JP3176135B2 - Image communication device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus using a printer system developed as a peripheral device such as a computer as a recording unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a facsimile recording apparatus, a thermal head has been mainly used as a device. However, in recent years, the spread of plain paper facsimile has been demanded, and the adoption of a recording method instead of thermal head has been actively studied in facsimile.

[0003] One example is the use of a laser beam printer (LBP). A device originally developed as a recording device as a computer terminal was considered to be applied as a facsimile recording device. LBP
Is composed of a recording control unit for controlling the recording itself and an interface control unit for interfacing with the computer. Further, these two control units are configured in a clearly independent manner in terms of hardware. Because LBP
Since the recording control itself is complicated, if a CPU with good cost performance is selected, only the recording control
In order to use up all of the capabilities of each computer manufacturer and the interface in various forms depending on the computer manufacturer, the interface control could independently comply with the specifications of each company without affecting the recording control unit This is because there is a merit on both the manufacturer side and the user side. Therefore, when the LBP is used as a recording device of a facsimile apparatus, an interface control unit of the LBP is formed in a form suitable for a facsimile signal form. For example, it is indispensable for a computer terminal to create font data using a character code, but it is not necessary for a facsimile machine, and instead, it is indispensable to record an image using raw data. In addition, a signal for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium such as toner is indispensable for a facsimile apparatus that performs automatic reception.

On the other hand, a plain paper recording system using an ink jet printer which is less expensive and can be made smaller than LBP, for example, a printer which ejects ink droplets by causing a state change in ink by using thermal energy, has attracted attention. Basically LB for inkjet printers
Like P, it has two control units for recording and interface. However, since an ink jet printer is a low cost and compact type recording device and requires less speed for recording control than LBP, one CPU is required.
Controls both recording and interface.

[0005]

In order to use such an ink-jet printer as a facsimile recording apparatus, it is necessary to change only the interface control and recreate an interface which is easy to use for the facsimile apparatus. In the case where the control is performed by the control, there is a possibility that the change may affect the recording control unit.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image communication device capable of realizing low-cost control without trouble when a printer used as a terminal of a personal computer or the like is used as a recording unit of the image communication device. .

[0007]

An image communication apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a receiving means for receiving data; a decoding means for decoding data received by the receiving means; and a receiving means and the decoding means. Communication control means for controlling, first transmission means for transmitting data decoded by the decoding means in a signal format conforming to a predetermined printer interface, and ink in accordance with the data transmitted via the first transmission means. An ink jet recording unit that records an image on a recording material by discharging ink, a recording control unit that controls an operation of the recording unit and a receiving operation of data transmitted by the first transmission unit, and a communication control unit. A second transmitting means for transmitting a first instruction signal output to set the recording means to an on state or an off state to the recording control means; A third transmission unit that transmits a state signal indicating that the recording unit is in an on state or an off state from the recording control unit to the communication control unit; and a first transmission unit that is output from the communication control unit. A fourth transmission means for transmitting a second instruction signal to the recording control means for setting an online state in which data can be received via the means, and a state signal indicating that the recording means is in an online state; A fifth transmission unit for transmitting from the recording control unit to the communication control unit, wherein the online state is set according to the second instruction unit when the recording unit is set to the on state. When the setting is possible and the recording unit is in the off state, the recording control unit checks the first instruction signal, and checks the data transmitted by the first transmission unit and the second transmission signal.示信 issue is characterized to ignore.

Thus, the recording means is set to the online state by the communication control means, and the received data transmitted in a signal format conforming to a predetermined printer interface via the first transmission means is recorded.

[0009]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, a main body 1 of the facsimile apparatus is a facsimile apparatus including a serial recording type ink jet recording unit described later.

This facsimile apparatus, as shown in FIG.
The operation panel 20 is provided on the front edge of the upper surface 201b of the main body 201.
2 are provided. On the lower rear side of the operation panel 202, a document table 204 having a lid 204b that can be freely opened and closed is provided.
After a plurality of originals are stored on the original platen 204, the width of the originals is adjusted by the guides 204a, and then the originals are moved one by one in the direction of arrow A so that the originals are placed on the front side surface 201a of the main body 201. An original reading unit, which will be described later, reads an original while discharging the original into the opening 203 provided.

A serial recording type ink jet recording apparatus, which will be described later, is provided below the document reading section.
The sheet tray 206 for supplying the sheet S is detachably attached to the main body 1 in an oblique direction. The recording paper S sent out from the sheet table 206 in the direction of the arrow B1 for each sheet is stored in the main body 1 after image data recording. It is discharged in the direction of arrow B2 from a discharge port 207 provided on the front surface 201a of the 201.
It is also possible to perform recording on recording paper that is manually supplied and fed in the direction of arrow C or D in the figure.

Next, FIG. 2 is a main sectional view of FIG. 1, and shows main parts of each built-in component. In this figure, the upper surface 20 of the main body 201 indicated by a chain line
An operation panel 202 is provided at the front edge of 1b, and a key 202a and a display 202b mounted on a substrate 202c are provided to be exposed to the outside through a hole formed integrally with the operation panel 202.

On the other hand, at the lower left of the operation panel 202, the original E shown in FIG.
A document reading unit for reading a document while discharging the document E is provided in an opening 203 provided in a front side surface 201a of the document 01.

The configuration of the document reading unit is as follows: a contact sensor 208 for reading the document E in direct contact with the document surface.
And a feed roller 209 that is rotated in a pressed state with respect to the reading unit of the contact sensor 208. In order to send out a plurality of documents that can be placed on the document table 204 one by one to the contact sensor 208 side, a separation piece 210 and a separation feed roller 211 are provided further upstream of the contact sensor 208.

On the other hand, the ink jet recording apparatus of the serial recording type is provided with a carriage 213 which is substantially vertical as shown in FIG. B1
The recording paper S fed in the direction is configured so that no unreasonable deformation occurs. Here, the sheet table 2
When a sheet cartridge is provided instead of 06,
By providing the sheet so that it can be inserted and removed in the direction of arrow C in the drawing, the deformation at the time of conveying the sheet is further reduced.

In this embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus which uses ink to generate a state change in ink and discharges ink droplets is preferably used as the ink jet recording apparatus. For example, a known inkjet recording apparatus may be used.

Next, the construction of this ink jet recording apparatus is as follows: a carriage 213 slidable by guide shafts 214a and 214b to be reciprocally driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) in the front and back directions of the paper, and the carriage 213 A recording scan for recording and scanning in the horizontal direction of the recording paper by an ink cartridge 212 integral with the recording head and a platen 215 fixed to the main body 101 and serving as a fixing table for the recording paper during recording. Department.

On the other hand, there is no effect even if the rubber roller 217, the pressure contact piece 216, the sheet guide 218, and the recording surface which is not sufficiently dried after ink jet recording are driven by a driving unit (not shown) provided in the main body. The sheet feeding unit includes the roller 222 configured as described above and the driving roller 223, and discharges in the direction of arrow B2 after recording on the recording sheet S fed in the direction of arrow B1.

At this time, as described later, the print information on the recording paper is read by the sensor 240, which is a reflection type sensor, and it is checked whether the black information is printed normally.
The presence or absence of ink in the ink cartridge 212 is detected.

Here, the roller 222 and the sensor 240
Is a lid 22 which is rotatable to open and close with respect to the main body 201.
The ink cartridge 212 can be easily replaced after the lid 226 is opened, and the jammed recording sheet can be easily removed, for example.

A driven roller 219 is further provided in a pressed state on the outer peripheral surface of the rubber roller 217 described above, and one sheet fed in the direction of arrow D in the drawing is inserted through the opening 229. The sheet is guided along the sheet guide 218 and sent to the platen 215 to enable recording.

Next, a plurality of recording papers S are accommodated in the sheet table 206 in a stacked manner, and are separated by a separation feed roller 220 and a feed roller 221 as a sheet separation mechanism.
The sheet is fed between the pressure contact piece 216 and the rubber roller 217 for each sheet.

The feed roller 221 causes the recording paper S to undergo bending deformation by an angle θ, but is much smaller than a half turn of 180 degrees as in the prior art, so that the influence on the recording paper S is small.

In the facsimile apparatus described above, the original E is sent out in the direction of arrow A during transmission, and the transmission is performed. Further, at the time of reception, the separation feed roller 220 is driven to feed one sheet of recording paper between the guide portion 218 a of the sheet guide 218 and the feed roller 221, and subsequently, between the pressure contact piece 216 and the rubber roller 217. Incidentally, 25
Numeral 0 denotes a recording paper sensor for detecting the leading and trailing ends of the recording paper, and is used for various recording controls and detection of conveyance failure as described later.

Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed stepwise in the direction of the arrow B2 and a predetermined dot (360 dp in this example) is conveyed.
The recording for one column of 64 dots at the resolution of i) is repeatedly performed, and after the recording for one recording sheet is completed, the sheet is discharged from the discharge port 207 to the outside.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 indicates that the recording resolution for recording on the recording paper is 360 dp in the main scanning direction.
i, an ink jet recording device unit using an ink jet recording head of 360 dpi in the sub-scanning direction, 2 a resolution conversion circuit for converting a resolution of 8 fels in the main scanning direction of facsimile to 360 dpi which is a recording resolution of the recording device unit 1 in the main scanning direction; Is a resolution of 360 dpi and a main scanning direction of 6.
A horizontal / vertical conversion circuit for outputting four lines of data (hereinafter referred to as block data) in 8-bit units in the sub-scanning direction from the first pixel of the first line, and 4 is a facsimile-received MH or MR.
A reception buffer 4a for temporarily storing encoded image data, a reception memory 4b having a capacity for storing several pages received by facsimile with MR-encoded image data, a resolution of 8 pel and a main scanning direction 1 Line buffers 4c and 360 each having a capacity to store the raw data for the line
a memory comprising a block buffer 4d having a capacity to store raw data for 64 lines in the main scanning direction at a resolution of dpi;
Reference numeral 5 denotes a code decoding unit including a decoding unit 5a that decodes image data encoded by MH and MR and has an error line detection function, and an encoding unit 5b that encodes raw data into MH and MR. It consists of. 6 is M
ODEM, 7 is for transmitting originals and copy originals in the main scanning direction 8p
el, sub-scanning direction 3.851 / mm or 7.71 / m
a reading unit for reading at a resolution of m; 8, a counter for counting the number of clocks of the input signal; 9, a centro transmission circuit for transmitting input data, 8-bit parallel data conforming to the Centronics interface;
The output ports A and 11 having five ports are input ports A and 12 having five ports, and
Monitor and control up to 1, interrupt control and D
This is a microprocessor CPUA having a built-in MA transfer function and capable of performing program processing for decoding MR. Note that an 8-bit data bus connected to each component from the CPU A12 is not shown.

Next, the structure of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 will be described. Reference numeral 101 denotes a centro receiving circuit for receiving 8-bit parallel data conforming to the Centronics interface, and reference numeral 102 denotes a nozzle having a recording density of 360 dpi in the sub-scanning direction and having 64 dots of rows, and causing a state change in the ink by using thermal energy. A recording head 103 of an ink jet recording system for discharging ink and recording an image on recording paper; a memory 103 for storing block data; and a recording head 102 corresponding to the data of this memory
A print control unit 104 comprising a driver for performing thermal control of each nozzle, a print head transport 104 which transports the print head 102 with a feed accuracy of 360 dpi steps in the main scanning direction in synchronization with the timing of ink discharge control of the print control unit 103 And 105, a recording paper feed / discharge and recording head 102
36 for determining the position in the sub-scanning direction when recording with
A recording paper transport unit having a feed accuracy of 0 dpi step, 1
Reference numeral 06 denotes a recording paper sensor (corresponding to 250 in FIG. 2) for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper and for detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording paper.
Reference numeral 07 denotes a reflection type photosensor (corresponding to 240 in FIG. 2) for detecting the density of a recording surface on recording, 108 denotes an input port B having four ports, 109 denotes an output port B having three ports, 110 Are the above components 101 to 10
A microprocessor CPUB monitors and controls up to 5, 108 and 109. Also, an 8-bit data bus connected from the CPUB 110 to each component is not shown.

Next, the interrupt signal input to the CPU A12 will be described. An interrupt signal MODEI 21 indicates that the MODEM 6 has finished transmitting the previous transmission data at the time of transmission, and indicates that the next transmission data is ready for input, and that the received data is ready for output with eight bits aligned at the time of reception. Interrupt signal S indicating that the read data of unit 7 is ready for output
HI and 23 are interrupt signals ENDI indicating that the decoding unit 5a has completed decoding of one line of image data and that a line error has been detected. 24 is an image of the resolution conversion circuit 2 for one line in the main scanning direction. Interrupt signal RCN indicating that data resolution conversion has been completed
I and 25 are interrupt signals HCNI indicating that the horizontal / vertical conversion circuit 3 has met the centro transmission circuit 9 and has finished transmitting one block of image data that has been horizontally and vertically converted, and that the next block data can be input. It is.

Next, the transfer direction of the DMA transfer by the 8-bit bus of the CPU A12 will be described. Reference numeral 31 denotes a DMA # 0 for transferring MH or MR code data stored in the reception buffer 4a to the decoding unit 5a, and reference numeral 32 denotes a DMA # 1 for transferring data coded by the coding unit 5b to the reception memory 4b. Reference numeral 33 denotes a DMA # 2 for transferring one block of data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion circuit 2 to the block buffer 4d.

Centro transmitting circuit 9 and centro receiving circuit 1
To explain the centro signal during 01, 9a is 8
The data lines PD0-7 and 9b of the bit parallel data are the data strobe signals PSTB and 101a which make up the timing of taking in the signal line 9a, and the status signal B which informs the centro transmission circuit 9 that the data cannot be received.
USY, and the data on the signal lines PD0 to PD7 is fetched while the data strobe signal PSTB is at a low level.
FIG. 9 shows the timing of these signals. By using such a control signal, the recording device unit 1 can be controlled by the CPU 12 in the same manner as when a printer is controlled by a personal computer.

Next, from the output port A10 to the input port B
The signal connected to 108 will be described. These signals are signals for controlling the recording device unit 1 by the CPU A12. The control signal POWS for turning on / off the recording device 1 controls the recording device 1 to a high level, a low level, and a high level (hereinafter referred to as a low pulse). POWS1 in ON state
When 0a is set to a low pulse, the recording apparatus section 1 immediately moves the recording head 102 to the home position by the recording head transport section 104, stops all operations, and enters the off state. In the off state, the recording unit 1 monitors only the low level signal of the POWS 10a, so that other signals 10b-d described below and the centro signals 9a and 9b described above are ignored. Reference numeral 10b denotes a control signal ONLS for setting the recording device unit 1 to an offline / online state, and this state (online state) can be selected alternately by one low pulse. In the online state, the centro receiving circuit 101 becomes operable. The signals 10a and 10b are turned on when the power is turned on.
Becomes high level, and the online state is set. 1
Reference numeral 0c denotes a control signal LFDS for line-feeding the recording paper in the sub-scanning direction with a low pulse of 1 second or less in the off-line state and performing form feed with a low pulse of 1 second or more. 10d is a signal PPAP corresponding to the presence or absence of the recording paper at the position of the recording paper sensor 106. The recording paper sensor 106 is ON at a low level (the recording paper is at the sensor position).
At the high level, this signal is a signal for causing the recording apparatus 1 to perform an operation corresponding to the OFF state of the recording paper sensor 106 (a state in which the recording paper is not at the sensor position).

