operations. Both processes are performed in parallel.

Original reading operation (11-1-12)
Indicates that the RAM 103
A free read line buffer is searched for among the line buffers for the four lines (11-1-13). If there is no free read line buffer, the timer interrupt processing ends. If there is a free reading line buffer, the reading line buffer is reserved and activation for transferring image data from the reading system is performed.

At the next timer interrupt, since the read line buffer previously reserved contains image data, the read line buffer is made full, and a free read line buffer among the four lines is searched again (11).
-1-14). This reading operation is continued until the reading is completed.

In one recording operation, a full read line buffer is searched, and the image data read therefrom is subjected to 8 pel-360 dpi resolution conversion processing by the resolution converter 107 (ignoring the right end white data) (11-1-1). 1
5) The data is developed in a free recording line buffer in the RAM 103. Thereafter, in the interrupt recording process, the image data transfer and the release of the recording line buffer are performed. By repeating the above, the reading and recording operations are completed. As post-processing, recording paper discharge processing (11-1-17), software power supply O
After performing FF processing (11-1-18) and releasing the reading semaphore and the recording semaphore (11-1-19), the single copy printing is terminated.

The multicopy operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15.

In this mode, the raw image data obtained by reading the original is stored in the image memory (image storage buffer in the RAM 103) once, and the image data is reproduced from the image memory every time one copy is printed to convert the resolution. Later, printer unit 2
The multi-copy operation is realized by repeating the transfer to a plurality of times.

When a copy operation is performed, it is determined that the printer is ready (11-2-1). If NG, the copy operation ends after an error message is displayed. If the printer is ready, a read semaphore and a record semaphore are obtained (11-2-2).
2). If neither of them can be acquired, an error is displayed after releasing the semaphore (11-2-7), and the copy operation is terminated.
If both can be obtained, the reading task and the recording task are started (11-2-3). Here, a description will be given for each task.

Reading Task (FIG. 14) Feeds the document to the reading position (11-3-3)
1). Then, similarly to the reading operation of the single copy operation, the image data is transferred to the reading line buffer, and the image data is encoded into an MMR code or the like and stored in the image memory (11-3-2). When reading of one document is completed, after the document is discharged (11-3-3), it is checked whether there is a next document (11-3-4), and if not, the reading task ends itself. If there is, return to (11-3-1).

Recording Task (FIG. 15) Performs software power ON processing of the printer unit (11-4-4).
1). If there is an error in the soft power ON process (11-4
-2), forced software power OFF process (11-4-3),
After the error display (11-4-4), the recording task ends itself. If there is no error, an image memory (copy read image) to be recorded is searched (11-4-9). If it exists, a recording paper feeding process is performed.

If there is an error in the recording paper feeding process, the forced software power-off process (11-4-7), the printer setting request (11-4-8), and the error display (11-4)
-4), the recording task ends itself.

If there is no error, the decoding process of the image data from the image memory into run-length data (11-
4-10), after performing RL (run length) -RAW (raw) conversion processing and 8 pel-360 dpi resolution conversion processing (11-4-10), the data is developed in a free recording line buffer. At this time, the rightmost white data is Centronics
Ignored because the interface transfers image data at high speed. The usage of the line buffer is the same as that of the read line buffer. Thereafter, image data transfer and recording line buffer release are performed in the interrupt recording process.

When the printing of the image memory (copy read image) to be recorded is completed (11-4-11), the recording sheet is discharged as post-processing (11-4-12), and one copy is copied. finish. If there are remaining copies, the process is repeated from the recording paper feeding process (11-4-13). When the printing of the number of copies is completed, after the software power-off process (11-4-14), the recording task ends itself.

When both the reading task and the recording task are completed, the multicopy operation is completed.

The received image output operation will be described with reference to FIG.

In the facsimile communication task, after the facsimile call setting and the pre-procedure (12-1-1), the received image is stored in the image memory. At the same time, it is determined whether or not the printer is ready (12-1-1). If the printer is ready, a recording semaphore is acquired (12-1-3). If not,
If it is not ready, an alternate reception process is performed (12-1).
-7). If it can be obtained, start the recording task (12-
1-4), the output of the received image is processed simultaneously (image signal is stored in the image memory) (12-1-5). When the facsimile communication ends, the facsimile communication task ends itself (12-1-6).

Here, the operation of the recording task (12-1-4) will be described with reference to FIG.

Recording Task (FIG. 17) The software power ON process of the printer unit 2 is performed (12-2-).
1). If there is an error in the soft power ON process (12-2
-3), forced software power OFF processing (12-2-4),
Error display (12-2-5), proxy reception processing (12-2)
-6), after the release of the recording semaphore (12-2-21), the recording task ends itself. If there is no error, an image memory (received image) to be recorded is searched. If there is, a recording paper feeding process is performed (12-2-7). If there is an error in the recording paper feeding process (12-2-8), the forced software power OFF process (12-2-9), the printer setting request (12-
2-10), error display (12-2-5), proxy reception processing (12-2-6), after release of recording semaphore (12-2-2)
21), the recording task ends itself. If there are no errors,
Decoding processing for converting image data in the image memory into run-length (RL) data, RL-RAW conversion processing, 8p
el-360 dpi After resolution conversion processing (12-2-
12) Develop into a free recording line buffer (ignoring white data at the right end).

