JP3391935B2 - Facsimile apparatus and received image data output management method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage operation for storing received image data in a storage means, a recording operation for recording the image data stored in the storage means on a recording sheet, and the image data recorded therein. The present invention relates to a facsimile device that sequentially executes a discharging operation for discharging a recording sheet and a received image data output management method used for the facsimile device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some facsimile machines store received image data once in a memory, read the image data stored in the memory, and record the image data on a recording paper.

In such a facsimile machine, since the reception speed is determined independently of the printing speed of the image data on the recording paper, the communication time can be shortened and the received image data can be directly transferred to the recording paper. Since the data is temporarily stored in the memory without being recorded, advanced functions such as confidential reception and relay reception can be executed.

However, since the memory capacity of this facsimile apparatus is predetermined, the memory capacity may be insufficient when the amount of received data is large. When the memory capacity is insufficient, the receiving operation is set to be stopped. ing.

In order to avoid the stop of the receiving operation due to the occurrence of such a shortage of memory capacity, after the image data stored in the memory is recorded on the recording paper, the image data recorded on the recording paper is recorded from the memory. By erasing
A method for improving the memory usage efficiency has been proposed and used.

Corresponding image data is erased from the memory during the period from the start of recording operation to the completion of ejection of recording paper.
It is performed after it is confirmed that no recording operation abnormality or recording paper conveyance abnormality has occurred.

For example, in a facsimile machine in which the time until the recording sheet is discharged after the recording operation is completed and the discharge path thereof is short, it is confirmed that the recording operation is normally completed when the corresponding image data is erased from the memory. It is set to be performed at the point of time.

On the other hand, in a facsimile apparatus having a long time until the recording sheet is discharged after the recording operation is completed and the discharge path thereof is long, or a facsimile apparatus having a long recording operation time, the recording operation and the recording sheet are normally discharged. After confirming that the corresponding image data is deleted, the corresponding image data is erased from the memory.

[0009]

However, after confirming that the recording operation and the discharge of the recording paper have been normally performed,
For a facsimile machine that is set to delete the corresponding image data from the memory, monitor whether there is a recording operation abnormality or recording paper conveyance abnormality during the period from the start of recording operation to the completion of recording paper discharge. Because you need to
By continuing this monitoring until the recording paper is completely discharged,
It takes time until the next recording operation is started, and the operation efficiency decreases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus and a received image data output management method which can improve the use efficiency of the storage means for storing the received image data and the operating efficiency. is there.

[0011]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A storage operation for storing the received image data in the storage means,
A recording operation of recording the image data stored in the storage unit on a recording paper and a discharging operation of discharging the recording paper on which the image data is recorded are sequentially performed, and the discharging operation ends and the discharging operation ends. Up to multiple
In the facsimile apparatus having a detecting means for detecting a recording paper
There, in that the controls the recording operation for each image data of one page, the recording operation for the image data of the one page based on a detection result of the abnormality in the recording operation by the detection means is successful If you confirm, the above 1
The fact that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed is notified by setting it in the queue in page units, and the recording operation for the image data for the next one page is started. Recording control means for controlling,
Set the cue while controlling the discharging operation
Acquired notification from the recording control means that has been made in page units
Check that the recording paper corresponding to the notification has been ejected normally.
When and are confirmed based on the detection result from the detection means ,
Ejection control means for erasing the image data recorded on the normally ejected recording paper from the storage means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, a sorter for sorting the discharged recording papers is provided, and the discharge control means discharges the recording papers to the sorter. It is characterized by controlling.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a storage operation for storing the received image data in the storage means, a recording operation for recording the image data stored in the storage means on a recording sheet, and the image data are recorded. And a plurality of recording sheets in a state from the start of the recording operation to the end of the discharging operation are detected.
A received image data output management method for use in a facsimile apparatus provided with a detection means, the recording operation was controlled for each image data of one page, based on a detection result of the abnormality in the recording operation by the detection means When it is confirmed that the recording operation for the image data for one page has been normally completed, the fact that the recording operation for the image data for one page has been normally completed is queued page by page.
A recording control step of notifying by setting and controlling to start a recording operation for the next one page of image data, and a recording control step of controlling the discharge operation and setting in the queue from
After getting the notification page by page, record corresponding to the notification
The detection result from the detection means that the paper is ejected normally
Check on the basis of the result, the discharge for erasing the image data recorded on the recording paper that were successfully discharged from the storage means
And a control step.

[0014] The invention of claim 4, wherein, in the received image data output management method according to claim 3, wherein, characterized in that it comprises a higher classification Engineering for classifying the discharged recording paper.

[0015]

In the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, the recording control means controls the recording operation for each image data of one page, and the image data for one page is detected based on the detection result for the abnormality during the recording operation by the detection means. recording when the operation is confirmed that the operation was successful, the page unit that the recording operation for one page of image data has been successfully completed for
The print control for the next one page of image data is started, and the discharge control means controls the discharge operation and the print control set in the queue. Communication from means
After acquiring the knowledge page by page, the recording paper corresponding to the notification
Is normally discharged based on the detection result from the detection means.
Then, the image data recorded on the normally discharged recording paper is erased from the storage means.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect, a sorter for classifying discharged recording papers is provided, and the discharging control means controls the discharging operation of the recording papers to the sorter.

In the received image data output management method according to the third aspect , the recording operation is controlled for each page of image data in the recording control step, and one page is detected based on the detection result of the abnormality during the recording operation by the detection means. When the recording operation for the minute image data is normally completed, the fact that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed is notified by setting in a queue in page units and the next page Control is performed to start the recording operation for the minute image data, and the ejection control process controls the ejection operation and the recording control set in the queue.
After getting the notification from the process in page units,
From the detection means that the corresponding recording paper has been ejected normally
When it is confirmed based on the detection result of No. 1, the image data recorded on the normally discharged recording paper is erased from the storage unit.

In the received image data output management method according to the fourth aspect, the discharged recording paper is classified.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

The facsimile apparatus, as shown in FIG.
A CPU 1 is provided to control the entire apparatus based on a program stored in the ROM 2. The programs stored in the ROM 2 include an operating system (OS).
In addition to the system program called “execution program”, the execution program divided into operation units called “task” is included.
Managed by S) and can operate in parallel in a pseudo manner.

According to each task, a reading operation, a sending operation,
The recording operation and the receiving operation are set to be executed.

In the reading operation, first, the image of the original is converted by the contact sensor (CS) 13 into an electric signal. A correction circuit (MACS) 12 performs processing such as shading correction on the electric signal. The processed signal is output by the image processing circuit (GENESIS) 11 to 2
After the binarization and image conversion processing, read / record code /
Decoding device (RW-CDEC) 10 reading unit (SC
N) is input serially. The image data serially input to the reading unit (SCN) is RW-CODEC10.
After being expanded in the internal buffer (CODEC BUF) of, the data is compressed and encoded by the encoding unit (ENC). The image data compressed and encoded is stored in the image memory (DRAM) 6
And the management information such as the reception number of the data, the destination information, the number of pages, and the stored image memory block information are stored in the RAM 3.

In the transmitting operation, first, the compression-encoded image data in the DRAM 6 is decompressed and decoded by the decoding unit (DEC) of the communication coding / decoding device (C-CODEC) 16 and then converted into the CODEC BUF. It is developed as image data. The expanded image data is C-COD
RAM 5 which is encoded by the encoding unit (ENC) of EC16 into transmission data and serves as a transmission buffer.
Transferred to. The transmission data transferred to the RAM 5 is sent by the modem (MODEM) 17 byte by byte to the line.

In the receiving operation, first, the received data is input to the MODEM 17 via the network control unit (NCU) 18,
It is demodulated by MODEM17. The demodulated data is 1
The data is transferred byte by byte to the RAM 5, which serves as a receive buffer.
The received data transferred to the RAM 5 is C-CDEC16
After being decoded and expanded by the decoding unit (DEC), the image error detection is executed, and then expanded as image data in the CODEC BUF. The expanded image data is C-CODEC
Coded by 16 code units (ENC), DRAM
6, and the management information is stored in the RAM 3.

In the recording operation, first, the compression-encoded image data in the DRAM 6 is decompressed and decoded by the decoding unit (DEC) of the recording coding / decoding device (RW-CODEC) 10 and then stored in the CODEC BUF. It is developed as image data. The developed image data is RW-
It is serially output from the recording unit (PRN) of the CODEC 10. The output data is subjected to correction and image conversion processing by the recording image processing circuit (CUTE) 14 and then sent to the laser beam printer (LBP) 15 while being controlled by the control circuit (LCNT) 19. LB
In P15, the image data is recorded on the recording paper, and the recording paper on which the image data is recorded is discharged while being sorted by the sorter 9 according to the type of the image and the size of the recording paper.

The LCNT 19 has a sensor for detecting an abnormal state during recording of the LBP 15, an abnormal state of discharge of the SOLTER 9, and the number of recording sheets existing in the recording sheet conveying path. A detection signal from this sensor is input to the CPU 1, and the CPU 1 reads from the detection signal a status indicating clogging of recording paper, ink shortage, internal abnormality of the LBP 15, and the like.

Various settings including operation settings such as the above-mentioned transmission operation and recording operation are instructed by depressing the key (KEY) 8. The settings and instruction contents are stored and held in the RAM 3, and the display section is also provided. It is displayed on the (LCD) 7. The display control for the LCD 7 is performed by the CPU 1, and the LCD 7 displays K, in addition to the settings and instruction contents.
The data input by EY8 is displayed.

The DRAM 6 is a backup power source (BA
T) 4 and each block described above is connected to the CPU 1 via the bus 30.

Next, a method of managing the image memory (DRAM) 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a method of managing the image memory of the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

Each communication is as shown in FIG. 2 (a).
All are managed by the image management records 21, 22, and 23. The image management record includes items such as a management number, a creation time, a destination, a pointer to the next image management record, and a pointer to a page management record, and is stored in the RAM 3.

All pointers to the image management records are written in a management table in the RAM 3 called the queue 20, and when a plurality of image management records are connected to the same queue, like the image management records 21 and 22,
A pointer to the image management record to be connected is written in the "next image management record" field in the last image management record.

When the transmission operation and the recording operation are performed, the next image management record is searched in order from the pointer of the image management record written in each queue, and the target image is selected. At the time of initialization, all image management records are connected to an empty queue.

The image of one page is the page management record 2
4,25. The page management record is
Created each time you read or receive one page of image,
It consists of items such as recording mode, page status, page number, line number, pointer to the next page management record, and head memory block number. The page management record is stored in the RAM 3 similarly to the image management record. At the time of initialization, all page management records are connected to empty image management records (not shown).

The image memory (DRAM) 6 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the memory block is managed by being divided into memory blocks of 16 Kbytes each. As shown in FIG. 2A, a management number is associated with each block in order from 0, and each block is managed by the memory block management table 26. At the time of initialization, a code indicating empty is written in the item corresponding to each block in the management table of the memory block.

The image memory (DRA
When using M) 6, one image management record is removed from the empty queue and connected to the recording queue. Next, the page management record is removed from the empty management table, and the pointer is written in the item of the page management record of the image management record acquired earlier.

Next, from the memory block management table,
The block number where the empty code is written is selected,
The block number is written as the used block number in the head memory block number item of the page management record. At the same time, a code indicating the final block is written in the memory block management table. When using two or more memory blocks, the next memory block management number is written and the final block code is written in the column corresponding to the next memory block.

When erasing predetermined image data, the corresponding image management record is reconnected to the empty queue, the page management record is reconnected to the empty management table, and the page to be deleted in the memory block management table. Items from the first block indicated by the management record to the related last block are rewritten to a code indicating empty.

During the recording operation, the recording control by the recording control task capable of operating in parallel and the discharge control by the discharge control task are executed in parallel.

The recording control and the discharge control will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a flowchart showing recording control and ejection control in the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an ejection monitoring table used for recording control and ejection control, and FIG. 5 is a control circuit (LCNT of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a status by ().

When the recording control task is executed, FIG.
As shown in (a), it is determined whether or not there is a recording system error (step S1). If there is no error, the recording queue 20 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not there is an image in the recording queue (step S2).

If there is an image in the recording queue, the first image management record is removed (step S3). Then
It is determined whether or not there is a leading page management record that is connected to the image management record and that indicates that the page state can be recorded (step S4).

If the page management record exists, the recording operation for the image managed by the page management record is started (step S5). When the recording operation is started,
LCN until recording of one page of image data is completed
The status from T19 is read, and it is determined whether or not there is an error in the recording system (steps S6 to S7).
As the status from the LCNT 19, as shown in FIG. 5, the type of error indicated by 8BIT (STS ER
R) and the number of recording sheets in the transport path (STS NO). The error type (STS ERR) is represented by 1/0, which is a recording paper jam (BIT7), 1/0 is out of toner (BIT6), and is 15-0, LBP15.
The internal abnormality (BIT4 to BIT0) is indicated, and the number of recording sheets (STS NO) in the conveying path indicates a value in the range of 255 to 0.

8 bit status "STS ERR"
Indicates any abnormality, the recording operation is interrupted and the image management record is returned to the recording queue 20 (step S8).

When recording is completed normally (step S
6), the pointer of the page management record is written at the end of the discharge monitoring table (shown in FIG. 4) (step S9).

Then, the recording operation for the image of the next page management record is started (step S4). When there is no next page management record, the same recording queue 20
When the next image management record connected to is searched and the image management record is found, the same recording operation is performed. If there is no image management record connected to the recording queue 20, the process returns to the process of step S1.

By writing the above-mentioned pointer of the page management record in the discharge monitoring table, the discharge control task side is requested to monitor the recording paper on which the image is recorded, and the page management record does not exist and the recording queue 20.
The image management record linked to is deleted by another task (not shown).

In the emission control by the emission control task, FIG.
As shown in (b), first, it is determined whether or not the pointer of the page management record is written in the discharge monitoring table (step S10).

When the pointer is written in the discharge monitoring table, the page management record written from the beginning of the discharge monitoring table is taken out (step S11).

Next, the status from the LCNT 19 is read, the number "STS NO" of the recording papers in the conveyance path included in the status is written in "N1" (step S12), and the "STS ERR" in the status is written.
It is determined whether or not indicates any abnormality (step S13). When "STS ERR" indicates any abnormality, the monitoring ends.

When "STS ERR" does not indicate any abnormality, it is determined whether "STS NO" is smaller than "N1" (step S14). "STS
When “NO” is smaller than “N1”, it is assumed that the monitored recording paper is normally ejected, and as described above, the image data recorded on the ejected recording paper is erased from the image memory (DRAM) 6. (Step S15).

When "STS NO" is equal to or greater than "N1", it is determined that the recording of the next image has started, "N1".
Is updated to "STS NO" (step S12).

The above processing is repeated until the pointer of the page management record written in the discharge monitoring table is exhausted.
Repeated.

As described above, when it is confirmed that the recording operation for the image data of one page is normally completed, the page management record indicating that the recording operation for the image data of one page is normally completed is the ejection management table. And a recording operation for controlling to start the recording operation for the image data for the next one page.
When referring to the page management table written in the ejection monitoring table and confirming that the recording paper on which the image data corresponding to the page management table is recorded is normally ejected, the recording is performed on the normally ejected recording paper. Since the discharge control for deleting the stored image data from the image memory (DRAM) 6 operates in parallel, the use efficiency of the image memory (DRAM) 6 for storing the received image data can be improved and the operation efficiency can be improved. Can be increased.

[0055]

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, the recording control means controls the recording operation for each image data of one page, and the detecting means responds to the abnormality during the recording operation. When it is confirmed that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed based on the detection result, the fact that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed is set in a queue in page units.
In addition to the notification, control is performed so that the recording operation for the next image data for one page is started, and the ejection control unit controls the ejection operation and sets the queue.
Acquires the notification from the registered recording control means in page units
Check that the recording paper corresponding to the notification has been ejected normally.
Is confirmed based on the detection result from the detection means, the image data recorded on the normally discharged recording paper is erased from the storage means, so that the recording operation control, the recording paper discharge operation control and the image data The erasure control can be performed in parallel, the use efficiency of the storage unit that stores the received image data can be improved, and the operation efficiency can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the sorter for sorting the discharged recording sheets is provided, and the discharging control means controls the discharging operation of the recording sheets to the sorter. The classification operation can be performed in parallel with the recording operation, and the decrease in operation efficiency due to the sorter can be suppressed within a small range.

According to the received data output control method of the third aspect , the recording operation is controlled for each page of image data in the recording control step, and based on the detection result of the abnormality during the recording operation by the detection means. When it is confirmed that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed, the fact that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed is notified by setting in a queue in page units, and The recording operation is controlled to start for one page of image data , and the ejection operation is controlled in the ejection control step, and the recording control set in the queue is performed.
After getting the notification from the process in page units,
From the detection means that the corresponding recording paper has been ejected normally
If it is confirmed based on the detection result of, the image data recorded on the normally discharged recording paper is erased from the storage means, and therefore the recording operation control, the recording paper ejection operation control, and the image data erasing control are performed in parallel. In addition, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the storage unit that stores the received image data and improve the operation efficiency.

According to the received image data output management method of the fourth aspect, the discharged recording sheets are classified, so that the sorting operation of the recording sheets by the sorter can be performed in parallel with the recording operation. The decrease in operating efficiency can be suppressed within a small range.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a method of managing an image memory of the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

3 is a flowchart showing recording control and discharge control in the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an ejection monitoring table used for recording control and ejection control.

5 is a control circuit (LCN of the facsimile apparatus of FIG.
It is a figure which shows the status by T).

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU (recording control means, discharge control means) 2 ROM 3,5 RAM 6 DRAM 9 SORTER 15 LBP 17 MODEM 19 LCNT 20 cues 21,22,23 image management record 24, 25 page management record 26 Memory block management table

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Kazuhiro Sugawara Kazuhiro Sugawara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Reference JP-A-2-53381 (JP, A) JP-A-6 -338966 (JP, A) JP-A-7-41239 (JP, A) JP-A-4-87458 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/21

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage operation of storing the received image data in a storage unit, a recording operation of recording the image data stored in the storage unit on a recording sheet, and discharging the recording sheet on which the image data is recorded. with sequentially performing a discharge operation Zhou from the start of the recording operation until the ejection operation end
A file <br/> Kushimiri apparatus having a detecting means for detecting a plurality of recording sheets in the state, the recording operation was controlled for each image data of one page, in the recording operation by the detection means When it is confirmed that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed based on the detection result for the abnormality, it is confirmed that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed.
Recording control means for notifying by setting in the queue on a page-by-page basis and controlling to start the recording operation for the next one page of image data; and controlling the discharging operation and setting in the queue.
Acquired notification from the recording control means that has been made in page units
Check that the recording paper corresponding to the notification has been ejected normally.
When and are confirmed based on the detection result from the detection means ,
And a discharge control unit for deleting the image data recorded on the normally discharged recording paper from the storage unit. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sorter for sorting the discharged recording papers, wherein the discharge control means controls a discharging operation of the recording papers to the sorter. 3. A storage operation of storing the received image data in a storage unit, a recording operation of recording the image data stored in the storage unit on a recording sheet, and discharging the recording sheet on which the image data is recorded. with sequentially performing a discharge operation Zhou from the start of the recording operation until the ejection operation end
Image data output management method used in a fax machine having a detection means for detecting a plurality of recording sheets
The recording operation is controlled for each image data for one page, and the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed based on the detection result of the abnormality during the recording operation by the detection unit. Is confirmed, it is confirmed that the recording operation for the image data for one page is normally completed.
A recording control step of notifying by setting in the queue on a page-by-page basis and controlling the start of the recording operation for the next one page of image data; and controlling the discharging operation and setting in the queue.
Acquires the notification from the recording control process that is performed in page units
Check that the recording paper corresponding to the notification has been ejected normally.
When and are confirmed based on the detection result from the detection means ,
And a discharge control step of erasing the image data recorded on the normally discharged recording paper from the storage means. 4. A classification Engineering for classifying the discharged recording sheet
Receiving image data output management method according to claim 3, further comprising a degree.