Next, from the output port B109 to the input port A
A status signal indicating the status of the recording device unit 1 connected to 11 will be described. A signal POW 109a indicates an ON state at a high level and an OFF state at a low level.
L and 109b are a signal ONLL which indicates a high level at the online state and a low level which indicates the offline state, and 109c is a signal ERRL which is at the high level and indicates the error state at the low level.

From the recording paper sensor 106 to the input port A11
The signal line 106a is connected to the low level and the recording paper sensor 106 is in the ON state (the state where the recording paper is at the sensor position), and at the high level, the recording paper sensor 106 is in the OFF state (the state where the recording paper is not at the sensor position). ) Is the status signal PAP.

FIG. 13 shows the state of the recording unit 1 represented by the signal lines 109a-c and 106a. This allows the CPU
A12 can know what state the recording device unit 1 is in. ST1 is an off state, ST2 is an offline state, ST3 is an online state indicating a recordable state, S
T4 is a recording paper jam error state in which the recording paper is jammed in the recording paper transport system, or is not ejected within a predetermined time because a recording paper having a length longer than a predetermined length is set, S
T5 is a home position error state when the print head 102 cannot be moved even when the print head 102 is moved to the home position. ST6 is a memory error when a failure is detected by checking the ROM and RAM of the CPU B 110 and the RAM of the print control unit 103. Represents. In the case of ST4, the "recording paper jam" is displayed on the display unit 202b by the CPU A12.
A display is displayed to urge the operator to remove the recording paper from the recording paper transport system. At this time, the operation unit 202 by the operator
When the stop key is pressed, the CPUA 12
Form feed is performed by a low pulse of the FDS 10c for one second or longer, and the recording paper is discharged. In the case of ST5 and ST6, the CPUA 12 displays "Printer Error" on the display unit 202b, displays a status indicating that recording is not possible, and prompts a return operation. When the stop key of the operation unit 202 is pressed, the CPU A12 sets the POWS 10a to a low pulse, sets the state of ST1, and sets the low pulse again to set the state of ST2. If ST5 or ST6 is reached again, "printer error" is kept displayed to show that the recording device unit 1 cannot return from the error state.

A signal line 107c connected from the photosensor 107 to the input port A11 is at a high level when the photosensor 107 detects below a predetermined density (white) and at a low level when it detects above a predetermined density (black). This is a status signal to be displayed.

A signal 110a connected to the counter 8 from the CPUB 110 is a clock signal PFCLK for counting how many steps the recording paper has been transported in the sub-scanning direction by the recording paper transport unit 105. FIG. 10 shows a circuit diagram of this detail.

Reference numeral 105a denotes a motor driver, and 105b denotes a recording paper transport motor. The control signal for motor phase excitation of the CPU B110 is supplied to the PFCLK 110a by logic as shown in FIG.
Is making. Therefore, PF is required for two steps of recording paper conveyance.
One clock is generated as CLK. By reading the value of the counter 8, the CPU 12 can know how many steps the recording paper transport unit 105 has transported the recording paper.

Next, the operation principle of the resolution conversion circuit 2 will be described.

First, the ratio between the resolution of a read or received image and the resolution of recording is as follows. Main scanning direction 8 pel ÷ 360 dpi = 0.564 Sub scanning direction 7.71ine / mm ÷ 360 dpi =
0.543

As described above, in a facsimile apparatus having different reading and recording resolutions or a recording density different from the facsimile communication resolution, it is necessary to record at the same magnification as the original at the time of reception or copying, as shown in FIG. A resolution conversion circuit is required. Original data 9b in main scanning direction
it to 16 bits, and 6 bits to 11 bits in the sub-scanning direction.
When it is expanded to “it”, 0.564 × (16/9) = 1.003 in the main scanning direction, and 0.543 × (11/6) = 0.996 in the sub-scanning direction, and recording can be performed at approximately the same magnification.

FIG. 7 is a diagram simply illustrating the concept of resolution conversion when copying and recording a read image and receiving and recording a received image. Here, 50a indicates resolution conversion in the main scanning direction, and the read pixel 51a is replaced by 51a 'for two recording pixels, and 53a is replaced by 5a for one recording pixel.
By replacing with 3a ', 1: 1 recording in the main scanning direction becomes possible. This resolution conversion circuit 2 performs resolution conversion in the main scanning direction and is realized by a simple latch circuit.

Reference numeral 50b denotes resolution conversion in the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning is performed by replacing one line 51b of read pixels with 51b 'of two lines of recording pixels and 53b' of one line of recording pixels like 53b. The same-size recording in the scanning direction becomes possible. In the sub-scanning direction, the same line is twice written under software control by the CPU A12.

