JP2732963B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus set in an office or the like, and a facsimile apparatus for transmitting various information necessary for maintenance and management of an electronic device such as a copying machine using a general public line. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, facsimile apparatuses capable of forming an image on plain paper by using a copying process are becoming widespread, and a mechanism using such a copying process causes a high rate of occurrence of troubles. The need for regular overhauls to maintain performance demands an enhanced maintenance and management service system.In particular, prompt and accurate responses are required so that recovery from troubles can be made early. I have.

As a conventional maintenance management method, in general, the facsimile machine itself detects its own state, and displays on a display or the like, the contents of the trouble or the imminent replacement of a specific part, or the use of consumables. If a near-empty display (display indicating that consumables are almost exhausted) is given to the user and the user recognizes the fact and determines that it is necessary to call a so-called service person, the facsimile is concerned. It is customary to contact a maintenance service bureau, which is in charge of the maintenance of the device, by telephone or other means.

[0004] However, such contact by telephone or the like causes the following problems.

[0005] (1) The user cannot perform his / her own work to explain the contents of the trouble, and is forced to lose time. (2) The user may erroneously recognize the contents of the trouble display and inform the maintenance service bureau of the contents different from the actual contents of the trouble. (3) Even if there is a trouble display on the display, the user may be left unnoticed, and in such a case, the minor trouble may progress to a severe trouble. (4) The maintenance service bureau prepares necessary parts and the like based on the content of the trouble after receiving the notification from the user and goes to the user.

Therefore, in recent years, a facsimile machine on the user side detects its own operation state, converts the detected contents into communication information, and transmits the communication information automatically or in response to a transmission request from a maintenance service station. A method has been proposed in which a station receives transmitted communication information, converts the received communication information into, for example, character information, and prints out the information, thereby recognizing the operation state of the user-side facsimile apparatus and performing maintenance management. (Japanese Patent Application No. 1-302749).

[0007]

In order to carry out the above-mentioned maintenance management method, first, it is necessary for a user to install a facsimile apparatus having the above-mentioned function of transmitting the operation state. Thereafter, a so-called service person goes to the office of the user who intends to make a contract and consults with the user about the contents of the contract for maintenance management of the facsimile machine. When the contract is concluded, the serviceman manually sets the opening information for activating the function in the facsimile apparatus having the above-mentioned automatic transmission function of the operating state.

The opening information indicates what kind of maintenance function is to be selected, that is, what kind of information is to be transmitted to the maintenance service bureau, and information on the facsimile machine to be contracted, for example, model name, contractor And the contract number, and the telephone number of the maintenance service bureau to which the information is transmitted.

If the registration information is registered by mistake, not only does the automatic transmission function not work properly, but also the registration information and the information to be transmitted may leak to the outside.

Also, the user cannot confirm the information transmitted to the maintenance service station, whether the automatic transmission function is operating normally, what information is transmitted to the maintenance service station, or In some cases, the user may feel uneasy as to whether information different from the contract content is being transmitted.

Further, the above-mentioned automatic transmission function can be easily executed by a device such as a facsimile machine to which a telephone line for communication is connected in advance, but the normal transmission function of the device itself such as a copying machine. In the case of a device that does not require a telephone line in operation, it is necessary to secure a dedicated telephone line for executing the automatic transmission function, which is wasteful.

An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of confirming information transmitted to a management apparatus by an automatic transmission function.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention executes facsimile communication means for transmitting and receiving image data via a public line, and a copying process for transferring a charged image formed on a photosensitive drum to recording paper. Recording means for recording image data on recording paper, reading means for optically reading a document and converting it to image data, and operation state detecting means for detecting at least operation states of the facsimile communication means, recording means and reading means Operating state transmitting means for transmitting the detected operating state as transmission information via a public line to a management device for managing the operating state; and 1 for every one copy process of the recording means. A facsimile apparatus for automatically transmitting the detected operation state to the management apparatus when the operation state is detected. The operating state detecting means compares the number of possible copies set for the photosensitive drum with the count value of the number-of-times-of-copy counting means. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that a recording operation is performed only once for recording information.

Further, the present invention includes a converting means for converting transmission information from the operating state transmitting means into image data, and a control means for supplying the image data from the converting means to a recording means and recording the image data on recording paper, The copy number counting means,
When recording the transmission information, the counting operation is not performed.

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the recording means executes the copying process using the photosensitive drum, the number of copying is counted by the copying number counting means every time one copying process is performed. The operating state detecting means detects that the life of the photosensitive drum has exceeded when the count value of the number-of-times-of-copy counting means exceeds the number of copies permitted for the photosensitive drum. Information indicating that the life of the photosensitive drum has expired is transmitted to the management device by the operation state transmission means, and is recognized by the operator of the management device. In particular, according to the present invention, when it is detected that the life of the photosensitive drum has expired, the recording operation cannot be normally performed, but the recording operation is forcibly performed only once for recording the transmission information. Will be As described above, the permitted number of copies set for the photosensitive drum is set to be smaller than the actual maximum number of copies, so that the recording operation can be performed. Even if the recording quality deteriorates, there is no particular problem because it is a recording for confirming the contents. Further, according to the present invention, since the recording operation is performed only once by the recording means for recording the transmission information as described above, the effect that the contents of the transmission information can be immediately confirmed can be achieved.

[0018]

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operator of the facsimile can confirm that the automatic transmission function of the operating state is operating normally, and immediately confirm the contents of the transmission information. be able to. Further according to the invention,
When recording the transmission information transmitted to the management device, the counting operation by the copy number counting means is not performed. That is, the transmission information is recorded by the operator (user) of the facsimile machine.
This is because the recording operation is performed, and if the recording operation is counted, the number of times the user uses the recording operation decreases accordingly. Usually, the number of copies that can be made is
Because it is set lower than the actual number of copies,
There is no particular problem even if the counting operation is not performed.

[0020]

[0021]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a facsimile apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile device 1 is connected to the telephone line 2 and transmits and receives image data to and from another facsimile device.
Various information can be transmitted / received to / from a management device 3 described later via the telephone line 2. Facsimile machine 1
Executes an electrostatic copying process of forming a charged image and recording (transferring) it on recording paper.

The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11 implemented by a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 11 includes a communication control unit 12, a reading unit 13, a recording unit 14,
Operation unit 15, display unit 16, detection unit 17, memory 1
8 is connected. The communication control unit 12 includes an incoming call detection circuit, a modem, and the like, demodulates received image data and provides the demodulated image data to the control unit 11, modulates image data to be transmitted, and outputs the modulated image data to the telephone line 2. The reading unit 13 includes a CCD (charge-coupled device), a lens, an exposure device, and the like, which will be described later. When transmitting a document, the reading unit 13 optically reads the document, converts the document into an electric signal (image data), and gives the signal to the control unit 11. When copying a document, the document is exposed to form a document image on the surface of a photoconductor provided in a recording unit 14 described later.

The recording section 14 includes a photoreceptor, a developing device, a charger, a fixing device, and the like, and transfers an image to recording paper by the above-described electrostatic copying process.

The operation unit 15 includes a numeric key, a transmission key, and various function setting keys. The display unit 16
It is realized by a liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays input data from the operation unit 15, an operation state of the facsimile machine 1, for example, error information, information indicating that the consumables are out, and the like.

The detecting unit 17 detects the operating state of the facsimile machine 1, specifically, an abnormal state, and gives the detected operating state to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes a trouble content determination unit, a trouble type determination unit, and a communication information conversion unit (not shown). These units operate based on control from the detection unit 17.

The trouble content discriminating means discriminates what kind of content of the trouble detected by the detecting section 17 is. Trouble type determination means, the trouble determined by the trouble content determination means,
It is determined whether the type requires a so-called serviceman call. The type of trouble that does not require a serviceman call is a trouble that can be relatively easily handled by the user himself, such as a paper jam or running out of recording paper. What kind of troubles require a serviceman call?
For example, a trouble that cannot be dealt with by the user himself, such as the life of the photosensitive member of the recording unit 14 has been exceeded.

The memory 18 includes a ROM (read only memory) and a RAM (random access memory). The ROM stores programs for controlling various operations of the facsimile machine 1, and the RAM stores management programs. A registration area of the opening information transmitted from the device 3 and a work area used for the processing operation by the control unit 11 are set.

The management device 3 is a device having a basic configuration of a so-called personal computer, and transmits and receives data to and from the facsimile device 1 and other terminal devices via the telephone line 2. The management device 3 includes a control unit 31 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 31 is connected to a modem 32, a recording unit 33, a display unit 34, and an operation unit 35.

The modem 32 demodulates the received data and supplies the demodulated data to the control unit 31. The modem 32 modulates the data to be transmitted supplied from the control unit 31 and outputs the modulated data to the telephone line 2. The recording unit 33
It is realized by a thermal printer or the like, and records image data and various kinds of reception information received via the telephone line 2 or information input from the operation unit 35 on recording paper such as thermal recording paper. The display unit 34 is realized by a liquid crystal display device or the like,
Various information received via the telephone line 2 and information input from the operation unit 35 are displayed. The operation unit 35 includes a plurality of key switches, such as a numeric key, and various function setting keys for designating an operation state of the management device 3.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the facsimile machine 1. The facsimile apparatus 1 generally includes a reading unit 1
3; a recording unit 14; When the document 41 is inserted into the document insertion slot 42, the document 4 is detected by a document detection sensor 43 implemented by a microswitch or the like.
It is detected that 1 has been set. Thereafter, when the copy key or the transmission key is operated by the operator, the operation of transporting the document 41 is started.

At the time of document transmission, the document 41
And the pressing member 45, and is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 46 to an exposure area where the transparent glass 47 is installed. Irradiation light from the light source 48 is incident on the original surface of the original 41 in the exposure area, and the reflected light is incident on the CCD 51 via the mirror 49 and the lens 50. The incident light is converted into an electric signal (image data) by the CCD 51 and supplied to the control unit 11. The exposed document 41 is conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 52 and discharged onto a document tray 53.

An exposure head 54 is arranged below the mirror 49 in FIG. 2, and when copying the original 41, an electrostatic copying process is executed together with the above-described original transport operation. The original image exposed by the exposure head 54 is
And an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 58 via the mirrors 56 and 57.

The photosensitive drum 58 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 59. The surface of the photosensitive drum 58 is uniformly charged by the corona charger 60. Next, the exposure head 54 irradiates light to a portion other than the original image, removes the charged electric charge in the light-irradiated portion, and forms an electrostatic latent image with the electric charge left in the original image portion. In the developing unit 61, toner, which is colored fine particles charged in a polarity opposite to that of the electrostatic latent image, is supplied from the toner cartridge 62 and adheres to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image. Next, a recording paper is superimposed on this toner image, and the photosensitive drum 5 of the recording paper is
The transfer device 63 applies a charge having a polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the toner to the recording paper from the surface opposite to the surface 8, and transfers the toner image to the recording paper by electrostatic force.

The recording paper is stored in a recording paper cassette 64, is conveyed to a conveyance path by a paper feeding roller (not shown), and is supplied by a paper feeding roller 65 to a transfer area where the transfer device 63 is arranged.

The toner image transferred onto the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper by applying heat or pressure by a fixing device. On the other hand, the latent image charge on the photosensitive drum 58 after the transfer is eliminated by the neutralizer 70. Further, residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 58 without being transferred is removed by a cleaner (not shown). By repeating a series of processes from the charging to the cleaning, the original image is continuously copied onto the recording paper.

The recording paper on which the toner image has been fixed is conveyed by paper discharge rollers 67 and discharged to a paper discharge tray 68.

The exposure head 5 is located near the exposure head 54.
A cooling fan 69 for cooling the heat of No. 4 is arranged.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the facsimile machine 1. In step a1,
The facsimile machine 1 is installed in a user's office, for example, by a service person from a maintenance service bureau. At this time, the user of the facsimile machine 1 and the service person consult with each other about the contents of the contract. The contract includes
Selection of maintenance function, ie, facsimile machine 1
The information includes, among the automatic transmission functions of the operating state provided by the server, which information is transmitted to the management device 3 which is a maintenance service station and maintenance is requested.

In step a2, the service person sends the contract contents to the management device 3 by facsimile communication. In addition to the selection of the maintenance function, the contract content includes, for example, information relating to the installed facsimile machine 1, such as the name of the contractor, the installed model name, the serial number, and the contract date.

At step a3, the operation unit 35 inputs opening information for opening (activating) the automatic transmission function of the facsimile machine 1 based on the contract content received by facsimile communication.

When the opening key of the management apparatus 3 is turned on in step a4, the opening information input in step a5 is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 1.

In step a6, the opening information transmitted from the management device 3 is received. In step a7, the opening information is registered in the opening information registration area 18a in the memory 18 by the control unit 11. The opening information includes a telephone number of a transmission destination by the automatic transmission function, a contract number, information for activating the automatic transmission function, and the like.

In step a8, the received opening information is recorded on recording paper by the recording unit 14. Thereby, the user and the service person can confirm the opening information set in the facsimile machine 1, that is, the contract contents. In addition, the service person himself operates the facsimile machine 1
It is not necessary to register the opening information by operating, so that occurrence of erroneous registration can be prevented.

At step a9, the registered opening information is converted into image data. The control unit 11 converts the opening information into image data based on the character data stored in the ROM of the memory 18 based on the registered opening information. The converted image data is temporarily stored in the memory 18.
Is stored on the work area.

At step a10, the converted image data is transmitted to the management device 3 as a confirmation result. In step a11, the management device 3 receives the confirmation result transmitted from the facsimile device 1, and in step a12, the recording unit 33 records the confirmation result on recording paper. As a result, the operator of the management device 3 can use the facsimile device 1
It is possible to immediately confirm the correctness of the opening information sent to the user. If there is an error in the confirmation result, the input and transmission of the opening information may be executed again.

As described above, the activation (opening) of the automatic transmission function of the facsimile apparatus 1 can be performed by the operation of the management apparatus 3, and there is no need for input by a service person as in the prior art, and erroneous registration. The trouble can be prevented and the trouble can be saved. Further, since the registered opening information is recorded on the recording paper, the opening information (contract content) can be immediately confirmed on the spot, and the user can be provided with a sense of security. Further, since the opening information is transmitted to the management device 3 as a result of the confirmation, the operator of the management device 3 can immediately confirm whether the opening information (registration content) is correct or not, which is convenient.

Next, the operation of detecting the operating state by the above-described detecting unit 17 will be described with reference to the photosensitive drum 58 provided in the facsimile machine 1 as an example. The photosensitive drum 58
Each time copying is performed, the deterioration is caused by mechanical elements including a cleaner, residual heat of the fixing device 66, ozone, and the like. Therefore, the life is generally defined by the number of copies. However, since the photosensitive drum 58 is an optical semiconductor, it changes with time, and the usable period is limited. For example, 50
A photoconductor called a K-life photoconductor has a life of 5 years.

Therefore, in the case of a user who has a low frequency of use, the usable period may be exceeded before reaching the prescribed number of copies. Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present invention, the life of the photosensitive drum 58 is confirmed based on the number of copies and the usage period, and when the life is exceeded, the user of the facsimile apparatus 1 is notified and the maintenance service described above is performed. Information indicating that the life of the photosensitive drum 58 has expired is automatically transmitted to the management device 3 as a station.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration necessary for the operation of checking the life of the photosensitive drum 58. The recording unit 14 includes a number counter 20 that counts up by “1” for each copy, and a life timer circuit 21 that counts the time elapsed from the installation time of the photosensitive drum 58. The life timer circuit 21 determines that the time at which the fuse 22 provided on the photosensitive drum 58 has been blown is the installation time, starts the aging operation using the time from the clock circuit 29 in the control unit 11 as an initial value, and The time obtained by adding the period corresponding to the life of the photosensitive drum 58 to the initial value is set in the prescribed life register 25 as the usable period of the photosensitive drum 58.

The count value of the number counter 20 is detected by the detecting unit 17.
Is exceeded. Excess judgment circuit 24
Compares the count value (the number of copies) from the number-of-sheets counter with the output (number of copies that can be made) from the specified number register 23, and outputs a signal when the number of copies exceeds the number of copies that can be made. The output of the excess determination circuit 24 is provided to an OR (logical sum) circuit 27 and a display control circuit 28.

The output of the life timer circuit 21 is
7 is provided to an excess determination circuit 26. Excess judgment circuit 26
Is the output (current time) from the life timer circuit 21;
The output (usable period) of the specified life register 25 is compared, and a signal is output when the current time exceeds the available period. The output of the excess determination circuit 26 is provided to an OR circuit 27 and a display control circuit 28.

The OR circuit 27 includes excess determination circuits 24 and 26
When one of the outputs is at a high level, a high-level signal indicating that the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded its life is output to the display control circuit 28.

When the display control circuit 28 detects a high level signal from the OR circuit 27, it determines that the life of the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded its life, displays that fact on the display section 16, and displays the excess determination circuit 24, Based on the output from 26, it is determined whether the life is based on the number of copies or the life based on the usage period, and the fact is similarly displayed on the display unit 16. Further, the content displayed on the display unit 16 is automatically transmitted to the management device 3 by the communication control unit 12.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of checking the life of the photosensitive drum 58. Step b1
Then, the photosensitive drum 58 is set in the facsimile machine 1, and a current is applied to the fuse 22 in step b2.

At step b3, it is determined whether or not a current flows through the fuse 22, and if no current flows, it is determined that the used photosensitive drum 58 has been erroneously set, and the photosensitive drum is removed. It returns to step b1. If a current flows through the fuse 22, step b4
In step b5, when it is confirmed that the current has been interrupted after a certain period, the number of sheets counter 20 and life timer circuit 21 are initialized in step b5. “0” is set as the initial value of the number-of-sheets counter 20, and the current time is set as the initial value of the life timer circuit 21.

At step b6, it is determined whether or not copying has been performed. If copying has been performed, the number of copies counter 20 is counted up by "1" in step b7, and in step b8, the excess determination circuit 24 determines whether or not the number of copies has exceeded the number of copies that can be made. When the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step b10, and when the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step b9. If copying is not performed in step b6, the flow advances to step b9.

In step b9, the excess determination circuit 26 determines whether the use period of the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded the usable period. When the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step b11, and when the determination is negative, the process returns to step b6.

At step b10, a display indicating that the life of the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded the life specified by the number of copies is displayed, and the routine proceeds to step b12. In step b11, a display indicating that the life of the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded the life specified by the usage period is performed, and the process proceeds to step b12.

In step b12, the control unit 11 invalidates the input of the copy key provided in the operation unit 15.

In step b13, information indicating that the life of the photosensitive drum 58 has expired is transmitted to the management device 3 which is the above-mentioned maintenance service station.

As described above, in the facsimile machine 1, the life of the photosensitive drum 58 is determined based on the number of copies and the usage period. Therefore, even when the frequency of use of the copying function is relatively low, the life of the photosensitive drum 58 can be accurately confirmed, and a notification operation for prompting the user to replace the photosensitive drum 58 at an appropriate timing. Can be performed.

Next, an automatic transmission function of the operation state of the facsimile machine 1 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the automatic transmission function of the facsimile machine 1. Step c
When an operation state (abnormal state) is detected by the detecting section 17 in step 1, the detected abnormal state is displayed on the display section 16 in step c2.

At step c3, it is determined whether or not the abnormal state detected by the control unit 11 requires automatic transmission. That is, if the trouble can be dealt with by the user himself, such as running out of recording paper or a paper jam, there is no need to perform automatic transmission, and the process ends. Further, when the photosensitive drum 58 needs to be replaced due to the expiration of its life as described above, the user cannot cope with the situation, and the process proceeds to step c4 to transmit the detected abnormal state.

At step c4, the telephone number of the management device 3 is read out from the registered opening information to make a call, and the abnormal state detected at step c5, for example, the photosensitive drum 58 needs to be replaced. Is transmitted.

In step c6, the information transmitted to the management device 3 is recorded on recording paper by the recording unit 14. As a result, the user can confirm that the automatic transmission function of the facsimile apparatus 1 is functioning normally, and can also confirm the information transmitted to the management apparatus 3, thereby providing a sense of security for the user. Can be given.

In step c7, the number counter 20
Is set to the count value before recording the transmission information in step c6. This is because the automatic transmission function of the abnormal state is performed as an additional service on the maintenance service bureau side. If the recording operation of the transmission information is counted as the number of times of use of the photosensitive drum 58, the number of times of use of the user ( (The number of times of copying). Therefore,
In the case of recording transmission information, the counting operation of the number-of-sheets counter 20 is not performed. Normally, the number of copies that can be set in the prescribed number register 23 shown in FIG. 4 is set to be smaller than the number of copies that cannot be completely copied, with a certain margin. Therefore, even if the recording operation of the transmission information is not counted as the number of times of copying, it does not affect the confirmation of the life of the photosensitive drum 58.

Next, another automatic transmission function of the facsimile machine 1 will be described.

FIG. 7 shows that the facsimile machine 1
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration in the case where. The copying machine 81 includes a control unit 82 realized by a microcomputer or the like. A reading unit 83 that optically reads the original image and a copying unit 84 that copies the read original image onto recording paper are connected to each other. Make a copy. The control unit 82 also includes the copying machine 8
A detection unit 85 for detecting the operation state (abnormal state) 1 is connected, and the abnormal state detected by the detection unit 85 needs to be displayed on the display unit 86 and transmitted to the management device 3 which is a maintenance service station. When a certain trouble occurs, information representing the trouble is transmitted to the interface circuit 87.
The interface circuit 10 of the facsimile machine 1 through the
Give to.

In the facsimile apparatus 1, information indicating an abnormal state given to the interface circuit 10 and information indicating an abnormal state of the facsimile apparatus 1 detected by the detecting section 17 are selectively managed via the communication control section 12. Transmit to the device 3. That is, since the information given to the interface circuit 10 is information given from the copying machine 81 and is information that must be transmitted without fail, all input information is transmitted to the management device 3.

The abnormal state detected by the detecting unit 17 includes a trouble that can be dealt with by the user himself and a trouble that needs to call a serviceman. Therefore, information is collected only when a trouble that needs to call a serviceman occurs. It is transmitted to the management device 3. The interface circuit 10 is given a predetermined address (address), and transmits information to the management device 3 together with the address. Management device 3
Determines whether the received information is from the facsimile machine 1 or from the copying machine 81 based on the address.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when transmitting the transmission information from copying machine 81 to management device 3. When an abnormal state is detected by the detection unit 85 in step d1, the abnormal state detected in step d2 is displayed on the display unit 86.

At step d3, it is determined whether or not the detected abnormal state is a trouble to be transmitted to the management device 3 which is a maintenance service station. In the case of data that does not need to be transmitted, if the trouble can be dealt with by the user's own hand, such as running out of recording paper or a paper jam, the information is not transmitted, and the user responds. In the case of a trouble that needs to be transmitted, for example, when the photosensitive drum 58 has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced, information indicating the abnormal state detected in step d4 is transmitted to the facsimile machine 1.

At step d5, the facsimile machine 1 receives the information from the copying machine 81, at step d6 a call is made to the management device 3, and at step d7 the information is transmitted to the management device 3. At step d8, the transmitted information is recorded on the recording paper. At step d9, the count value of the sheet number counter 20 in the facsimile machine 1 is set to the count value before recording the transmission information.

The transmission information is a code set in response to a trouble, and the recorded information is also the code.
Therefore, the communication fee spent on automatic transmission can be kept low.

As described above, even if the apparatus other than the facsimile apparatus does not require the telephone line 2 in the normal operation, such as a copying machine, the automatic transmission function of the operating state is executed by connecting to the facsimile apparatus 1. can do. Therefore, there is no need to secure a dedicated telephone line to execute the automatic transmission function, and the automatic transmission function can be executed at relatively low cost.

[0077]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the recording means executes the copying process using the photosensitive drum, the number of times of copying is counted, and when the number of copies exceeds a preset allowable number of times, the photosensitive member is counted. Detects that the drum has exceeded its life. As a result, the operator of the management device can receive the information indicating that the photosensitive drum has reached the end of its life, transmitted by the operation state transmission unit, to the management device, and can recognize that information. In particular, according to the present invention, even if it is detected that the life of the photosensitive drum has been exceeded, the recording operation is forcibly performed only once to record the transmission information. The user) can immediately confirm that the automatic transmission function is operating normally and the content of the transmission information.

[0078]

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the information transmitted to the management apparatus is recorded on the recording paper, the operator (user) of the facsimile apparatus normally operates the automatic transmission function of the operating state. Can be checked, and the contents of transmission can be checked immediately. Further, according to the present invention, when the transmission information transmitted to the management device is recorded by the automatic transmission function of the operation state, the counting operation by the copy number counting means is not performed, so that the operator (user)
Is not reduced.

[0080]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a facsimile apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the facsimile machine 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 when the automatic transmission function is opened.

FIG. 4 shows a photoreceptor drum 58 in the facsimile machine 1.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a detection unit 17 when confirming the life of the device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a life confirmation operation of the photosensitive drum 58;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an automatic transmission function in the facsimile machine 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another example of use of the facsimile machine 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another automatic transmission function of the facsimile machine 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 facsimile device 2 telephone line 3 management device 11 control unit 12 communication control unit 13 reading unit 14 recording unit 17 detecting unit 18 memory

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile communication means for transmitting and receiving image data via a public line, and a copying process for transferring a charged image formed on a photosensitive drum to recording paper, and recording the image data on recording paper. Recording means for reading a document, reading means for optically reading a document and converting it into image data, operation state detecting means for detecting at least operation states of the facsimile communication means, recording means and reading means, and for managing the operation state Operating state transmitting means for transmitting the detected operating state as transmission information to the management device via the public line; and a copy number counting means for adding one each time one copy process of the recording means is performed. A facsimile apparatus which, when an operation state is detected, automatically transmits the detected operation state to the management apparatus, wherein the operation state detection means is The number of possible copies set for the photosensitive drum is compared with the count value of the number-of-times-of-copy counting unit, and when it is detected that the photosensitive drum has exceeded the life, the recording of transmission information is performed. A facsimile apparatus wherein a recording operation is performed only once. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: converting means for converting information transmitted by the operating state transmitting means into image data; and control means for supplying the image data from the converting means to a recording means and recording the image data on recording paper. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counting unit does not perform a counting operation when recording the transmission information.