JP2007174493A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet facsimile machine capable of preventing useless consumption of sheets of paper or ink in printing. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile machine includes a maintenance control means for controlling a print engine for maintenance depending on generation of a maintenance request; a communication means for generating a facsimile printing request having priority lower than that of the maintenance request upon receiving facsimile data via a communication line; a guiding means for urging input of the maintenance request or authorization of print execution before the print engine executes printing, when the facsimile print request exists at the time of completion of execution of control for the maintenance, or when the facsimile print request is generated firstly after the completion of execution; an operating means for input; and a facsimile printing control means for causing printing, when the print execution authorization is input when the facsimile print request is generated or exists. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine that performs printing by an ink jet method.

  In recent years, so-called multi-function printers having a copying function, a facsimile function, a printing function, and the like have become widespread. In Patent Document 1, printing is interrupted when an abnormality such as running out of the ink ribbon occurs during printing, and the ink ribbon or paper is wasted by resuming printing from the suspended state when the ink ribbon is replaced to return to a normal state. Describes a facsimile machine that is not consumed.

  However, when printing is performed after ink cartridge replacement in an ink jet printer, maintenance such as cleaning of the print head and printing of a check chart is required. For this reason, when the control method described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a multifunction printer that performs printing by an inkjet method, printing may be performed with poor quality after resuming printing, and paper or ink may be consumed wastefully. There is.

JP 2004-328070 A

  The present invention has been created to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ink jet facsimile apparatus that can prevent wasteful consumption of paper and ink during printing.

(1) A facsimile apparatus for achieving the above object includes a print engine that has an ejection head that ejects ink from an ink cartridge and ejects the ink, and prints an image on a sheet by the ink ejected from the ejection head. A maintenance control means for controlling the print engine for maintenance in response to the occurrence of a maintenance request; and facsimile data received via a communication line; when the facsimile data is received, facsimile printing having a lower priority than the maintenance request Communication means for generating a request, and when the facsimile print request exists at the end of execution of the control for maintenance, or when the facsimile print request is generated for the first time after the execution of control for maintenance is completed, the facsimile data Based on the above Before the printing engine executes printing, guidance means for prompting input of the maintenance request or print execution approval, operation means for inputting the maintenance request and print execution approval, and whether the facsimile print request is generated, And a facsimile print control means for causing the print engine to execute printing based on the facsimile data when the print execution approval is input when the facsimile print request exists.
According to this facsimile apparatus, when printing of facsimile data is executed for the first time after the control for maintenance is completed, printing of facsimile data is reserved until a print execution approval is input. Further, according to this facsimile apparatus, when a maintenance request is input instead of print execution approval, the print engine is controlled for maintenance. Therefore, this facsimile apparatus can prevent wasteful consumption of paper and ink when printing facsimile data.

(2) In the facsimile apparatus for achieving the above object, when the facsimile printing request is generated within the execution period of the control for maintenance, the guiding unit immediately after the execution of the control for maintenance is completed. The user may be prompted to input a maintenance request or the print execution approval.
According to this facsimile apparatus, even if a facsimile printing request is generated within the execution period of the maintenance control, the maintenance request can be input before the facsimile data is printed after the maintenance control is completed. For this reason, according to this facsimile apparatus, even when facsimile data is received during maintenance control, for example, cleaning control for sucking residual ink in the print head after replacement of the ink cartridge, or after cleaning control in advance. Check control or the like for printing the determined check chart can be executed in response to a user request.

(3) A facsimile apparatus for achieving the above object includes a print request input means for inputting a print request for image data other than the facsimile data, and when the print request for the image data is input, And an image print control means for causing the print engine to execute printing based on the print engine. In this facsimile apparatus, the maintenance control unit may set a flag every time the control for the maintenance is executed. The facsimile print control unit and the image print control unit may execute the printing by the print engine. The flag may be reset every time the process ends, and the guide unit may not prompt the maintenance request and the print execution approval when the flag is reset.
This facsimile apparatus has a function of printing image data that is not facsimile data. Printing of image data that is not facsimile data is executed in response to an input of a print request that is independently performed by the user. If such a print request has been input after maintenance, even if it is before the first facsimile data is printed after the maintenance, if a prompt for maintenance request or print execution approval is prompted, the print request has already been voluntarily performed. Cause stress to the user who is entering This facsimile apparatus sets a flag every time control for maintenance is executed, and resets the flag when printing of facsimile data or image data is completed. If the flag is reset, a maintenance request and print execution approval are set. Do not prompt for input. For this reason, according to this facsimile apparatus, a user's stress is reduced.