(Reception Operation) Next, the operation of facsimile reception will be described.

At the time of facsimile reception, each time one byte data is collected in the MODEM 6, the CPU 21 is interrupted by the MODEI 21 and the data of the MODEM 6 is written into the reception buffer 4a. When a predetermined amount of data is written into the reception buffer 4a, the CPU 12
a is transferred by DMA # 0, and when the transfer is completed, this is repeated until a predetermined amount of data in the reception buffer 4a is written. When the decoding unit 5a completes decoding of one line, an interrupt is generated by ENDI-23 and the decoding unit 5a
From the result of a, the normal line and the line in which the transmission error has occurred are counted. When the reception of one page is completed, the ratio of the error line to the total line is calculated. If the ratio is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the reception is determined to be abnormal, and the RTP or RTN is returned in response to the Q command. If the value is less than the predetermined value, the MCF is returned in response to the Q command. The line data normally decoded by the decoding unit 5a is coded into MR by the coding unit 5b, transferred to the receiving memory 4b by DMA # 1 and managed by the CPU A12 for each page. Since the code decoder 5 is constituted by hardware, it is processed at a very high speed, and the processing contents that must be processed immediately are interrupted into the main program. Further, if the above processing is performed, the alternate reception by the memory can be performed in a state where the recording device unit 1 cannot perform recording due to the absence of recording paper or ink.

The code data of the receiving memory 4b is transferred to the CPU A1.
The data is developed into one line of raw data by MR decoding processing by software processing 2 and written into the line buffer 4c. When this one-line raw data is written into the resolution conversion circuit 2, the image data whose resolution has been converted is converted into a block buffer 4d by DMA # 2.
Is forwarded to When the transfer is completed, the RCNI notifies the CPUA 12 via an interrupt. When data of 64 lines is written into the block buffer 4d while repeating this and performing the resolution conversion in the sub-scanning direction by the CPU A12, the block data is converted into a horizontal / vertical conversion circuit 3.
Write to. When data for one block is written, the horizontal / vertical conversion circuit 3 automatically transfers the converted data to the centro transmission circuit 9, and the centro transmission circuit 9 starts to transfer the data to the centro reception circuit 101. When one block of data is transferred to the recording unit 1 as centro data, HCNI
25 notifies the CPUA 12 of an interrupt.

As described above, the end of the processing of the components other than the CPUA 12 can be known by interruption, and the data transfer is performed by DMA as much as possible, so that the CPUA 12 can execute the facsimile communication protocol and the software decoding processing in the main program. So that you can concentrate on it.

(Recording Operation) The recording operation of the recording device 1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an essential part of the recording device section 1 to show the arrangement of each component. Reference numeral 111 denotes a recording paper. When the recording paper 111 is not present at the detection position 107a of the photo sensor 107, a black member is used at the detection position 107a so that the reflected light of the photo sensor 107 disappears. FIG. 11 shows a circuit for binarizing the output of the photosensor 107. By appropriately setting the reference voltage 107b, the detection output 107c can be determined according to the magnitude of the reflected light at the detection position 107a. When the detection position 107a is equal to or lower than a predetermined density, as in the case where a white background of the recording paper S is detected, the reflected light increases.
The detection output 107c is at a high level (white level). When a portion recorded on the recording paper 111 by the recording head 102 is detected, or when the density is higher than a predetermined density such as when there is no recording paper S, the reflected light becomes small. Black level).

FIG. 5 shows the recording paper sensor 106 and the photo sensor 1.
07 which shows the positional relationship with respect to the recording paper 112
Denotes a footer mark for detecting the remaining amount of ink and a recording position thereof, which will be described later. Here, the recording paper sensor 106,
The photo sensor 107 and the mark 112 are arranged so as to be aligned. These are arranged at the left end of the recordable range of the recording head 102 on the recording paper 111. Further, the footer mark recording position is set at a position where a white recording paper of a predetermined length always remains at the rear end of the recording paper 111.

