JP2844677B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus equipped with a plurality of sizes of recording paper and recording image information on recording paper corresponding to a recording capability size. .

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in such an apparatus, it is possible to mount a two-stage recording paper cassette containing recording papers of a plurality of paper widths, for example, recording papers of B4, A4 width, etc., and print according to the recording paper in the loaded cassette. Some have the ability. That is, in the apparatus having the above printing capability, the receiving facsimile apparatus exchanges a protocol with the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side to exchange the protocol with the facsimile apparatus on the recording paper which currently has the capability declaration of the recording capability size of DIS (digital identification signal). Of the maximum paper width.

Here, for example, when the recording paper of B4 width is set to no paper and only the recording paper of A4 width is set, the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side issues the above declaration of the recording capacity size A4 width from the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side. Then, for example, a document of B4 width is reduced to an A4 width corresponding to the maximum paper width (A4) and transmitted to the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side, and the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side has a recording capability that declares the received image information. It was printed on recording paper of the size.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-described apparatus, the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side declares the capability with the maximum paper width of the currently set recording paper, so that a B4 size recording paper having a paper width larger than the declared maximum paper width A4 is actually used. If you set paper, B4
Despite being able to print image information of a sent document with a width,
The reduced image information will be printed on a wide recording paper, making the printed characters difficult to read, and in the case of routine work, the original sent in B4 is always printed on A4 recording paper. For this reason, there has been a problem that filing or the like becomes difficult.

Also, if you want to faithfully reproduce the size of the original,
It is possible to equip the above device with a cassette that stores recording papers of various sizes to accommodate documents of various sizes, but in such a case, the mechanism configuration becomes complicated and actual implementation is not possible. It was difficult to use as a means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an image recording apparatus capable of reducing the size of an original document sent from the transmitting apparatus while reducing the reduction operation of the original document on the transmitting apparatus. The task is to provide.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]

The present invention provides a recording paper equipping means for equipping recording paper of a predetermined size, setting information storage means for storing recording capacity size information set by an operator, and recording capacity size information stored in the setting information storage means. Size information transmitting means for notifying the transmitting party of the image information, receiving means for receiving the image information, storage means for storing the image information received from the receiving means, and the image information on the recording paper provided in the recording paper equipment means. Determining means for determining whether information can be printed;
Recording control means for controlling recording of the image information in accordance with a result of the determination by the determining means.

For this reason, image information can be received in an image size suitable for the purpose of use of the operator, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which printed characters are difficult to read and filing is difficult.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings of FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, a control circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a control circuit)
It is called "CPU". Reference numeral 10 denotes a transmission control circuit (hereinafter referred to as "NCU") 12, a recording unit 13, a panel 14, and a RAM of the facsimile apparatus according to a control program or the like stored in the ROM 11.
It controls each device such as 15 and controls input and output of information and signals.

The NCU 12 controls the data transmission of image information with another facsimile machine or the like via the line 16, and the image information such as the received original is temporarily stored in the RAM 15 and then subjected to image processing such as reduction. It is output to the recording unit 13 or directly output to the recording unit 13 without being stored in the RAM 15. Also,
In the RAM 15, either the recording paper cassette size information (for example, information on the maximum recording paper cassette size) or the recording paper size information is set and stored as recording paper declaration information (recording capacity size). Can set the recording capacity size to the recording paper cassette size or recording paper size, and can change the information to an arbitrary size.

When the image information to be recorded is input, the recording unit 13 performs printing control based on the image information and forms an image of a document or the like on a recording sheet.

The panel 14 displays a warning when a recording sheet is not set in the recording sheet cassette, or generates an alarm sound to warn the operator that there is no recording sheet.

Next, a recording operation when the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used for a facsimile apparatus will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

First, the operator sets in advance whether to declare the recording capacity size based on either the recording paper cassette size information or the recording paper size information.

When the control signal from the transmitting side is received by the NCU 12 of the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side, the CPU 10 extracts the information of the set recording capacity size from the RAM 15 (step
101).

Here, when the recording capacity size is set to the recording paper size, the CPU 10 transmits the protocol DIS declaration of capability to the largest recording paper size b among the currently set recording paper sizes, for example, A4. Is transmitted from the NCU 12 to the facsimile machine on the transmitting side where the incoming call is received (step 102).

When the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side receives the capability declaration of the DIS, the transmitting facsimile apparatus reduces a document to be transmitted, for example, a document of B4 width to an A4 width corresponding to the recording paper size b and transmits the document.

When the NCU 12 receives the image information from the transmission-side facsimile apparatus, the receiving-side facsimile apparatus outputs the image information to the recording unit 13 and prints the image information on a recording paper having a recording paper size b, that is, A4 recording paper. Print (Step 10
3).

Further, when the recording capacity size is set to the recording paper cassette size, the CPU 10 sets the recording paper cassette size that can be loaded regardless of the presence of the loaded recording paper with the protocol DIS declaration of capability. The largest recording paper cassette size a, for example, B4, is sent from the NCU 12 to the facsimile machine on the transmitting side where the above-mentioned incoming call is received (step 104). Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the sent image information can be printed on the currently set recording paper (step 105). If the image information can be printed, the transmission size captured by the NCU 12 is a B4 width image. The information is output directly to the recording unit 13 and printed on the printable recording paper (step 10).
6).

If the sent image information cannot be printed on the currently set recording paper, a memory reception for temporarily storing the image information having a transmission size of B4 width captured by the NCU 12 in the RAM 15 is performed (step 107). ), A warning is given that there is no recording paper in the recording paper cassette of printable size a, ie, the cassette of B4, and the operator is notified (step 108). Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the operator has set B4 recording paper (step 109).

Here, when the B4 recording paper is set, the warning is stopped and the operator is requested to input an output instruction (step 110). Then, the CPU 10 waits for an output request from the operator (step 111).
The image information of B4 width stored in 15 is output to the recording unit 13 and printed on the set B4 recording paper (step 112).

If the operator does not set the B4 recording paper, it is next determined whether or not there is an output request from the operator (step 113). To warn the operator that there is no B4 recording paper. Further, when there is an output request from the operator within the predetermined time, the CPU 10 next determines whether or not the sent image information can be printed on the currently set recording paper (step 114). This decision is made in step 1
This is the same as 05, but here, the recording is not B4 recording paper but another size of recording paper may be set by the operator.

If printing is possible, the image information of the transmission size a captured by the NCU 12 is output from the RAM 15 to the recording unit 13 and printed on the printable recording paper (step 11).
5) If the image information cannot be printed on the currently set recording sheet, a process of reducing or expanding the data size of the image information in the RAM 15 is performed so that the image information can be printed on the set recording sheet ( Step 116). The reduction process is performed when the printable area of the recording paper to be printed is smaller than the data amount of the image information for one page, for example. In a process performed when the printable area of the recording paper to be printed is large compared to the CPU 10, the CPU 10 calculates the reduction rate or the enlargement rate based on the data amount of the image information and the printable area of the recording paper, and calculates the above. The image information is reduced or enlarged according to the reduction ratio or the enlargement ratio. In the reduction or enlargement processing, processing is performed so that the calculated reduction ratio or enlargement ratio can be printed and displayed at an arbitrary position on the recording paper, for example, at the leading or trailing end of the recording paper. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 as an embodiment, the image information subjected to the above processing is output to the recording unit 13 and printed on the currently set recording paper (step 11).
7). Thus, even if the receiving-side operator does not have the required cassette-size recording paper and prints on the set recording paper that happens to be set, even if the reduction ratio or the enlargement ratio printed on the recording paper is used. From, the data size of the image information on the transmission side can be known.

In the above embodiment, the recording paper cassette size of the maximum paper width that can be installed is set to the recordable size. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an arbitrary recording paper cassette size can be set to the recordable size according to the frequency of use of recording paper. It is also possible to set.

Next, another embodiment of the recording operation of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4.

First, the operator sets in advance whether to declare the recording capacity size based on either the recording paper cassette size information or the recording paper size information.

When there is an incoming call to the NCU 12 of the facsimile machine on the receiving side, the CPU 10 extracts the information of the set recording capacity size from the RAM 15 (step 201).

Here, when the recording capacity size is set to the recording paper size, the CPU 10 transmits the protocol DIS declaration of capability to the largest recording paper size b among the currently set recording paper sizes, for example, A4. Is transmitted from the NCU 12 to the facsimile machine on the transmitting side where the incoming call matches (step 202).

When the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side receives the capability declaration of the DIS, the transmitting facsimile apparatus reduces a document to be transmitted, for example, a document of B4 width to an A4 width corresponding to the recording paper size b and transmits the document.

The receiving-side facsimile apparatus performs memory reception for storing the image information from the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus in the RAM 15 (step 203), and upon completion of the reception, asks the operator whether to output the image information to recording paper. (Step 204).

Here, when there is no output instruction from the operator,
In order to prevent the image information from being erased by clearing or overwriting, for example, a clearing or overwriting prohibition flag is set in a storage area for storing the image information and held in the RAM 15 (step 205). Then, based on the output instruction, the image information is output to the recording unit 13, and the image information is printed on a recording paper of recording paper size b, that is, A4 recording paper (step 206). Then, it is determined whether or not the printed image information is stored in the RAM 15 (step 207).

Here, when the image information whose printing has been completed based on the instruction from the operator is to be stored in the RAM 15, the process returns to step 205, where the image information is stored in the RAM 15, and the image information is stored in the RAM 15. If not, the process waits for the image information to be erased by memory clearing or overwriting (step 208).

If the recording capacity size is set to the recording paper cassette size in step 201, the CPU 1
0 is the largest recording paper cassette size a among the recording paper cassette sizes that can be loaded irrespective of the presence or absence of the recording paper loaded with the protocol DIS capability declaration, for example, B4, and the incoming call The data is sent to the transmitting facsimile machine (step 209).

When the transmitting facsimile apparatus receives the DIS capability declaration, it sends, for example, a document of B4 width to the receiving facsimile apparatus.

The receiving-side facsimile apparatus performs memory reception for storing the image information from the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus in the RAM 15 (step 210). When the reception is completed, the transmitted image information is stored on the recording paper which is currently set. It is determined whether or not printing is possible (step 211).

Here, if printing is possible, the operator is asked whether or not to output the image information on recording paper (step 212).

Here, when there is no output instruction from the operator,
In order to prevent the image information from being erased by clearing or overwriting, for example, a clearing or overwriting prohibition flag is set in a storage area for storing the image information and held in the RAM 15 (step 213). Then, based on the output instruction, image information having a transmission size of B4 width from the transmission side is directly output to the recording unit 13 and printed on the printable recording paper (step 214). Then, it is determined whether or not the printed image information is stored in the RAM 15 (step 215).

Here, in the case where the image information, which has been printed based on the instruction from the operator, is stored in the RAM 15, the process returns to step 213, where the image information is stored in the RAM 15, and the image information is stored in the RAM 15. If not, the process waits for the image information to be erased by memory clearing or overwriting (step 216).

If it is determined in step 211 that the sent image information cannot be printed on the currently set recording paper,
A warning that there is no recording paper in the recording paper cassette of printable size a, ie, the cassette of B4, is issued to inform the operator (step 217). Next, the CPU 10 sets the operator to B4
Judge whether the recording paper is set (Step 21)
8).

Here, when the B4 recording paper is set, the warning is stopped and the operator is requested to input an output instruction (step 219). Then, the CPU 10 waits for an output request from the operator (step 220).
The B4 width image information stored in 15 is output to the recording unit 13 and printed on the set B4 recording paper (step 221). Then, it is determined whether or not the printed image information is stored in the RAM 15 (step 222).

Here, when the image information whose printing has been completed based on the instruction from the operator is to be stored in the RAM 15, the image information is stored in the RAM 15 (step 223), and the process returns to step 220 to request the output of the operator. Wait for. If the image information is not held in the RAM 15, the process waits for the image information to be erased by clearing or overwriting the memory in the storage area for storing the image information (step 224).

If it is determined in step 218 that the operator does not set the B4 recording paper, the process proceeds to FIG. 4, and it is determined whether there is an output request of the operator for the image information (step 225).

If there is no output request even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the flow returns to step 217 in FIG. 3 to warn the operator that there is no B4 recording paper. Further, if there is an output request from the operator within the predetermined time, the CPU 10 next determines whether or not the sent image information can be printed at the same size on the currently set recording paper (step 226). This determination is the same as that in step 211, but here, the recording paper is not the B4 recording paper but another size of recording paper may be set by the operator.

If printing is possible, the image information of the transmission size a captured by the NCU 12 is output from the RAM 15 to the recording unit 13 and printed on the printable recording paper (step 22).
7) If the image information cannot be printed on the currently set recording paper, it is determined whether or not to print by reducing or enlarging the data size of the image information in the RAM 15 (step 228).

Here, when printing by reduction or enlargement is not performed, a flag of memory clear or overwrite prohibition is set and retained in the RAM 15 so that the image information is not cleared or overwritten and erased (step 229). 225
To determine whether there is an output request from the operator for the image information. When printing by reduction or enlargement, a process of reducing or expanding the data size of the image information in the RAM 15 is performed so that printing can be performed on the currently set recording paper (step 230). The reduction process is performed when the printable area of the recording paper to be printed is smaller than the data amount of the image information for one page, for example. In a process that is performed when the printable area of the recording paper to be printed is larger than that, the CPU 10 calculates a reduction rate or an enlargement rate based on the data amount of the image information and the printable area of the recording paper, and calculates the above. The image information is reduced or enlarged according to the reduction ratio or the enlargement ratio. In the reduction or enlargement processing, processing is performed so that the calculated reduction ratio or enlargement ratio can be printed and displayed at an arbitrary position on the recording paper, for example, at the leading or trailing end of the recording paper. Then, as shown as an embodiment in FIG. 5, the image information subjected to the above processing is output to the recording unit 13 and printed on the currently set recording paper (step 231). Thus, even if the receiving side operator does not have the required cassette size recording paper and prints on the recording paper of the predetermined size that happens to be set, the reduction ratio or the enlargement ratio printed on the recording paper can be obtained. From this, the data size of the image information on the transmission side can be known. When printing is completed in step 227 or 231, it is determined whether or not the image information on which printing has been completed is stored in the RAM 15 (step 232).

Here, when the image information that has been printed based on the operator's instruction is stored in the RAM 15,
To hold the image information in the RAM 15, and returns to step 225 to wait for an output request from the operator. In addition, image information is stored in RAM15.
If the image information is not stored in the storage area, the image information is erased by clearing or overwriting the memory in the storage area for storing the image information (step 233).

In the above embodiment, the recording paper cassette size of the maximum paper width that can be installed is set to the recordable size. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an arbitrary recording paper cassette size can be set to the recordable size according to the frequency of use of recording paper. It is also possible to set.

Therefore, in the present invention, the maximum recording paper cassette size that can be installed is set as the recording capacity size and notified to the other party regardless of the presence or absence of the recording paper. As long as there is printing capability on paper, the image information is temporarily stored in a memory such as RAM, and after the operator refills the recording paper, printing based on the image information becomes possible. The size of the received original can be faithfully reproduced. That is, according to the present invention, the printed characters are not easily read, and in the case of a fixed-size job, the sent original is not printed on recording paper of a different size, and filing and the like are facilitated.

Further, in the present invention, it is also possible to store data of memory clear or overwrite prohibition and hold the image information in the memory so that the image information accumulated in the memory is not erased by being cleared or overwritten. Reliability and operability can be improved.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the present invention transmits the recording capability size information set by the operator to the transmission destination,
When the image information transmitted by the transmission destination is received, the image information is stored in the storage means, and the image information is printed according to the determination result as to whether the image information can be printed on the recording paper provided in the recording paper equipment. The image information recording is controlled by the image data, so that the image information can be received in the image size according to the purpose of use of the operator, and it is possible to prevent the printing characters from being difficult to read and the filing from being difficult. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a recording operation when the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used in a facsimile apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a recording operation according to another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of recording paper on which a reduction ratio or an enlargement ratio of an image is printed and displayed. 10: Control circuit (CPU), 11: ROM, 12: Transmission control circuit (NCU), 13: Recording unit, 14: Panel, 15: RAM,
16 ... line.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording paper equipping unit for equipping recording paper of a predetermined size, a setting information storage unit for storing recording capability size information set by an operator, and the recording capability size stored in the setting information storage unit Size information transmitting means for notifying information to a transmission partner; receiving means for receiving image information; storage means for storing image information received from the receiving means; and recording paper provided in the recording paper equipment means. An image recording apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether image information can be printed; and a recording control unit that controls recording of the image information according to a determination result by the determination unit.