Ink remaining amount detection for each line processing (described later)
Is monitored (12-2-13). If the ink remaining amount detection result is NG, the forced software power OFF process (12-2-1)
4), a printer setting request (12-2-10),
Error display (12-2-5), proxy reception processing (12-2)
-6), after the release of the recording semaphore (12-2-21), the recording task ends itself.

The use of the line buffer is the same as that of the read line buffer. Thereafter, image data transfer and recording line buffer release are performed in the interrupt recording process. When printing of the image memory (received image) to be recorded is completed,
As post-processing, a recording paper discharge process (12-2-16) and an ink remaining amount detection process (12-2-17) are performed. If there is an error in the ink remaining amount detection process (12-2-18), the forced software power OFF process (12-2-14), the printer setting request (12-2-10), and the error display (12
-2-5), proxy reception processing (12-2-6), and after releasing the recording semaphore (12-2-21), the recording task ends itself. If there are remaining pages (12-2-19), the process is repeated from the recording paper feeding process. When the printing of the received image is completed, the soft power OFF process (12-2-21), the recording semaphore is released, and then the recording task ends.

Next, the report output operation will be described.

For the report output, a normal report output operation for printing only the font data of the printer unit 2 and a non-delivery image report output for printing both the font data of the printer unit 2 and the image data of the image memory of the facsimile unit 1 are performed. There are two types of output operations.

The normal report output operation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the printer ready is determined (13-
1-1). If NG, after error display (13-1-2)
The report output operation ends. If you are a printer ready,
Acquire a recording semaphore (13-1-3). If a recording semaphore cannot be obtained, an error message is displayed (13-1-
4), the recording semaphore is released (14-1-5), and the report output operation ends. If you can get a record semaphore,
Perform software power ON processing of the printer unit (13-1-1)
8). If there is an error in the soft power ON process (13-1)
-7), forced software power OFF processing (13-1-8),
Error display (13-1-9), after recording semaphore release (1
3-1-5), the report output operation ends. If there is no error, a recording paper feeding process is performed (13-1-10).
If there is an error in the recording paper feeding process (13-1-11),
Forced software power-off processing (13-1-12), printer setting request (13-1-13), error display (13-1-9), after release of recording semaphore (13-1-1)
5), end the report output operation.

If there is no error, a character code string is created for the information (header, report title, contents) of the normal report print, and the character code string is transferred to the printer 2 via the Centronics I / F 302 (13-).
1-15). The printer unit 2 that has received the character code string
Stores only the character code from the reception buffer in the character buffer, develops the character code in the character buffer into an image, stores the image in the printer buffer, and finally prints with the print head 205. In the facsimile unit 1, after all the character code strings have been transferred, the recording paper discharge processing (1
3-1-17), perform soft power OFF processing (13-
1-18), release the recording semaphore (13-1-5),
The normal report output operation ends.

The operation of outputting a non-delivery image report will be described with reference to FIG.

In the non-delivery image report output operation, after the "character code string transfer to printer unit" of 13-1-14 in the normal report output operation, 13-2-2 of FIG.
The procedure of? 13-2-5 is inserted. That is, the character code string print mode is switched to the image print mode (13-2).
-2) Search for an image memory to be recorded (an unreachable image that could not be transmitted due to a transmission error) (13-2-3). If present, the image memory is subjected to decoding processing, RL-RAW conversion processing, and 8-pel-360 dpi resolution conversion processing (1
3-2-4), develop into a free recording line buffer (ignoring the rightmost white data). The usage of the line buffer is the same as that of the read line buffer. After that, in the recording interruption processing, the image data transfer and the release of the recording line buffer are performed.

When the printing of the image memory to be recorded (the unreachable image that could not be transmitted due to the transmission error) is completed, the process proceeds to the “recording paper discharge process” in the normal report output operation (1).
3-2-5).

Printer Mode The facsimile apparatus has two modes: a facsimile mode in which the printer unit 2 is used as a recording system of the facsimile unit 1, and a printer mode in which the printer unit is used as a printer of an external device such as a personal computer or a word processor. is there.

FIG. 20 shows a procedure for shifting from the facsimile mode to the printer mode.

Switching from the facsimile mode to the printer mode is performed by pressing a printer key (not shown) on the operation panel 112 of the main body.

When the printer key is pressed, the printer LED attached to the printer key is changed from off to blinking (14-4), and the software power ON process (printer mode) is performed (14-5). Thereafter, the printer LED attached to the printer key is turned on to indicate the printer mode (14-6). However, there are the following items as transition conditions.