  (4) In the facsimile apparatus for achieving the above object, the maintenance control includes an ink replacement control for replacing the ink cartridge, and a cleaning control for sucking the residual ink in the ejection head. And a check control for printing a predetermined check chart.

  Each function of the plurality of means provided in the present invention is realized by hardware resources whose functions are specified by the configuration itself, hardware resources whose functions are specified by a program, or a combination thereof. Further, the functions of the plurality of means are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on a plurality of examples.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a multifunction printer (MFP) 1 to which a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is applied. The MFP 1 has a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, and a facsimile function.

The CPU 10 functions as maintenance control means, guidance means, facsimile printing control means, and image printing control means by executing a control program stored in the ROM 12 and controls each part of the MFP 1. The control program can also be stored in the ROM 12 by downloading from a predetermined server via a network, reading from a computer-readable storage medium such as the removable memory 28, or the like. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.
The RAM 14 is a volatile storage medium such as SDRAM in which a control program and data to be processed by the CPU 10 are temporarily stored. The processing target data stored in the RAM 14 includes facsimile data, image data that is not facsimile data, a flag for controlling execution of each process, and the like.

The LCD unit 16 as a guide means includes a liquid crystal panel 64 (see FIG. 3) and its drive circuit.
The operation unit 27 serving as an operation unit and a print request input unit includes a plurality of keys (see FIG. 3) for inputting various requests to the MFP 1. A key 66 is a cross key for selecting a menu item. A key 68 is a push switch for confirming a menu item. Key 70 is a push switch for canceling the request. A key 72 is a push switch for inputting a print request and a copy request for image data. The copy request is also a print request for image data.

An external interface 29 serving as a print request input unit is an input / output mechanism that controls communication between the MFP 1 and an external system such as a personal computer (PC) 3 or a digital still camera (DSC) 4. Users of the PC 3 and DSC 4 can input a print request for image data to the MFP 1 via the PC 3 and DSC 4. When a print request for image data is input from the PC 3 and DSC 4, the image data held by the PC 3 and DSC 4 is input to the MFP 1, and the MFP 1 executes printing of the input image data.
A removable memory controller (RMC) 26 is an input mechanism for reading image data and the like stored in a removable memory 28 connected to a connector (not shown).

  The facsimile unit 24 is an NCU (Network Control Unit) for connecting to a public telephone network, a modem for modulating / demodulating transmission / reception data, a protocol control unit for performing protocol control in accordance with ITU-T recommendations, and encoding / decoding transmission / reception data. It has an encoding / decoding unit. The facsimile unit 24 transmits facsimile data to the other facsimile apparatus 2 via the public telephone network and receives facsimile data from the other facsimile apparatus 2. Monochrome facsimile data is binary image data compliant with G3 facsimile or the like, and color facsimile data is JPEG format image data.

The scan unit 22 includes a linear image sensor, a drive circuit for the linear image sensor, an illumination device, an imaging optical system, an AD converter, and the like. The scan unit 22 forms an image of the original illuminated by the illumination device on the light receiving surface of the linear image sensor by an imaging optical system such as a lens and a mirror, digitizes the output signal of the linear image sensor by an AD converter, and stores it in the RAM 14. Write. The scan unit 22 may be a flat bed type, a sheet feed type, or a handy type. The linear image sensor may be a close contact type or a lens reduction type. The lighting device may use a fluorescent tube lamp as a light source or an LED as a light source.
The image processing unit 20 is a DSP for executing gamma correction, resolution conversion, color separation processing, halftoning, interlace processing, and the like for generating print data from facsimile data and image data other than facsimile data at high speed. .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the print engine 18.
The print engine 18 includes a paper feed roller 42 for conveying the paper 56. The paper 56 is sandwiched between the paper feeding roller 42 and the driven roller 40. When the motor 36 for driving the paper feed roller 42 rotates, the paper 56 is conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage 45. The motor 36 is driven by a drive signal output from a drive circuit (not shown).

  The print engine 18 includes an ejection head 44 for printing an image on the paper 56 by an inkjet method. The ejection head 44 is fixed to the carriage 45. The ink cartridge 46 is mounted on the carriage 45 in a replaceable manner. The carriage 45 is attached to the guide rod 47 so as to be reciprocally movable. The carriage 45 is coupled to a belt 38 that is hung on the pulley 34. When the motor 32 for driving the pulley 34 rotates, the carriage 45 reciprocates. The motor 32 is driven by a drive signal output from a drive circuit (not shown).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the ejection head 44. A large number of nozzles 61 are formed in the body 60 of the ejection head 44. The body 60 is formed with an ink passage 59 that leads from the ink chamber 62 of the ink cartridge 46 to the nozzle 61. A piezo 58 distorted by the piezoelectric effect is fixed to the body 60. When a drive pulse voltage is applied to the piezo 58 from a drive circuit (not shown), the ink passage 59 contracts, ink is led out from the ink cartridge 46, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 61 toward the paper 56. As a result, an image is printed on the paper 56 with ink.

The nozzle 61 and the ink passage 59 of the ejection head 44 are clogged due to the solidification of the ink, or are contaminated when the ink cartridge 46 is replaced. The clogging or contamination of the nozzle 61 or the ink passage 59 deteriorates the print image quality, so that the ejection head 44 needs to be cleaned.
The print engine 18 includes a cleaning unit for cleaning the ejection head 44. The cleaning unit includes a cap 48, a linear solenoid 50 for reciprocating the cap 48, a tube pump 52, an absorber 54, and the like.

(Operation)
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the MFP 1 along the time axis when a facsimile incoming call occurs during replacement of the ink cartridge 46.
When an ink replacement request R1 as a maintenance request is generated while the MFP 1 is on standby, an ink replacement control process P1 for replacing the ink cartridge is started. The ink replacement request R1 is generated, for example, when a corresponding item is selected in a maintenance menu displayed on the liquid crystal panel 64 by pressing a specific key. In the ink replacement control process P1, the carriage 45 moves to a predetermined ink replacement position under the control of the CPU 10. Next, the CPU 10 waits until a mounting trigger such as closing of the cover accompanying the mounting of the ink cartridge 46 or pressing of a specific push switch of the operation unit 27 occurs. When the mounting trigger is generated, the ejection head 44 is cleaned under the control of the CPU 10. Specifically, the cap 48 is connected to the ejection head 44 by the linear solenoid 50, the tube pump 52 is activated, and the residual ink is sucked from the ejection head 44 to the cap 48 side. Next, the cap 48 is separated from the ejection head 44 by the linear solenoid 50, and the ink remaining in the cap 48 is sucked into the tube pump 52. When the ink sucked by the tube pump 52 is sent to the absorber 54 side, the cleaning of the ejection head 44 is completed. When cleaning of the ejection head 44 is completed, the ink replacement control process P1 sets the flag F and ends.

  When an incoming facsimile occurs during the execution of the ink exchange control process P1, the facsimile data reception process P2 is started and a facsimile print request R4 is generated. In the facsimile data reception process P2, facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 24 is written in the RAM. Since the facsimile printing request R4 has a lower priority than the ink replacement request R1, the facsimile printing process P6 is not started even if the facsimile printing request R4 occurs in the presence of the ink replacement request R1.

  When the ink replacement control process P1 ends, the flag F is set, so the facsimile printing process P6 does not start, the menu display process P3 starts, and the menu shown in FIG. This menu informs the user that the MFP 1 holds unprinted facsimile data and prompts the user to select a process. In this menu, “1. Print received document” for inputting print execution approval, “2. Nozzle check” for inputting a check request as a maintenance request, and cleaning request as a maintenance request are input as selection items. “3. Cleaning” is displayed. When the key 68 is pressed while the cursor 65 operated by the cross key 66 indicates “1. received original print”, a facsimile print request is input. A facsimile print request is generated by the input of the facsimile print request. When the key 68 is pressed while the cursor 65 indicates “2. Nozzle Check”, a check request is input and a check request is generated. When the key 68 is pressed while the cursor 65 indicates “3. cleaning”, a cleaning request is input and a cleaning request is generated.

  As described above, even when the ink replacement control process P1 is finished, the facsimile printing process P6 is not started, and the menu display process P3 is started. Therefore, the user can make a check request or a cleaning request before printing the facsimile data. To confirm that the ejection head 44 is in a normal functioning state. For this reason, printing of facsimile data with poor quality is prevented when the ejection head 44 is contaminated at the end of the ink replacement control process P1.

  When a check request is input in the menu display process P3, a check request R3 is generated and the check control process P4 is activated. In the check control process P4, a predetermined check chart stored in the ROM 12 is printed by the print engine 18 under the control of the CPU 10. The check chart is an image in which paper misalignment, printing color abnormality, and the like can be visually confirmed as a result of printing. When the printing of the check chart ends, the check control process P4 sets the flag F and ends. In this case, since the flag F is already set, the flag F does not change.

  When the check control process P4 is completed, since the flag F is set, the facsimile printing process P6 is not started, and the menu display process P5 is started again. As described above, even if the check control process P4 is finished, the facsimile printing process P6 is not started, and the menu display process P5 is started again. Therefore, when an abnormality of the ejection head 44 is recognized from the printing result of the check chart. The user can input a cleaning request before printing the facsimile data to confirm that the ejection head 44 is in a normal functioning state. This prevents printing of facsimile data with poor quality when the ejection head 44 is contaminated at the end of the check control process P4.

  When print execution approval is input in the menu display process P5, the facsimile printing process P6 is started. In the facsimile printing process P6, the facsimile data written in the RAM 14 in the facsimile data receiving process P2 is converted into print data by the image processing unit 20 under the control of the CPU 10. The print engine 18 executes printing of facsimile data based on the print data output from the image processing unit 20. As a result, the image read by the transmission source facsimile apparatus 2 is printed on the paper 56. When the print engine 18 finishes printing facsimile data, the facsimile printing process P6 ends with the flag F reset.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the MFP 1 along the time axis when the first printing after replacement of the ink cartridge is facsimile printing.
In a state where a facsimile incoming call has occurred after the completion of the ink replacement control process P7 and a standby state has continued, the flag F set at the end of the ink replacement control process P7 is set. Accordingly, in this state, the facsimile data receiving process P8 is activated in response to the incoming facsimile, and even if the facsimile printing request R6 is generated, the facsimile printing process P12 is not activated and the menu display process P9 is activated. Therefore, the user can input a check request or a cleaning request before the printing of the facsimile data is executed to confirm that the ejection head 44 is in a normal functioning state. This prevents printing of facsimile data with poor quality when the ejection head 44 is contaminated at the end of the ink replacement control process P7.

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the MFP 1 along the time axis when the first printing after replacement of the ink cartridge is not facsimile printing.
In the state where the print request R8 of the image data is generated after the end of the ink replacement control process P13 and the standby state continues, the flag F set at the end of the ink replacement control process P13 is set. The image data print request is input, for example, by pressing the key 72 of the operation unit 27 or by the PC 3 or DSC 4. When an image data print request is input, an image data print request R8 is generated. In this way, the image data print request R8 is generated when the user actively operates the MFP 1 or the like. Therefore, it is desirable to execute processing different from the facsimile print request for the image data print request R8. Therefore, when the image data print request R8 is generated, the image print process P16 is generated even if it is the first print request after the end of the ink exchange control process P13. This is because the user can input a cleaning request or a check request while the MFP 1 is waiting before inputting the print request R8.

  In the image printing process P16, image data input from the removable memory 28, the PC 3 or the DSC 4 is printed by the print engine 18 under the control of the CPU 10. When the print engine 18 finishes printing the image data, the image printing process P16 resets the flag F and ends. At this time, the flag F is reset for the following reason. The fact that the image printing process P16 has started and ended means that as a result of the user's input of a print request, printing has been executed and printing has been completed. As described above, since the user can input a cleaning request or a check request before inputting a print request, the print execution approval is received when a facsimile is received even though the print execution is completed in response to the print request. This is because prompting the user to input this causes the user to feel stress.

  After the image printing process P16 ends, when a facsimile incoming call occurs after the standby state continues, the flag F is reset at the end of the image printing process P16, so that the facsimile data receiving process P17 is started and the facsimile printing is performed. The request R9 is generated and the facsimile printing process P18 is activated. As a result, execution of printing facsimile data is started without starting the menu display process.

FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the MFP 1 along the time axis when there is no ink remaining during facsimile printing.
If the ink cartridge 46 runs out of ink during the facsimile printing process P20, the ink replacement request R11 is automatically generated. In order to automatically generate the ink replacement request R11 as described above, a sensor for monitoring the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 46 and a counter for integrating the ink ejection amount are required.

  When the facsimile printing process P20 is interrupted in response to the ink replacement request R11 and the ink replacement control process P21 is executed, the flag F is set as described above. When the ink replacement control process P21 ends, the facsimile printing request R10 continues at that time, but the flag F is set, so the facsimile printing process P20 is not resumed and the menu display process P22 is started. To do.

  In the menu display process P22, as described above, any one of print execution approval, check request, and cleaning request can be input. Here, it is assumed that print execution approval is input. When the print execution approval is input, execution of the facsimile printing process P20 is resumed, and printing of facsimile data is executed by the print engine 18 under the control of the CPU 10. In the facsimile printing process P20 whose execution has been resumed, the execution of printing may be resumed from the line at the time of interruption, or the printing of facsimile data may be restarted from the beginning. When the printing of the facsimile data by the print engine 18 is completed, the facsimile printing process P20 ends with the flag F reset as described above.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing at the time of facsimile reception.
The facsimile unit 24 always monitors the arrival of a facsimile tone signal (step S100).
When a facsimile tone signal arrives, that is, when a facsimile incoming call occurs, the facsimile unit 24 establishes communication with the facsimile machine 2 that is the transmission source (step S102). Specifically, the facsimile unit 24 returns a receivable communication method or the like as a facsimile tone signal to the facsimile apparatus 2 that is a transmission source.