Next, control for recording a facsimile reception image received by the centro reception circuit 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the CPU A12 determines that the recording paper sensor 106 is in the ON state at the end of recording, that is, the number of lines (2 Lb) at which the trailing edge of the recording paper does not pass through the sensor 106. Transfer of image data is started (S1). Note that the image data is transmitted to the centro receiving circuit 101.
CPUB110 moves the printhead 102 from the home position to the idle discharge position by the printhead transport unit 104 at the time when a predetermined amount is stored in the buffer 103a in the print control unit 103 via In order to remove the thickened ink, ink droplets are ejected from all the nozzles, that is, so-called idle ejection is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 50 times). After the end of the recovery processing, the CPUB 110 sets the recording control unit 10
By controlling the print head transport unit 3, the recording head transport unit 104, and the recording paper transport unit 105, the recording operation of the image data stored in the buffer 103a from the centro receiving circuit 101 on the recording paper 111 is started. When the leading edge of the recording paper 111 reaches the recording paper sensor 106, the sensor 106 is turned on (S2). At this time, when the CPU 10 sets the signal 10c to low level (S3), the CPU 10 moves the recording paper 111 to the recording position of the recording head 102 by transporting a predetermined number of lines (2La) therefrom by the recording paper transport unit 105. And start image recording. At this time, the CPU A 12 waits until the count Lb of the counter 8 indicating that the recording of the number of transferred lines is completed (S
4). Next, the counter 8 is reset, one block data (64 lines) is transferred, and block data recording is repeated while monitoring the recording paper sensor 106 (S).
5). The counter value (Lc) of the counter 8 when the recording paper sensor 106 is turned off is read (S
6). The data corresponding to the number of lines 2Le is transferred and the recording is waited (S7). Thus, the recording of the image data on the recording paper 111 is completed. Here, 2Le is represented by 2Le = 2Lc + 2Ld- (64 × 2 + 2Lf), where 2Ld is between the recording sheet sensor 106 and the head nozzle of the recording head 102, and the margin at the rear end of the recording sheet is 2Lf. FIG. 8 explains this calculation formula in an easy-to-understand manner.

During the image data recording operation, the CPU B1
Reference numeral 10 denotes a recording head 2 at regular time intervals (for example, every 12 seconds).
The nozzle 12 is moved to the idle discharge position to perform the idle discharge operation a predetermined number of times (for example, 50 times) for all the nozzles, thereby preventing the occurrence of a discharge failure.

Such an idle discharge operation is performed even in response to power-on.

Instead of such an idle discharge operation, a recovery operation may be performed by performing a suction operation with a pump or the like while the recording head is capped.

Next, a method of determining whether or not recording has been performed normally will be described.

In order to record the footer mark at the position 112 on the recording paper 111 by the recording head 102, the image data of the footer mark is transferred (S8). In this embodiment, the length of 64 nozzles of the recording head 102 is about 4.5 mm.
All black squares are footer marks. The state of the detection output 107c of the photo sensor 107 at this time is stored (S9). Next, the rear end of the recording paper 111 is at the detection position 10.
A feed command of a sufficient number of steps to discharge the paper from the recording paper transport system through the recording paper transport system is output to the recording device unit 1 (S1).
0), only when the state of the detection output 107c changes, it is confirmed that the discharge has been completed by the counter value of the counter 8 while storing the state in the RAM in the CPU A12 (S11). The signal 10d is set to a high level (S12),
It is determined whether or not the recording has been normally performed according to the change pattern of the stored detection output 107c (S13).

If the leading edge of the recording paper cannot be detected within the predetermined time in S2 (S14), or if the trailing edge of the recording paper cannot be detected in the predetermined time in S5 (S16), a recording paper jam is detected. Then, the recording operation is stopped, and the above-described jam processing is performed. If the trailing edge is detected before the count value of the counter 8 reaches Lb in S5, it is determined that a recording paper shorter than the predetermined recording paper length has been set (S15), and a recording paper size error is determined and the recording operation is stopped. I do. Alternatively, the signal 10d is immediately changed to the high level, and the process is repeated from S2 to divide the data into two or more recordings.

FIG. 12 shows the correspondence between the change pattern of the detection output 107c (seven patterns from P1 to P7) and the judgment of the recording operation. P1 detects the white background of the recording paper 111 in S11, and thereafter, the black of the footer mark, the rear white background, and the recording paper 111 are detected.
This is a case where the detection position 107a after the discharge is detected. P2
Detects the portion recorded on the recording paper 111 by the recording head 102 in S11, then passes through the black footer mark, a trailing white background, and the detection position 107a after the recording paper 111 is discharged.
Is detected. P3 is a case where the detection position 107a after the last recording sheet 111 is discharged in the pattern of P1 is not detected. P4 is a case where the detection position 107a after the last recording sheet 111 is discharged in the pattern of P2 is not detected. P5 detects the white background of the recording paper 111 in S11, and detects the white background at the trailing end, the detection position 107a after the discharge of the recording paper 111.
Is detected. P6 is the recording paper 111 in S11.
Is detected, and thereafter, the white background of the recording paper 111 is continuously detected. P7 is a case where the black level is continuously detected.

In the case of P1 and P2, it is determined that the recording has been completed normally and the recording paper 111 has been normally discharged. P3 and P
In the case of 4, it is determined that the recording has been completed normally, but the recording paper 111 has not been properly discharged. In the case of P5, since the footer mark could not be detected, the recording head 102
The recording is not performed normally due to ink exhaustion or clogged nozzles, and it is determined that the recording paper 111 has been normally discharged. In the case of P6, similarly to P5, the recording is not performed normally, and it is determined that the recording paper 111 has not been properly discharged. In P7, it is determined that the recording paper 111 is defectively transported due to the failure of the recording paper transporting unit 105 while the recorded black is detected, or that the paper having a high density such as black is used as the recording paper.

Since P1, P2, P3, and P4 have been recorded normally, the corresponding image data stored in the reception buffer 4c is released in page units, and is used as an area in which the next reception data can be stored.

In the case of P3 and P4, the user is informed of the recording paper conveyance failure, for example, by emitting a predetermined intermittent tone from a speaker or the like in the facsimile apparatus, and prompts the user to cancel the recording paper jam.

In the case of P5, P6, and P7, the CPUA 12 issues a notice of recording abnormality without erasing the received image data stored in the receiving memory 4b, for example, from a speaker or the like in the facsimile apparatus at a predetermined intermittent tone. Thus, after the user is notified and the recovery operation and the replacement of the BJ head are performed, reception recording is performed again according to a predetermined operation procedure so that the recording can be completed reliably. still,
In the case of P5, P6, and P7, if there is data sent after the occurrence of the abnormality, this image data is also stored in the reception memory 4b.

Note that the footer mark recording described above is performed only when a received image is recorded, and is not recorded when a report such as a communication management report is recorded in the copy mode.
12 is controlled. This is because the copy or report recording is intended to be recorded consciously by the user at the place, so if an abnormal recording is made, it can be left to the user's judgment, so the facsimile machine automatically It is not necessary to judge.

Further, it is determined that it is better not to record other than the image information of the read original as much as possible, even if the copy is a footer mark.

When recording on a cut sheet, the received image information of one page may not be completely recorded on one cut sheet. In this case, there is a known method of divided recording, but even in the case of divided recording, control is performed such that a footer mark is always recorded at a predetermined position at the rear end of each cut sheet.

(Other Embodiment) Another embodiment of the judgment of the recording operation will be described. For example, if the rear end of the recording paper 111 is not detected by the sensor 106 even after the front end of the recording paper 111 is detected by the sensor 106 and the predetermined number of steps is conveyed by the recording paper conveyance unit 105, a recording paper jam or the like may occur. It can be determined that a conveyance failure has occurred or that a recording sheet longer than a predetermined length has been set, and an abnormal state can be detected before the footer mark is recorded (S14 and S16). At this time, for example, a predetermined intermittent tone is emitted from a speaker or the like in the facsimile apparatus to notify the user and urge the user to remove the abnormal state. Therefore, the fact that the control has proceeded to S8 for recording the footer mark does not pose any problem even if it is assumed that the recording paper is normally discharged. Therefore, it is not necessary to compare the patterns of P1 and P2 in FIG.
4 alone is enough.

Next, another example of a method of judging whether or not the recording device 1 has finished recording data transferred by the Centro interface will be described. In S4, S7, and S11 in FIG. 6, the determination is made based on the counter value of the counter 8, but the determination can be made based on the fact that the counter value does not change for a predetermined time or more. In particular, in FIG. 10, when the phase excitation control signal of the CPUB 110 includes an extra short pulse that does not rotate the motor, noise is generated in the counter input 110a, and when the accurate number of transport steps cannot be counted. Is valid.

FIG. 14 shows another example of the footer mark. Reference numeral 112 denotes the above-described footer mark, but "FAX RECECTION" is set at the position 113 on the same line as the footer mark 112.
A message or illustration for notifying the user of the reception time such as 10:21 "or the like as a facsimile reception recording paper is additionally recorded. This makes it possible to further emphasize the facsimile reception recording paper. However, the message at the position of 113 is 114
In order to be clearly distinguishable from the facsimile image information of 360
If the image is recorded in the pi font, the resolution is considerably different from the resolution of the image 114, so that the image can be easily distinguished. For this, CP
It is possible if the footer data is transferred from the UA 12 to the centro transmission circuit 9 via the data bus. The font and the message to be recorded at the position 113 can be created by the CPU 12.

Another method for changing the resolution is as follows.
There is also a method in which recording at a position is thinned out every other dot to change the apparent density to 114 facsimile image information. This thinning recording is a technique known as "draft mode" or "economy mode" in the field of printer devices, and can be easily realized by a command via a Centro interface.

Since the message to be recorded at the position 113 can be created by the CPU 12, it is easy to add advantageous data such as the number of pages received and the reception time in the message in facsimile reception.

Although cut paper is used as the recording paper in the above embodiment, the invention can be similarly applied to roll paper. However, by recording the footer mark on the next line after the end of one page of the received image information, waste of recording paper can be reduced.

A recording apparatus using an ink jet generally has a high resolution, and thus can be used as a printer such as a personal computer. Therefore, a facsimile apparatus having a printer interface is considered. FIG.
Is a block diagram of a main part, and shows a block part added to a path of the centro transmission circuit 9 and the centro reception circuit 101 in FIG. Reference numeral 114 denotes a printer interface connector (a Centronics interface is generally used) for connecting a personal computer. Reference numeral 115 denotes a switching circuit that controls the paths of the signal lines 9a and 9b by the CPU 12. The user can select a facsimile or printer mode by pressing a mode selection button (not shown) on the operation unit 202. When used as a facsimile, the switching circuit 11
By connecting 5 to the 9 side, the facsimile operation described above becomes possible. When using as a printer, use CP
When the switching circuit 115 is connected to the 114 side by the UA 12, the printer operation can be performed under the control of the personal computer connected to the connector 114. This simple switching is possible because it complies with the Centronics interface.

With this configuration, the footer mark is not recorded in the printer mode.

Further, since the block buffer 4d is a memory required for performing the vertical / horizontal conversion, the block buffer 4d becomes unnecessary if the recording apparatus unit 1 can transfer image data which does not require the vertical / horizontal conversion. 4d may be a small-capacity line buffer, or a circuit configuration for directly transferring data from the resolution conversion circuit 2 to the centro transmission circuit 9 may be employed.

When a printer used as a terminal such as a personal computer or the like is incorporated in a system as a recording device of a facsimile device, a versatile interface compatible with the printer described above, A facsimile machine having a device capable of keeping the edge margin constant has been realized.

In the present embodiment, the recording apparatus of the ink jet recording system in which the flying liquid droplets are formed by using thermal energy and the recording is carried out among the ink jet recording systems is described as an example. Regarding the configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, the type is arranged corresponding to a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal that gives a rapid temperature rise exceeding each boiling point in accordance with the recording information to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the heat of the recording head is generated. This is effective because film boiling occurs on the working surface, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal one-to-one can be formed. The liquid (ink) is discharged from the discharge opening by the growth and shrinkage of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. still,
US Patent No. 4 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface
If the conditions described in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 313124 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333, and U.S. Pat.
No. 4,591,600 may be used.

In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, and absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy. A configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds to a discharge unit, may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. This may be either a configuration that satisfies the requirements or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed.

In addition, it is integrated with a replaceable chip-type recording head or a recording head itself, which can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. To be more specific, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means, an electrothermal converter or a preheating means using a heating element or a combination thereof separately from the recording head, It is also effective to perform the preliminary ejection mode in which the ejection is performed in order to perform stable printing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens at room temperature, or which is liquid, In the ink jet recording method, it is general to control the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. It is sufficient if the ink is in a liquid state.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy can be positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. Either ink may be used, or in any case, the ink may be liquefied by application of heat energy according to the recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or may already start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. Alternatively, the ink may be liquefied for the first time by thermal energy. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. Alternatively, a configuration that opposes the electrothermal converter may be used. The most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

The present invention can be applied not only to the ink jet system using thermal energy but also to an ink jet system using a piezo element or the like.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recording means is set to the online state by the communication control means, and the received data transmitted in a signal format conforming to a predetermined printer interface via the first transmission means. Since the record of
An image communication apparatus using a printer used as a terminal such as a personal computer as a recording unit can be provided at low cost without recreating an interface.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of components of the recording device unit 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a recording sheet sensor, a photo sensor, and a footer mark recording position.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of facsimile reception recording and determination of whether or not recording has been normally performed;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of resolution conversion in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a recording sheet sensor, a recording head, and a footer mark recording position.

FIG. 9 is a timing diagram of signals of the Centronics interface.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram for counting the number of feeding steps of recording paper conveyance.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram for binarizing the output of the photo sensor.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a correspondence between a change pattern of a photosensor output 107c and a determination of a printing operation.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state of the recording device unit 1;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of footer mark recording.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a portion added to a facsimile apparatus having a printer interface.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording device part 2 Resolution conversion circuit 3 Horizontal-vertical conversion circuit 4 Memory part 5 Code decoding part 6 MODEM 8 Counter 9 Centro transmission circuit 12 CPUA 101 Centro reception circuit 102 Recording head 106 Recording paper sensor 107 Photosensor 110 CPUB

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-48661 (JP, A) JP-A-62-116060 (JP, A) JP-A-63-146657 (JP, A) JP-A-63-212557 (JP) JP-A-63-269666 (JP, A) JP-A-2-60277 (JP, A) JP-A-2-98270 (JP, A) JP-A-2-102079 (JP, A) 4-83655 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A receiving means for receiving data; a decoding means for decoding data received by the receiving means; a communication control means for controlling the receiving means and the decoding means; A first transmission unit that transmits data in a signal format conforming to a predetermined printer interface; and an inkjet that records an image on a recording material by discharging ink in accordance with the data transmitted through the first transmission unit. A recording unit; a recording control unit that controls an operation of the recording unit and a receiving operation of data transmitted by the first transmission unit; and sets the recording unit output from the communication control unit to an on state or an off state. A second transmitting unit that transmits a first instruction signal for setting to the recording control unit; and the recording unit is in an on state or an off state. A third transmission unit that transmits a status signal indicating the following from the recording control unit to the communication control unit; and an online state that is output from the communication control unit and that can receive data via the first transmission unit. And a fourth instruction signal for transmitting a second instruction signal to the recording control means.
A transmission unit, and a fifth transmission unit that transmits a status signal indicating that the recording unit is in an online state from the recording control unit to the communication control unit. When set to the ON state, it can be set according to the second instruction means, and when the recording means is in the OFF state, the recording control means checks the first instruction signal, The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the data transmitted by the first transmission unit and the second instruction signal are ignored. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined printer interface is a Centronics interface. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records an image by moving a recording head having a plurality of recording elements relative to a recording material in a direction in which the plurality of recording elements are arranged in different directions. The image communication device according to claim 1. 4. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink droplets by causing a state change in the ink using thermal energy.