Printer ready (14-1) Soft power off (14-2) No printer setting request (14-3) Acquisition of recording semaphore (14-4) Procedure for returning from printer mode to facsimile mode As shown in FIG.

Returning from the printer mode to the facsimile mode is performed by pressing the printer key of the main body. When a printer key (not shown) is pressed,
The printer LED attached to the printer key is changed from lighting to blinking (15-1), the centro switch is switched from the facsimile unit to the printer unit (15-2), and the forced software power OFF process is performed. Thereafter, the printer LED attached to the printer key is turned off to indicate the facsimile mode (15-4), and the recording semaphore is released. There is no transition condition, but if there is any remaining paper (15-6), a message to that effect is displayed (15-7).

When the necessity of the operation of the facsimile unit during the printer mode arises, since the printer unit 2 is used for the external personal computer during the printer mode, the copying,
Cannot print received images or print reports. However,
When facsimile reception is performed, the image data is alternately received by the image memory of the facsimile unit 1.

As a result, the facsimile receiving operation can be performed even in the printer mode.

The MPU 101 of the facsimile unit 1 has the following three processes shown in FIG. 22 as timer interrupt processes, which are sequentially performed at 5 ms intervals.

.Interrupt ink remaining amount detection processing (16-1)
-1) Interrupt recording paper processing (16-1-2) Printer power supply handler (16-1-3) Details of these interrupt processing will be described later.

Further, the MPU 1 of the facsimile unit 1
01 includes the following processing shown in FIG. 23 as a periodic task processing, which is started at 200 ms intervals.

Printer setting processing (FIG. 10)
(Similar to (b)) (16-2-1) Next, the operation of the printer unit will be described.

First, the soft power ON process in the facsimile mode will be described with reference to FIG.

In the soft power ON process of the printer unit 2, the MPU 101 of the facsimile unit 1 issues a request to a soft power handler described later (pwon req = Y
ES).

That is, the centro output changeover switch 10
8 is set in the facsimile unit 1-printer unit 2 (17
-1) When the automatic recovery operation is prohibited (17-2), the automatic recovery prohibition signal line is turned ON (17-3), and
eq is set to YES (17-4). Thereafter, a soft power supply (power fl
Wait until g) turns ON (17-5).

Next, the software power supply O in the printer mode
The N process will be described with reference to FIG.

The soft power ON process of the printer unit is performed when the MPU 101 of the facsimile unit 1 issues a request to the soft power handler (pwon_req = YES).

That is, the centro output switch 10
8 is set on the external device-printer unit 2 side (18-1),
When the automatic recovery operation is prohibited (18-2), after the automatic recovery prohibition signal line is turned ON (18-3), pwon_req is set to Y.
Set to ES (18-4). Thereafter, the wait is performed by the soft power handler until the soft power (power_fig) is turned on (18-5).

The soft power OFF process will be described with reference to FIG.

The software power-off process of the printer unit 2 is as follows.
Issue a request to the soft power handler (pwof
fr req = YES). That is, pwo
ffreq is set to YES (19-1).

FIG. 27 shows the forced software power OFF process.

In the forcible soft power OFF process of the printer unit 2, a request is issued to the soft power handler (fo
rc pwoff req = YES).

That is, since the forced software power OFF process is abnormally terminated, the printer setting request is set to YES (2
0-2). And next, force pwoff re
q is set to YES (20-3).

A soft power supply handler used for the above-described soft power supply ON / OFF processing will be described with reference to FIG.

The soft power control of the printer unit 2 is performed by the 5-ms timer interrupt of the facsimile unit 1. This is because the power of the printer unit 2 is turned on.
A pseudo 1000 msec pulse signal for turning on the power switch of the facsimile unit MPU 101.

When all the requests related to the soft power ON are NO, the soft power OFF processing is performed without any processing (FIG. 29,
Proceed to FIG. 30) and exit from the timer interrupt.

When pwon req becomes YES (21
-1-1), pwon req = NO, power f
lg = ERROR, pwon push req = YE
After setting S, pwon_push time = 1000 ms, the soft power switch is turned on to exit from the timer interrupt (21-1-2).

At the next timer interrupt, pwon p
Because the ush req is YES (21-1-
3) In order to subtract 5 ms from the pwon push time, (pwon push time−5) ms is calculated, and if pwon push time> 0 (21-1-5), the process exits from the timer interrupt. If p
If won push time = 0, pwon p
ush req = NO, pwon wait req =
YES, after setting pwon wait time = 2000 msec, turn off the soft power switch and exit from the timer interrupt (21-1-6). This gives 1000
A pulse signal having a width of m seconds is formed.

At the next timer interrupt, pwon w
Since ait req is YES (21-1-
7) In order to subtract 5 ms from the pwon wait time, (pwon wait time-5) msec is calculated (21-1-8), and if pwon wait time
If me> 0, exit from the timer interrupt (21-1-
9). If pwon wait time = 0, then
pwon waitreq = NO, power flg
= ON, exit from timer interrupt (21-1
-10).

As described above, the soft power of the printer unit is turned on by the pulse signal of 1000 msec width, and the control is completed.

FIG. 29 shows the procedure for turning off the soft power supply.

Following the interrupt processing of FIG. 28, FIG.
9 is executed. When all the requests related to the soft power OFF are NO (21-2-1), the process proceeds to the forced software process (FIG. 30) without doing anything and exits from the timer interrupt.

When pwoff req becomes YES (2
1-2-1), the idle state of the printer unit is checked (21-2-2). If not idle, exit timer interrupt. If idle, p
woff req = NO, power flg = ERR
After setting OR, poffpush req = YES (21-2-3), if there is residual paper in the recording system (21-2).
-2-4), an error is displayed as a recording paper jam (2
1-2-5), the soft power switch is turned on to exit from the timer interrupt (21-2-5).

In the next timer interrupt, pwoff
Since push req is YES (21-2
-6) If the soft power signal line is ON (21-2)
-7) Exit from timer interrupt. If the soft power signal line is OFF, pwoff push req = N
O, pwoff wait req = YES, pwoff
After setting f wait time = 1500 msec, the software power switch is turned off, and the process exits from the timer interrupt (21-2-7).

In the next timer interrupt, pwoff
Since wait req is YES (21-2
-8), in order to subtract 5 ms from the pwoff wait time, (pwoff wait time-
5) Calculate m seconds (21-2-9), and if pwoff
If wait time> 0 (21-2-10), exit from the timer interrupt. If pwoff wait t
If im = 0 (21-2-10), pwoff w
After setting ait = NO, power flg = OFF,
Exit from timer interrupt. As a result, a pulse signal having a width of 1500 ms is formed.

As described above, the soft power of the printer unit 2 is turned off by the pulse signal of 1500 msec width, and the control is terminated (21-2-11).

FIG. 30 shows the procedure for forcibly turning off the software power.

Following the soft power-off process of FIG. 29,
The processing of FIG. 30 is executed.

When all the requests related to the forced software power OFF are NO, the process exits from the timer interrupt without doing anything. When the force pwoff req becomes YES (21-3-1), force pwoff req =
NO, power flg = ERROR, pwoff
After setting push reg = YES (21-3-2),
If there is residual paper in the recording system (21-3-3), an error is displayed as a recording paper jam (21-3-4), the software power switch is turned on, and the timer interrupt is exited (21-3).
3-5).

In the next timer interrupt, pwoff
Since push req is YES (21-2
-6) If the soft power signal line is ON, the process exits from the timer interrupt (21-2-7). If the soft power signal line is OFF, pwoff push req = N
O, pwoff wait = YES, pwoff wa
After setting it time = 1500 ms, the software power switch is turned off to exit from the timer interrupt (21-2)
-7).

In the next timer interrupt, pwoff
Since wait is YES (21-2-8),
(Pwoff wait time-5) m is calculated (21-2-9), and if pwoff wait time
If me> 0, exit from the timer interrupt (21-2-2)
10). If pwoff wait time = 0, then pwoff wait = NO, power fl
After setting g = OFF, exit from the timer interrupt (21
-2-11). As a result, a pulse signal having a width of 1500 ms is formed.

As described above, the software power of the printer unit 2 is forcibly turned off by the pulse signal of 1500 msec width, and the control is terminated.

Next, the operation of the recording paper feeding process before image printing will be described with reference to FIG.

The facsimile unit 1 creates a recording paper feed command in accordance with the user registration, transfers the command to the printer unit 2, and sets the process up to the start of the recording paper by the pickup roller 313 as recording paper feed processing. .

First, it is determined whether the printer is ready (22).
-1). If the printer is not ready, an error is displayed (22
-8) Error termination (22-9). If the printer is ready, a motor semaphore is acquired (22-2). Error display if motor semaphore cannot be obtained (22-8)
Then, the process ends with an error (22-9). If the printer is ready and the motor semaphore is obtained, a recording paper feed command is created (22-8). The recording paper feed command is a set of the following commands.

• Printer reset • Print mode (normal or economy) • Printer setting • Bidirectional print correction • Page mode • Footer print • Bidirectional print • Raster skip These commands are as follows. That is, the printer is initialized by resetting the printer. The print mode follows the print mode at the time of image printing of the user registration. The printer settings follow the contents of the facsimile mode printer settings registered in the user. The bidirectional printing correction is a value unique to the apparatus and is not a user registration but a serviceman registration. The page mode is used to select whether to ignore the data on one page during continuous printing or to continue printing from the second page. Select ON when printing a copy or non-delivery image report, and OFF when receiving a received image or normal report. is there. For footer printing, refer to the command system item. The bidirectional printing follows the bidirectional printing mode at the time of image printing of the user registration. Raster skip is a recording paper feed start command.

When the facsimile unit 1 completes the creation of the recording paper feed command (22-3), the Centronics I
Batch transfer to the printer unit 2 via / F302 (22
-4). Therefore, the facsimile unit 1 waits for a paper feed request from the printer unit 2 (22-5). Upon receiving the recording paper feed command, the printer unit 2 sequentially analyzes and executes the command. When the last raster skip command of the command is analyzed, a paper feed request is issued to the facsimile unit 1. The facsimile unit 1 receives the paper feed request (22-5), and starts the paper feed operation with the motor 111 (22-2).
6) When the recording paper is conveyed to the PE sensor 206, the paper feeding operation ends (22-7). Later, cueing of the recording paper
It is entrusted to the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 performs recording paper cueing according to a predetermined cueing amount.

The recording paper feeding process before printing the character code will be described. In this process, the facsimile unit 1 creates a recording paper feed command according to the user registration, transfers the command to the printer unit 2, and sets the process up to the start of the recording paper as recording paper feed processing. The processing flow is the same as the recording paper feeding processing before image printing shown in FIG.

That is, the printer ready judges (22-
1). If the printer is not ready, an error message is displayed (22
-8), and terminate with an error (22-9). If the printer is ready, a motor semaphore is acquired (22-2). If the printer is ready and the motor semaphore is acquired, a recording paper feed command is created (22-3).
The recording paper feed command is a set of the following commands.

Printer reset Printer setting Bidirectional printing correction Bidirectional printing Raster skip Printer reset Printing mode (normal or economy) These commands are as follows. The printer is initialized by resetting the printer. The printer settings follow the contents of the facsimile mode printer settings registered in the user. The bidirectional printing correction is a value unique to the apparatus and is not a user registration but a serviceman registration. The bidirectional printing follows the bidirectional printing mode at the time of character code printing of the user registration. Raster skip is a recording paper feed start command. The print mode follows the print mode at the time of character code printing of the user registration.

When the facsimile unit 1 completes the creation of the recording paper feed command (22-3), the Centronics I
Batch transfer to the printer unit 2 via / F302 (22
-4). Then, the facsimile unit 1 waits for a paper feed request to arrive (22-5). Upon receiving the recording paper feed command, the printer unit 2 sequentially analyzes and executes the command. When the last raster skip command of the command is analyzed, a paper feed request is issued to the facsimile unit 1. When the facsimile unit 1 receives the paper feed request, the facsimile unit 1 (22-
5) The paper feeding operation is started by the motor 111 (22-6), and when the recording paper is conveyed to the PE sensor 206, the paper feeding operation ends (22-7). Subsequent cueing of the recording paper is entrusted to the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 performs recording paper cueing according to a predetermined cueing amount.

The recording paper discharging process after image printing will be described with reference to FIG.

The facsimile unit 1 creates a recording paper discharge command according to the user registration, transfers the command to the printer unit 2, and sets the process up to the discharge of the recording paper as recording paper discharge processing.

First, wait until all the recording line buffers become empty. Thereafter, a recording paper discharge command is created (23-1). The recording paper discharge command is a set of the following commands.

Paper discharge Printer setting Printer reset These commands are as follows. The discharge operation is started by the discharge. The printer setting follows the contents of the printer mode printer setting registered by the user. The printer is initialized by resetting the printer.

When the facsimile unit 1 completes the creation of the recording paper discharge command (23-1), the Centronics I
Batch transfer to the printer unit 2 via / F302 (23
-2). Therefore, the facsimile unit 1 waits for the end of the paper discharge. The printer unit 2 that has received the recording paper discharge command sequentially analyzes and executes the command. When the paper discharge command of the command is analyzed, a paper discharge operation is executed. Eventually, when the paper discharging operation is completed, the printer setting for printer mode transition is performed by the printer setting command. Then, when the printer unit 2 is in the idle state, the recording paper discharge operation is terminated (23-3).

FIG. 3 shows the recording paper discharge processing after printing the character code.
2 will be described.

The facsimile unit 1 creates a recording paper discharge command in accordance with the user registration, transfers it to the printer unit 2, and sets the process up to the discharge of the recording paper as recording paper discharge processing.

First, a recording paper discharge command is created (23-1). The recording paper discharge command is a set of the following commands.

• Paper discharge • Printer setting • Printer reset These commands are as follows. The discharge operation is started by the discharge. The printer setting follows the contents of the printer mode printer setting registered by the user. The printer is initialized by resetting the printer.

When the facsimile unit 1 completes the creation of the recording paper discharge command (23-1), the Centronics I
Batch transfer to the printer unit 2 via / F302 (23
-2). Therefore, the facsimile unit 1 waits for the end of the paper discharge. The printer unit 2 that has received the recording paper discharge command sequentially analyzes and executes the command. When the paper discharge command of the command is analyzed, a paper discharge operation is executed. Eventually, when the paper discharging operation is completed, the printer setting for printer mode transition is performed by the printer setting command. Thereafter, when the printer unit 2 is in the idle state, the recording paper discharge operation is terminated (23-3).