In step S104, the facsimile unit 24 receives facsimile data from the facsimile machine 2 as a transmission source (step S104). Specifically, the facsimile unit 24 stores the decrypted facsimile data in the RAM 14 and generates a facsimile printing request. This process corresponds to a facsimile data receiving process.
In step S106, a facsimile printing routine is executed. The facsimile printing routine may be executed in parallel with the facsimile data receiving process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a facsimile printing routine.
In step S200, the CPU 10 determines whether the flag F is set. If the flag F is not set, the process proceeds to step S214.
When the flag F is set, the LCD unit 16 displays the menu shown in FIG. 3 on the liquid crystal panel 64 under the control of the CPU 10 and prompts the user to input a print execution approval, a cleaning request, or a check request. This process corresponds to the menu display process described above.

As described above, when a cleaning request is input (when an affirmative determination is made in step S204), cleaning of the ejection head 44 is performed (step S206). Specifically, a cleaning control process is started, and the ejection head 44 is executed by the print engine 18 under the cleaning control by the CPU 10.
As described above, when a check request is input (when an affirmative determination is made in step S208), a check pattern is printed (step S210). Specifically, the above-described check control process is activated, and a check pattern is printed by the print engine 18 under the control of the CPU 10.
When the key 68 is pressed while the cursor 65 indicates “4. End” (when an affirmative determination is made in step S211), the CPU 10 discards the facsimile data and ends the execution of the facsimile printing routine.
As described above, when the print execution approval is input (when an affirmative determination is made in step S212), printing of facsimile data is executed (step S214). Specifically, the facsimile data printing process described above is activated, and printing of facsimile data is executed by the image processing unit 20 and the print engine 18 under the control of the CPU 10.

As shown in FIG. 1D, when an ink replacement request R11 is generated when a facsimile printing request exists, the CPU 10 executes an ink replacement control process, and sets a flag F at the end of the ink replacement control process. If it is determined that the flag F is set, the menu display process P22 is started without restarting the facsimile printing process P20.
When the print engine 18 finishes executing the printing of the facsimile data, the CPU 10 resets the flag F (step S216) and ends the execution of the facsimile printing routine.
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it is applicable to various embodiment.

The schematic diagram which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Multifunction printer (facsimile device), 10: CPU (maintenance control means, guidance means, facsimile printing control means, image printing control means), 16: LCD unit (guidance means), 18: Print engine, 20: Image processing Unit: 24: facsimile unit (communication means), 27: operation unit (operation means, print request input means), 29: external interface (print request input means), 44: ejection head, 56: paper

Claims (4)

A print engine that ejects ink from an ink cartridge and ejects the ink, and prints an image on a sheet with the ink ejected from the ejecting head;
Maintenance control means for controlling the print engine for maintenance in response to occurrence of a maintenance request;
Communication means for receiving facsimile data via a communication line, and generating a facsimile print request having a lower priority than the maintenance request when the facsimile data is received;
When the facsimile print request exists at the end of execution of the control for maintenance, or when the facsimile print request is generated for the first time after execution of the control for maintenance, the print engine prints based on the facsimile data. Guidance means for prompting input of the maintenance request or print execution approval before executing
Operation means for inputting the maintenance request and the print execution approval;
A facsimile print control means for causing the print engine to perform printing based on the facsimile data when the facsimile print request is generated or when the print execution approval is input when the facsimile print request exists;
A facsimile machine comprising When the facsimile printing request is generated within the execution period of the maintenance control, the guiding unit prompts the maintenance request or the print execution approval immediately after the execution of the maintenance control.
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1. Print request input means for inputting a print request for image data other than the facsimile data;
An image print control means for causing the print engine to execute printing based on the image data when a print request for the image data is input;
The maintenance control means sets a flag for each execution of the control for maintenance,
The facsimile printing control means and the image printing control means reset the flag each time the print engine finishes printing,
The guide means does not prompt the maintenance request and the print execution approval when the flag is reset;
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The maintenance control includes ink replacement control for replacing the ink cartridge, cleaning control for sucking residual ink in the ejection head, and check control for printing a predetermined check chart. Including
The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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