JP2504912Y2 - Fax machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly, to a facsimile machine having an image memory and capable of selectively mounting recording sheets of different sizes or widths. It is about.

(Prior Art) Recently, recording paper (cut paper) is stored in a paper feed cassette, and the paper feed cassette is selectively attached according to the size of the recording paper to obtain image information of a desired size. There has been proposed a facsimile machine configured so as to enable the above. This recording paper size is determined by the length (recording paper conveyance direction) and width (perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction) of the recording paper.

In addition, there has been proposed a facsimile apparatus configured so that roll papers having different widths can be selectively attached.

By the way, in the conventional facsimile apparatus system, the width information of the image information receivable from the receiving side facsimile apparatus is temporarily sent to the transmitting side before the actual image information communication, and this width information is set in the transmitting side facsimile apparatus. If the width is smaller than the width of the document, the image information is reduced and transmitted. That is, the width of the image information to be transmitted and the width of the recording paper mounted on the receiving side facsimile apparatus are configured to match.

With this configuration, there is no risk that the image information printed on the recording paper will stick out of the recording paper or become unrecordable.

When the image information to be transmitted is equal to or smaller than the width of the recording paper set in the receiving side facsimile apparatus, the image information is transmitted as it is.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) The above-described conventional technology has the following problems.

(1) As described above, when the width of the image information to be transmitted is larger than the width of the recording paper set in the receiving side facsimile apparatus, the image information is reduced.

By the way, it is natural that the reduction of the image information should be prevented as much as possible. However, in a facsimile apparatus configured to be able to selectively attach recording papers of a plurality of sizes, there is a situation in which image information that could originally be recorded without being reduced is reduced. May occur.

That is, when the image information to be transmitted is equal to or smaller than the maximum recording paper size that can be attached to the receiving side facsimile device, by attaching a recording paper of an appropriate size to the facsimile device, Although it is possible to avoid the reduction of the size, it is often the case that a recording paper smaller than the transmitted image information size is mounted.
Image information that should have been able to be received without being reduced is reduced.

In this case, on the receiving side, the received image information is
It is also not possible to determine whether the original has the same size as the original read by the sending side or the reduced size.

(2) Conversely, when the image information to be transmitted has a size equal to or larger than the minimum recording paper size that can be attached to the receiving side facsimile device, the facsimile device is larger than the size of the image information. When the recording paper is set, the margin is added to the image information that could be received without forming the margin on the recording paper.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.

(Means and Actions for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a recording paper (cut paper or cut paper) that can be attached to a sending facsimile machine with respect to a partner facsimile machine. (Roll paper) to declare the maximum size or width of the roll paper to prevent the image information from being reduced and transmitted, and also to determine the size or width of the transmitted image information and the size of the recording paper loaded in the facsimile machine. Compare the size or width, output the image information to the recording paper only if they match, and notify the operator if they do not match. The feature is that it prevents the operator from making operational mistakes such as exchanging the recording paper by performing operations such as exchanging the recording paper and comparing the sizes and widths of the recording paper and the image information again. is there.

As a result, it is possible for the operator of the receiving side facsimile device to set the recording paper most suitable for the received image information.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

 FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 is a reading unit for reading document information, and 3 is a printing unit having a paper feeding cassette mounting unit (not shown) configured so that a plurality of types of paper feeding cassettes can be selectively mounted. Reference numeral 4 is an image memory for temporarily storing image information to be communicated, 5 is an operating means composed of various switches necessary for operating the facsimile apparatus, and 6 is as described later with reference to FIG. The display means indicates that the received image information does not match the size of the recording paper set in the facsimile machine. The display means 6 may be a display such as a liquid crystal or LED.

The respective constituent elements 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are connected to the system unit 1. The system unit 1 is a control unit of the facsimile machine equipped with a microcomputer, and also has a function such as an encoding / decoding unit.

The control program and various data of the facsimile apparatus are stored and set by the ROM, the EEPROM, the battery-equipped RAM, the DIP.SW (dip switch), etc. in the system unit 1.

The system unit 1 is connected to the modem 7, and the modem 7 is connected to the NCU 8. The NCU 8 is connected to the line.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. 1, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same or equivalent parts.

In FIG. 1, information to be transmitted (image information and width information of the image information, etc.) is temporarily stored in the image memory 4.

The output line of the image memory 4 is connected to the printing unit 3 via the switching means 15. The switching means 15 connects the output signal line of the image memory 4 to the printing section 3 in response to the control signal indicating the coincidence or non-coincidence output from the comparing means 14.

The output signal line of the image memory 4 is further connected to the document size identifying means 12. This document size identification means
Reference numeral 12 identifies the size (width and length) of the image information stored in the image memory 4.

The output line of the document size identification means 12 is connected to the display means 6 and the comparison means 14.

The recording paper size detecting means 13 detects the type of the paper feed cassette installed in the facsimile machine, in other words, the size of the recording paper stored in the installed paper feed cassette. This recording paper size detecting means 13
Is configured, for example, by providing a plurality of reed switches in a paper feed cassette mounting portion of the facsimile machine and providing a plurality of magnets in the paper feed cassette so as to correspond to the reed switches and according to their types. Has been done. The recording paper size detecting means 13 can detect the size of the recording paper by the combination of the ON / OFF signals of the reed switch.

The recording paper size detecting means 13 is a document size identifying means.
Together with 12, it is connected to the comparison means 14. This comparison means
Reference numeral 14 energizes the switching means 15 when the output signals of the original size identifying means 12 and the recording paper size detecting means 13 coincide with each other, connects the output signal line of the image memory 4 to the printing section 3 and coincides with each other. If not, the display unit 6 is activated to display the document size information output from the document size identification unit 12.

Further, the facsimile machine is provided with a maximum recording paper width declaring means 31 for outputting the maximum width information of the recording papers which can be mounted on the facsimile machine to the facsimile machine on the other side. The maximum recording paper width declaring means 31 may output the maximum size (maximum width and maximum length) of the recording paper that can be mounted.

The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described.
Further details will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart is executed when there is an incoming call (communication start) from the facsimile machine on the other side.

Further, in this example, the facsimile machine on the transmission side is configured to be capable of transmitting image information of A4 portrait, A5 landscape, B4 portrait, and B5 landscape, and the facsimile machine on the reception side is A4 portrait,
It is configured so that a paper feed cassette containing A5 landscape, B4 portrait, and B5 landscape recording sheets can be selectively installed.

First, in step S1, the maximum recording paper width declaration means 31
Thus, the maximum width of the recording paper that can be attached to the facsimile machine is added to DIS (digital identification signal) and transferred to the transmitting facsimile machine. Here, if the operator of the facsimile device restricts the mounting of the paper feed cassette of a certain size or more, the maximum width information within the restricted range is transferred to the transmitting side facsimile device.

By this processing, when the width of the image information to be transmitted is smaller than the maximum width, even if the image information is larger than the width of the recording paper actually attached to the facsimile machine. , The image information is not reduced.

Next, in step S2, the width information of the document to be transmitted is DC
It is added to S (digital command signal) and transferred to the facsimile machine on the receiving side.

Although not shown, a predetermined protocol communication is performed before and after the processes of steps S2 and S3.

Next, in step S3, the width information of the transmission document and the transmission document information (image information) are received and stored in the image memory 4.

In step S4, the document size identification means 12 (first
In the figure), it is determined whether or not the width of the transmitted document is equal to the short side length of B4, that is, whether or not the short side length of B4.

If they are equal, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the length of the transmission document is equal to the short side of B5. The length of this transmission document is detected from the image information stored in the image memory 4. This determination is also made by the document size identifying means 12.

If they are equal, in step S6, the determined document size (that is, B5 landscape) and the recording paper size detection unit 13
The recording paper size detected by (FIG. 1) is compared by the comparison means 14 to determine whether they match. If they match, in step S7, the switching means 15
Operates, and the image memory 4 and the printing unit 3 are connected. Then, printing for one page is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S20.

If it is determined in step S6 that the document size and the recording paper size do not match, the document size information ("B5 landscape") determined by the document size identification means 12 is displayed in step S8. Is output and displayed in step S16, and then the process proceeds to step S16.

If it is not determined in step S5 that the document length is the short side of B5, that is, if the document length is determined to be the long side of B4, in step S9 the determined document size ( That is, the B4 portrait) is compared with the recording paper size detected by the recording paper size detecting means 13,
It is determined whether or not they match. If they match, the process proceeds to step S7.

If it is determined in step S9 that the document size and the recording paper size do not match, step S10
At “B4 portrait” is displayed on the display means 6 in step S <b> 16, and then the process proceeds to step S <b> 16.

In step S4, if it is not determined that the document width is equal to the short side of B4, that is, if it is determined that the document width is equal to the short side of A4, in step S11, the document length is A5. It is determined whether it is equal to the short side.

When it is determined that they are equal to each other and when they are not equal to each other, it is determined whether or not the document size matches the recording paper size, as in steps S6 and S9.

If it is determined that they are equal, printing is performed in step S7, and if it is determined that they are not equal, "A5 landscape" and "A4 portrait" are displayed on the display means 6 in steps S13 and S15, respectively. Then, the process goes to step S16.

If the size of the image information received by the facsimile device does not match the size of the recording paper attached to the facsimile device, steps S8, S10, S13,
And as shown in S15, the size of the received image information is displayed on the display unit 6. That is, it is possible to indicate to the operator of the facsimile device that the size of the recording paper is different. Then, the operator of the facsimile apparatus can replace the paper feed cassette by visually observing the display.

When the image information size is displayed, a buzzer or the like may be sounded to emphasize the suggestion to the operator. Further, instead of displaying the size difference, the fact that the size is different and the document size may be output on the recording paper.

In step S16, it is determined whether or not the operator has operated the facsimile apparatus (reception-side facsimile apparatus) (that is, replacement of the paper feed cassette, operation of the operation unit 5 or the like).

In step S17, it is determined whether or not the document size matches the recording paper size. If they do not match, the process returns to step S16, and if they do match, step S16
Go to 18.

In step S18, the display by the display means 6 is canceled.

In step S19, one page of image information is read from the image memory 4 and printed.

In step S20, it is determined whether or not the image information to be printed is further stored in the image memory 4.
If it is stored, it is determined in step S21 whether the document size of the image information to be printed is the same as the document size of the image information performed in step S19.

If they are the same, the process returns to step S19,
If they are not the same, the process returns to step S4.

When it is determined in step S20 that the image information to be printed is not stored, the process ends.

In the above description, the receiving-side facsimile apparatus has been described as being capable of mounting four types of sheet feeding cassettes. However, regarding the facsimile apparatus capable of mounting three or less types or five or more types of sheet feeding cassettes. Needless to say, the present invention is applicable. Since the processing operation in this case can be easily created from FIG. 3, description thereof will be omitted.

Further, when the receiving-side facsimile apparatus is configured so that two or more types of paper feed cassettes can be mounted, and the widths of all the recording papers stored in the paper feed cassettes are different (for example, A4 portrait paper). It goes without saying that the processing of step S5 or S11 of the processing shown in FIG. In other words, it is not necessary to compare the length of the document image information with the length of the recording paper. In this case, the identification means 12 and the detection means 13 need only be able to determine the widths of the original and the recording paper, respectively.

Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the printing is performed only when the document size and the recording paper size match in step S17, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the document size and recording paper size do not match, it is determined whether forced printing is to be performed. If forced printing is set, the original size and recording paper size are determined. Printing may be performed even if and do not match.
At this time, when the document size is larger than the recording paper size, the document information is reduced so that the width of the document information (image information) is less than or equal to the recording paper width.

A functional block diagram in this case is shown in FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 represent the same or equivalent parts.

In FIG. 4, the control line of the forced print setting means 22 is connected to the reduction means 21 and the display means 6. The forced print setting means 22 can be constituted by an on / off switch.

The reduction means 21 is connected to the output signal lines of the image memory 4 and the recording paper size detection means 13. The reduction unit 21 detects the image information stored in the image memory 4 by the recording paper size detection unit 13 when the control signal for performing forced printing is output by the forced printing setting unit 22. Only when the size of the recording paper is larger than the size of the recording paper, the image information in the image memory 4 is reduced so that the width becomes equal to or smaller than the recording paper width output from the recording paper size detecting means 13 and transferred to the printing unit 3. To do.

The display means 6 cancels the display when the forced print setting means 22 outputs a signal to the effect that forced print is to be performed.

 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. 5, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 represent the same or equivalent portions. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine capable of loading roll papers having different widths.

In FIG. 5, the width information of the transmitted image information is input to the document width identification means 32. This document width identification means 32 is
The width information of the image information is identified. Further, the image information is input to the common contact of the first switching means 35.

Reference numeral 33 is a recording paper width detecting means for detecting the width of the roll paper mounted on the facsimile machine, and its output line is connected to the comparing means 34 together with the output line of the document width identifying means 32.

Of the two switching contacts of the first switching means 35, one is connected to the input line to the image memory 4 and the other is the printing unit.
Connected to 37.

The output line of the image memory 4 is connected to the common contact of the second switching means 36.

One of the two switching contacts of the second switching means 36 is connected to the printing section 37.

When the output signals of the document width identification means 32 and the recording paper width detection means 33 do not match, the comparison means 34 energizes the first switching means 35 to connect its common contact to the image memory 4. Then, the image information is stored in the image memory 4, and the document width information output from the document width identification means 32 is transferred to the display means 6 and displayed.

When the output signals of the document width identification means 32 and the recording paper width detection means 33 are the same, the comparison means 34 energizes the first switching means 35 so that the common contact of the first switching means 35 is applied to the printing section.
The output line of the image memory 4 is connected to the printing unit 37 by connecting the output line of the image memory 4 to the printing unit 37 while connecting the output line of the image switching unit 36 to the printing unit 37. At this time, if the document width is displayed on the display means 6, the display is canceled.

Further, the facsimile device is provided with a maximum recording paper width declaring means 31 for outputting the width information of the maximum roll paper which can be loaded in the facsimile device to the facsimile device on the other side.

The operation of the second embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described.
Further details will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Of the reference numerals of the steps shown in FIG. 6, the same processing as the reference numerals of the steps shown in FIG. 3 represents the same or equivalent processing. Further, the processing of this flowchart is executed when the facsimile device receives an incoming call (communication start) from the facsimile device on the other side.

Also, the facsimile machine on the transmission side is A4 portrait, A5 landscape, B4
Vertical and B5 horizontal image information can be transmitted, and the receiving side facsimile machine has roll paper whose width is set to A4 size short side width and its width is set to B4 size short side width. The set roll paper can be selectively loaded.

First, in step S1, the maximum recording paper width declaration means 31
As a result, the maximum width information of the roll paper that can be loaded in the facsimile machine is added to the DIS and transferred to the transmitting side facsimile machine. By this processing, when the width of the image information to be transmitted is smaller than the maximum width, the image information is not reduced.

Next, in step S2, the width information of the document to be transmitted is DC
It is added to S and transferred to the facsimile machine on the receiving side.

Although not shown, a predetermined protocol communication is performed before and after the processes of steps S2 and S3.

In step S4, the document width identification means 32 (FIG. 5)
Then, it is determined whether or not the width of the transmission document is equal to the short side length of B4.

If they are the same, in step S31, the determined document width (that is, B4 short side information) and the recording paper width detection means 33.
The comparison means 34 determines whether or not the roll paper width information detected by (FIG. 5) matches. If they match, the first switching means 35 is energized, the image information is output to the printing section 37 via the first switching means 35, and printing is performed in step S36. After that, the process ends.

If the document width and the recording paper width do not match at step S31, "B4" and / or
Alternatively, information indicating "B5" is output and displayed on the display means 6 via the comparison means 34, and thereafter, the processing is step S3.
Move to

In step S3, the comparison means 34 activates the first switching means 35, and the image information is received and stored in the image memory 4.

In step S4, if the width of the transmitted document is not determined to be equal to the short side length of B4, that is, if it is determined to be equal to the A4 short side length, in step S32, the document width, The comparing means 34 compares the recording paper width detected by the recording paper width detecting means 33 with each other to determine whether or not they match. If they match, the process proceeds to step S36.

If the document width and the recording paper width do not match in step S32, "A4" and /
Alternatively, "A5" is displayed on the display means 6, and then the process shifts to step S3.

After the image information is stored in the image memory 4 in step S3, it is determined in step S16 whether the operator operates the facsimile apparatus (that is, replaces the paper feed cassette or operates the operation unit 5). Is determined. That is, when the width of the image information received by the facsimile device does not match the width of the recording paper loaded in the facsimile device, step S3
As shown in 3 and S34, the width of the received image information is displayed, which allows the operator of the facsimile apparatus to visually check the display and replace the paper feed cassette.

When it is determined that the operator has operated the facsimile apparatus, it is determined in step S35 whether the document width matches the recording sheet width. If they do not match, the process returns to step S16, and if they match, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, by the output of the comparison means 34,
While the display by the display means 6 is released, the second
And the output signal line of the image memory 4 is connected to the printing unit 37. Then, the process goes to step S36.

Now, in FIG. 6, it is described that the image information is stored in the image memory 4 when the document width and the recording paper width do not match, but as shown in FIG. Of course, the transmission information may be stored in the image memory 4 before comparing the document width with the recording paper width.

Further, in this case, after the processing of step S18, the processing of steps S19 to S21 of FIG. 3 may be performed.

Further, this embodiment has been described as being applied to a facsimile apparatus capable of loading roll papers having different widths, but it is possible to selectively load a plurality of types of cut papers having the same one side. Of course, it may be applied to a facsimile machine.

Furthermore, in the case where the transmitting side facsimile device also transmits information regarding the length of the image information, the identifying means 32 identifies the size (width and length) of the image information, and the detecting means 33. The size of the recording paper may be detected.

Also in this embodiment, as described above with respect to the first embodiment, when the document width and the recording paper width do not match, it is determined whether or not the forced printing is performed, and the forced printing is set. In this case, printing may be performed even if the document width and the recording paper width do not match. A functional block diagram in this case is shown in FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 represent the same or equivalent portions.

Since the configuration of FIG. 7 is apparent from the above description with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Effect of the Invention) As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, either the maximum size determined by the width and the length of the recording paper or the maximum width is declared to the facsimile machine of the other side. When the size or width of the image information to be transmitted is equal to or smaller than the maximum size or maximum width of the recording paper which can be mounted on the receiving side facsimile device, the image information is transmitted as it is without being reduced. If the size or width of the image information does not match the size or width of the recording paper mounted on the receiving side facsimile device, the operator is informed of the difference in size or width without printing. By doing so, the following effects are achieved.

(1) When the size or width of the image information to be transmitted is equal to or smaller than the maximum size or the maximum width of the recording paper that can be attached to the receiving side facsimile device, and the size of the image information in the facsimile device is smaller than the image information. Alternatively, when a recording paper having a width is loaded, the operator can recognize the difference in size or width. As a result, the recording paper can be replaced with one having the same size or width as the image information.

Therefore, the image information is not reduced and recorded on the recording paper.

(2) When the size or width of the image information to be transmitted is equal to or smaller than the size or width of the recording paper that can be attached to the receiving side facsimile apparatus, and the facsimile apparatus has a size or width larger than the image information. When the recording paper of No. 1 is attached, the operator can replace the recording paper with the recording paper having the same width or size as the image information as in (1).

Therefore, no unnecessary margin is formed on the recording paper.

(3) After the operator exchanges the recording paper, the size and width of the recording paper and the image information are compared again, and printing is performed according to the signal indicating the coincidence. It is possible to prevent operational mistakes such as

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. 1 ... system section, 2 ... reading section, 3,37 ... print section, 4 ... image memory, 5 ... operation means, 6 ... display means, 12 ... original size identifying means, 13 ... recording Paper size detecting means, 14, 34 ... comparing means, 15 ... switching means, 21 ...
Reduction means, 22 ... Forced printing setting means, 31 ... Maximum recording paper width declaration means, 32 ... Original width identification means, 33 ... Recording paper width detection means, 35 ... First switching means, 36 ... Second Switching means

Claims (3)

(57) [Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A facsimile apparatus having a print section and an image memory configured so that a plurality of types of recording paper can be selectively mounted, and a maximum size determined by the width and length of the recording paper, And a declaring means for declaring one of the maximum widths to the facsimile machine on the other side, a receiving means for receiving image information and document width information transmitted from the facsimile machine on the other side according to the declaring means, and the receiving means. An image memory for storing the received image information and document width information, detection means for detecting either the size or the width of the attached recording paper, and the transmission information read from the image memory, Identification means for identifying one of the size and width determined by the width and the length, the detection result of the detection means, and the identification means Comparing means for comparing the identification result and outputting a signal indicating a match or non-match; a switching means for connecting the image memory and the printing section according to the signal indicating the match of the comparing means; and the comparing means. In accordance with the signal indicating the disagreement, suggesting means for suggesting to the operator one of the size and width of the image information identified by the identifying means, and after the suggesting means, a predetermined operation by the operator is performed. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it has been broken, and when a predetermined operation is performed, the comparing means compares the detection result of the detecting means with the discrimination result of the discriminating means,
A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints according to a signal indicating the coincidence of the comparison unit. 2. A facsimile apparatus having a print section and an image memory configured so that a plurality of types of recording paper can be selectively mounted, and a declaration for declaring the maximum width of the recording paper to a facsimile machine of the other side. Means, receiving means for receiving image information and document width information transmitted from the facsimile apparatus on the other side according to the declaring means, and an image memory for storing the image information and document width information received by the receiving means, A detection unit that detects the width of the loaded recording paper; an identification unit that reads the document width information from the image memory to identify the width of the image information; a detection result of the detection unit and an identification result of the identification unit. Comparing means for outputting a signal indicating a match or mismatch, and a disconnecting means for connecting the image memory and the printing section in response to the signal indicating a match of the comparing means. A suggestion for suggesting to the operator the width of the image information identified by the identifying means, the image information being received by the receiving means and stored in the image memory in response to the signal indicating the disagreement between the converting means and the comparing means. Means, and a determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined operation is performed by the operator after the suggestion by the suggestion means, and a detection result of the detection means by the comparison means when the predetermined operation is performed. Comparing with the identification result of the identification means,
A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints according to a signal indicating the coincidence of the comparison unit. 3. The printing means, when the predetermined operation is performed, compares the detection result of the detection means with the identification result of the identification means by the comparison means, and indicates the disagreement of the comparison means. The utility model registration claim according to claim 1, wherein the image information is reduced and printed so that the image information is reduced to one or less of the size and width of the recording paper detected by the detecting means. Facsimile apparatus according to item 2 or item 2.