JP3052757B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a recording section for recording with toner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, (1) based on image data,
A recording unit that records an image on a recording medium using the toner in the toner storage container, (2) a toner remaining amount detection device that detects the remaining toner amount in the toner storage container, and (3) a toner remaining amount detection device that detects the remaining toner amount. There is known a recording apparatus including a recording prohibiting unit that prohibits recording by a recording unit when the remaining toner amount becomes equal to or less than an unrecordable amount. In addition,
(1) Recording unit, (2) Toner remaining amount detector, (3) In addition to the recording prohibiting means, (4) The remaining amount of toner detected by the toner remaining amount detector is larger than the unrecordable amount. There is also known a recording apparatus provided with a near-empty notifying unit for notifying that the amount is smaller than the set amount. The near-empty notification means is provided for notifying that the remaining amount of toner is close to an unrecordable amount. Therefore, when the near empty is notified, if the remaining amount of toner is increased by replacing the toner cartridge or the like, it is possible to prevent the recording apparatus from becoming unable to perform recording.

[0003]

However, in any of the above-described recording apparatuses, recording of image data is always permitted when the remaining amount of toner is larger than an unrecordable amount. Therefore, even if the remaining amount of toner is small, the speed of decreasing the remaining amount of toner cannot be reduced. Even in a recording apparatus provided with a near empty notifying unit, the period from when the near empty is notified to when the remaining amount of toner becomes an unrecordable amount cannot be lengthened.

Accordingly, an object of the first invention is to reduce the rate of decrease of the remaining amount of toner in the recording apparatus when the remaining amount of toner is reduced. It is possible to lengthen the period from when the recording becomes an unrecordable amount.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus including (a) image data itself in addition to (1) a recording unit and (2) a toner remaining amount detecting device. Emotion
Information and / or information related to image data.
Priority determining means for determining the priority of image data
And (b) the same toner detected by the remaining toner detector.
Priority is higher than the remaining
For the image data determined to be
Allows toner recording, but determines that priority is low
Image data that has been
According recording Ru is solved by providing a recording enabling and disabling decision means for inhibiting. And in the second invention,
The recording permission / prohibition determining unit permits recording of high-priority image data when the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner amount detecting device is larger than an unrecordable amount but smaller than a set amount. Has been solved by prohibiting the recording of image data with low priority ,
In this case, the recording permission / prohibition determination means is set to
The higher the remaining amount of toner detected by the detection device, the better
Recording of low-priority image data shall be permitted
Solved by Further, in the fourth invention, the aforementioned
The recording unit stores image data supplied from multiple external devices.
Together shall perform recording based on the said priority
The determination means is determined for the external device supplied with the image data.
Of the image data as information related to the image data
It also includes an external device corresponding priority determination means for determining the priority.
It is solved by doing. Furthermore, in the fifth invention
In addition, (b) the image data is added to the recording device.
A non-toner save recording control unit for controlling the recording unit
(c) The dot formation rate is lower than the image data and
Form a recorded image that can recognize the original image corresponding to the data
Toner control that controls the recording unit based on the recorded image data
The recording control unit and (d) recording permission / prohibition determination means
When recording of image data in the recording unit is permitted,
Non-toner save recording control unit and toner save recording control unit
Is selected based on the remaining amount of toner and the priority.
With the recording control unit selecting means for selecting
Is done.

The recording unit performs recording based on image data. Even if the image data supplied to the recording unit is dot data, it is encoded data such as compression encoded data and character data. There may be. When coded data is supplied, recording is performed after conversion to dot data. Further, even when dot data is supplied, processing may be required depending on the difference between the resolution of the printing apparatus and the resolution when dot data is formed.

Further, the toner remaining amount detecting device may be a device that continuously detects the toner remaining amount or a device that detects the remaining amount stepwise. When the detection is performed stepwise, it is necessary that the remaining amount of the toner can be detected in at least two steps excluding the amount that cannot be recorded.

[0008]

In the recording apparatus of the first invention, recording by the recording section is permitted by the recording permission / prohibition determining means based on the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner detecting device and the priority of the image data. Or be banned. When the toner level is low, recordable same amount Der
However, if the priority of the image data is low, no recording is performed. As the amount of remaining toner decreases, recording is not performed in order from the image data having the lower priority. For this reason, when the remaining amount of toner is larger than the unrecordable amount, the speed of decreasing the remaining amount of toner after the remaining amount of toner decreases becomes slower than in the conventional recording apparatus in which recording is always permitted.

The method of prohibiting recording of image data by the recording permitting / prohibiting means prohibits the supply of image data to a recording apparatus in addition to the method of prohibiting actual recording of recorded image data by a recording unit. There are also a method and a method of prohibiting the conversion of the supplied image data into the recording image data.

The priority determining means determines the priority of the image data based on at least one of information included in the image data itself and information related to the image data.
Further, when encoded data such as compression encoded data and character data is supplied to the recording unit, these are converted into dot data and recording is performed. Not only dot data but also encoded data is included.

The information included in the image data itself includes, for example, the type of the image data and the contents of the image data.
The information related to the image data includes the source of the image data, the time at which the image data was supplied, and the like. For example, when the recording device constitutes the recording unit of the facsimile device and the recording device is connected to a computer, the recording device transmits and receives the image reading device of the facsimile device and the facsimile information. Image data is supplied from a device or a computer.

[0012] Dot data is supplied from the image reading device, and compressed and encoded data is supplied from the transmitting / receiving device.
It is assumed that character data is supplied from a computer. In this case, the image reading device and the sending / receiving device provided in the same main body and the separate computer are also regarded as external devices to the recording device. The recording apparatus is supplied with image data transmitted from the other party's facsimile apparatus via the transmission / reception apparatus. The other party's facsimile apparatus is also regarded as an external device for the recording apparatus.

In the above case, the image data can be classified based on the types of dot data, compression-encoded data, character data, and the like. May have a low priority. Determining the priority by classifying the image data in this way is the same as determining the priority based on the type of the external device that supplies the image data. The dot data and character data are supplied from an image reading device or a computer, while the encoded data is supplied from a partner facsimile device via a transmission / reception device. Therefore, the priority of the image data supplied from the transmission / reception device can be high, and the priority of the image data supplied from the image reading device or the computer can be low.

When the image data is supplied from an image reading device or a computer, the operator is often located near the recording device. Therefore, if the recording is prohibited, the fact is immediately recognized by the operator, and if the recording can be delayed, it will be delayed. If the recording cannot be delayed, the toner will be supplied or the cartridge will be replaced. The remaining amount of toner can be increased, and recording can be performed immediately after replacement. On the other hand, when the supply source is the partner facsimile machine, the operator is often not near the recording apparatus. Therefore, it is inconvenient if recording is not performed. If the facsimile apparatus does not have storage means for storing image data that cannot be recorded until recording becomes possible, it may be necessary to transmit the image data again. As described above, if the priority of the image data supplied from the transmission / reception device is high and the priority of the image data supplied from the personal computer or the image reading device is low, if the operator is not near the recording device, The time during which no recording is performed can be shortened.

If the image data is character data, the character data is classified based on whether it represents characters or numbers, and the priority of the character data having a high ratio of character data representing numbers is determined. It may be high and low in proportion but low in priority. If the ratio of numbers is high, it is often difficult to accurately and verbally transmit information.

On the other hand, if the image data is dot data, the dot data is classified based on whether it is halftone data or not, and if the image data is halftone data, the priority is low. This is because, in the case of halftone data, the original image is often a photograph or a painting. In this case,
This is the same as the determination based on the importance of the image data. This is because if the content is a photograph or a painting, it can be estimated that the importance is low. Since the halftone data is created based on the dither matrix, the frequency of change between data representing dot formation and data representing non-formation increases. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the dot data is halftone data based on the change frequency.

The priority of the image data can be high when the importance of the content is high, and low when the importance is low. For example, when the content of the image data is communication-related information such as a communication management report, the importance is low, and in other cases, the importance is high. Also, if the image data is transmitted from a specific source (a partner facsimile machine) which is likely to transmit important contents, the importance is high, and the image data is transmitted from other sources. In some cases, the importance may be low.

More specifically, the facsimile apparatus is provided with facsimile number storage means, and the facsimile number storage means stores the facsimile number of a partner facsimile apparatus which is likely to transmit important information, and When the data is transmitted, if it is determined whether or not the facsimile number of the source facsimile machine matches the facsimile number stored in the facsimile number storage means, it is determined whether the data is from an important source. Can be determined. In this case, the priority is determined not based on the type of the external device but based on whether or not the external device is supplied from a specific external device among a plurality of external devices of the same type. Thus, the superiority of the image data
The type of external device that supplies image data to the recording unit
Priority determining means for determining according to
Priority based on whether or not sourced from a specific source
At least one of the priority determining means for determining
An external device correspondence priority determining means according to claim 4 is constituted.
It is done.

The priority of the image data is high when the time when the image data is transmitted is night,
If it is daytime, the priority may be low.
This is because the operator is often not near the facsimile machine at night, and often transmitted from overseas. When determining the priority in this way,
If the communication related information is recorded at 0:00, the priority of the image data based on the communication related information is determined to be high.

The priority can be determined based on whether or not recording can be performed even when the remaining amount of toner is small. For example, when the image data is character data, the priority can be set high when the recording designation size of the character is large, and low when the recording designation size of the character is small. This is because a character with a large size can be read even if the recording is somewhat unclear, but a character with a small size is difficult to read.

The priority of image data does not always correspond to the importance, and conversely, image data of lower importance can be given higher priority. This aspect is particularly effective in a facsimile apparatus or the like having an image data storage unit for storing image data that cannot be recorded until recording becomes possible. By recording image data of low importance while allowing the recording to be somewhat unclear, more image data of high importance can be stored in image data with a limited storage capacity, and the remaining amount of toner is reduced. This is because a clear record can be obtained after many times.

When the priority is determined based on information included in the image data itself, a series of completed image data has a high priority part and a low priority part,
The image data of one page may have a high priority part and a low priority part.

Further, these are examples of criteria for determining the priority, and the present invention does not limit the criteria for determining the priority to these. In other words, the priority of the image data that is permitted to be recorded when the remaining amount of toner is small is high, and the priority of the image data that is prohibited to be recorded is low. There is no.

In the recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, when the remaining amount of toner is larger than the unrecordable amount and smaller than the set amount, if the priority of the image data is low, the recording is prohibited, and the priority is lowered. If higher, it is allowed. Therefore, when the remaining amount of toner becomes equal to or less than the set amount, recording of image data having a low priority is not performed, and the speed of decreasing the remaining amount of toner becomes slow. Further, when the recording apparatus of the second invention is provided with a near-empty notifying unit so as to be notified when the remaining amount of toner becomes equal to or less than the set amount, the time when the near-empty is notified becomes longer.

In the recording apparatus according to the third invention, the toner
-If the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining amount
However, recording of image data having a low priority is permitted. Tona
-If the remaining amount is detected continuously,
Therefore, recording of image data having a low priority is sequentially prohibited.
You can do so.

In the recording apparatus according to the fifth invention, the recording is performed by:
When toner save recording is performed and when toner save
When normal recording is performed and when recording is not performed
Can be divided into three modes. Recording permission / prohibition
When the recording is permitted by the decision means,
The non-toner save recording control unit is selected by the control unit
If selected, normal recording is performed and toner save recording system
When the control unit is selected, the toner save recording is performed. Ma
The recording is prohibited by the recording permission / prohibition determining means.
If so, no record is made.

For example, for a high priority,
Is recorded, and image data of medium priority is recorded.
Can make toner save record take place
You. If the image data is halftone data, the priority is
High, otherwise medium priority. image
If the data is characters, numbers, etc.,
Even if recording is performed, it is easy to determine
In some cases, the gradation characteristics may be biased or the density (gradation
Level), the original image cannot be recorded.
This is because there is a possibility that the actuality may be reduced. in this way,
The priority of the image data depends on the criteria for the decision.
You. If the image data is halftone data,
If it is determined based on importance, the priority is low as described above.
Can be considered to be
In other words, it can be regarded as having a high priority.

The recording unit is a non-toner save recording control unit.
If controlled by a matrix
Each of the multiple dot formation points corresponding to the original image
Dot formation data and dots indicating that dots are to be formed
Dot non-formation data indicating that no
The recording is performed based on the recording image data configured,
When controlled by the toner save recording control unit,
From the above recorded image data, the dots of the dot formation data
The ratio to the unformed data is within the identifiable range of the original image
Recording is performed based on the reduced recording image data in
That can be done. In this case,
The save control unit controls the dot formation data of the recorded image data.
The ratio of the data to the dot non-formation data
Dot reduction rate reduction means to lower in the range that can be separated
Can be provided. Dot formation rate reduction means
Is the number of rows or columns in Matrix
At least one of all dot formation points
Arbitrary dot formation even for non-formation data
The points may be the dot non-formation data.

[0029]

Effect of the Invention According to the recording apparatus of the first invention, Ru can slow down the rate of decrease of the remaining amount of toner from the toner remaining amount becomes less. According to the recording apparatus of the second invention, it is possible to prolong the period from when the remaining amount of toner becomes equal to or less than the set amount until the amount becomes unrecordable, and according to the recording apparatus of the third invention, Priority is given as the toner level decreases
Recording of low-grade image data is prohibited in order
be able to.

According to the recording apparatus of the fourth invention, the image data
Priority based on information about external devices
be able to. In the recording device of the fifth invention,
The recording of the recording section is controlled by the toner save recording control section.
If this happens, the rate of decrease of the remaining amount of toner will be slower,
Delaying the time when the remaining amount of toner becomes an unrecordable amount
Can be.

[0031]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, and related explanations as necessary.
Each aspect is, like the claims, divided into sections, and each section is numbered.
And, if necessary, in the form of quoting the numbers of other sections
I do. This is only to facilitate understanding of the present invention.
And the technical features and sets thereof described herein.
The matching should not be construed as being limited to the following:
Absent. If multiple items are described in one section,
Must always adopt all matters together.
Take out only a part of the matter, and adopt it
It is also possible.

(1) The information indicating the type of the external device to which the image data has been supplied,
As information relating to the image data, claims, including an external device type corresponding priority determination means for determining the priority
6. The recording device according to 4 or 5 . (2) The external device includes a transmission / reception device and a computer, and the external device type correspondence priority determination means includes a transmission / reception device.
The recording apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a transmission / reception apparatus priority unit that determines that the priority of the reception apparatus is higher than the priority of the computer.

(3) The priority judging means outputs the image data
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the priority of the data is determined in three or more stages, and the toner remaining amount detecting device detects the remaining amount of toner at the same stage as the priority except for an unrecordable amount. The recording device according to any one of aspects 1 and 2. The recording of the image data can be performed stepwise by associating the priority with the remaining amount of toner. For example, when the priority is set at three levels and the remaining amount of toner is detected at three levels, the priority and the remaining amount of toner can be made to correspond one-to-one.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A facsimile apparatus provided with a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a facsimile machine, and reference numeral 4 denotes a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer). The facsimile machine 2 and the personal computer 4 are connected by a cable 6. The control unit of the facsimile machine 2 is. As shown in FIG. 7, a facsimile control unit 8 and a recording control unit 9 are provided, and the personal computer 4 is connected to the recording control unit 9.

The cable 6 includes a total of nine lines. Eight of the lines are for the PC 4 to output image data to the facsimile machine 2. In this embodiment, the image data is output in 8 bits. The other line is a line for a control signal indicating whether the facsimile machine 2 is in a state of permitting or blocking the output of the image data from the personal computer 4. H
(High) state or L (Low) state is selectively set, and in the personal computer 4, when the control signal is in the H state, it is determined that the facsimile apparatus 2 is in the state that allows the output of the image data. You.

A handset 11 is attached to a side of the main body 10 of the facsimile apparatus 2. An operation panel 12 is provided at a front portion of the upper surface, and a recording paper holder mounting portion 13 is provided at a rear portion. As shown in FIG. 2, a recording paper holder 14 is detachably attached to the recording paper holder mounting portion 13. The recording paper holder 14 has a shallow box shape.
Is brought into close contact with the paper feed roller 18.

A lid 19 that covers the opening of the recording paper holder 14 is rotatably attached to the main body 10. Lid 1
Between the pressure plate 9 and the pressure plate 15, there is provided a connecting device (not shown) for connecting the recording paper holder 14 with the recording paper holder 14 mounted on the recording paper holder mounting portion 13. Is pressed down against the urging force of the spring 16 to form a space between the pressure plate 15 and the paper feed roller 18 for inserting the recording paper 17. When the lid 19 is closed, the pressure plate 15 is urged by the spring 16 to bring the recording paper 17 into close contact with the paper feed roller 18 as shown in FIG.

At a position adjacent to the paper feed roller 18 on the upstream side in the recording paper feeding direction, a recording paper sensor 20 for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper 17 is provided. Recording paper sensor 2
Numeral 0 is a contact type sensor.
When the recording paper 7 is brought into close contact with the paper feed roller 18, the detector of the recording paper sensor 20 is pressed to generate a signal indicating that the recording paper 17 is present. If there is no recording paper, the detector fits into the opening of the pressure plate 15 and issues a signal indicating that there is no recording paper.

The recording paper 17 in the recording paper holder 14 is sequentially sent out from the uppermost recording paper 17 by an automatic paper feeder including a paper feed roller 18 and a separation pad 22. The recording paper 17 sent out by the automatic paper feeder is
The sheet is sent to the recording device 29 by the pair of conveying rollers 26.

The recording device 29 includes a photosensitive drum 30, a transfer device 32, a developing device 33, and the like. The recording paper 17 is sent between the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer device 32 by a transport roller 26. . The surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is scanned by the laser beam from the laser beam scanning device 34 to form an electrostatic latent image. The laser light scanning device 34
A laser light emitting unit 36, a lens 37, a reflection mirror 38 and the like are provided. The laser light emitting section 36 has a laser light source that emits a laser beam in accordance with dot data as recorded image data, a polygon mirror that reflects the laser beam, and the like. The laser beam emitted by the laser light source emits light at a constant speed. The scanning is performed in the horizontal direction by a polygon mirror rotating at. The laser light is condensed by a lens 37, reflected by a reflection mirror 38, and
It is irradiated to 0.

Near the end of the reflection mirror 38, a BD (be
am detector) 40 is provided. The BD 40 detects that the irradiation position in the horizontal direction of the laser light condensed by the lens 37 has reached a set position. In the present embodiment, the set position is the recording paper 1.
In the case where 7 is sent, the position is a position deviated by a predetermined length from the left end of the recording paper 17 (a position to the left of the left end of the recording paper 17). On the other hand, the recording paper 17 is sent so that the left end is located at a predetermined position, and the laser light emitted from the laser emitting unit 36 is scanned in the horizontal direction by a polygon mirror constantly rotated at a constant speed. Is done. Therefore, the irradiation position of the laser light comes to the left end position of the recording paper 17 after a lapse of a set time from the detection of the laser light by the BD 40.

In this embodiment, dot data for one dot line is supplied to the laser emitting section 36 after a set time has elapsed since the laser light was detected by the BD 40.
The laser light is scanned while being controlled based on the dot data. The surface of the photoconductive drum 30 is
An electrostatic latent image is formed such that dot lines are sequentially scanned and recording is performed at a predetermined position on the recording paper 17.

The electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 30 and the scanning of the laser beam. The photosensitive area on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 can be considered as a set of dot forming points as a minimum unit when forming a latent image. The size of the dot forming point in the facsimile apparatus 2 is about 0.07 mm × 0.07 mm (the spot diameter of the laser beam is 80 μm), and the size of two dot forming points (about 0.13 mm × 0.07 mm) ) Correspond to the minimum reading area, that is, the pixels when the image reading device 42 described later is set to the superfine resolution (this is the highest resolution of the facsimile device 2). The recording device 29 can record at a resolution higher than the highest resolution of the facsimile device 2. Drum motor 43 for rotating photosensitive drum 30 (see FIG. 7)
Are connected to the recording control unit 9 via a drive circuit 44, and the rotation of the photosensitive drum 30 is controlled by the recording control unit 9.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is
The toner 46 (see FIG. 4) as a developer is applied by the developing device 33, developed, and transferred to the recording paper 17 by the transfer device 32. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 30 without being transferred to the recording paper 17 is removed by the cleaning device 51.

The transfer device 32 has a transfer roller 52, which applies a charge to the recording paper 17 and transfers the toner 46 attached to the photosensitive drum 30 to the recording paper 17, thereby developing the toner on the photosensitive drum 30. The transferred image is transferred to the recording paper 17. The recording paper 17 after the transfer is guided to a fixing device 54 by a guide not shown. The fixing device 54 has a heating roller 56 and a pressing roller 58, and the recording paper 17 on which the image has been fixed is discharged to a discharge tray 61 attached to the front surface of the main body 10 by a pair of discharge rollers 60. Is done.

A downstream sensor 62 is provided near the discharge roller 60, and an upstream sensor 63 is provided near the transport roller 26.
Are provided respectively. If the leading edge of the recording paper 17 is not detected by the downstream sensor 62 after a lapse of a set time after the leading edge of the recording paper 17 is detected by the upstream sensor 63, it is determined that a paper jam has occurred. The downstream sensor 62, the upstream sensor 63, the signal processing unit of the recording control unit 9, and the like constitute a paper clog detection device 64.

The upstream sensor 63 also has a function as a leading edge sensor for detecting the leading edge position of the recording paper 17. In the present embodiment, the recording paper 17 is
, The recording is started. That is,
The formation of an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is started. Thereafter, when the recording paper 17 is sent between the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer roller 52, recording is performed at a predetermined position on the recording paper 17. In other words, the leading edge sensor 63 determines the distance between the leading edge sensor 63 and the contact position between the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer roller 52, and the photosensitive drum 3
This is provided at a position where the circumferential length between the position where the electrostatic latent image on 0 is formed and the position where the electrostatic latent image is in contact with the transfer roller 52 is equal. On the other hand, the downstream sensor 62 also has a function as a paper ejection sensor. If the trailing end of the recording sheet 17 is detected by the sheet ejection sensor 62, it is determined that the recording sheet 17 has been ejected.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 65 of the developing device 33 includes a toner cartridge accommodating chamber 66, a stirring chamber 68, and a developing chamber 70. The stirring chamber 68 and the developing chamber 70 have stirring members 72 and 74, respectively. Are rotatably mounted. When the toner cartridge 76 is attached to the toner cartridge accommodating chamber 66, the toner cartridge 76
The toner 46 inside is supplied to the stirring chamber 68 while being stirred by the stirring members 80 and 82. The toner 46 supplied to the stirring chamber 68 is supplied to the developing chamber 70 while being stirred by the stirring member 72. The toner 46 supplied to the developing chamber 70 is agitated by the agitating member 74 together with the magnetic carrier stored in advance, and is jumped up toward the developing sleeve 84. A regulating plate 86 provided above the opening between the stirring chamber 68 and the developing chamber 70 prevents the toner 46 in the stirring chamber 68 from directly adhering to the developing sleeve 84 and is supplied to the stirring member 74. It was attached to make it so.

A magnet roller 90 is provided inside the developing sleeve 84 and is rotated in a direction opposite to that of the developing sleeve 84. The toner 46 gripped by the magnetic carrier is attached to the surface of the developing sleeve 84, and the amount of the attached toner 46 is adjusted by the doctor blade 92. Toner 4 uniformly adhered to the surface of developing sleeve 84
6 is selectively supplied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 scanned by the laser beam after being charged by the charger 94. The toner 46 is supplied to the portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 irradiated with the laser beam, that is, the portion corresponding to the dot formation point where dot formation is instructed, and is not supplied to the portion not irradiated with the laser beam. is there.

The developing device 33 includes, as shown in FIGS.
A toner remaining amount detecting device 100 for detecting the remaining amount of the toner 46 stored in the toner cartridge 76 is provided.
The toner remaining amount detection device 100 outputs the output signals of the detection unit 102 attached to the main body 10, the wiper 104 rotatably mounted in the toner cartridge 76 integrally with the stirring members 80 and 82, and the detection unit 102. It has a signal processing unit for processing.

The detecting section 102 is of a transmission type photo sensor type and includes a pair of light emitting sections 105 and a light receiving section 106. The two light emitting sections 105 and the light receiving section 106 are provided at the bottom of the toner cartridge 76. Each of the transparent hollow projections 108 is fitted. Toner remaining amount detecting device 10
The value 0 is for detecting the remaining amount of toner based on the length of the light receiving time of the light receiving unit 106, as described later. As will be described later, the remaining amount of toner is detected in three stages: empty (when the amount is less than the unrecordable amount), near empty (when the amount is more than the unrecordable amount but less than the set amount), and full (other than that). Is done.

The stirring members 80 and 82 and the wiper 104 are fixed to the rotating shaft 110 and are integrally rotatable. Further, since the rotating shaft 110 is detachably connected to the rotating shaft of the photosensitive drum 30 via a transmission device (not shown), the rotating shaft 110 is rotated simultaneously with the photosensitive drum 30. The stirring members 80 and 82 and the wiper 104 are provided in the order of the wiper 104 and the stirring members 80 and 82 in the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 110. The central angle between the wiper 104 and the stirring member 80 and the central angle between the stirring member 80 and the stirring member 82 are both substantially 90 degrees. The wiper 104 is
After passing between the hollow projections 108, that is, between the light receiving unit 105 and the light emitting unit 106, the stirring member 80 passes outside the hollow projection 108, and then the stirring member 82 It passes above.

The stirring members 80 and 82 are both plate-shaped, but two stirring members 80 are provided, one on each side of the rotating shaft 110.
2 is provided only in the center part. Stirring member 80
The axial end portions 112 of the rotating shaft 110 are at the central portion 114.
It is fixed so as to be located further forward in the rotation direction.
Therefore, the rotation of the stirring member 80 allows the toner 46 near the both ends in the axial direction of the toner cartridge 76 to be collected at the center. Further, the stirring members 80 and 82
They are made of a flexible polyethylene terephthalate resin, and their length in the radial direction is slightly larger than the inner radius of the toner cartridge 76. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, the outer peripheral edges of the stirring members 80 and 82 slide on the inner peripheral surface of the toner cartridge 76 as the rotation shaft 110 rotates. Also,
When the stirring member 82 passes near the hollow protrusion 108, the outer peripheral portion is particularly greatly curved by the hollow protrusion 108.

The wiper 104 is formed in a rod shape extending in the radial direction, and has a raised portion 116 at its tip. The width of the raised portion 116 is two hollow protrusions 108.
Slightly larger than the distance between the inner surfaces. The raised portion 116 pushes up the toner 46 between the hollow protrusions 108 and wipes the inner surface of the hollow protrusion 108. Therefore, when the raised portion 116 passes between the hollow protrusions 108, the light receiving portion 106
05 detects the emitted light. When the remaining amount of the toner is large, the space between the hollow protrusions 108 is immediately filled with the toner 46 around the hollow protrusions 108 after passing through the raised portion 116, so that the light receiving time of the light receiving unit 106 is short.
On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner is small,
6 requires a long time to fill the gap, so that the light receiving time becomes long.

The image reading device 42 for reading an image described on the document 120 is provided at an upper portion of the main body 10. A document table 124 provided at an intermediate portion on the upper surface of the main body 10
The originals 120 placed above are sent out one by one by an original feeder (not shown) based on a read start instruction. The fed document is sent to the image reading device 42 by a feed roller or the like.

The image reading device 42 irradiates the original on the original supporting plate 132 with light from the light source 130, reflects the reflected light from the original by mirrors 133 and 134,
The light is condensed by 36 and enters the line image sensor 138 to read the image of the original one line at a time. The line image sensor 138 includes a plurality of Charge Coupled Devices (hereinafter, referred to as CCDs) as photoreceptors.
). The CCD is a photoelectric conversion element that outputs a voltage according to the intensity of the received reflected light. C
The output voltage of the CD increases as the intensity of the received light increases (closer to white). As will be described later, when the intensity of the reflected light is larger than the threshold value, the area read by the CCD is white (the value of the dot data is 0). Is 1). The minimum read area read by the CCD is a pixel.

The size of the pixel is determined by the amount of feed (feed speed) of the document by the document feeder while one line is read by the image reading device 42. The size in the scanning line direction is determined by a standard, and the above-mentioned feed speed can be changed according to the resolution. In this embodiment, the feed amount is controlled in three stages according to the resolution. When the super fine is set, the feed amount is about 0.07 mm (15.4 mm).
Line / mm) and when fine is set,
It is about 0.13 mm (7.7 lines / mm), and when a standard is set, it is about 0.26 mm (3.85 lines / mm).

That is, the size of the pixel is about 0.13 mm × 0.07 mm when the super fine is set, and about 0.13 mm × 0.07 mm when the fine is set.
When the standard is set, it is about 0.13 mm x 0.26 mm. On the other hand,
As described above, since the size of the dot formation point in the recording device 29 is 0.07 mm × 0.07 mm, the dot data as read image data read at the super fine resolution is replaced with the dot as print image data. When converting to data, one dot data in the scanning line direction must be increased to two dot data. After reading, the document is fed by the discharge roller 140 and discharged to the discharge tray 142 from the opening.

FIG. 3 shows an operation panel 12 provided at the front of the upper surface of the facsimile apparatus 2. A display 150, a fine lamp 151, a super fine lamp 152, a toner remaining amount display 154, and the like are provided at a rear portion of the operation panel 12, and a ten key 160 and a start key 16 are provided at a front portion.
2, a stop key 164, a copy key 166, and the like. In the middle part, function keys 17
4, a set key 176, a clear key 178, a resolution key 180, cursor keys 182, 184, and the like.

The display 150 displays the status of the facsimile machine 2, operation procedures, and the like. The ten keys 160 are operated to select a function of the facsimile apparatus 2 in addition to inputting a facsimile number of a facsimile apparatus of a transmission destination. A start key 162 is a key for instructing the start of a function, and a stop key 164
Is a key for giving an instruction to stop the function. The copy key 166 is a key for instructing the start of reading of the document 120 when the facsimile machine 2 is used as a copying machine. The cursor keys 182 and 184 are displayed on the display 1.
These keys are operated to move the cursor in 50 or to select a function.

The function key 174 is a key for instructing the start of display of various functions that can be executed in the facsimile apparatus 2, and the function is selected by operating the ten keys 160, the cursor keys 182, 184, and the like.
The set key 176 is a key operated when instructing determination of a function selection or the like.

The resolution key 180 is a key for selecting a resolution in the image reading device 42 of the facsimile machine 2. The resolution is set to standard by default. In that case, neither the fine lamp 151 nor the super fine lamp 152 is turned on. One press of the resolution key 180 sets fine, and the fine lamp 151 is turned on. By pressing twice, super fine is set, the fine lamp 151 is turned off, and the super fine lamp 152 is turned on. Further, if the button is pressed three times, the halftone is set, and both lamps 151 and 152 are turned on to display the halftone setting. The gradation level of the halftone is determined by the function keys 174 and the ten keys 16
By operating 0 and the cursor keys 182, 184, etc., one of 16 gradations and 32 gradations is set. Further, the toner remaining amount indicator 154 is turned off when the remaining amount of toner is full, but blinks when near empty, and is turned on when empty.

On the other hand, a facsimile control section 8 and a recording control section 9 are provided below the facsimile apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the facsimile control 8 and the recording control unit 9 are connected via an interface control circuit (hereinafter, referred to as an I / F control circuit) 190. The facsimile control unit 8 includes a CPU 200 as a processing device,
RAM 202, ROM 204, EEP as storage device
In addition to the ROM 206 and the control circuit 208, a transmission / reception control circuit 210, a modem 212, a binarization circuit 214 and the like are provided.

The control circuit 208 includes a DMAC 216, a latch mechanism 217, and a parallel / serial conversion circuit 218.
(Hereinafter, abbreviated as P / S conversion circuit 218) and the like. The DMAC 216 is provided between the RAM 202 and the control circuit 208, and between the control circuit 208 and the I / F control circuit 190.
And direct data transfer (direcy memory access) without passing through the CPU 200. DMA
When the laser beam is detected by the BD 40, the C 216 issues a transfer request signal to the CPU 200. Thereby, the head address of the data to be transferred and the number of transfer data bytes are set. The designated data is transferred from the RAM 202 to the control circuit 208 one byte at a time. The P / S conversion circuit 218 is held by the latch mechanism 217 and
, And transferred to the I / F control circuit 190.

The control circuit 208 is further connected with an image reading device 42, a speaker 220 and a BD 40, and a network control unit (hereinafter referred to as NCU).
223 is connected to the external line 223. The external line 223 is connected to a partner facsimile machine (hereinafter, abbreviated as a partner device) 226 and a partner telephone set 228 via an exchange (not shown) and external lines 224 and 225. External lines 223, 224, and 225
All are general subscriber telephone lines.

The binarizing circuit 214 is a circuit for converting the read image data read by the image reading device 42 into dot data as binarized data. That is, C
The analog output voltage value supplied from the CD is EEPRO
Threshold value data supplied from M206 (binary circuit 2
It is determined whether the value is greater than 0 (converted from a digital value to an analog signal at 14).
(White), and if smaller, black (1) to create dot data. When halftone is selected by operating the resolution key 180, the data is converted into dot data based on a dither matrix.

In the image reading device 42, the light source 130
(For example, the central part of the original is bright and the peripheral part is dark). Therefore, the output voltage value of the CCD may not accurately correspond to the density of each pixel on the document 120 in some cases. In order to deal with this inconvenience, in the facsimile apparatus 2, the threshold value is determined according to the uneven illuminance and the like, and is stored in a table in the threshold value data memory 230 of the EEPROM 206. EEPROM 20 for threshold data
6 to the control circuit 208 is also controlled by the DMAC 216.

When the facsimile apparatus 2 and the partner apparatus 226 are connected, the transmission / reception control circuit 210 exchanges communication-related information such as both facsimile numbers and transmission parameters such as resolution with the partner apparatus 226. Circuit.

The modem 212 modulates a digital signal into an analog signal and outputs the modulated signal to the external line 2 via the NCU 222.
23, 224, 225 and external line 2
The demodulator 23 demodulates an analog signal input from the control unit 23 through the NCU 222 into a digital signal. Therefore, a modulation / demodulation mechanism 234 is provided. Further, in addition to the modulation / demodulation mechanism 234, the voice synthesis mechanism 23 for synthesizing voice.
6, a modem reception data buffer 238, a modem transmission data buffer 239, and the like.

When 8-bit data is stored in the modem reception data buffer 238, the data is read by the facsimile control unit 8 by interruption, and
02 is stored in the FAX-side reception data buffer 240. When data is received, the NCU 222
6 automatically receives a call from the caller, and automatically calls the other party when data is transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the RAM 202 stores the FAX-side reception data buffer 240, FAX-side transmission data buffer 242, and read image data buffer 2 as shown in FIG.
44, encoding buffer 246, decoding buffer 24
8, recording unit input data buffer 250, recording unit output data buffer 251, communication related information memory 252, one-line dot data buffer 253, destination dial memory 25
4, report recording request flag 258, transmitting flag 26
0, transmission temporary buffer 270, recording flag F _P , leading edge flag 262, decoding management table 264, recording instruction flag 266, 1-page recording end flag 268, recording end detection flag 271, paper or state detection flag 272, recording paper None state detection flag 273, recording wait flag 274, reoccurrence required flag 275, cartridgeless state detection flag 276, decoding page counter C _D , recording page counter C _P ,
The recording line number counter C _PL , the decryption management page pointer P _D ,
Recording management page pointer P _P, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ROM 204 is provided with a recording end data memory 280, a paper or status data memory 282, a status data memory 284 without a recording paper, and a status data memory 285 without a cartridge. The program memory 286 stores a message output program, an automatic report request generation program, a report recording control program, a PF register reception interrupt program, a decryption program, interrupts A, B, C programs,
A recording one-line interrupt program, an encoding program, a data interrupt transmission program, and the like are stored.

As shown in FIG.
In addition to the above-described threshold data memory 230, a registration dial memory 292 storing a telephone number of a destination to which status information of the facsimile apparatus 2 described later is transmitted, a _no- cartridge flag F _no , an empty flag F _em , An empty flag _{Fne and the} like are provided.

The recording control unit 9 similarly controls the CPU 300
A RAM 302, a ROM 304, a control circuit 306, a parallel interface 308, and the like.
The control circuit 306 is connected with the toner remaining amount detection device 100, the recording paper sensor 20, the BD sensor 40, the upstream sensor (leading edge sensor) 63, the downstream sensor (paper ejection sensor) 62, and the like. The drum motor 43 is connected via a drive circuit 44. Drum motor 43
As a result, the photosensitive drum 30 and the rotating shaft 110 are synchronously rotated.

The personal computer 4 is connected to the parallel interface 308 by the cable 6 described above.
Image data from the personal computer 4 is input to the parallel input data buffer 310. When 8-bit data is stored in the parallel input data buffer 310, the data is read by an interruption in the recording control unit 9 and stored in the PC-side input data buffer 318 of the RAM 302.

In the RAM 302, as shown in FIG.
In addition to the PC-side input data buffer 318, a recording temporary buffer 320, a recording buffer 322, a FAX unit input data buffer 324, and a FAX unit output data buffer 32
6, decoding buffer 328, PC data recording request flag 330, FAX data recording request flag 332, image reading data recording request flag 334, recording / transmission flag 33
6, a transmission only flag 338 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 12, the ROM 304 stores a pattern memory 342 for storing a pattern for converting character data into dot data, a parallel data recording program, a one-page recording start processing program, a one-page recording end processing program, Decryption fax unit output program,
A program memory 344 is provided which stores a recording control program corresponding to the remaining toner amount, a toner interruption detection program, an output control program corresponding to the FAX device status, and the like.

The I / F control circuit 190 connecting the facsimile control unit 8 and the recording control unit 9 has an FP register 35
0, a PF register 352, and a scanner register 354 are provided. The PF register 352 is a register used when the recording control unit 9 outputs image data and a command to the facsimile control unit 8. When 8-bit data is written to the PF register 352 in the recording control unit 9, the data is processed in the facsimile control unit 8 by executing the FAX unit PF register input interruption program shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S1; the same applies to other steps), the data in the PF register 352 is read, and in S2, the read data is interpreted. Then, in S3, it is determined whether or not the read data is a command. If the data is a command, the determination in S3 is YES, and in S4, a process corresponding thereto is performed.
If it is image data, it is stored in the recording unit input data buffer 250 in S5.

[0081] For example, the command to set the flag F _P being recorded in the recording control unit 9 if written in the PF register 352, the facsimile control unit 8 RAM 2
02, the recording flag _FP is set. Also, if written command requesting the detection result of the state of the recording flag F _P in PF register 352, the facsimile control unit 8, the state of the recording flag F _P is detected, the detection result, i.e., the set state Is written in the FP register 350.

Similarly, the facsimile control unit 8
When 8-bit data is stored in the P register 350,
In the recording controller 9, the data is read by interruption and the same processing is performed. In this case, if the written data is image data, the image data is stored in the FAX unit input data buffer 324.

The scanner register 354 is used to record received image data received by the facsimile apparatus 2, to record read image data read by the image reading device 42, and to record communication-related information. This is a register used for In these cases, the RA is decoded based on the received image data and the communication related information,
The dot data stored in the recording unit output data buffer 251 of M202 or the image data read and converted by the image reading device 42 is similarly converted into the recording unit output data buffer 25.
The dot data stored in No. 1 is written from the recording unit output data buffer 251 to the scanner register 354 without the intervention of the CPU 200 under the control of the DMAC 216. As described above, the serialized dot data is 8
It is written bit by bit.

In the recording control unit 9, the dot data is supplied to the laser light emitting unit 36 via the control circuit 306.
The laser light source is controlled based on the dot data, and the laser light is scanned accordingly. in this way,
The data written to the scanner register 354 is only dot data.
The data is directly supplied to the laser light emitting unit 36 without being stored in the second FAX unit input data buffer 324.

On the other hand, in the personal computer 4, image data is input using the keyboard 360 or the like, and is stored in an image data memory of a RAM (not shown). Recording is instructed by key operation of the keyboard 360 according to the display on the display 362. The personal computer 4 stores character data and dot data as image data in an image data memory, and outputs the character data and dot data to the facsimile machine 2.

In this embodiment, when the control signal in the facsimile apparatus 2 is in the H state and the facsimile apparatus 2 is in a state in which the input of a command or image data is permitted, the personal computer 4 issues a command to instruct recording. It outputs image data and does not output it when the control signal is in the L state and the input of commands and image data is rejected. The personal computer 4 does not have dedicated software for facsimile communication. Therefore, it is not possible to output a facsimile number to the facsimile device 2 or output compression-encoded transmission image data.

In the facsimile apparatus 2 configured as described above, recording of image data output from the personal computer 4, received image data transmitted from the partner apparatus 226 and received by the facsimile apparatus 2, and read by the image reading apparatus 42. The read image data, the image data corresponding to the communication-related information, and the like are recorded, and the image data output from the personal computer 4 is transmitted to the partner device 226.

First, the case where image data output from the personal computer 4 is recorded will be described. In the present embodiment, the image data from the personal computer 4 is character data for characters and numbers, and dot data for line drawing portions. When character data is input, the character data is converted into dot data based on the pattern stored in the pattern memory 342, and recording is performed based on the dot data. The dot formation point size of the dot data converted based on the pattern is 400
In terms of dpi (dots / inch), the size is almost the same as the size of the dot formation point in the recording device 29 described above. Therefore,
There is no need to process the dot data converted based on the pattern for recording.

Recording when character data is input from the personal computer 4 is performed based on a recording unit parallel data recording program shown in the flowchart of FIG. In S10, processing necessary for performing one-page recording, such as initialization of the decoding buffer 328, is performed. S11
Here, data is read from the PC-side input data buffer 318 in units of 8 bits. In S12 and S13, the read data is the data (L
F data) or data indicating the end of one page (FF data). If it is not any data, it is determined in S14 whether the data is image data.
If it is image data, it is stored in the decoding buffer 328 in S15, and decoding is performed. The character data is converted into dot data based on the pattern. The converted dot data is stored in the recording temporary buffer 320 in S16. Thereafter, the process returns to S11, where the next data is read out, and the same execution is performed. If the read data is not image data, the next data is read without decoding.

If the read data is LF data, the determination in S12 is YES, and the data stored in the recording temporary buffer 320 is stored in the recording buffer 322.
Is forwarded to Here, the LF data is dot data 1
This is not the end of the line, but the end of one line of character data. Accordingly, the creation of dot data for one line is not completed, and the creation of dot data for the number of lines corresponding to a character having a predetermined size is completed. In the case of FF data, the determination in S13 is YE
In S, the drum motor 43 is rotated by the control of the drive circuit 44 in S18. Further, the laser light emitting unit 36 is controlled based on the dot data stored in the recording buffer 322. One row of dot data is sequentially supplied every time a set time elapses after the laser light is detected by the BD 40, and scanning is performed while the laser light is controlled based on the dot data.

Further, by the rotation of the drum motor 43,
The rotation shaft 110 of the toner cartridge 76 is rotated, and the amount of remaining toner is detected as described later. Furthermore, a command to set the flag F _P during the recording in S19 is written to the PF register 352. Accordingly, the recording flag F _P in the facsimile control unit 8 is set. The recording flag _FP is a flag that is set during recording and reset when recording is completed, and is a flag provided to detect the end of recording.

In S20 and S21, it is determined whether or not the PC-side input data buffer 318 has data to be read next. If there is data to be read next, S
Returned to 10. After processing for recording one page of the next page is performed, the next data is read.

If there is no data to be read and the determination in S20 is NO, it is determined whether 30 seconds have passed without data. If there is no data for more than 30 seconds, it is determined that there is no data to be recorded and that recording has been completed. In S22 and S23, the recording flag F _P
Is written into the PF register 352, and recording end processing such as stopping the driving of the drum motor 43 under the control of the driving circuit 44 is performed. The image data output from the personal computer 4 has no data indicating the end of a series of completed image data. Therefore, if there is no data to be read in the PC-side input data buffer 318 for 30 seconds or more, it is considered that the output of the image data from the personal computer 4 has been completed. Also, in the facsimile apparatus 2, it takes about 20 seconds from the time when the last dot data is supplied to the laser emitting section 36 to the time when the recording of the last page is completed and the paper is discharged. Therefore, if 30 seconds elapse after the PC-side input data buffer 318 has no more data to be read, it can be considered that the recording has been completed. In the present embodiment, the recording is considered to be completed when the state where there is no data continues for 30 seconds or more. However, if it can be determined that the recording has been completely completed, even if it is not 30 seconds, for example, It may be one minute. It is desirable to set it to about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Further, during execution of this program, paper
When the absence of the recording paper or the like is detected, an interrupt signal is issued by a hardware circuit, and error processing is performed by an interrupt according to the interrupt signal. The occurrence of paper jam is detected by the paper jam detector 64, and whether the recording paper 17 is set in the recording paper holder 14 is detected by the recording paper sensor 20. As the error processing, the control signal is set to the L state in the facsimile machine 2. As a result, in the personal computer 4, it is detected that the facsimile machine 2 is in a state of rejecting the input of the image data from the personal computer 4, and the output of the image data is stopped. As will be described later, an audio signal indicating that the paper is clogged or an audio signal indicating that there is no recording paper is synthesized, and the speaker 220 or the telephone line 2 is synthesized.
23, 225. Further, the stop key 16
When 4 is pressed, the same end processing as the processing in S23 is performed.

When the image data output from the personal computer 4 is dot data, there is no need to perform decoding, so that
A step of storing the dot data in the recording temporary buffer 320 instead of S15 and S16 is executed.

The recording of the received image data, the read image data, and the image data corresponding to some of the communication-related information is controlled by the facsimile control unit 8 instead of the recording control unit 9. Hereinafter, a case where recording of received image data is performed will be described. The facsimile controller 8 decodes the compressed and encoded data as the received image data, converts the decoded data into dot data, and writes the dot data into the scanner register 354 of the I / F control circuit 190. The dot data written in the scanner register 354 is supplied to the laser emitting unit 36. The laser beam is controlled and scanned based on the control, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30.

The decoding of the compressed and coded received image data in the facsimile control unit 8 is performed based on a decoding program shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the decryption program, a recording request command is written in the FP register 350 in the facsimile control unit 8, and a command for permitting recording is transmitted to the PF register 352.
Triggered when written to Strictly speaking, PF
This is started when the command written in the register 352 is read out by the facsimile control unit 8 and it is detected that the command permits recording.

During the execution of this decryption program, FIG.
19 are executed by interruption. The interrupt A to C programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 to 18 are executed every 10 ms.
9 is executed when the BD 40 detects a laser beam. The flags and counters used when executing the decoding program and the interruption program are for surely recording all the decoded dot data.

[0099] For example, to be recorded if found the following number of pages currently being recorded (the recording page counter C count value of _P) from the number of pages currently being decoded (count value of the decoded page counter C _D) greater page is determined to still, if the current record in the number of rows and number of rows in (number of recorded row counter C count value _LP) and its page (row number L of the decoding management table 264) are equal It is determined that recording of the page has been completed.
Incidentally, the decoding management page pointer P _D is intended to indicate the page number of the page the decoding is performed, the recording management page pointer P
_P indicates the page number of the page on which recording is to be performed.

The decoding and recording are executed based on the decoding management table 264 shown in FIG. In the decoding management table 264, each page number (corresponding to the number of pages) and the head address A of the page specified by the page number (referred to as a page head address to distinguish it from a line head address described later). ), The number of lines L, and the page information X are stored in association with each other. The page information X is information indicating whether or not the page is a page for which decoding has been completed. In this embodiment, the page information X is set to 1 if the page has been decoded and to 0 if it is not. Is done.

This decryption management table 264 is created when decryption is performed. Decoding, decryption management page pointer P _D is performed in the page of the page number to be indicated, the page head address A for each page is set, the number of lines L is increased every time one line of decoding is completed The page information X is set to 1 at the end of the decoding of one page. Note that here, 1
Since the number of data in a row is constant, it is not necessary to store it as information. In this embodiment, it is 216 bytes (1728 dots).

In S41, initialization for decoding and recording is performed. The decoding buffer 248, the decoding management table 264, the decoding page counter C _D , and the recording page counter C _P are cleared, and the page numbers indicated by the decoding management page pointer P _D and the recording management page pointer P _P are cleared. It is set to 1. In S42 and S43, the recording instruction flag 2
66 is set, a timer (not shown) provided in the control circuit 208 is started, and the interrupt vector is set in the interrupt A. Thereby, the execution of the interrupt A program every 10 ms is permitted.

[0103] Next, in S44,45, page head address A in the page of the page number decoding management page pointer P _P decoding management table 264 indication is set, the number of rows the page L is cleared . When the first S44 is executed, since the page number 1 is indicated by the decoding management page pointer P _P, so that the information for the first page is a page number 1 are sequentially written. Initially, since the decryption management table 264 is cleared, the page top address A
Is (0000H), the number of lines L is 0, and the page information X is 0.
The count value of the decoded page counter C _P becomes 1 is increased 1. The decoding of the first page is performed.

At S46, the data stored in FAX-side reception data buffer 240 is 8 bits (1 byte).
Is read. In S47 and S48, it is determined whether the read data is the data indicating the end of one row (EOL data) or the data indicating the end of one page (RTC pattern data). Has S4
At 9 it is determined whether the data is image data.

In the case of image data, in S50 and S51, after decoding is performed, the dot data is stored in the one-row dot data buffer 253. In this case, the decoding converts the encoded data into dot data. So, unlike the decryption described above,
It is not based on patterns. When the transmission parameter is set to superfine between the facsimile apparatus 2 and the destination apparatus 226, the received image data is converted into dot data in order to obtain reproducibility of the original image, and the dot data is converted to dot data. In the scanning direction must be doubled. As described above, the size of the dot forming point of the recording device 29 is half the size of the superfine pixel in the scanning direction. On the other hand, when fine is set, the number of dot data in both the scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction must be doubled. In the present embodiment, these processes are performed in parallel with the decoding.

If it is not image data, the determination in S49 is NO, and the next data is read out in S46 without decoding. If the read data is EOL data, the determination in S47 is YES
In S52 and S53, the dot data for one line stored in the one-line dot data buffer 253 is transferred to the recording unit output data buffer 251 and the number L of lines in the decoding management table 264 is increased by 1 to 1 become. Since the decoding of the image data for one line is completed, the number of lines in the decoding management table 264 is increased by one. Thereafter, by repeating the same execution, the number L of lines in the decoding management table is increased by one, and the number of lines of dot data in one page is obtained.

If the read data is RTC pattern data, the determination in S48 becomes YES and S5
At 4, the page information X of the decoding management table 264 is set to 1 indicating that the page has been decoded, and at S55, it is determined whether there is a next page. Next read data is MPS (multi-page)
If it is data, there is a next page, but if it is EOP (end of procedure) data, there is no next page.

[0108] When the read data is MPS data, the determination is YES, the page number decoding management pointer P _P is indicated is 2 is increased 1 in S56. Then, in S44 and S45, initialization for decoding the next page is performed. Page start address A of the second page of the page number 2 decoding management pointer P _P is instructed
Is set, and the number of rows L is set to 0. The count value of the decoded page counter C _D is the 2 is increased 1,
Hereinafter, the same execution is repeatedly performed. The decoding of the second page is performed.

On the other hand, if the read data is EOP data, the determination in S55 is NO and 3
After the elapse of 0 seconds, it is determined that the recording has been completed. This is because if 30 seconds have elapsed since the last dot data was written to the recording unit output data buffer 251, it can be considered that the recording of the last page has been completed. Then, in S58, the recording instruction flag 266 is reset.

While the decoding is being performed, the interrupt A program is executed. S7 in the flowchart of FIG.
In 1, whether or not the count value of the recording page counter C _P and the count value of the decoded page counter C _D is equality. Equality means that recording of all decoded pages has been completed. However, since the recording of all the image data is not always completed, in S72,
It is determined whether or not the recording instruction flag 266 has been reset. Is determined recording instruction flag 266 and the recording if the reset is completed, the timer operation is stopped, if not reset, the count value of the counter C _P, C _D is equal to, for example, It is presumed that recording has ended immediately after decoding of the page, and the operation of the timer is not stopped.

On the other hand, during recording,
The count value of the recording page counter C _P is decoded page counter C
Since it is smaller than the count value of _D, the determination in S71 is NO, and S74 and subsequent steps are executed. In S74,75, if the page information of the page of page number recording management page pointer P _P decoding management table 264 instructs is 1, the recording start command is written in the FP register 350.
That is, recording is started after it is confirmed that decoding of the page has been completed. Thereafter, the interrupt vector is set to the interrupt B in S76.

When the recording start command is written into the FP register 350, it is read by the recording control unit 9 by interruption, and the recording unit one page recording start processing program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 is executed. S81
In, the driving circuit 44 for driving the drum motor 43 is controlled, and the automatic paper feeder including the laser scanning device 34, the paper feed roller 18, and the separation pad 22 is controlled. As a result, the drum motor 43 is activated, the polygon mirror is rotated, and the paper is fed.
Further, a command to set the flag F _P during the recording in S82 is written to the PF register 352. afterwards,
In S83, it is waited that the leading edge of the recording paper 17 is detected by the leading edge sensor 63. If detected, S84
In P, the command to set the tip flag 262 is P
It is written to the F register 352.

On the other hand, in the facsimile control unit 8,
The interrupt B program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 is executed every 10 ms. In S76, since the interrupt vector is set in the interrupt B, execution of the interrupt B program instead of the interrupt A program is permitted. If the leading edge flag 262 is set, the determination in S91 is YES, and the prohibition of the execution of the recording one-line interrupt program is released in S92. Since the leading edge of the recording paper 17 is detected by the leading edge sensor 63, the execution of the recording one-line interrupt program for supplying the dot data to the laser emitting unit 36 is permitted, and the supply of the dot data to the laser emitting unit 36 is started. It is. Also, S9
In 3,94, one page printing end flag together with the recording in the row number counter C _PL is cleared is reset, S9
At 5, the interrupt vector is set to interrupt C. The execution of the interrupt C program instead of the interrupt B program is permitted.

As described above, the recording one-line interruption program is executed by interruption when the BD 40 detects a laser beam. In S101, whether the count value of the recording management page pointer P _P is the number of records in a row and the row number L pages of the decoding management table 264 counter which instructs C _PL is equality. If they are equal, recording on that page has been completed. If the page is a page in the middle of recording, the determination is NO since the count value of the recording line number counter _CPL is smaller than the number of lines described above. S
At 102, the row start address of the image data to be transferred to the DMAC 216 and the number of transfer bytes are set.
If the first line of the recording is performed when the recording management page pointer P _P is instructed page number 1, DMAC
The line head address set in 216 is the same as the above-described page head address A (0000H), and the number of transfer bytes is 216. Thereafter, the value of the line head address is updated in S103. In this embodiment, since the number of dot data in one row is 216, the value of the row head address is sequentially updated as (00D8H), (01B0H),. As a result, when the transfer of the dot data in the second row is performed, (00D8H) and 2
16 will be set. In S104, the count value of the recording line number counter _CPL is increased by one.

[0115] recording management page pointer P _P is completed recording of the page of the page number to be indicated, and the number of lines of pages L of the decoding management table 264, and is equal count value of the recording in the line counter C _PL In this case, in S105 to S107,
Page information X corresponding to the page is set to 0, the page number recording management pointer P _P is indicated is increased 1, the count value of the recording page counter C _P is increased 1. In S108 and S109, execution of the one-line recording interruption program is prohibited, and the one-page recording end flag 26
7 is set. That is, the execution of the recording one-line interruption program is prohibited when the recording of one page is completed.

When the recording of one page is completed and the one-page recording end flag 267 is set, the determination in S111 of the interrupt C program shown in the flowchart of FIG.
The state becomes ES, the interrupt vector is set in the interrupt A, and the program below the interrupt A program is executed again. Less than,
When the same execution is repeatedly performed and the recording of all the image data to be recorded is completed, the recording instruction flag 266 is reset.
The operation of the timer is stopped, and the execution of the interrupt program is stopped.

On the other hand, in the recording section control section 9, FIG.
The recording unit one page recording end processing program shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, S115
Waits for the recording paper 17 to be discharged. If the paper ejection is detected, a termination process such as stopping the rotation of the drum motor 43 under the control of the drive circuit 44 in S116 is performed. At the end of one-page recording, the recording instruction flag 266 is still set, so that S118 is not executed. After 30 seconds have passed from the completion of decoding of all the received image data, the recording instruction flag 266 is reset (S58), so that S117
Determination in is YES, in S118, the command to reset the flag F _P during the recording PF register 3
52 is written. When detecting the state of the recording instruction flag 266, a command requesting the detection result of the recording instruction flag 266 is written in the PF register 352.

On the other hand, if a recording error such as paper, that is, no recording paper occurs during the execution of each program, error processing is performed by interruption. The operation of the timer is stopped, and the rotation of the drum motor 43 and the polygon mirror is stopped. The count value of the recording in the line counter C _PL is set to 0, the count value of the page number and the recording page counter C _P records management page pointer P _P is indicated is decremented. When the cause of the recording error is solved and the recording is started again, the recording is started from the page where the recording error has occurred. Similarly, an audio signal indicating that the paper is clogged or an audio signal indicating that there is no recording paper is synthesized and output. Details of these processes will be described later.

In this embodiment, when the recording is restarted as described above, the recording is started from the page where the recording error has occurred, but it is not always necessary. If the image data for one page is deleted from the image data storage means every time the recording or transmission of one page of image data is completed, there is no image data for the page that has already been recorded. If the recording is interrupted during the recording operation, it is almost indispensable to perform recording again from the beginning of the page where the recording was interrupted. If the image data is not deleted and the image data for the document is deleted after the recording of all documents is completed, if the recording is interrupted, it is possible to restart recording from the beginning of the document That's it. It is not always essential to stop the rotation of the drum motor 43 or the rotation of the polygon mirror when the recording is interrupted. When the stop key 164 is pressed, the timer is stopped in the facsimile control unit 8 and the end process is performed in the recording control unit 9.

When the read image data is recorded, the dot data stored in the read image data buffer 244 is processed based on the read resolution and stored in the recording unit output data buffer 251. Then, the dot data is written from the recording unit output data buffer 251 to the scanner register 354 under the control of the DMAC 216. It is necessary to process the dot data according to the difference between the size of the pixel which is the minimum reading area in the image reading device 42 and the size of the dot formation point in the recording device 29.
When the document 120 is read at the super-fine resolution, the process of doubling the number of dot data in the scanning direction is required. Number of dot data is 2
It needs to be doubled.

Next, recording of communication-related information will be described. When the communication-related information is stored in the communication-related information memory 252 in the form of compressed and coded data, the compressed and coded data is decoded in the same manner as described above, and is sequentially written to the scanner register 354.

When the communication related information is stored as character data in the communication related information memory 252,
The recording of the image data is performed under the control of the recording control unit 9. In this case, the character data stored in communication related information memory 252 is stored in FP register 350 as 8
It will be written bit by bit. The recording control unit 9 converts the supplied character data into dot data and performs recording. Recording is performed in the same manner as the recording section parallel data recording control program shown in the flowchart of FIG. Thus, in the recording control unit 9,
When character data supplied via the FP register 350 is converted into dot data based on a pattern, the resolution is higher, so that a clear image can be obtained. As described above, the size of one dot when character data is converted to dot data is (400 dp
i), because it is １ ／ of the pixel size when superfine is set.

Next, a case where image data output from the personal computer 4 is transmitted to the partner device 226 will be briefly described. When transmitting the compression-encoded transmission image data from the facsimile apparatus 2 to the partner apparatus 226, transmission parameters such as the resolution and the compression encoding method are set with the partner apparatus 226. Each of these transmission parameters has a plurality of levels, and is set to the highest level among the levels common to the facsimile apparatus 2 and the partner apparatus 226.

Regarding the resolution, this facsimile machine 2
Is superfine as described above, if the highest resolution of the partner device 226 is superfine,
If it is determined to be super fine and the highest resolution is fine, it is determined to be fine. Also, as mentioned above,
The pattern stored in the ROM 302 of the recording control unit 9 has a dot size that is half the size of a pixel when superfine is set. Therefore, PC 4
When character data from is converted to compression-encoded transmission image data and transmitted at super-fine resolution,
By extracting every other dot data converted on the basis of the character data in the scanning direction, the number of dot data is reduced by half, and encoding is performed.
When transmitting with fine resolution, encoding is performed by reducing the number of dot data by half in both the scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. In this case, the process of reducing the number of dot data may be performed by the recording control unit 9 or by the facsimile control unit 8, but in any case, parallel processing is performed when decoding or encoding is performed. It is desirable to be performed.

The character data input to the parallel interface 308 and stored in the PC-side input data buffer 318 is converted into dot data based on the recording unit decoding FAX unit output program shown in the flowchart of FIG. The data is written to the PF register 352 of the / F control circuit 190. The execution of this program is shown in FIG.
4 is almost the same as the execution of the recording unit parallel data recording program shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this case FP
As shown in FIG. 24, the register 350 stores a command 400 indicating the start of output of one line of dot data, a dot data 402 of one line, and a command 404 indicating the end of output of one line of dot data. Is written. Also, data 406 indicating the end of one page of image data and data 408 indicating the end of the image data are written. The end of the image data is determined in steps S129 and S13 as in the case described above.
At 0, it is detected that there is no next data for 30 seconds or more.

When data is written to the PF register 352, the FAX section PF register input interrupt program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is executed as described above. If the data is image data, it is stored in the recording unit input data buffer 250, and if it is a command, the processing corresponding to the command is performed. If the command 400 indicating the start of the output of one line of dot data is read, the process for inputting the dot data of one line is performed, and the command 404 indicating the end of the output of the dot data of one line is read. For example, a process for ending the output of dot data for one row is performed, and data representing the end of one row is stored in the recording unit input data buffer 250.

Hereinafter, encoding is performed based on the FAX part encoding program shown in the flowchart of FIG. The dot data is encoded based on the transmission parameters such as the resolution and the compression encoding method determined with the partner device 226. In S140, processing necessary for one-page encoding, such as initialization of the encoding buffer 246, is performed. Then, the recording unit input data buffers 250 to 8
Data is read bit by bit. If the data is neither the data indicating the end of one page nor the data indicating the end of one line, the data is transferred to the encoding buffer 246 and encoded, and the encoded compressed encoded transmission image is encoded. The data is stored in the transmission temporary buffer 270.

On the other hand, if the read data is data indicating the end of one row, the determination in S143 is YES, and
The compression-encoded transmission image data stored in the transmission temporary buffer 270 is stored in the FAX-side transmission data buffer 242 together with the EOL data. If the read data is the data 406 indicating the end of one page, the determination in S142 is YES, and the RTC pattern data is stored in the FAX-side transmission data buffer 242 in S147. The next data is read in S148,
It is determined whether the data indicates the end of the image data. If the data is not data indicating the end, the determination is NO, and
If the MPS data is stored in S149 and the next data is the data 408 indicating the end of the image data, the determination is YES, and the EOP data is stored in S150. This is because the data written to the PF register 352 does not include data representing these. As shown in FIG. 26, the data stored in the FAX-side transmission data buffer 242 is
Twelve modem transmit data buffers 239,
It is transmitted to the partner device 226.

In this embodiment, as described above, the personal computer 4 does not have dedicated software for facsimile communication. Therefore, the personal computer 4 cannot output the facsimile number of the partner device 226, and the personal computer 4 cannot convert character data into compression-encoded transmission image data. Therefore, as described later, in the present embodiment, when the facsimile device 2 is in a state where a facsimile number is input,
When image data is input from the personal computer 4, the compression-encoded transmission image data is transmitted to the partner device 226 corresponding to the facsimile number.

Hereinafter, a case where recording control is performed in the facsimile machine 2 will be described. The recording control program corresponding to the recording unit toner remaining amount is represented by a flowchart in FIG. In the facsimile apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, not all image data is recorded at all times. When the remaining amount of toner becomes nearly empty, recording is selectively performed according to the priority of the image data.

The recording control program corresponding to the recording-part toner remaining amount is started by interruption when a recording request command is written into the FP register 350 or a recording request is issued such as when the PC data recording request flag 330 is set. . In S162, it is determined whether or not the recording request is a request to record received image data, that is, a request to record image data received from the partner device 226.
In the present embodiment, the FAX data recording request flag 332 is set when an incoming call with the partner device 226 is established.
Is set, it can be determined that the recording request command is a command written to request recording of received image data.

If an incoming call is established with the partner device 226, the facsimile controller 8 sets the FP register 350
The command for setting the FAX data recording request flag 332 is written in the file. In response, the recording control unit 9 sets the FAX data recording request flag 33
2 is set. The establishment of the incoming call is determined by the CI signal,
When a predetermined signal such as a CNG signal is received, it is determined that the condition is satisfied.

If the FAX data recording request flag 332 is set, the determination in S162 is YES
And step S163 and subsequent steps are executed, but if not set, the determination is NO, and in step S166,
It is determined whether the PC data recording request flag 330, the image reading data recording request flag 332, and the report recording request flag 258 are set. That is, it is determined whether the type of image data to be recorded is character data output from the personal computer 4, read image data, or communication-related information data.

The PC data recording request flag 330 is a flag that is set when a command instructing recording is output from the personal computer 4. The read image data recording request flag 334 is a flag that is set when the copy key 166 of the operation panel 12 is pressed. In the facsimile control unit 8, a command to set the read image data recording request flag 334 in the FP register 350 is issued. Written. The report recording request flag 258 is set by an automatic report request generation means described later at a set time, or set by an operator's key operation. Since the report recording request flag 258 is provided in the RAM 202 of the facsimile control unit 8, the recording control unit 9 writes a command requesting the detection result of the state of the report recording request flag 258 to the PF register 352, and writes the command in the command. In response, the facsimile control unit 8 writes data indicating the state of the report recording request flag 258 into the FP register 350, and the state is read by the recording control unit 9.

If the PC data recording request flag has been set, the remaining toner amount is detected in S167. The recording control unit 9 requests the states of the empty flag F _em and the near empty flag F _ne , and the facsimile control unit 8 responds with the state of the flags F _em and F _ne .

At the time when S167 is executed, the recording has not been started, so that the remaining toner amount is not detected. Therefore, the determination is made based on the previous detection result. The flags F _em and F _ne stored in the EEPROM 206 are sequentially rewritten based on the detection result of the remaining toner amount, and are not erased even when the power is turned off. Therefore, the flags F _em and F _ne used in the determination in S167 are set based on the last (latest) remaining amount of toner at the time of the previous recording. Therefore, E
The determination may be made based on the flags F _em and F _ne stored in the EPROM 206.

If the remaining amount of toner is full, that is, if both the empty flag F _em and the near empty flag F _ne have been reset, the determination in S167 becomes YES, and in S168, the facsimile apparatus 2 described later is used. Is performed. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, in the case of near empty, only the near empty flag F _ne is set.
In the case of empty, both the near empty flag F _ne and the empty flag F _em are set. Therefore, only the empty flag F _em is not set. By the time the empty flag F _em is set, the near empty flag F _ne has already been set.

If the remaining amount of toner is not full and either the near empty or the empty is set, only the near empty flag F _ne is set, or both the near empty flag F _ne and the empty flag F _em are set. Which is either. In these cases, S1
The determination at 67 is NO. In S169, the control signal in the facsimile machine 2 is set to the L state in which the input of the image data from the personal computer 4 is rejected. Even if image data output from the personal computer 4 is input, recording cannot be performed, so that the personal computer 4 is notified that input is not possible. Therefore, no image data is output from the personal computer 4.

If the image reading data recording request flag 334 is set and the remaining amount of toner is full, that is, if neither the empty flag F _em nor the near empty flag F _ne is set, S170 is performed.
Is YES, and a command to permit recording is written to the PF register 352. In the facsimile control unit 8, a reading start command of the image reading device 42 is issued, and reading of the document 120 is started. Since the remaining amount of toner is sufficient and the recording can be performed, the image reading is started.

If only the near empty flag F _ne has been set or if both the near empty flag F _ne and the empty flag F _em have been set, the process proceeds to step S17.
The determination at 0 is NO. In S172, a command for generating a beep is written to the PF register 352. In response, in the facsimile control unit, a beep sound is generated via the speaker 220. In this case, the reading of the document 120 is not started. For the operator near the facsimile machine 2,
From the display state of the remaining toner indicator 154, it can be seen that the original 120 cannot be copied depending on whether the remaining toner is near empty or empty.

Similarly, if the report recording request flag 258 is set and the toner is full, a command to permit recording is written in the PF register 352, otherwise, a command to reject recording is written. Is written. As described above, when the amount of remaining toner is not full, output of image data from the personal computer 4 is prohibited, reading of the document 120 by the image reading device 42 is prohibited, and decoding of data in the communication related information memory 252 is performed. That is, the writing to the FP register 350 is rejected.

Next, the FAX data recording request flag 330
Is set in S163, it is determined whether or not the empty flag F _em is set. If it is set, the remaining toner amount is equal to or less than the unrecordable amount, so the determination in S163 is YES, and in S164, a command instructing alternate reception is written in the PF register 352. If the empty flag F _em has not been set, a recording permission command is written to the PF register 352 in S165. In other words, recording is performed even if only the near empty flag _Fne is set.

That is, when only the near empty flag _Fne is set, recording is performed even if the PC data recording request flag 330, the image reading data recording request flag 334, and the report recording request flag 258 are set. However, if the FAX data recording request flag 332 is set, recording is performed. When the near empty flag F _ne is set, not all data recording is permitted, but recording of high-priority image data is permitted, and recording of low-priority image data is prohibited. You. In the present embodiment, the priority of the received image data transmitted from the partner device 226 is increased, and the image data output from the personal computer 4, the read image data read by the image reading device 42, and the image based on the communication related information The priority of the data is lowered.

Here, detection of the remaining amount of toner will be described. The toner remaining amount detection program is represented by a flowchart in FIG. 28, and its execution is performed by interruption every set time when the drum motor 43 is started. In this embodiment, the set time is 10 ms. As described above, the rotating shaft 110 is rotated by the drum motor 43, so that when the drum motor 43 is activated, it becomes in a detectable state. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 11
It takes about 5 seconds for 0 to make one revolution.

As shown in FIG. 29, in this embodiment, when the light receiving time is 0.5 second or less, it is determined that the toner is full, and neither the empty flag F _em nor the near empty flag F _ne is set. If the light receiving time is longer than 0.5 seconds and not longer than 2 seconds, it is determined that the vehicle is near empty, and only the near empty flag _Fne is set.
If it is longer than 2 seconds, it is determined to be empty, and both the near empty flag F _ne and the empty flag F _em are set. If the light-shielding time is 3 seconds or longer, it is determined that the vehicle is near empty, the empty flag F _em is reset, and if it is 4.9 seconds or longer, it is determined that the toner is full, and the near empty flag F _ne is cleared. Reset.

On the other hand, as described above, when the light receiving time is longer than 0.5 seconds and shorter than 2 seconds, the near empty flag F _ne
Is set, but is reset if the light shielding time is 4.9 seconds or more. If the light receiving time is longer than 2 seconds, both the near empty flag F _ne and the empty flag F _em are set, but if the light shielding time is 3 seconds or longer, the empty flag F _em is reset. The reason why the states of these flags F _ne and F _em are determined based on both the light receiving time and the light blocking time is to reduce the possibility of erroneous determination of the remaining toner amount. When the toner cartridge 76 is replaced, the near empty flag F _ne
And the empty flag F _em is reset.

In this embodiment, after the wiper 104 passes between the pair of hollow projections 108, the stirring member 80 passes, and even when the stirring member 82 approaches, the light receiving section 106 is in the light receiving state. Is determined to be empty. After passing through the wiper 104, recording can be performed if the toner 46 around the periphery is collected in the center by the stirring member 80 and further collected in the direction of the hollow protrusion 108 by the stirring member 82 so that the light receiving unit 106 is in a light-shielding state. It is determined that there is only a small amount. After the passage of the wiper 104, the stirring member 80 passes and the stirring member 82
It takes seconds. Therefore, when the space between the hollow protrusions 108 is filled with the toner 46 due to the approach of the stirring member 82, the light receiving time does not exceed 2 seconds, and 2 seconds is set as the empty judgment threshold value. .

As described above, it takes about 5 seconds for the rotation shaft 110 to make one rotation.
When light 6 passes between light emitting unit 105 and light receiving unit 106, light receiving unit 106 is always in a light-shielding state. Therefore, even if there is no toner 46 in the toner cartridge 76,
Only the light receiving state does not continue. Therefore, if the light receiving time is 5 seconds or more, it is determined that the wiper 104 does not pass between the light emitting unit 105 and the light receiving unit 106, that is, the toner cartridge 76 is not attached. This is a type of abnormality determination, and a message is issued in the facsimile control unit 8 as described later.

Hereinafter, description will be made based on a flowchart. Receiving time counter C _of or shielding time counter C _on used when the program is executed, the recording flag F _P is cleared when it is reset. S181
In, it is determined whether the light receiving unit 106 is in the light receiving state or the light blocking state. If it is in the light receiving state, the determination is YES, and the steps from S182 are executed, and the light receiving time is measured. If it is in the light-shielded state, the determination is NO, and the steps after S191 are executed, and the light-shielded time is measured.

The state of the flag is determined based on the light-shielding time measured last time while the light-receiving time is measured in the execution of S182 and subsequent steps. The state of the flag is determined based on the measured light receiving time. In S182, the count value _of the light receiving time counter C _of is incremented by 1, and in S183, it is determined whether the time corresponding to the count value _of the light receiving time counter C _of is 5 seconds or more. If the determination is YES, it is determined that the cartridge 76 is not mounted, and in S184, the _no- cartridge flag Fno is determined to be set. In the recording control unit 9, a command for setting the _no- cartridge flag Fno is written in the PF register 352 of the I / F control circuit 190. In response, the facsimile control unit 8 sets the _no- cartridge flag F _no in the EEPROM 206.
Is set. Next, in S185, the light-shielding time counter C _on is cleared and returned to the execution of S181.
On the other hand, if the light receiving unit 106 is in the light blocking state, it can be determined that the toner cartridge 176 is attached. Therefore, if the determination in S181 is YES, the process proceeds to S.
At 191, the cartridge absence flag _Fno is determined to be reset.

When S183 is executed first, the time corresponding to the count value _of the light receiving time counter C _of is set to 10
ms, the determination is NO, and S186, 187,
At 188, a determination is made based on the previously measured light blocking time. After the start of the activation of the drum motor 43, first, S
If the determination is YES when 181 is performed,
The shading time has not been measured. Therefore, since the light-shielding time counter C _on remains cleared, the light-shielding time 0
It is. The determination in S186 is YES, and the state of the flag remains unchanged. EEP during previous recording
The state of the flag stored in the ROM 206 is maintained. Empty flag F _{em is} also near empty flag F
_{If ne is} also reset, that state is maintained, and if only the near empty flag F _ne is set, that state is maintained. As described above, the flags F _em and F _ne are set to EEP
Because it is provided in the ROM 206, even if the power is turned off, the state is stored.

Thereafter, the determination in S181 is NO, and steps S182 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed until the light receiving section 106 is in the light shielding state, and the light receiving time is measured. As mentioned above, this program is executed every 10 ms, so for example,
If executed 20 times, the count value _of the light receiving time counter C _of becomes 20, and the time corresponding to the count value is 200 ms.
(0.2 seconds). Here, the empty flag F _em
It is assumed that both the near empty flag F _{ne and the} near empty flag F _ne have been reset.

If the state is switched to the light blocking state, the determination in S181 is NO, and S191 and the subsequent steps are executed. S1
In 91, as described above, no cartridge flag F _no is determined in reset, in S192, the light-shielding time counter C _on is increased 1, time corresponding to the count value of the light-shielding time counter C _on the S193 4.
It is determined whether it is 9 seconds or more. When S193 is executed first, the determination is NO. Also, since the previous light receiving time was 0.2 seconds, S194, 195, 196
Are NO, and the state of the flag is left as it is. Flags F _em and F _ne remain reset. Next, in S199, the light receiving time counter C
_of it is cleared and returned to the S181. The count value of the light-blocking time counter C _on as long as the light-shielding condition persists is counted up, the light-shielding time is measured. In addition, in S200, the light receiving time counter C _of is cleared, so that the time corresponding to the count value _of the light receiving time counter C _of becomes 0, and the determination in S194 for the second and subsequent times is YES. Therefore, it is possible to prevent S195 and subsequent steps from being repeatedly executed during the second and subsequent executions. For example, S191 to S19
If step 4 is executed 470 times, the light-shielding time is 4.7 seconds.

On the other hand, if S191 to 194 are executed 490 times or more, the light shielding time becomes 4.9 seconds or more, and S193
Is YES. In S199, both the empty flag F _em and the near empty flag F _ne are determined to be reset. When the toner cartridge 76 has been replaced, the empty flag F _em and the near empty flag F _ne may both have been set last time, so that it is necessary to reset them.

Next, when the mode is switched to the light receiving state, S182
The following is executed in the same manner. Here, the light blocking time is 4.7.
Seconds, the determination in S187 is NO, the determination in S188 is YES, and the empty flag F
_em is determined to reset, the light-shielding time counter C _on is cleared in S185. Here, since the empty flag F _em has been reset, the state of the flag remains unchanged. Then, while the light receiving state continues, S182, 183,
S186 is repeatedly executed. As described above, S18
If the 5 is first executed, because the previous shading time counter C _on is cleared, if the S186 is executed second or later, the determination is YES, since S187 is not executed.

In the toner remaining amount detecting device 100,
The state of the light receiving unit 106 alternates between the light receiving state and the light blocking state. Therefore, S182 and subsequent steps and S191 and subsequent steps are executed alternately. S182 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed 50 times or more, and if the light receiving time becomes 0.5 seconds or more, S1
The determination at 96 is YES, and in S198, the near empty flag _Fne is determined to be set. On the other hand, if the number of repetitions after S191 is 490 or more and the light-shielding time is 4.9 seconds or more, the determination in S187 is YES, and the near empty flag F _ne set in S198 is reset in S189. It is determined that the number of repetitions after S191 is 30
If less than 0 times and the shading time is shorter than 3 seconds, S18
The determination at 7, 188 is NO, and the near empty flag _Fne is not determined to be reset.

Next, the number of repetitions after S182 is 20
If 0 or more times and the light receiving time is 2 seconds or more, the determination in S195 is YES, and in S197 and 198, both the empty flag F _em and the near empty flag F _ne are determined to be set. If the number of repetitions after S191 is less than 300 times and the light-shielding time is shorter than 3 seconds, the determination in S188 is NO, and the state of the flag is left as it is. If so, the determination in S188 is YES, and in S190, only the empty flag F _em is determined to be reset. That is, the near empty flag F _ne
Only the set is determined.

In addition, the remaining toner amount display 154 according to the state of the near empty flag F _ne and the empty flag F _em.
Flashes or lights up. That is, as described above, when the near empty flag F _ne is set, the light is blinked, and when the empty flag F _em is also set, the light is turned on.

In this embodiment, when the near empty flag _Fne is in the set state, recording of high-priority image data is permitted, and recording of low-priority image data is prohibited. I have. Therefore, it is possible to slow down the rate at which the amount of remaining toner decreases after the amount of remaining toner becomes nearly empty. The period from when the remaining amount of toner becomes near empty until the recording amount becomes unrecordable can be lengthened, and the period during which the remaining toner amount indicator 154 is blinking can be lengthened.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the light receiving time becomes 0.5 seconds or more, that is, when the remaining amount of toner becomes smaller than the amount corresponding to the light receiving time of 0.5 seconds, the near empty state is set. It is determined that there is. Therefore, the longer the set time of the light receiving time, the lower the remaining amount of the toner is, and the more the recording is selectively performed. Will be done. In the former case, there is an advantage that the replacement time of the toner cartridge 76 can be delayed, and the toner 46 in the toner cartridge 76 can be used until the remaining amount of toner approaches an unrecordable amount. In this case, there is an advantage that the period in which the toner remaining amount indicator 154 is in the blinking state can be made longer, and the time when the toner becomes equal to or less than the non-recordable amount can be further delayed. The magnitude of the set value can be arbitrarily determined.

When the facsimile machine 2 performs recording based on dot data corresponding to the received image data received from the partner device 226, the operator is often not near the facsimile machine 2. Therefore, it is inconvenient if recording is prohibited. For example, when recording is prohibited in the facsimile machine 2,
Alternate reception is performed, but when the memory capacity of the data buffer for the alternate reception is small and the memory becomes full, reception becomes impossible. In a facsimile machine that cannot perform proxy reception, transmission must be requested again.

On the other hand, the dot data corresponding to the image data output from the personal computer 4 and the image reading device 42
When the recording is performed based on the read image data read in the above, the operator is often in the vicinity of the facsimile machine. Therefore, if the user notices that the recording is prohibited and the toner remaining amount indicator 154 is in a blinking state, the toner cartridge 76 can be immediately replaced and the recording can be performed. Therefore, if the recording of dot data corresponding to the image data received from the partner device 226 is permitted and the recording of dot data corresponding to the other image data is prohibited, the above-described inconvenience can be prevented while the toner cartridge is prevented from being generated. 76 can be replaced at the appropriate time. On the other hand, the reason why the priority of the image data based on the communication related information is low is that the importance of the content is low. If the remaining amount of toner is near empty, it is not necessary to perform printing, and printing is prohibited.

Facsimile machine 2 in S168
The state corresponding output control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In S211, it is determined whether the facsimile apparatus 2 is in a state where the facsimile number of the transmission destination has been input. If it is in the input state, the determination is YES, and in S212, transmission (only decoding is performed in the recording control unit 9) is started, and if it is in the non-input state, The determination is NO, and recording is performed in S215.

When transmission is performed, in S212, the character data stored in the PC-side input data buffer 318 based on the recording unit decryption FAX unit output program shown in the flowchart of FIG. , And written to the PF register 352. In response, the facsimile control unit 8 encodes and transmits the data based on the FAX unit encoding program and the FAX unit data interrupt transmission program shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. If the recording is permitted, the recording is performed based on the parallel data recording program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, and if the recording is completed, the PC data recording request flag 330 is reset.

Whether the facsimile apparatus 2 is in a state where the facsimile number of the partner apparatus 226 has been input or not is determined by the RA
The determination can be made based on whether data is stored in the destination dial memory 254 of M202. In the facsimile apparatus 2, when the facsimile number of the destination is input using the ten keys 160 and the set key 176, the number is stored in the destination dial memory 254 of the RAM 202. In the recording control unit 9, a command requesting a determination result as to whether data is stored in the destination dial memory 254 of the RAM 202 is written to the PF register 352. The facsimile control unit 8 determines whether or not data is stored, and the result of the determination is written to the FP register 350.

On the other hand, the display 150 of the facsimile machine 2
Usually displays the current date and time. On the other hand, if the operator inputs a facsimile number, the facsimile number is displayed on the display 150. By looking at the display 150, the operator can determine whether or not the facsimile machine 2 is in a state where a facsimile number has been input.

In S213, whether the facsimile apparatus 2 is in a state permitting both recording and transmission,
It is determined whether the transmission is permitted. RAM
If the recording / transmission flag 336 of 302 is set, it is determined that the facsimile apparatus 2 is in a state where both recording and transmission are permitted. If the transmission only flag 338 is set, only transmission is permitted. Is determined to be in the state. In the former case, S
At 214, recording is performed based on the recording unit parallel data recording program shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the latter case, no recording is made.

The states of the facsimile machine 2 are set in accordance with the operation of the operation panel 12 of the facsimile machine 2. If the ten key 160 is pressed after the function key 174 is pressed, the display on the display 150 is changed to “1. TEMP SETTING”, and if the ten key 160 is pressed, the display is changed to “0. PRINT / T
X ". When the set key 174 is pressed, the display changes to “PRINT & TX” and the cursor key 18
The display on the display 150 is displayed as “PRINT
& TX ”and“ TX ONLY ”. "PR
Set key 1 when “INT & TX” is displayed
If the button 76 is pressed, a state is set in which both recording and transmission are permitted. If the button is pressed while "TX ONLY" is displayed, a state is set in which only transmission is permitted. If the former is set, the recording / transmission flag 336 is set, and if the latter is set, the transmission only flag 338 is set.
Is set. That is, a command for setting the recording / transmission flag 336 or the transmission only flag 338 is written in the FP register 350 of the I / F control circuit 190.

As described above, when the facsimile apparatus 2 is in a state where the facsimile number has been input and the image data is input from the personal computer 4, the image data can be transmitted to the partner apparatus 226 of the facsimile number. it can. That is, as described above, the personal computer 4 cannot output the facsimile number of the transmission destination to the facsimile device 2 or convert the character data into the compression-encoded transmission image data in the personal computer 4. However, according to the facsimile apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, if an operator inputs a facsimile number into the facsimile apparatus 2, the image data output from the personal computer 4 is converted into compression-encoded transmission image data in the facsimile apparatus 2. , The partner device 22 of the facsimile number
6 can be sent.

When the facsimile apparatus 2 is in a state where a facsimile number has been input and is in a state in which only transmission is permitted, only transmission is performed, and both recording and transmission are permitted. If so, both recording and transmission take place. That is, character data from the personal computer 4 is transmitted (only transmission), (transmission and recording) and (recording) in accordance with the state of the facsimile apparatus 2.
Output in any one of the following modes. The personal computer 4 does not need to have a function of instructing these output modes, and may be a general-purpose computer.

Further, when it is necessary to record the image data transmitted to the partner apparatus 226, the facsimile apparatus 2 may be set to a state in which both recording and transmission are permitted, and recording is unnecessary. In such a case, it is sufficient to set a state in which only transmission is permitted. Therefore, there is also an advantage that a single operation is required even when it is desired to perform both recording and transmission. According to the facsimile apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, there is also an advantage that the operability of the operator can be improved. Also, since the personal computer 4 may be a general-purpose computer,
There is also an advantage that the operability of the operator can be improved while avoiding an increase in cost.

Further, in this embodiment, when both transmission and recording are performed, all dot data for transmission is stored in the PF register 352 in the recording control unit 9.
After that, the decryption for recording is started. Therefore, the facsimile control unit 8
The execution of the encoding program represented by the flowchart of FIG. 25 and the execution of the parallel data recording program represented by the flowchart of FIG. 14 by the recording control unit 9 are performed in parallel. Therefore,
There is an advantage that the time required for recording can be reduced.

On the other hand, during the operation of the facsimile machine 2, the FAX message output program shown in the flow chart of FIG. 31 is executed every set time. When the facsimile apparatus 2 is in one of the recording end, paper jam state, recording paper absence state, and cartridge absence state, the fact is notified by voice. In S218, the detection flags 271 to 273, 2
It is determined whether 76 is set. The cartridge absence state detection flag 276 is a flag that is set when it is detected that the toner cartridge 76 is not attached, and is a recording end detection flag 271.
Is a flag that is set when the facsimile machine 2 detects that the recording has been completed. The paper clogging state detection flag 272 is a flag that is set when it is detected that paper clogging has occurred, and the recording paper absence state detection flag 273 is that the recording paper 17 is set in the recording paper holder 15. This is a flag for detecting that the state has not been changed from the state.

When S218 is first executed, the determination is NO, and thereafter, S219 to S222 are executed. In S219, whether or not no cartridge flag F _no is set or not is determined, the paper is determined whether the recording flag F _P is switched to the reset from the set, in S221, the paper jam detection device 64 in S220 That is, it is determined whether or not
At 222, it is determined whether or not the recording paper sensor 20 has changed from a state where the recording paper 17 is set to the recording paper holder 15 to a state where the recording paper 17 is not set. S219
If all of the determinations in steps S222 to S222 are NO, S21
8, and it is awaited that the determination in any one of steps S219 to S222 becomes YES.

If the recording is completed in the facsimile machine 2 and the determination in S220 is YES, the process proceeds to S224.
In, the recording end detection flag 271 is set.
Similarly, if it is detected that the facsimile apparatus 2 is in the paper jam state or in the recording paper out state, in steps S225 and S226, the paper jam state detection flag 272, the recording paper out state detection Flag 273
Are set respectively. Also, the toner cartridge 7
If _no cartridge 6 is detected and the _no- cartridge flag _Fno is set, then in S223, the no-cartridge state detection flag 276 is set.

[0176] recording flag F _P is the facsimile control unit 8
Of the cartridge absence flag F
_“no” is provided in the EEPROM 206, but the output signal of the paper, that is, the detection device 64 and the recording paper sensor 20 is supplied to the recording control unit 9. Therefore, when detecting output signals of the paper clogging detection device 64 and the recording paper sensor 20, a command requesting these detection results is issued by F
Written to the P register 350. In response, the recording control unit 9 stores these detection results in the PF register 3
52 is written.

If the determination in any one of steps S219 to 222 is YES, that is, if any one of the detection flags 271 to 273 and 276 is set, the transmitting flag 260 is set in step S227. Is determined. Sending flag 26
0 indicates that the facsimile apparatus 2 transmits a CI signal or a CNG signal to the partner apparatus 26 and receives a predetermined signal or data such as a CED signal or CSI data transmitted from the partner apparatus 226, and the call is established. The line is opened and reset when the EFA data is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 2 to the destination apparatus 226 and predetermined data such as the MCF data transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 2 from the destination apparatus 226 is received. Is a flag to be executed.

If the determination in step S211 of the facsimile machine status corresponding output control program is NO and only the recording is performed in step S215, if the recording is completed, the determination in step S220 is YES, and the determination in step S227 is NO. Become. Here, the transmission is not performed. In S228, the recording end data indicating that the facsimile apparatus 2 has finished recording is stored in the ROM 20.
4 is read from the recording end data memory 280 of S2
At 29, the speech signal is synthesized by the speech synthesis mechanism 234. In the present embodiment, the processing is performed based on the waveform coding method. Syllables stored in advance. An audio signal is obtained by synthesizing basic units such as phonemes based on prosody and the like.

Thereafter, in S230, the EEPROM
The external telephone 228 is stored in the registration dial memory 292 of 206.
It is determined whether or not the telephone number is stored. EE
If the telephone number is not stored in the registration dial memory 292 of the PROM 206, in S231, an audio signal indicating that the recording is completed (hereinafter, referred to as an audio signal indicating a message) is supplied to the speaker 220, and the speaker 220 outputs " The recording has ended. " Here, the voice representing the message is repeatedly emitted twice. Therefore, an operator near the facsimile machine 2 can know that the facsimile machine 2 has finished recording. afterwards,
The recording end detection flag 271 is reset in S238.

If a telephone number is registered in the registration dial memory 292, a voice signal representing a message is output to the telephone lines 223 and 225 in S232 and subsequent steps. In S232, the telephone line 223 is closed and the telephone number is output, and it is awaited that the telephone receiver of the partner telephone 228 lifts the receiver. If the receiver is picked up at the other party's telephone 228, the determination in S233 is YES, and in S234, a voice signal is output to the telephone lines 223, 225. Voice is emitted from the handset, and the operator can know that the facsimile apparatus 2 has finished recording. The audio signal is output repeatedly until the receiver is set. If the receiver is set, the determination in S235 is YES, and S237
In, the telephone line 223 is opened. On the other hand, if the receiver is not lifted at the other party telephone 228,
The determination in S233 is NO, and the telephone line 223 is released after the set time has elapsed.

The facsimile apparatus 2 is in a state where a facsimile number has been input (YES in S211),
When both recording and transmission are permitted (NO in S213), an audio signal representing a message is output at the time when the later of recording and transmission is completed. In this embodiment, since the transmission and the recording are performed in parallel, it is not known which of the transmission and the recording ends earlier. Therefore, when all the operations specified by the operator are completed, a voice representing the message is output.

If the recording ends earlier, the determination in S220 is YES, and the recording end detection flag 271 is set in S224. In S227, it is determined whether or not transmission is in progress. If transmission is in progress, the determination is YE
The result is S, and the process returns to S218. Recording end detection flag 2
Since 71 is set, the determination in S218 is YES, and it is determined in S227 whether or not transmission is in progress. If transmission is still in progress, the determination is YES and S
218 is returned. Hereinafter, S21 is performed until the transmission is completed.
8, 227 are repeatedly executed. When transmission is completed,
The determination in S227 is NO, and S228 and subsequent steps are executed in the same manner as in the above case. That is, an audio signal representing the message is output at the end of transmission.

If the transmission is completed earlier, S22
After the determination at 0 is YES, the determination at S227 is NO, so that S228 and subsequent steps are executed. In that case, an audio signal indicating a message is output at the end of recording. One of the reasons that the voice signal representing the message is not output during transmission is that the voice signal cannot be synthesized by the voice synthesizer 234 of the modem 212. In this case, the sending flag 2
Instead of 60, a transmitting / receiving flag may be provided.

If the paper jam is detected by the paper jam detector 64, the determination in S221 is YES and the paper jam in the ROM 204 is stored in the state data memory 282.
The data indicating that the paper is clogged is read out from the device, and an audio signal indicating that a paper clog has occurred is synthesized based on the data. Recording paper 17 in recording paper holder 15
Is detected, data indicating that there is no recording paper is similarly read from the no-recording-state data memory 284, and an audio signal indicating that fact is synthesized. Also, the cartridge no flag F _no
Is set, data indicating that no cartridge is attached is read from the cartridge-less data memory 285.

As described above, when the telephone number is not registered in the facsimile apparatus 2, a voice representing a message is emitted via the speaker 220. Therefore, if the facsimile apparatus 2 is located near the facsimile apparatus 2,
Can be understood without examining the state. Further, in a facsimile apparatus in which a buzzer having a different frequency is emitted according to the state of the facsimile apparatus 2, it is necessary to associate the frequency (height) of the buzzer with the state of the facsimile apparatus and store it. However, in the present embodiment, there is also an advantage that the state can be known without having to remember such a thing.

If the telephone number is registered, the telephone line 2
A voice representing the message is output to 23 and 225. Therefore, even if the operator is away from the facsimile machine 2, the operator can know the status of the facsimile machine 2. Also, since the message is not output to the sender that sent the image data, it is output to the telephone line,
If the telephone number is registered, the state of the facsimile machine 2 can be known at a desired place.

In the facsimile apparatus 2, when it becomes necessary to record a communication management report during recording,
After the recording is completed, the communication management report is recorded. In this embodiment, automatic recording of the communication-related report is required at 0:00 and 12:00. The facsimile unit automatic report recording request generation program of FIG. 32 is executed at regular time intervals (10 ms in this embodiment), and when the set time is 0:00 or 12:00, a report recording request is automatically issued in S241, and the report recording is performed. The request flag 258 is set.

In the present embodiment, the report recording control program represented by the flowchart in FIG.
It is executed every set time. In S242, it is determined whether the recording waiting flag 274 is set. As will be described later, the recording wait flag 274 is a flag that is set while recording based on the communication-related information after the recording request command is written to the FP register 350, that is, while waiting for the recording of the communication management report to end. It is. When S242 is first executed, the determination is NO, and S243 and subsequent steps are executed. In S243, the report recording request flag is set to 25
8 it is determined whether it is set, in S244, whether the recording flag F _P is set is determined. It is determined whether the recording device 29 is in a state in which recording of the communication management report can be performed or in a state in which recording is not possible.

[0189] Also report recording request flag 258 is set, when the recording flag F _P is in the set state, since S245 not executed, a record of the communication control report is not performed. In contrast, if the recording flag F _P is reset, a negative decision (NO) is obtained in S244, in S245, the recording request command is written in the FP register 350 of the I / F control circuit 190. That is, the recording request command is the report recording request flag 2
It is written in accordance with 58 and does not mean that a report recording request is issued again.

[0190] Then, in S246, the recording flag F _P whether changed from the set state to the reset state is determined. It is determined whether or not the recording of the communication management report has been completed. When S246 is executed first, since the recording has not been started yet or the recording is in progress, the determination is NO, the recording wait flag 274 is set in S247, and the process returns to the execution of S242. When S242 is executed next, the determination is YES because the recording wait flag 274 is set.
And S246 is executed. Is the re-recording in F _P whether changed from the set state to the reset state is determined. While the recording of the communication management report is not completed, the determination in S246 is NO, and the process returns to S242.
Hereinafter, S24 until the recording of the communication management report is completed.
2, 246 and 247 are repeatedly executed.

When the recording is completed, the determination in S246 becomes YES, and in S248 and 249, the report recording request flag 258 and the recording waiting flag 274 are reset. This is because the communication management report is recorded again unless the report recording request flag 258 is reset.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a recording error occurs, the recording is stopped, but is set to a state where the recording can be continued. Therefore, the recording flag F _P is not necessarily reset at the time the recording was terminated, it will be reset when the recording image data every recording to be recorded is finished. When the recording of all the recording image data based on the communication-related information to be recorded is completed, the determination in S246 becomes YES. As described above, in this embodiment, the report recording request flag 258 is reset when the recording of the communication management report ends, so that the recording of the communication management report can be reliably performed.

Further, in this facsimile machine,
A report recording request can be issued (manually) by an operation of an operator. When the function key 174 and the numeric keypad 160 are pressed, "1.
"ACT.REPORT" is displayed, and when the set key 176 is pressed, the display on the display 150 is changed to "PRESS START". When the start key 162 is pressed accordingly, a report recording request is issued, and the report recording is performed. Request flag 258
Is set. Even when a report recording request is issued by an operator's operation, the determination in S243 of the facsimile section report recording control program is YES, so that the communication management report is recorded.

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, even if the communication management report needs to be recorded during recording, the communication management report can be recorded after the recording is completed. This is because a recording request command is written in accordance with the report recording request flag 258 after the recording device 29 is ready for recording. In other words,
Regardless of whether the recording device 29 is in a recordable state or in a non-recordable state, recording is performed when a report recording request is issued.

For example, when the communication management report is not recorded in the conventional facsimile apparatus, it is necessary for the operator to perform the report recording request operation after the recording device 29 becomes recordable. In addition, the facsimile device 2
However, when recording is in progress, the user has to come again to the installation location of the facsimile machine 2 and perform a report recording request operation after the recording is completed. According to the facsimile apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, such a necessity is eliminated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, S162, 163, 165, 166, 167, and 17 in the recording control program for the remaining toner amount of the recording control unit 9 are executed.
Recording permission / prohibition determination means for determining permission / prohibition of recording in the recording apparatus 29 based on the remaining amount of toner and the priority of image data is constituted by a portion for storing and executing 0, 171, 173, and 174. And the like constitute an external device type correspondence priority determination unit. In the present embodiment, the external device type correspondence priority determination means is also a transmission / reception device priority means.

The communication-related information recording control means is constituted by a part for storing and executing the facsimile part automatic report recording request generation program and the facsimile part report recording control program of the facsimile control part 8, the report recording request flag 258, and the like. . Of these, the report recording request flag 258 constitutes a communication related information recording request storage unit, and the part that executes S244 of the facsimile unit report recording control program constitutes a recording device state detection unit. Further, a part for executing S245 of the facsimile part report recording control program constitutes a communication related information recording request generating means. It may be considered that the report recording request is issued both when the set time comes, when the report recording request operation is performed by the operator, and when the recording request command is written in the FP register 350.
It can be considered that the recording request command is issued only when it is written into the FP register 350. In the present embodiment, the report recording request to the recording device 29 is, as in the latter case, the recording request command
Since it is appropriate to consider that the communication related information recording request is generated only when the data is written to the data storage unit 50, the communication delay information generation request unit that waits until the recording device 29 is in a recordable state and issues a report recording request. Can be considered. Further, since the recording request command is automatically written, it can be regarded as an automatic communication related information recording request generating means.

However, when the control unit of the facsimile apparatus is not divided into the facsimile control unit and the recording control unit, when the set time is reached or when the report recording request operation is performed by the operator, as in the former case. And the case where the recording request command is written into the FP register 350. In this case, the automatic communication related information generating means is constituted by the storage and execution part of the (facsimile part) automatic report recording request generation program of the control part, and the part that executes S245 of the (facsimile part) report recording control program A means of recurrence will be configured. Also,
The automatic communication related information generating means is also a timed communication related information recording request generating means.

On the other hand, a portion for processing these output signals of the recording paper sensor 20, the paper clog detection device 64 and the recording controller 9, a recording flag F _P , a toner cartridge absence flag F _no and a flag F of the facsimile controller 8 _P , F
A part for detecting the _no state (S219 to S222) and the like constitute state detecting means for detecting an accidental state or a spontaneous state of the facsimile apparatus 2. The speaker 220 and the like constitute an audio signal generating device, and the NCU 222 and the like constitute a telephone line output device.

A portion for detecting whether or not data has been input to the destination dial memory 254 of the facsimile control section 8, a recording / transmission flag 336 of the recording control section 9,
A part for detecting whether or not the transmission only flag 338 is set (a part for executing S211 and S213) constitutes state detecting means for detecting a state set by operating the operation panel 12 of the facsimile apparatus 2. .
The recording device 29 and the recording control unit 9 constitute a recording unit of the output device.
A transmission unit is constituted by a portion for converting character data from the facsimile into dot data, the facsimile control unit 8, and the like. Further, a control means selecting means is constituted by a portion for executing S211 of the recording control section 9 and the like, and
The first output control means is constituted by a portion that executes step S14. Among them, the third output control means is constituted by a part that executes S212 and does not execute S214,
Fourth output control means is constituted by a portion that executes 212 and S214. The second output control means is constituted by a portion for executing S215 and the like. Also, S
The portion for executing 211 constitutes a number input state correspondence selecting means.

In the above embodiment, when the recording flag F _P is reset, the recording request command is immediately written in the FP register 350. However, the recording request command may be written after the set time has elapsed. Good.
When a report recording request is issued, the recording device 29
Whether or not is recordable or impossible
Although the report recording request flag 258 has been set, it may be set only when the recording device 28 is in a recording-disabled state. An example is shown in FIG.

In S270 of FIG. 34, it is determined whether or not the recording wait flag 274 is set. As described above, when S270 is executed first, the recording wait flag 274 is not set. Therefore, the judgment is N
O is determined, and in S271, it is determined whether or not the report recording request flag 258 is set. When the report recording request operation is performed by the operator, the determination in S271 is YES, but otherwise, the report recording request flag 258 is not set unless the set time is reached. If the report recording request operation is not performed by the operator and the set time has not come, the determination in S271 is also made in S27.
The determination in 2 is also NO, and the process returns to S270.

If the [0203] set time, an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in S272, in S273, the recording flag F _P
Is set or not. Recording device 29
Is being recorded and if the recording flag _FP is set,
In S274, a report recording request flag is set. Next, when S271 is executed, the determination is Y because the report recording request flag 258 is set.
It becomes ES, S272 is skipped, and S273 is executed. If recording is still in progress, the determination is YES
Then, after execution of S274, S270 is executed. Hereafter, S270, S271, 273,
274 is repeatedly executed. When the recording in the recording device 29 is completed, the recording flag _FP is reset and S
The determination at 273 is NO, and at S275,
The recording request command is written to the FP register 350.

[0204] Thereafter, as in the case described above, in S276, the recording flag F _P whether switched from the set state to the reset state is determined. It is determined whether or not the recording of the communication management report has been completed.
If S276 is executed first, the determination is NO, and the recording wait flag 275 is set in S277.

[0205] Therefore, when S270 is executed next, the determination is YES, and S276 is executed. If the recording of the communication management report ends, the determination in S276 becomes YES, and in S278 and S279,
Recording wait flag 274, report recording request flag 258
Is reset.

[0206] Further, in the above embodiment, the recording flag F _P is reset, so that the recording request command has had come to be written to the FP register 350, written after becoming recordable state It may be. In this case, in S273, not only whether or not recording is being performed, but also whether or not the paper is clogged, whether or not the recording paper is present, whether or not the cartridge is not required may be detected. This is because even if the recording flag _FP is reset, recording cannot be performed when the recording device 29 is in a paper clogging state or a recording paper out state.
In this case, the paper jam detector 64 and the recording paper sensor 2
0, a portion for processing these output signals of the toner remaining amount detecting device 100 and the recording control portion 9 and a portion for determining the state of the recording device 29 based on these detection results of the facsimile control portion 8, and the like. The detecting means is configured.

Furthermore, even if the report request is not stored, it may be repeatedly issued until the recording permission command is written in the PF register 352. That is, the report recording request command is written to the FP register 350 until the recording permission command is written to the PF register 352. In this case, a report recording request is issued until the recording device 29 changes from the recording impossible state to the recording possible state. An example is shown in FIG.
It is shown in FIG. In S290 of FIG. 35, it is determined whether or not the recording waiting flag 274 has been set, as in the case described above.
Is set. Recurrence required flag 2
Reference numeral 75 denotes a flag that is set when it is necessary to generate a report recording request again when the recording device 29 is in a recording-disabled state even when a report recording request is issued. Next, in S292, it is determined whether or not the set time has come. If the set time has come, the determination is YES, and in S293, the report recording request command is set to F
Written to the P register 350.

At S294, it is determined whether or not a command indicating recording permission has been written to the PF register 352 by the recording control unit 9. If not, the determination is NO, and in S295, the recurrence necessary flag 27
5 is set. Even if the report recording request command is written in the FP register 350, if the recording control unit 9 is not in a state in which recording is permitted, a command indicating recording permission is not written in the PF register 352. Next, S290 is executed, but here, the determination is NO because the recording waiting flag 274 is not set. On the other hand, since the recurrence necessary flag 275 is set, the determination in S291 is YES. In S293, the report recording request command is written into the FP register 350 again.

Here, if a command indicating recording permission is not written, S295.290, 291,
293 is executed, and the report recording request command is written to the FP register. Hereinafter, the above-described execution is repeated until a command indicating recording permission is written. If written command indicating a write permission, in S296, whether the recording flag F _P is switched to the reset from the set is determined, below, are executed in the same manner as in the above.

In this embodiment, a report recording request is issued until a recording permission command is written in the recording control unit 9, and a storage means for storing the recording request is not required. Also, S2 of the facsimile control unit 8
The portion where steps 93 and 294 are executed constitutes a recurrence means. The part that executes S294 is also a recording device state detection unit that detects the state of the recording device. However, in this embodiment, not only whether or not recording is being performed, but also the recording device 29 can record the communication management report comprehensively. An impossible state or a possible state is detected. For example, when it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is not full as in S175 of the recording control program corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the first embodiment, the recording rejection command is written to the PF register 352.

Here, a step of determining whether or not the report recording request flag 258 is set between S291 and S292 may be provided similarly to S271 of the facsimile section report recording control program of FIG.
In that case, it is necessary to reset the report recording request flag 258 after the report recording is completed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the facsimile apparatus 2 is in one of the states of recording end, paper jam, no recording paper, and no cartridge, an audio signal representing a message is output. However, the alarm may be issued only when the recording is completed, only when the paper is clogged, when only the recording paper is absent, or when only the cartridge is absent. The end of recording, paper, that is, no recording paper, no cartridge, and the like are all states related to recording of the facsimile apparatus 2, but an audio signal indicating a state related to reading such as a state where the document 120 is jammed is output. It can also be done. Further, in the above embodiment, the audio signal output device includes the audio synthesizing unit, but may include an audio reproducing unit. In that case, the message is recorded in advance on a recording tape or the like (by voice), and the voice is reproduced. In this case, the recording tape serves as the state information storage means. Further, in the speech synthesis mechanism 236, the speech signal is synthesized by the waveform coding method, but may be synthesized by the generation source coding method or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control section is divided into the facsimile control section 8 and the recording control section 9. However, the control section need not always be divided, and may be controlled by one CPU. . FAX data recording request flag 332, PC data recording request flag 3
30, the image reading data recording request flag 334, the recording flag F _P recording waiting flag 289, recurrent need flag 275
The flags, the data buffer, and the memory may be provided in the RAM 202 of the facsimile control unit 8 or may be provided in the RAM 302 of the recording control unit 9.

Further, the ROM 304 of the recording control unit 9
The pattern stored in the pattern memory 342 of
Although it was 400 dpi, it may be 200 dpi. In that case, dot data is created at a resolution corresponding to fine, and recording is performed.
A plurality of patterns may be stored in the pattern memory 342 in accordance with a typeface such as a Gothic type or a Mincho type.
In that case, dot data is created based on a pattern corresponding to the typeface instructed from the personal computer 4.

Further, the facsimile unit message output program may be executed by interruption by a hardware circuit. That is, when the recording end, paper jam state, no recording paper state, and no cartridge state are detected,
The execution of the program is started. In that case, S227 and subsequent steps in FIG. 13 are executed.

The computer connected to the facsimile apparatus 2 may be any computer as long as it can output image data to the recording control section 9, and may be, for example, a word processor. Furthermore, although the personal computer 4 in the above embodiment has the function of instructing recording, it does not have to have the function of instructing recording. What is necessary is just to be able to output image data to the facsimile machine 2. In that case, it is only necessary to be able to instruct the start of output of the image data to the facsimile machine 2.

Further, in the above embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 2 and the other party telephone 228 are connected to the general subscriber telephone line 2.
23, 225, but may be connected by a dedicated telephone line. In this case, a voice representing a message is emitted via a telephone having a registered telephone number within a predetermined range such as within the same business entity or company.

In the above embodiment, the priority of the received image data received by the facsimile control unit 8 is high, the image data output from the personal computer 4, the read image data read by the image reading device 42, Although the priority of the image data based on the information is assumed to be low, the priority may be determined based on another criterion. For example, the priority of the image data based on the communication related information may be high. This is because if the communication related information is recorded at 0:00, the operator is often not near the facsimile machine at that time. Similarly, when recording is performed when the remaining capacity of the communication related information memory 252 is equal to or less than the set amount, there is a high possibility that the operator is not near the facsimile machine at the time of recording. Therefore, in this case as well, it is desirable that the priority of the image data based on the communication-related information be high.

Further, in the above embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 2 switches to three output modes: a state permitting only recording, a state permitting only transmission, and a state permitting both transmission and recording. Although it was possible, two states, one in which only transmission is permitted and the other in which only recording is permitted
Even if it can be switched to one of two output modes, even if it can be switched to two output modes of a state allowing only recording and a state allowing both recording and transmission,
It may be possible to switch between two output modes such as a state in which only transmission is permitted and a state in which both transmission and recording are permitted.

In the above embodiment, the received image data,
When recording image data corresponding to communication-related information represented by read image data and compression-encoded data,
When the image data corresponding to the communication-related information represented by the character code is recorded under the control of the facsimile control unit 8, the control is performed by the recording control unit 9. May be controlled by either the facsimile control unit 8 or the recording control unit 9.

When all the data is controlled by the facsimile control section 9, the facsimile control section 8 may convert the character data into dot data.

Also, all the image data are stored in the recording control unit 9.
In this case, the facsimile control unit 8 may decode the compression-encoded received image data, convert the data into dot data, and write the dot data into the FP register 350. As shown in FIG. 24, dot data is written into the FP register 350 line by line.

The dot data written in the FP register 350 is stored in the FAX unit input data buffer 324 in the recording control unit 9 by interruption, and is based on the recording unit FAX received image data recording program shown in the flowchart of FIG. Recording. Data is read from the FAX-side input data buffer 324 in units of 8 bits, and sequentially transferred to the recording temporary buffer 320. If the read data is data indicating the end of one line, the dot data stored in the recording temporary buffer 320 is transferred to the recording buffer 322, and the read data is data indicating the end of one page. If, the drum motor 43 is started. Hereinafter, similarly, the dot data stored in the recording buffer 322 is supplied to the laser emitting unit 36 for each row, and the scanning is performed while the laser light is controlled accordingly.

Further, in the above embodiment, the personal computer 4 is connected only to the recording control section 9 as shown in FIG. 7, but it may be connected to the facsimile control section 8 as well. For example, from the personal computer 4 to the facsimile control unit
8 , a command to instruct recording is output.
In that case, the recording request command is
Will be written to. Therefore, the recording control program corresponding to the recording unit toner remaining amount represented by the flowchart of FIG. 27 is executed by interruption when the recording request command is written in the FP register 350.

Further, between S167 and S169 in the recording control program corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the recording section of the above embodiment,
A step is provided for determining whether or not the facsimile number of the transmission destination has been input to the facsimile apparatus 2 and whether or not the transmission only flag 338 has been set. If all the determinations are YES, the personal computer 4
May be transmitted. This is because transmission may be performed when the remaining amount of toner is near empty or empty.

Although not specifically exemplified, the present invention can be carried out in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of a facsimile apparatus equipped with a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a personal computer connected to the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an operation panel of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a developing device of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inside of a toner cartridge attached to the developing device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a toner remaining amount detecting device included in the developing device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 8 shows the RA of the facsimile control unit of the control unit;
FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of M.

FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing a configuration of a ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing a configuration of an EEPROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of a RAM of a recording control unit of the control unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram conceptually showing a configuration of R0M of the recording control unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a facsimile unit PF register input interrupt program stored in a ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a recording unit parallel data recording program stored in a ROM of the recording control unit.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a facsimile decoding program stored in the ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an interrupt A program stored in a ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an interrupt B program stored in a ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt C program stored in a ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a one-line recording interruption program stored in a ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing a decoding management table stored in a ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a recording unit one-page recording start processing program stored in a ROM of the recording control unit.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a recording unit one-page recording end processing program stored in a ROM of the recording control unit.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a recording unit decryption FAX unit output program stored in the ROM of the recording control unit.

FIG. 24 is a diagram conceptually showing data written in a PF register when the above-mentioned recording unit decryption FAX unit output recording program is executed.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a facsimile encoding program stored in a ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a facsimile data interrupt transmission program stored in the ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a recording control program corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the recording unit stored in the ROM of the recording control unit.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a recording unit toner remaining amount interruption detection program stored in the ROM of the recording control unit.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a light receiving state and a light blocking state in a light receiving section of the toner detecting device.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a recording unit facsimile apparatus state corresponding output control program stored in a ROM of the recording control unit.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a facsimile message output program stored in the ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a facsimile unit automatic report recording request generation program stored in the ROM of the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a facsimile section report recording control program stored in the ROM of the facsimile control section.

FIG. 34 shows a facsimile stored in a ROM of a facsimile control unit of a facsimile apparatus different from the facsimile apparatus.
It is a flowchart showing a report report control program.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a facsimile report recording control program stored in the ROM of the facsimile control unit of another facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a recording unit FAX reception image data recording program stored in a ROM of a recording control unit of a facsimile apparatus having a recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 8 facsimile control unit 9 recording control unit 20 recording paper sensor 29 recording device 33 developing device 34 laser light scanning device 36 laser light emitting unit 64 paper clogging detection device 80, 82 stirring member 100 toner remaining amount detecting device 104 wiper 105 light emitting unit 106 light receiving Unit 154 Toner remaining amount indicator 220 Speaker 258 Report recording request flag 280 Recording end data memory 282 Paper or status data memory 284 No recording paper status data memory 292 Registration dial memory 336 Recording / transmission flag 338 Transmission only flag

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-63-74078 (JP, A) JP-A-2-162374 (JP, A) JP-A-4-140762 (JP, A) JP-A-3-162720 (JP, A) JP-A-5-318867 (JP, A) JP-A-7-314783 (JP, A) JP-A-61-175653 (JP, A) JP-A-63-89872 (JP, A) 60-11863 (JP, A) JP-A-5-30240 (JP, A) Patent 2959394 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-540 B41J 2/485 B41J 29/46

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A based on the image data, and a recording unit for recording an image on a toner by a recording medium the toner storage container, and the toner remaining amount detecting device for detecting the toner remaining amount of the toner accommodating container, wherein Information related to the image data itself and the information
Based on at least one of the
Priority determining means for determining priorities, and the same toner detected by the toner remaining amount detecting device.
The priority is higher than the remaining amount by the priority determination means.
For the image data determined to be
Allows toner recording, but determines that priority is low
Image data that has been
A recording permission / prohibition determining means for prohibiting recording by the recording apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording permission / prohibition determining unit determines that the priority is higher when the remaining amount of toner detected by the toner remaining amount detecting device is larger than an unrecordable amount but smaller than a set amount. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein recording of the image data is permitted, but recording of the low-priority image data is prohibited. 3. The recording permission / prohibition determining means,
Toner is too high
The lower the priority is, the more the recording of the image data is permitted.
The recording device according to claim 1. 4. The recording unit is provided from a plurality of external devices.
The recording is performed based on the supplied image data.
And the priority judging means receives the image data
Related to the image data.
External device for determining the priority of the image data as information
4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a device correspondence priority determining means.
A recording device according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. Further, A non-toner controlling the recording unit based on the image data;
-Save recording control unit, The dot formation rate is lower than the image data and the image data
Form a recorded image that can recognize the original image corresponding to the data
Toner for controlling the recording unit based on recording image data
A save record control unit, The recording permission / prohibition determining means,
When recording of image data is permitted,
Between the toner save recording control unit and the toner save recording control unit
One of the two is determined based on the remaining amount of toner and the priority.
And a recording control section selecting means for selecting the recording control section.
5. The recording device according to any one of Items 4 to 4.