A detailed description will be given of the printer setting process 16-2-1 shown in FIG. 23, which is frequently described in the above description of the operation.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 27, the printer setting process is performed when the recording operation is abnormally terminated.
As shown in FIG. 0, when the user registration for the printer unit 2 is changed, the printer setting request is made YES to make the request. The necessity of the printer setting process is as follows.

In the facsimile apparatus having the printer mode function, the printer unit 2 must cope with whatever the printer unit is set to the printer mode. Therefore, the internal printer setting of the printer unit 2 must always be set to the printer setting for the printer mode.

Therefore, when the recording operation is completed normally,
Immediately before termination, the printer setting for facsimile mode is changed to the printer setting for printer mode. Therefore, when the recording operation is completed normally, there is no need to perform the printer setting process again. However, if the recording operation ends abnormally, or if the printer settings are changed by user registration, the printer settings must be set because the internal printer settings of the printer unit are not the correct printer mode printer settings. Come.

FIG. 33 shows the procedure of the printer setting process.

The printer setting request is constantly monitored at intervals of 200 ms (24-1). If the printer setting request is YES, the printer ready (24-
2) and confirm that there is no remaining recording paper (24-3). If both are normal, a record semaphore is acquired (24
-4). If the recording semaphore can be obtained, the recovery operation is not required at this time, so the automatic recovery inhibition signal line is set to YES.
(24-5), the software power ON process is performed (2
4-6). After that, the setting contents are transferred to the printer unit 2 by the printer setting command (24).
-7). After that, a soft power OFF process is performed (24-
8), the printer setting request is set to NO (24-
9), the recording semaphore is released (24-10), and the printer setting process ends.

The interruption recording process in FIG. 22 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In the facsimile mode, the facsimile unit 1 performs an interruption recording process for transferring data of the recording line buffer to the printer unit 2 at a timer interruption of 5 ms.

If the Centronics I / F 302 is in the free state (25-1), the transferred recording line buffer is released, and the next recording line buffer in the full state is obtained (25-2). If the reading operation or the decoding of the received image is slow and the secondary recording line buffer in the full state cannot be obtained (25-3), the interruption recording processing is ended. When the next recording line buffer can be acquired (25-
3) A control command is added before and after the next recording line buffer, which is only print data (25-4), so as to form a facsimile image command system. The transfer of the facsimile image command to the printer unit 2 via the Centronics I / F 302 is started (DMA start) (25-
5), end the interrupt recording process. The printer unit 2 receives the facsimile image command, develops only image data in a raster buffer and a print buffer, and performs printing.

The ink remaining amount detecting process shown in FIG. 22 will be described in detail.

In the ink remaining amount detecting process, there are two detection steps of ink detection and recording paper color paper detection. Only when the two-stage detection is OK, the ink remaining amount detection is OK.

The ink remaining amount detection result signal line is used for ink detection, and the recording paper color paper signal line is used for recording paper color paper detection. In both cases, a valid result is returned only when the ink remaining amount detection output signal line is “output”.

There are two types of ink remaining amount detection processing. One is a page process during division when the received print data shown in FIG. 35A is longer than the recording paper and divided print is performed. The other is a process in a case where the divided last page when the divided printing shown in FIG. 35 (b) is performed or the received print data is shorter than the recording paper. The main difference between the two is that in the halfway division page processing, the processing is terminated if there is no abnormality in the ink status (status is set in the interruption ink remaining amount detection processing) and the color paper status, whereas in the final division page processing, the printer unit 2 Until the idle signal line becomes "idle".

Here, the ink detection is a determination as to whether or not ink has been ejected. That is, the detection of the ink remaining amount detection mark recorded on the rear end portion of the recording paper (black is detected by the photo sensor) is to be performed.

The detection of the recording paper color paper is the detection of the recording paper color paper (detection of white by the photo sensor) for determining whether the black of the ink remaining amount detection mark is valid.

The operation of the facsimile unit 1 relating to the remaining ink amount detection processing will be described with reference to FIG.

The facsimile unit 1 always monitors the remaining ink level detection output in a timer interrupt of 5 ms (27-1) (27-2). When the ink remaining amount detection output changes to “YES”, it is determined whether or not there is any remaining recording paper (27-).
3) If there is, the recording paper is jammed (27-4). If there is no remaining recording paper, the result of detecting the remaining amount of ink is determined (27).
-5). If the ink remaining amount detection result is NG, the ink remaining amount detection status is set to NG. Ink remaining amount detection result is O
If it is K, detection of a recording paper color sheet is performed next. If the detection of the recording paper color paper is NG (the recording paper is a color paper), the recording paper color paper status is set to NG (27-6). If the detection of the recording paper colored paper is OK (the recording paper is blank) (27-7),
It is determined that the printing of the page has been normally completed, and the timer interrupt processing is normally completed.

The operation of the printer unit 2 for detecting the remaining amount of ink will be described with reference to FIG.

At the time of paper feed processing for receiving image printing, a footer print command is received from the facsimile unit 1 (28-1-
1). Store the footer character code in the footer print command in the footer buffer. After processing the footer print command,
The received image is printed by a facsimile image command received from the facsimile unit 1. More than variable N scans included in the footer print command (28-1-
2) At the time of printing, the trailing edge of the recording paper starts to be detected (28-1-3). When the PE sensor 206 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper, the remaining ink amount detection process shown in FIG. 38 is performed.

The ink remaining amount detecting process is a process for judging whether or not printing of the current page has been normally performed in a state where ink is present, and is the following process.

The recording paper is fed to the position where the footer character code is to be printed. The footer character code stored in the footer buffer is printed. If the printed ink remaining amount detection mark is not detected by the footer sensor 207, the result of the ink remaining amount detection is returned to the facsimile unit 1 as NG. On the other hand, if the ink remaining amount detection mark is detected by the footer sensor 207, the recording paper is fed next, and whether or not the recording paper is colored paper is detected. If the recording paper is determined to be colored paper, the recording paper detection result
Return as G. When all the above detections have been completed, the remaining ink amount detection output is set to "OK" in order to notify the facsimile unit 1 of that fact, and the remaining ink amount detection process is terminated.

When the ink remaining amount detecting process is completed, the first page is discharged, and if the next page print data is received (28-1-8), the second page is fed (28-1-7). )
Continue printing. Before detecting the trailing edge of the recording paper, (2
8-1-5) When the print data received from the facsimile unit 1 ends (28-1-6), the remaining ink amount detection process is immediately performed. Thereafter, the recording paper is discharged (28-1-7), and the state shifts to the idle state.

If the ink remaining amount detection status is NG or the recording paper color paper status is NG, there is a possibility that printing of the current page may not be performed normally. Save to image memory.

The operation of footer detection for detecting the remaining amount of ink will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 37, as described above, when the trailing edge of the recording paper is detected (28-1-3, 28-1-5) or when printing is completed (28-1-6), the paper is moved to the footer printing position. I give it (28-2-1).

Further, the character code in the footer buffer is set to R
The data is developed into a dot pattern using the OM 202, and the dot pattern data is transferred to a printer buffer and printed (28-2-2). When footer is printed, footer sensor 2
The LED 07 is turned on. Next, the paper is fed to a position where the footer mark can be detected by the footer sensor (207) (28-2-5).

At this position, the paper feeding is stopped, the number of retries for ink detection is set to 4, and the footer sensor 207 senses the footer mark at that position for 20 times.
This is performed twice (28-2-6). Here, the reason for performing the footer mark sensing 20 times is that the footer sensor 207 is provided on the downstream side of the recording paper conveyance path as shown in FIG. This is to prevent erroneous detection due to the influence of the wind shown in FIG.

If footer mark detection is performed 20 times and black detection can be performed less than 10 times, it is determined that footer mark detection has failed, and the number of ink retries for retrying ink detection is determined. Decrement by one,
If the number of times of retry is not 0 (28-2
-7) The paper is fed for 10 lines, and the footer mark sense is repeated 20 times again (28-2-6). The number of retries for detecting the footer mark is set to 4 and the number of paper feeds is set to 10 because there are 40 lines of footer marks.

If the above footer mark detection operation is performed until the number of ink retries becomes 0, the detection result of the remaining ink amount is set to NG (28-2-9), the output of the remaining ink amount detection is turned on, and Turn off the footer LED (28-2
-10). Further, the recording paper is discharged (28-2-1).
1), following (28-1-8) in FIG.

If the footer mark is detected 20 times and black is detected 10 times or more (28-2-6), it is determined that the footer mark has been successfully detected, and the number of color paper retries is set to 20. (28-2-12). Next, five lines of paper are fed, and the footer detection sensor 207 senses whether the paper is colored paper (28-2-14). When white is detected, the ink remaining amount detection result and the recording paper color paper are determined as OK (28
-2-15). Further, the output of the detection of the remaining amount of ink is turned on, the footer LED is turned off (28-2-10), and the recording paper is discharged (28-2-11).
Continue to 11).

On the other hand, when black is detected by the footer detection sensor 207, the color paper retry count is decremented by one (28-2-16), and the five-line paper is conveyed (28-2).
-13) Repeat this up to 20 times.

If white cannot be detected during the repetition of 20 times, it is determined that the recording paper is colored paper, and the recording paper is determined to be colored paper NG (2).
8-2-17), Ink level detection output ON, footer L
The ED is turned off (28-2-10), and the recording paper is discharged (2-10).
8-2-11) and (28-1-8) in FIG.

Here, the following is the reason why the paper transport amount (for 5 lines) after the footer mark is detected is smaller than the paper transport amount (for 10 lines) when the footer mark is not detected. For reasons.

That is, if the feed amount for printing the footer mark near the trailing edge of the paper is increased, the white portion cannot be detected when the white portion after the footer mark is printed is small. In order to prevent this, the paper transport amount is reduced.

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, the printer section of the facsimile apparatus including the printer section and the facsimile section is connected to the computer or the LA.
N can be used as an output terminal of an external device even if the command system, emulation mode, character font, etc., used by the facsimile and the external device are different, when used as an output terminal of an external device such as N It became.

When the centro output changeover switch is connected to an external device via an external Centronics connector by pressing a printer key or the like, the emulation mode set for the facsimile without being changed to the printer setting for the external device. In addition, the printer unit can be prevented from operating due to a character font or the like. The same applies to the case where the device is used as a facsimile after being used as a printer.

Further, when the printer section is used as an output terminal of a facsimile and when it is used as an output terminal of an external device, it is possible to easily change the printer setting which is performed by the user each time. Now you can.

If the printer unit cannot be used as an output terminal of an external device due to various factors, the printer mode does not shift to the printer mode even if the printer key is pressed.
It is now possible to notify the user of an abnormal state of the printer unit immediately.

[0244]

As described above, according to the present invention, when recording an image based on data from an external device,
When the recording instruction command sent from the external device is passed to a recording unit (recording unit) and an image based on the data processed by the processing unit (processing unit) of the image processing apparatus is recorded, the command is sent from the external device. Since a recording instruction command including a command similar to the incoming command is issued, the recording unit of the image processing apparatus connected to the external device is processed by the other processing unit for recording an image based on data from the external device. It can be shared efficiently for recording an image based on the data obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating signal lines between a facsimile unit and a printer unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration example of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the facsimile apparatus showing a state where a document is set.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the facsimile apparatus in an upright state.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a recording paper transport system of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the facsimile unit when the power is turned on.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an initialization operation when the power of the printer unit is turned on.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing an initialization operation when the soft power of the printer unit is turned on.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the facsimile unit in a standby state.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer unit in a standby state.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a single copy operation.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a multicopy operation.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a document reading task.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a recording task.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a received image output operation.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a recording task.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a normal report output operation.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a non-delivery image report output operation.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for shifting to a printer mode.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure for returning to the facsimile mode.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process of the facsimile unit.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a periodic task process of the facsimile unit.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a soft power-on process in a facsimile mode.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a soft power-on process in a printer mode.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a soft power-off process.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of a forced soft power-off process.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a soft power supply handler process.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for soft power off.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a procedure for forcibly turning off the soft power.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a recording paper feeding process.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a recording paper discharge process.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printer setting process.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the procedure of interrupt recording paper processing.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an ink remaining amount detection process.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the facsimile unit related to the remaining ink amount detection process.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer unit related to an ink remaining amount detection process.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating a footer detection operation for detecting the remaining amount of ink.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional facsimile machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 facsimile MPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 communication unit 105 reading unit 106 RL-RAW converter 107 resolution converter 108 centro output changeover switch 109 external centronics connector 110 document detection sensor 111 motor 112 operation panel 201 printer MPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 horizontal Vertical converter 205 Print head 206 PE sensor 207 Footer sensor 208 Motor

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Toyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Naoya Watanabe 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside the corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] A connection unit that connects to an external device; a recording unit that records an image based on input data; a processing unit that performs processing other than recording by the recording unit; and a connection unit that is connected via the connection unit. When an image based on the data from the external device is recorded by the recording unit, a recording instruction command sent from the external device is passed to the recording unit, and the image based on the data processed by the processing unit is recorded. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control the recording unit to issue a recording instruction command including a command similar to a command sent from an external device when recording is performed by the unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing means performs facsimile reception processing, and said control means causes said recording means to record an image based on data received by facsimile. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: reading means for reading an image on the document and generating image data according to the image, wherein the control means records an image based on the image data from the reading means in the recording means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Or the image processing device according to 2. 4. A command group which is issued when the control means records an image based on data processed by the processing means by the recording means is the same as the command sent from the external device, and further special The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a command group. And a setting unit for setting a printer mode in which the recording unit records an image based on data from an external device connected via the connection unit,
The control means controls so as not to issue a command for recording by the recording means of an image based on the data processed by the processing means when the printer mode is set by the setting means. The image processing device according to claim 1. 6. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: a recording unit connectable to an external device and capable of recording an image based on input data; and a processing unit for performing processing other than processing by the recording unit. A first transfer step of transferring data sent from an external device to the recording unit; a second transfer step of transferring data processed by the processing unit to the recording unit; When the recording section records an image based on the data transferred in the transfer step, a recording instruction command sent from an external device is passed to the recording section, and the image based on the data transferred in the second transfer step is transmitted. Controlling the recording unit to pass a recording instruction command including a command similar to the command sent from the external device issued by the processing unit to the recording unit. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: