JP2970563B2 - Facsimile system - 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 system for recording received data on a cut sheet having a specific recording sheet size in accordance with a designation from a computer.
In particular, the present invention relates to a facsimile system that can reduce the frequency of replenishment of cut sheets while performing recording as requested by a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a page printing function for printing on cut paper is also used in a facsimile system. In this function, cut sheets of the same size are collectively stored in a recording paper cassette, taken out one by one, and fed to a printing apparatus. When such a facsimile system is also used as an output terminal of a computer, it is important to take out cut sheets from a recording paper cassette as requested by the computer, and various facsimile systems have been proposed for this purpose.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a conventional facsimile system. A computer (not shown) designates a specific recording paper cassette to the facsimile system via the computer signal input / output line 1. At the same time, transmission information having an arbitrary recording paper size is similarly transmitted. In the facsimile system, the first computer interface 2 introduces these designations and transmission information, extracts the reception data while decoding the recording paper size included in the transmission information, converts the reception data into image data, and then temporarily stores the data in the memory. It is stored in the device 4.

Subsequently, the designation of the recording paper cassette is decoded and sent to the facsimile machine 3 together with the recording paper size.
When the main control unit 32 acquires these, it transfers them to the printing device 5 via the internal bus 31. In the printing device 5, the recording paper cassette corresponding to the designation is selected, the cut paper is taken out, the image data is obtained from the memory device 4, and is recorded on the cut paper based on the recording paper size. As described above, when the main control unit 32 recognizes the completion of each function, the first computer interface 2 notifies the computer of the completion as normal termination, and introduces the next transmission information.

In the case of facsimile transmission, the main control unit 32
Switches the memory device 4 to the facsimile device 3 side. When the image data is obtained by the facsimile reading unit 33, it is once stored in the memory device 4. When a predetermined amount of image data has been stored, the facsimile communication unit 35 transmits the image data to the transmission destination via the communication line 34.

In the case of facsimile reception, when the memory device 4 is switched in the same manner as in the case of transmission, the communication line 3
The image data is received via the facsimile communication unit 35 and stored in the memory device 4 in the same manner. When the reception is completed, the main control unit 32 stores the memory device 4 in the printing device 5
Switch to the side. In the printing device 5, a recording paper cassette suitable for the size of the image data is selected and the image data is recorded.

When the specific recording paper cassette becomes empty, the printing apparatus 5 immediately notifies the main control unit 32. In the case of a computer input, the recording being performed by the printing apparatus 5 is interrupted, and the main control unit 32 notifies the computer of an abnormal end. For this reason, the computer recognizes that the designated recording paper cassette is empty, and can prompt the user to take some countermeasures.

In the case of facsimile reception, the main control unit 32 can prompt the user to replenish cut sheets by an alarm display device (not shown) or the like. In any case, if the user refills the empty recording paper cassette with the cut paper, the recording interrupted by the printing apparatus 5 can be continued.

[0009]

However, when the conventional facsimile system is used to record data as requested by a computer, there are the following problems. First, even if an empty recording paper cassette is reported to the computer side, as a countermeasure, contact the facsimile side and request replenishment of cut sheets, or correct the format or printing style of the transmission information. The only alternative is to change the recording paper size and specify another recording paper cassette and blindly attempt to resend it.

Second, even if the same recording paper size as the transmission data is luckily prepared in another recording paper cassette, the facsimile system does not previously report the recording paper sizes of all the recording paper cassettes. As long as the computer cannot specify another recording paper cassette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. Even when an empty recording paper cassette is designated by a computer, the same recording is achieved by using a plurality of recording paper cassettes in a flexible manner. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile system capable of continuing recording by using another recording paper cassette having a paper size.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a facsimile system according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of recording paper cassettes for accommodating a bundle of recording paper in a printing apparatus, and performs recording from a recording paper cassette designated by a computer. A facsimile system that takes out paper, records the computer's transmission information based on the recording paper size, and reports to the computer that there is no recording paper when the specified recording paper cassette is empty. Invalidate the specification of the recording paper size,
Only when all the recording paper cassettes having the same recording paper size are empty, an interface for reporting to the computer that there is no recording paper is provided.

According to this facsimile system, the designation of the recording paper cassette from the computer is invalidated and the designation of the recording paper size is validated, and all the recording paper cassettes having the same recording paper size are empty. Is reported to the computer only as no recording paper.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile system.
The interface has a table for managing the presence / absence of recording paper for reporting to a computer for each recording paper cassette.

According to this facsimile system, the state with / without recording paper for reporting to the computer is as follows:
The interface manages a table for each recording paper cassette.

A facsimile system according to claim 3 is
The interface is configured to include a process for checking whether or not all the recording paper cassettes having the same recording paper size are in a state of no recording paper.

According to this facsimile system, the interface checks whether all the recording paper cassettes having the same recording paper size have no recording paper.

A facsimile system according to claim 4 is
Even if the designated recording paper cassette is empty, the interface is configured to suppress a report to a computer when recording paper is present in another recording paper cassette having the same recording paper size.

According to this facsimile system, even if the designated recording paper cassette is empty, if recording paper is present in another recording paper cassette having the same recording paper size, the interface to the computer is provided by the interface. Reporting is suppressed.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment according to the present invention. This embodiment includes a second computer interface 20 for selecting a computer designation, a memory device 40 for storing image data,
A printing device 50 for printing image data on cut paper,
This is a new facsimile system including a facsimile device 3 for controlling a facsimile function.

The transmission information of the computer includes designation of a recording paper cassette and setting contents of a recording paper size, in addition to received data to be recorded. When the second computer interface 20 extracts the received data from the transmission information, it converts it into image data and stores it in the memory device 40. At the same time, the designation of the recording paper cassette and the setting contents of the recording paper size are decoded.

In the memory device 40, the input / output paths are switched by the main controller 32. As a result, in addition to the recording by the conventional facsimile communication, the image data introduced from the computer interface 20 is transferred to the printing device 5.
0 can be recorded on a suitable cut sheet in synchronization with the automatic sheet feeding.

In the printing apparatus 50, the first recording paper information is managed for each recording paper cassette, and the recording paper cassette is selected based on the setting of the recording paper size. Cut sheets are sequentially taken out from the recording sheet cassette, and the image data to be introduced is printed on each cut sheet. The first recording paper information includes a storage recording paper size indicating the size of cut paper stored in each recording paper cassette, and an actual state with or without recording paper indicating that a specific recording paper cassette is empty. included.

When a specific recording paper cassette becomes empty, the corresponding first recording paper information is changed to the actual state without recording paper. If the actual condition without recording paper occurs during the recording,
The printing device 50 interrupts the recording and refers to each storage recording paper size of the first recording paper information. As a result, when another recording paper cassette having the same storage recording paper size is found, the interrupted recording is continued by using that recording paper cassette instead. Therefore, the frequency of manual cut sheet replenishment can be minimized. If no other paper cassette is found,
For the first time, the report state of no recording paper is notified to the computer interface 20 via the internal bus 31 and the main control unit 32.

At this time, the memory device 40 cannot send out image data due to the interruption of recording. As the second computer interface 20 continues to store new image data, the image data stays in the memory device 40 and finally becomes full. Therefore, the memory device 40 notifies the computer interface 20 of the fact via the internal bus 31 and the main control unit 32 to urge the interruption of the transmission of the image data.

In the computer interface 20,
The second recording paper information is managed for each recording paper cassette. The second recording paper information includes a stored recording paper size and a report state of recording paper presence / absence, and is initialized based on the notified first recording paper information. After the operation starts, it is updated based on the report status with / without recording paper. When the memory full state is notified, the computer interface 20
Stops the introduction of transmission information and the transmission of image data. When the report state of the absence of the recording paper is further notified, the fact is reported to the computer to urge the end of the transmission of the transmission information and the replenishment of the cut sheet.

When the user replenishes the empty recording paper cassette with cut sheets, the printing apparatus 50 releases the actual state of no recording paper and resumes the above-mentioned suspended recording. The printing device 50 may notify the second computer interface 20 that another recording paper cassette has been substituted, as necessary. In this case, the computer can recognize the recording paper cassette in the actual state without recording paper, and can voluntarily limit the recording paper size and transmit.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation during standby in the embodiment of FIG. When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the facsimile system enters a standby state, and the main controller 32 checks the state of each recording paper cassette (S1). That is, the size of the recording paper stored in each recording paper cassette is detected (S2), the actual state of presence / absence of the recording paper is also detected, and the first recording paper information is initialized (S3). At the same time, the first recording paper information is notified to the second computer interface 20, and the second recording paper information is initialized (S4).

Subsequently, the second computer interface 20 determines whether there is a recording paper cassette without recording paper based on the notified first recording paper information (S).
5). If there is a recording paper cassette without recording paper, another recording paper cassette having the same recording paper size is examined. The report state is changed to "recording paper present" (S6). If there is no recording paper cassette without recording paper, after adjusting the time for a predetermined period (S
7) The above processes S1 to S6 are repeated almost regularly.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of computer input in the embodiment of FIG. The second computer interface 20 decodes the designated content of the recording paper cassette from the transmission information of the computer (S
8). Subsequent to the decoding, the designated recording paper size is further decoded from the transmission information (S9), the designated contents of the decoded recording paper cassette are invalidated, and only the designated recording paper size is validated and notified to the printing apparatus 50 (S10). ).

Subsequently, the printing apparatus 50 selects a recording paper cassette having the same storage recording paper size according to the notified transmission recording paper size (S11), and converts the format of the extracted reception data into image data. (S1
2) Cut paper is taken out from the selected recording paper cassette, and image data is printed on the cut paper (S13).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example according to the embodiment of FIG. The second computer interface 20 includes a printer function control unit 22 having an interface bus 21, a host interface 23 for exchanging information with the main control unit 32, and a status change for changing second recording paper information based on the information exchange. Part 24. The interface bus 21 includes an input / output line 25 for introducing transmission information from a computer, a driver / receiver 26 for extracting reception data from the transmission information, an emulation unit 27 for converting the format of the reception data into image data, A status management unit 28 that manages recording paper information is connected.

When the transmission information is introduced into the driver / receiver 26, the printer function control section 22 decodes the designated contents of the recording paper cassette and the recording paper size from the transmission information. Although the specified contents of this paper cassette are invalidated,
The recording paper size is validated and transferred to the printing device 50 via the main control unit 32.

In the second recording paper information, when the status of recording paper present changes to no recording paper, the status change unit 2
4 recognizes this and investigates another recording paper cassette having the same recording paper size. As a result, if any of these other recording paper cassettes is in the reporting state with recording paper, the changed reporting state without recording paper is returned to recording paper present.

If both are in the report state of no recording paper, the status change unit 24 waits for the memory device 40 to reach the memory full state, and then changes the report state of no recording paper of the second recording paper information. The printer function control unit 22
Notify the computer via. For this reason, as long as the printing apparatus 50 holds cut sheets having the same recording paper size, the computer can continue sending out transmission information and continue recording.

The printing device 50 includes a plurality of recording paper cassettes 5.
A printer engine 52 having 1-1 to 51-n, a cassette management unit 53 for managing first recording paper information, and an engine control unit 54 connected to the internal bus 31 are provided.
When a change occurs in the first recording paper information, the engine control unit 54
Notifies the main control unit 32 of the change, and the main control unit 32 transfers this change to the status change unit 24.

The memory device 40 includes the emulation unit 2
7, an input switching unit 41 for inputting image data from the facsimile reading unit 33, an image memory 42 for storing the image data, a memory interface unit 43 for accessing the image memory 42, and a printer engine 52 or a facsimile communication unit for transmitting the image data. , An output switching unit 44, an input switching unit 41, a memory interface unit 43, and a memory control unit connected to the output switching unit 44 via a memory bus 45 and connected to the main control unit 32 via the internal bus 21. 46.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing each piece of recording paper information in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 5A shows the cassette management unit 5.
5 shows the first recording paper information, and FIG. 5B shows the second recording paper information of the status management unit 28. Each piece of recording paper information includes a cassette number for specifying each of the recording paper cassettes 51-1 to 51-n, each recording paper size, and each state of recording paper presence / absence. A table in which each state of / is arranged corresponding to each cassette number.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, in the standby state, the recording paper cassettes 51-1 to 51-3 have the recording paper size A4, the recording paper cassette 51-n has the recording paper size A3, and the recording paper cassette 51-1 is empty. The cut sheets are stored in the recording paper cassettes 51-2, 51-3, and 51-n. In this case, in the first recording paper information, the recording paper size A4 and the actual state of no recording paper are initially set corresponding to the cassette number 1. For each of the other cassette numbers 2, 3, and n, the size of each recording paper and the actual state of presence of recording paper are also initialized.

When the first recording paper information is notified, the second recording paper information is also initialized once, but immediately the same recording paper size A4 as the cassette number 1 is detected in the cassette number 2. . For this reason, the absence of recording paper of cassette number 1 is changed to a report state of recording paper present. In the standby state as described above and in the operation state during recording, the second recording paper information always indicates whether recording using the same recording paper size is possible or not based on the change in the first recording paper information. I have.

For example, at the time of computer input, only the designation of the recording paper size A4 is notified to the engine control unit 54. In the first recording paper information, each recording paper size is checked and cassette numbers 1 to 1 corresponding to the same recording paper size A4 are obtained.
No. 3 is detected, but cassette number 1 is in a state without recording paper. Therefore, the recording paper cassette 51-2 indicated by the cassette number 2 is selected.

When the recording paper cassette 51-2 becomes empty, the cassette number 2 in the first recording paper information is changed to the actual state without recording paper. Subsequently, a cassette number 3 having the same recording paper size A4 is detected. Therefore, the cut sheet is taken out from the recording paper cassette 51-3, and the printing process and the introduction of the image data are continued.

In the second recording paper information, the cassette number 3 is detected in the same manner as described above, even if the actual state of the absence of the recording paper of the cassette number 2 is notified. Is converted to the reporting state. For this reason,
The actual state of the absence of the recording paper is not reported to the computer, the transmission of the transmission information is continued, and printing is performed on the cut paper from the recording paper cassette 51-3.

When all of the recording paper cassettes 51-1 to 51-3 become empty, the printing process in the printer engine 52 and the introduction of image data are interrupted. For this reason,
In the image memory 42, the entire storage area is filled with image data, and a memory full state occurs. In the second recording paper information, cassette numbers 2 and 3 have already been changed to the report state of no recording paper. The memory full state is the status change unit 2
When the detection is made in step 4, the cassette number 1 is changed to the report state of no recording paper, so that the computer first recognizes the report state of no recording paper and stops sending the transmission information.

When the recording paper cassette 51-1 is replenished with cut paper and the cassette number 1 of the first recording paper information becomes an actual state of having recording paper, the fact is notified to the memory control unit 46 and the printer function control unit 22. Then, the introduction of the image data and the transmission information is restarted respectively.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0047]

As described above, the facsimile system of the present invention has the following effects. First, even if the computer instructs the selection of the recording paper cassette and the recording paper size, the facsimile system can perform recording based only on the recording paper size. For this reason, even when the designated recording paper cassette has no recording paper, the recording paper cassette is stored in another recording paper cassette having the same recording paper size without the computer designating a new recording paper cassette. Can be recorded on cut paper.

Second, even if the currently used recording paper cassette has no recording paper, the facsimile system can immediately search for another recording paper cassette having the same recording paper size. Therefore, even if the computer does not specify a new recording paper cassette or send out a recording paper size,
The facsimile system can automatically switch to another recording paper cassette and continue recording.

Therefore, even if the computer designates an empty recording paper cassette, by using a plurality of recording paper cassettes in a flexible manner, recording can be performed in place of another recording paper cassette having the same recording paper size. A continuous facsimile system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of standby in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of computer input in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing recording paper information in the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a conventional facsimile system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 facsimile device 10 computer signal input / output line 20 computer interface 31 internal bus 32 main control unit 33 facsimile reading unit 34 communication line 35 facsimile communication unit 40 memory device 50 printing device

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A printing apparatus includes a plurality of recording paper cassettes for storing a bundle of recording papers, takes out recording papers from a recording paper cassette designated by a computer, and records transmission information of the computer based on the recording paper size. In a facsimile system that reports to the computer that there is no recording paper when the specified recording paper cassette becomes empty, the specification of the recording paper cassette from the computer is invalidated, the recording paper size is enabled, and the same recording paper size is used. A facsimile system comprising an interface for reporting to a computer that there is no recording paper only when all of the recording paper cassettes are empty. 2. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the interface has a table for arranging a recording paper presence / absence state for each recording paper cassette for reporting to a computer.
The described facsimile system. 3. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein said interface has a process of checking whether or not all of the recording paper cassettes having the same recording paper size are in a state of having no recording paper. 4. The interface suppresses a report to a computer even if a designated recording paper cassette is empty when recording paper is present in another recording paper cassette having the same recording paper size. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein