JP3471931B2 - Facsimile machine with printer function - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine with a printer function having a function as a printer for receiving print data output from a computer or the like and forming an image on a recording sheet according to the data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile machine with a printer function of this type uses an image forming apparatus provided in the facsimile machine to print print data (hereinafter, also referred to as PC data) output from a computer or the like. The reception unit receives facsimile data (hereinafter, also referred to as FAX data) transmitted via a telephone line and the like, and includes a control unit that drives and controls the image forming apparatus according to the received data. For general facsimile machines, P
This is realized by providing an interface for C data input and providing the control unit with a function of controlling driving of the image forming apparatus according to PC data input from this interface.

In this type of apparatus, since one image forming apparatus is used for printing PC data and FAX data, if PC data is input through the interface during reception of FAX data, FAX data is input. Printing is performed with priority, and conversely, when FAX data is received while PC data is being input, printing of PC data is given priority, and printing is performed in the order of data input to the device. Was configured into.

[0004]

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus with printer function, for example,
Even when you want to operate the device as a printer to print a large amount of documents, you can use F
When the FAX data is received, the FAX data is printed, so that the work efficiency at the time of printing the PC data is poor, or conversely, when waiting for the FAX data that needs urgent transmission, When another user inputs the PC data, printing of the PC data starts, and it is difficult to receive the FAX data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus with a printer function which can efficiently print PC data and FAX data in accordance with a user's request. There is.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile apparatus with a printer function according to the invention of claim 1 is a facsimile receiving device for receiving facsimile data transmitted via a communication line. Section, a print data input section for inputting print data created by an external device such as a computer, a recording section for forming an image on a predetermined recording sheet, and a facsimile receiving section for receiving facsimile data. When the print data is input to the print input unit, the first recording control unit controls the recording unit according to the data and records the facsimile image on the recording paper, and controls the recording unit according to the data. A facsimile machine with a printer function, which comprises a second recording control means for recording a created image according to the data on a recording paper. A priority mode setting means for setting which of a facsimile image and an image created by an external device is preferentially recorded on the recording paper, and a priority mode for giving priority to the recording of the facsimile image by the priority mode setting means are set. Then, when a priority mode for prohibiting the operation of the second recording control means and for prioritizing the recording of the created image is set, a priority mode control means for prohibiting the operation of the first recording control means is provided , The priority mode control means has the above priority.
Priority is given to the recording of the above facsimile image by the mode setting means
If the priority mode is set to
Print data is input to the print input section, or
The priority mode setting means gives priority to the recording of the created image.
If the priority mode is set to
The facsimile data is received by the millimeter receiving unit.
When the above recording unit has not been recording for a predetermined time or longer,
The above recording unit records for a predetermined time or more.
If it is determined that the
Operation of the first recording control means or the second recording control means
It is characterized by lifting the prohibition of.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile device with a printer function according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The control means and the second recording control means are the priority mode.
If the operation prohibition is released by the control means,
The above-mentioned recording is judged by judging whether or not the unit is currently recording.
If it is determined that the copy is currently available for recording,
The recording unit is controlled, and the recording unit is currently not ready for recording.
If it is determined that the control of the recording unit is stopped
Is characterized by.

Furthermore, the facsimile device with printer function according to the invention of claim 3, in the facsimile apparatus with a printer function according to claim 2, the print data
Comprising a storage buffer memory for storing data, said first
After the recording control means of 2 stops the control of the recording unit,
The print data in the storage buffer memory.
It is characterized by paying.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile device with a printer function, which is defined in claim 2 or
In the facsimile machine with printer function described in 3 ,
The first recording control means stops the control of the recording section.
After that, the fact that the above facsimile data cannot be recorded
Send it to the fax receiver and send the fax
Accumulation of the above facsimile data in the millimeter receiver
Is characterized by.

[0010]

In the facsimile apparatus with a printer function according to the present invention having the above structure, when the facsimile receiving unit receives the facsimile data, the first recording control means causes the received data to be received. When the print data is input to the print data input unit by controlling the print unit according to the print data, the second print control unit controls the print unit according to the print data. Then, the created image corresponding to the print data is recorded on the recording paper. Further, when the priority mode setting means sets the priority mode for giving priority to the recording of the facsimile image, the priority mode control means prohibits the operation of the second recording control means, and conversely, the recording of the created image by the external device. When the priority mode for giving priority to is set, the priority mode control means prohibits the operation of the first recording control means.

Further, the priority mode control means is provided with a priority mode.
Priority setting to give priority to recording facsimile images
When the destination mode is set,
Lint data is input or priority mode is set
Priority mode is set to prioritize recording of created images
The fax receiving section
When the re-data is received, the recording unit
The recording unit determines whether or not the
When it is determined that the recording operation is not performed
Includes the first recording control means or the second recording control means.
Removes the prohibition of column operation .

Therefore, according to the present invention, if the priority mode setting means sets the priority mode for giving priority to the recording of the created image by the external device, even if the facsimile data is received by the facsimile receiving unit, the subsequent printing is performed. Printing of the created image based on the print data input to the data input section is performed with priority, and conversely, if you set the priority mode that gives priority to the recording of facsimile images, the print data is input to the print data input section. Also, the recording of the facsimile image based on the facsimile data received by the facsimile receiving unit is performed with priority. Then, the recording unit has been recording for a predetermined time or longer.
If it does not exist, recording that is not set to priority mode is performed.
I can.

Next, in the facsimile apparatus with a printer function according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first recording
The control means and the second recording control means are provided with the priority mode.
When the prohibition of the operation is released by the card control means, the above
Determine whether the recording unit is currently capable of recording and
If it is determined that the recording unit is currently capable of recording,
The recording unit is controlled so that the recording unit is currently not ready for recording.
If it is determined that the above is true, the control of the recording unit is stopped.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus with a printer function according to the third aspect of the invention, the second recording
After stopping the control of the recording section, the control means prints the print data.
Data in the storage buffer memory. Further, in the facsimile apparatus with a printer function according to the invention described in claim 4, the first recording control means is the recording section.
Recording the above facsimile data after stopping the control of
Sent to the above fax receiver
The facsimile data in the facsimile receiver.
Accumulate.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 2 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the facsimile apparatus 2 of the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the internal mechanism thereof.

The facsimile apparatus 2 of this embodiment is
An image is read from a manuscript, the image data is transmitted as facsimile data to another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line, and at the same time, facsimile data transmitted from another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line (hereinafter referred to as F
(Also called AX data) and forms the image on the recording paper, in addition to the function as a normal facsimile device,
Print data (hereinafter, also referred to as PC data) transmitted from a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) or a word processor via a printer cable.
In response to the received data, it has a function as a printer for forming an image on a recording sheet.

As shown in FIG. 2, a receiver 12 is attached to the side of the main body 10 of the facsimile apparatus 2, and an operation panel 14 is provided on the front of the upper surface. A recording paper cassette 16 (see FIG. 3) is provided at the rear of the upper surface of the main body 10.
A cassette mounting portion 18 for detachably mounting the document is formed, and a document table 20 is formed at the center of the upper surface.

On the other hand, on the main body 10, as shown in FIG. 3, an image is formed on a scanner section 22 for reading an image from an original placed on an original table 20 and a recording paper 24 accommodated in a recording paper cassette 16. A recording unit 26 for performing the above operation, and a control unit 70 that drives and controls each of these units to realize the above functions are built in.

In the scanner section 22, the originals placed on the original table 20 are taken one by one by a paper feed mechanism including a paper feed roller 32 and a separation pad 31. And
The document is transported to the document support plate 34 by the transport rollers 33, and the image is read by the image reading device 35 arranged below the document support plate 34. Further, the document after the image reading is discharged to the discharge tray 37 provided on the front surface of the main body 10 via the discharge roller 36.

The image reading device 35 irradiates the original document on the original document support plate 34 with light from the light source 38, reflects the reflected light from the original document by the mirrors 39 and 40, and further, the line image sensor 42 by the lens 41. It is known that the original image is read line by line by condensing it on the light receiving surface. A document sensor 44 that optically detects whether or not a document is set on the document table 20 is provided on the path from the document table 20 to the paper feeding mechanism.

On the other hand, in the recording section 26, the recording paper cassette 1
The recording papers 24 accommodated in the sheet 6 are taken in one by one by a paper feed mechanism including a paper feed roller 51 and a separation pad 52. Then, the recording paper 24 is sent to the image forming apparatus 55 via the conveyance roller 53, and the toner image is formed in the image forming apparatus 55. Further, the recording paper 24 after the image formation is sent to the fixing device 56, and after the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 56, the recording paper 24 is provided on the front surface of the main body 10 via the paper ejection roller 57. It is discharged to 58. The fixing device 56 is a well-known device including a heating roller having a built-in heater for heating and a pressing roller for holding the recording paper 24 between the heating roller and the heating roller. By doing so, the toner image is fixed on the recording paper 24.

Further, the image forming apparatus 55 includes the photosensitive drum 6
1, a laser beam scanning device 62 that irradiates the photosensitive drum 61 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image on its surface, and a developing device 6 that adheres toner to the photosensitive drum 61 after the electrostatic latent image is formed.
3 and a transfer device 65 which has a transfer roller 64 and applies an electric charge to the recording paper 24 to transfer the toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 61 to the recording paper 24. Further, the laser light scanning device 62 is provided. Is provided with a laser emitting section 67 for emitting a laser beam according to a command from the control section 70, a lens 68 for condensing the laser beam, a reflection mirror 69 for guiding the laser beam condensed by the lens 68 to the photosensitive drum 61, and the like. ing.

That is, the recording unit 26 is configured as a so-called laser printer, and according to a command from the control unit 70,
An image is formed on the recording paper 24. Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 70 that controls the above-mentioned units is a fax machine (FA).
(X) section 72, printer section 74, and gate array 76 connecting these sections.

The FAX unit 72 sets an operation mode, reads a document image, sends / receives FAX data, decodes received data, in accordance with various commands input from the user through the operation panel 14. This is for transferring the decrypted FAX data to the printer unit 74, etc.
PU80, ROM82, RAM84, network control unit (NCU) that enables communication and FAX data transmission / reception with other telephones and facsimile devices
86, and a modem 88 for transmitting / receiving FAX data to / from another facsimile machine via the NCU 86. And CPU80, ROM82, RAM
84, NCU 86, modem 88, and operation panel 14
Are connected to each other via a bus 89, and the bus 8
The gate array 76 is also connected to 9. Further, the NCU 86 is connected to the above-mentioned handset 12 and a speaker for making a call, and a telephone call with another telephone can be performed via the handset 12.

On the other hand, the printer section 74 includes the gate array 7
This is for forming a facsimile image on the recording paper 24 (in other words, printing FAX data) by drivingly controlling the recording unit 26 according to the FAX data sent from the FAX unit 72 via 6. Like the FAX unit 72, the CPU 90, the ROM 92, and the RAM 94 are included in the well-known microcomputer. Further, the printer section 74 is provided with a personal computer interface 96 as a print data input section.
When the PC data from the external personal computer 98 is input to the interface 96, the PU 90 drives and controls the recording unit 26 according to the personal computer data, and forms a created image created on the recording paper 24 by the personal computer 98 side. (In other words, P
C data is printed). Then, the CPU 90 and the ROM 9
2, the RAM 94, the personal computer interface 96, and the recording unit 26 are connected to each other via a bus 99, and the gate array 76 is also connected to the bus 99.

Next, among various control processes executed in the FAX unit 72 and printer unit 74, priority mode setting process, FAX data receiving process, FAX data and PC data printing, which are main processes relating to the present invention. The processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 shows the FA received by the FAX unit 72.
X data and personal computer interface 9
6 is a flowchart showing a priority mode setting process for externally setting which of the PC data input to the printer unit 74 via 6 is to be printed with priority. This process corresponds to the priority mode setting means of the present invention, and when the user operates a predetermined function key of the operation panel 14 to input a priority mode setting command, the FAX CP
It is executed in U80.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the processing is started, first, in S110 (S represents a step), a priority mode setting screen is displayed on the display screen provided on the operation panel 14. This priority mode setting screen includes a priority mode selection section for selecting whether to set the priority mode (priority mode ON / OFF) and one day (24 hours).
And a PC priority time zone setting unit for setting a time zone (PC print priority time zone) in which printing of PC data is prioritized.

When the setting screen is displayed in S110, the user operates the cursor key or the ten-key pad provided on the operation panel 14 so that the priority mode O is displayed.
When N / OFF and the priority mode are ON, the PC print priority time zone is input, and when the setting contents by the key input are good, the set key for determination provided on the operation panel 14 is pressed, and the priority mode is further set. To cancel the setting of 1, the stop key provided on the operation panel 14 is pressed. Therefore, in subsequent S120, a key input by the user is received, and if the key input is an operation of a cursor key or a ten-key, a key input reception process of changing the display content according to the key input is executed. . Then, in subsequent S130, it is determined whether or not the key input accepted in S120 is a press of the set key. If the set key is not pressed (N in S130,
O), the process shifts to S140, and it is determined whether or not the key input is by pressing the stop key. If the stop key is not pressed (NO in S140), the process moves to S120 again.

When it is determined that the set key is pressed in S130 (YES in S130), it is determined in S150 whether the priority mode OFF is set based on the display contents of the priority mode selection section at that time. And priority mode O
If FF is set (YES in S150), S16
At 0, the fact is stored, and the process is once ended. If the priority mode OFF is not set, in other words, if the priority mode ON is set (NO in S150), the PC print priority time zone is changed from the display content of the PC priority time setting section in S170. Read and RAM84
, And the process proceeds to S180. Then, in S180, it is determined whether or not the PC print priority time zone has been set three times, and if the PC print priority time zone has been set three times (YES in S180), the process ends, and P
If the C print priority time zone is not set three times (S
If NO in 180, the process proceeds to S120 again, and the PC print priority time zone is set three times (YES in S180).
S), the process from S120 is repeatedly executed until the stop key is pressed (YES in S140). That is,
In this embodiment, a maximum of three time zones can be set as the PC print priority time zones within one day (24 hours). The PC print priority time zone may be set any number of times.

In this priority mode setting process, the PC
When the print priority time zone is set, the time zone other than the set time zone is the FAX print priority time zone in which the FAX data printing is prioritized. Further, the setting contents set by the priority mode setting process and stored in the RAM 84 are the same as those of the printer unit 7 after the end of the process.
The data is transferred to the PRINT CPU 90 on the fourth side and stored in the RAM 94 on the printer unit 74 side, and is used when the CPU 90 executes the printing process of FAX data and PC data.

Next, the FAX data receiving process executed repeatedly as one of the main routines in the FAX CPU 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when this process is started, first, in S210, it is determined whether or not a request for ejecting received data has been transmitted from the printer unit 74 side,
If there is a start request (YES in S210), S
In 300, after performing a received data decoding process described later, the process proceeds to S220. If there is no ejection request (NO in S210), the process proceeds to S220. Further, in S220, it is determined whether or not the FAX data is received by the NCU 86 and the modem 88 as the facsimile receiving unit. If the FAX data has been received (YES in S220), the process proceeds to S230, and if the FAX data has not been received (NO in S220), the process proceeds to S210 again.

In S230, the print request command is transmitted to the printer section 74 side, and in S240, it is determined whether or not the print OK command is transmitted from the printer section 90 side in response to the print request command. Then, if the print OK command is transmitted (YES in S240), after the reception data decoding process described later is activated in S250, the process proceeds to S260, and if the print OK command is not transmitted ( If NO in S240, that is, if the printer unit 74 side cannot print the received data, the process directly proceeds to S260.

At S260, the NCU 86 and the modem 88 are used.
The FAX data received in step S2 is stored in a predetermined storage area (reception buffer memory 84a) in the RAM 84, and S2
In step 70, it is determined whether the reception of one page of FAX data is completed. If the reception of one page of FAX data is not completed (NO in S270), the process proceeds to S260. Receive buffer memory 84 for one page
Store in a.

When it is determined in S270 that the reception of one page of FAX data has been completed (YES in S270),
In S280, it is determined whether the NCU 86 and the modem 88 have received the next-page FAX data. If the next-page FAX data has not been received (S280: N
O), the process is once ended, and if the FAX data of the next page is received (YES in S280), the process proceeds to S260 again, and the FAX data of the next page and the following pages are also processed by the same procedure as above. The data is stored in the reception buffer memory 84a.

Next, the received data decoding process executed in S300 and activated in S250 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It should be noted that this process is a process for transmitting the FAX data stored in the reception buffer memory 84a to the printer unit 74 side, and S250
When it is started in step 1, the reception process is executed in a time-sharing manner by utilizing the idle time.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this received data decoding process (S300), it is determined in S310 whether one page of received data is stored in the receive buffer memory 84a, and one page of received data is received. If the data is stored (S3
If the received data for one page is not stored (NO at S310), the process proceeds to S320.
By repeating the process of S310, the reception buffer memory 84a waits for one page of received data to be stored. Note that the process of S310 is a process for waiting for one page of received data to be stored in the receive buffer memory 84a in the process of S260 when the process is activated in S250. is there.

Next, in S320, the FAX data stored in the reception buffer memory 84a is decoded into image data for printing (bitmap data), and in S330,
The decrypted FAX data is transferred to the printer unit 74 side. Then, in S340, it is determined whether or not the transfer of the data for one page is completed, and if the transfer of the one page is not completed (NO in S340), the process proceeds to S320 again, and the FAX data is transferred. Decrypt and transfer one page.

On the other hand, when the decoding and transfer of one page of FAX data are completed, a page break command is transmitted to the printer section 74 side in S350 to notify that the transmission of one page of FAX data has been completed. . And S360 continues
Then, F on the next page to be printed in the reception buffer memory 84a
It is judged whether there is AX data remaining, and the FAX on the next page
If the data remains (YES in S360), the process proceeds to S310 again, and the FAX data on the next page and subsequent pages are decrypted and transmitted in the same manner as described above, and all of the data stored in the reception buffer memory 84a is stored. When the decryption and transmission of the FAX data of 1 is completed, an end command indicating that effect is transmitted to the printer unit 74 side in S370, and the processing ends.

Next, the print processing of FAX data and PC data executed by the PRINT CPU 90 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Figure 7
As shown in step S410, when this process is started, first, S410.
At the PC, it is judged whether or not there is a print request from the personal computer 98 side, and if there is a print request from the personal computer 98 side (S
If YES in 410), the process proceeds to the PC data printing process shown in FIG. 8, and if there is no print request from the personal computer 98 side (NO in S410), it is determined in S420 whether or not there is a print request from the FAX section 72 side. to decide.

If there is a print request from the FAX unit 72 side (YES in S420), the process proceeds to the FAX data printing process shown in FIG. 9, and conversely, if there is no print request from the FAX unit 72 side (S420). No), the process proceeds to S430 to read the current time from a timer (clocking means) (not shown) built in the CPU 90, and whether the current time is the PC print priority time zone set in the priority mode setting process. To judge. If the present time is the PC print priority time zone (YES in S430), S440.
Determines whether the PC data to be printed is stored in the storage area (storage buffer memory 94a) for storing PC data in the RAM 94, and the storage buffer memory 94
If the PC data is not stored in a, the process proceeds to S410 again. Conversely, if the PC data is stored in the accumulation buffer memory 94a (YES in S440), the process proceeds to S450. The accumulation buffer memory 94a has a P
This is for temporarily storing the PC data transmitted from the personal computer 98 side in the FAX print priority time zone by the C data printing process (FIG. 8).

Next, in S450, the recording unit 26 determines whether or not the printing operation is currently possible. If the recording unit 26 is not ready for printing (N in S450)
O), the process proceeds to S410 again, and if the recording unit 26 can perform the print operation (YES in S450), in S460,
It is determined whether or not there is PC data to be printed in the storage buffer memory 94a. If there is PC data in the storage buffer memory 94a (YES in S460), the data is read in order, and the read data is read in S470. If the data is not a page break command (NO in S470), the RAM 94 is used to temporarily store the read data in step S480 as print data for one page. The printing PC data for one page is sequentially stored in the recording buffer memory 94b by the procedure of storing in the recording buffer memory 94b set in advance.

Further, when it is determined that the read data is a page break command in S470 (YE in S470).
S), 1 is stored in the recording buffer memory 94b of the RAM 94.
Since the printing PC data for pages has been stored,
In S490, the recording unit 26 is driven according to the PC data for one page to form (print) an image corresponding to the PC data on the recording paper 24, and the process proceeds to S460 again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S460 that there is no PC data to be printed in the storage buffer memory 94a, the process is once ended.

The series of processes in S440 to S490 is performed in the PC data printing process described later with reference to FIG.
S550 to S executed to print C data
Along with the processing of 600, the second recording control means of the present invention is realized. The printing of one page of PC data in S490 is performed by the PC stored in the recording buffer memory 94b.
The data is transferred to the laser beam scanning device 62, the laser beam corresponding to the data is emitted from the laser beam scanning device 62, and at the same time, the sheet feeding roller 51, the conveying roller 53, the fixing device 56, which constitute the recording unit 26, This is performed by synchronously driving the mechanical components such as the paper discharge roller 57, the photosensitive drum 61, and the developing device 63.

If it is determined in S430 that the PC print priority time zone is not currently set (NO in S430), in other words, the FAX print priority time zone is currently set or the priority mode is set. If it is OFF,
In step S500, it is determined whether the FAX unit 72 has the FAX data to be printed by inquiring whether the FAX unit 72 has the FAX data to be printed stored in the reception buffer memory 84a. . And
If it is determined in S500 that there is no FAX data to be printed in the FAX unit 72 (NO in S500), S410 is executed again.
If it is determined that there is FAX data to be printed in the FAX unit 72 (YES in S500), S51
After shifting to 0, the recording unit 26 determines whether or not the print operation is currently possible, as in S450. If the recording unit 26 is not ready for printing (N in S510,
O), the process proceeds to S410 again, and if the recording unit 26 can perform the print operation (YES in S510), S520.
At this time, a sending request is sent to the FAX unit 72 side,
The process proceeds to S690 in the FAX data printing process shown in FIG.

Next, in the PC data print processing (FIG. 8) executed when it is determined in S410 that the print request is issued from the personal computer 98 side, first, in S530, as in S430, The current time is read from the timer for timer built in the CPU 90, and it is determined whether or not the current time is the PC print priority time zone. And now,
If it is the PC print priority time zone (YES in S530
S) and S550, and if it is not the PC print priority time zone (NO in S530), the process proceeds to S540. In S540, the recording unit 26 determines whether or not the printing operation has not been performed for a predetermined time (10 minutes in the present embodiment) (printer inactive state), and the printer inactive state must continue for a predetermined time or more. If (NO in S540),
If the printer inoperative state has continued for the predetermined time or longer (YES in S540), the process proceeds to S610. Further, in S550, the above S450 and S5
Similar to 10, the recording unit 26 determines whether or not the printing operation is currently possible. If the recording unit 26 is not in the printing operation (NO in S550), the process proceeds to S610, and vice versa. If the print operation is possible (S550
YES), the process moves to S560.

In step S560, it is determined whether or not the PRINT CPU 90 has valid data in the PC interface input / output port (hereinafter referred to as PC / I / F / IO) that receives the transmission data from the personal computer 98 via the personal computer interface 96. By judging whether or not
Wait for C data to be sent. And S560
If it is determined that the PC / I / F / IO has valid data (YES in S560), it is determined in S570 whether the input data is a page break command, and the input data is a page break. If not a command (NO in S570), S5
At 80, it is determined whether the input data is an end command. If the input data is not an end command (NO at S580), the input data is transferred to the RAM 94 at S590.
Sequentially store in the recording buffer memory 94b in the
The PC data transmitted from the personal computer 98 side is sequentially stored in the recording buffer memory 94b of the RAM 94 by the procedure of shifting to 560.

If it is determined in S570 that the input data is a page break command (YES in S570), RA
The recording buffer memory 94b of the M94 has a PC for one page.
Since the data has been stored, in S600, the PC data is printed on the recording paper 24 by driving the recording unit 26 in accordance with the PC data for one page, as in S490. The process moves to S560 again. On the other hand, S5
If it is determined at 80 that the input data is the end command (YES at S580), the PC data has not been transmitted from the personal computer 98 side, so the process is temporarily ended.

On the other hand, in S610, as in S560, it is determined whether or not there is valid data in the PC / I / F / IO to wait for the PC data to be transmitted from the personal computer 98, and When the PC data is transmitted to the I / F / IO (YES in S610), it is determined in S620 whether the input data is an end command, and if the PC data is not the end command (NO in S620). ), At S630, the input data is transferred to the RAM94.
It is stored in the storage buffer memory 94a in the
The PC data transmitted from the personal computer 98 side is sequentially stored in the accumulation buffer memory 94a of the RAM 94 by the procedure of shifting to 0. If it is determined that the input data is the end command in S620 (S620).
If YES, the PC data has not been transmitted from the personal computer 98 side, so the process is once ended.

Next, in the FAX data printing process (FIG. 9) executed when it is determined in S420 that a print request has been issued from the FAX unit 72 side, first, in S640.
In the same manner as in S430 and S530, it is determined whether or not it is currently in the PC print priority time zone. Then, if it is not the PC print priority time zone at present (N in S640,
O), the process proceeds to S660. Conversely, if it is the PC print priority time zone (YES in S640), the process proceeds to S650.
Similar to S540, the recording unit 26 determines whether or not the printer is inoperative for a predetermined time or longer, and if the printer is not inoperative for a predetermined time or longer (NO in S650),
If the printer is not operating for a predetermined time or longer (YES in S650), the process proceeds to S670. Further, in S660, the above S450, S51
0, as in S550, the recording unit 26 determines whether or not the printing operation is currently possible. If the recording unit 26 is not in the printing operation (NO in S660), the process proceeds to S670, and vice versa. If 26 is ready for printing (S
(YES in 660), and proceeds to S680. And S6
At 70, a print NG command indicating that the FAX data cannot be printed is transmitted to the FAX unit 72, and the process is temporarily ended.

On the other hand, in S680, the print OK command is transmitted to the FAX unit 72, and in the subsequent S690, the PRI is sent.
The NT CPU 90 determines whether or not there is valid data in the FAX interface input / output port (hereinafter, FAX / I / F / IO) that receives the transmission data from the FAX unit 72 side via the gate array 76. FAX section 72
Wait for FAX data to be sent from.

Then, in S690, the FAX I / F I
If it is determined that O has valid data (YES in step S690)
In S) and S700, it is determined whether the input data is a page break command. If the input data is not a page break command (NO in S700), in S710, is the input data an end command? If the input data is not the end command (NO in S710), the input data is stored in the recording buffer memory 94b in the RAM 94 in S720, and the process proceeds to S690 again. The printing FAX data transmitted from the FAX unit 72 side is sequentially stored in the recording buffer memory 94b of the RAM 94.

If it is determined in S700 that the input data is a page break command (YES in S700), R
Since one page of printing FAX data has been stored in the recording buffer memory 94b of the AM94, S73
At 0, the recording unit 26 according to the FAX data for one page.
Is driven to form (print) an image corresponding to the FAX data on the recording paper 24, and the process proceeds to S690 again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S710 that the input data is the end command (YES in S710), there is no FAX data to be printed any more, so the process is once ended.

The processing of S690 to S730 executed to print the FAX data corresponds to the first recording control means of the present invention. Further, the printing of the FAX data in S730 is performed by the P in S490 and S600.
This is executed in the same manner as when printing C data.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user operates the operation panel 14 to display the PC data and the FAX.
If you set the priority mode that gives priority to the printing of any of the data, after that, according to the set priority time zone, P
If it is the C print priority time zone (YES in S640),
If the FAX data printing is prohibited and the FAX print priority time zone is set (YES in S530), the PC data printing is prohibited. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a time zone in which PC data is frequently printed is set as a PC print priority time zone, and a time in which fax data is frequently received is set as a FAX print priority time zone. By doing so, the FAX data and the PC data can be printed efficiently.

In the present embodiment, the processing of S640 and S530, which prohibits printing of the other data in the print priority time zone of each data, corresponds to the priority mode control means of the present invention. Further, in the present embodiment, when a print request is issued from the FAX unit 72 in the PC print priority time zone, or when a print request is issued from the personal computer 98 in the FAX print priority time zone, the print request is not accepted at all. Instead, if the print inactive state of the recording unit 26 continues for a predetermined time (YES in S540,
(YES in S650), accepts the print request, and sends the FA
Printing of X data or PC data is executed. For this reason,
According to this embodiment, if the recording unit 26 is free, the data requested for printing can be printed regardless of the set priority time zone, and the recording unit 26 can be operated efficiently. .

Further, in the present embodiment, even if the FAX data received by the FAX unit 72 cannot be printed during the PC print priority time zone, the FAX data received by the FAX unit 72 is stored in the reception buffer memory 84a. (S260 to S280), conversely, even if the PC data transmitted from the personal computer 98 cannot be printed during the FAX print priority time zone, the PC data is stored in the storage buffer memory 94a on the printer unit 74 side. It is stored (S610 to S630). Then, the stored FA
The X data or the PC data is printed (S460 to S490, respectively) when the printing of each data becomes possible.
S520 + S690-S730). Therefore, the FAX data received by the FAX unit 72 cannot be printed or the PC data transmitted from the personal computer 98 cannot be printed due to the setting of the priority mode, and the received FAX data and PC data are It can be printed reliably.

In the present embodiment, the facsimile unit in which the recording unit 26 is constituted by a so-called laser printer has been described, but a thermal printer having a thermal head as the recording unit, an ink jet printer or the like may be used.
The present invention can be applied to a facsimile apparatus including a printer that has been generally used in the past.

In this embodiment, the control unit 70 is set to FAX.
The facsimile device which is divided into the unit 72 and the printer unit 74 to realize the transmission / reception of the FAX data and the printing of the FAX data and the PC data by the processing of the two CPUs 80 and 90 provided in these units has been described. CP
The present invention can be applied even to a facsimile machine in which these processes are realized by U.

[0060]

As described above, according to the facsimile machine with a printer function of the invention described in claim 1,
By setting the priority mode in which the recording of the created image by the external device is prioritized by the priority mode setting means, even if the facsimile data is received by the facsimile receiving unit, the creation based on the print data input to the print data input unit after that. If the priority mode is set so that the image recording is performed with priority, and conversely the facsimile image recording is prioritized, even if the print data is input to the print data input section, the facsimile received by the facsimile receiving section after that. The facsimile image recording based on the data is performed with priority. Therefore, the user can preferentially print desired data out of the facsimile data and the print data on the recording paper, promptly check the received facsimile data and efficiently print the print data. You can In addition, the recording unit is predetermined
If the recording operation has not been performed for a time or more, the priority mode is set.
Recording that is not set can be performed, and the recording unit is efficient.
It can be operated well.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the facsimile machine with printer function enables the recording section to operate.
If not, control of the recording unit can be stopped. Next, according to the facsimile apparatus with a printer function of the invention of claim 3 , a period during which the recording unit is not operable
The print data input inside can be stored.

Further, according to the facsimile apparatus with printer function of the invention described in claim 4, the recording section operates.
Accumulate received fax data during periods when it is not possible
can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a fax machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal mechanism of the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a priority mode setting process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing FAX data reception processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a received data decoding process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of a data printing process when there is no print request.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a PC data printing process when there is a print request from a personal computer in the data printing process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a FAX data printing process when there is a print request from the FAX unit in the data printing process.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Facsimile device 14 ... Operation panel 24 ...
Recording paper 26 ... Recording unit 55 ... Image forming device 56 ... Fixing device 61 ... Photosensitive drum 62 ... Laser beam scanning device 63
... Developing device 65 ... Transfer device 70 ... Control unit 72 ... FAX unit
74 ... Printer unit 76 ... Gate array 84 ... Reception buffer memory
88 ... Modem 86 ... NCU 94a ... Storage buffer memory 94b ... Recording buffer memory 96 ... Personal computer interface

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile receiving section for receiving facsimile data transmitted via a communication line, a print data input section for inputting print data created by an external device such as a computer, and a predetermined record. First recording control for recording a facsimile image on the recording paper by controlling a recording unit that forms an image on paper and facsimile data received by the facsimile receiving unit according to the data. And when print data is input to the print input unit,
A facsimile machine with a printer function, comprising: a second recording control means for controlling the recording unit according to the data and recording a created image according to the data on the recording paper. A priority mode setting means for setting which of the images created by the apparatus is to be preferentially recorded on the recording paper, and a priority mode for prioritizing the recording of the facsimile image are set by the priority mode setting means. And a priority mode control means for prohibiting the operation of the first recording control means when the priority mode for prohibiting the operation of the second recording control means and giving priority to the recording of the created image is set. The priority mode control means is provided for setting the priority mode.
Priority to record the above facsimile image by means
With the mode set,
The print data is input, or the priority mode
Priority setting to give priority to the recording of the created image with the mode setting means.
When the fax mode is set,
When the above facsimile data is received at
It is possible to determine whether or not the unit has not been recording for more than a predetermined time.
Turned off, and the recording unit has not been recording for more than the specified time.
If it is determined that the state is the state, the first recording control described above is performed.
Means or the prohibition of the operation of the second recording control means is released.
A facsimile machine with a printer function, which is characterized in that 2. The first recording control means and the second recording control means.
The recording control means of is operated by the priority mode control means.
When the prohibition of is removed, the above recording unit can now record.
It is determined whether or not it is, and the above recording unit can perform the recording operation now.
If it is determined that
If it is determined that the recording unit is not currently capable of recording
The facsimile apparatus with a printer function according to claim 1 , wherein control of the recording unit is stopped . 3. A storage for storing the print data.
A second buffer control means for stopping the control of the recording section.
After the above print data,
The facsimile machine with a printer function according to claim 2, wherein the facsimile machine has a printer function. 4. The first recording control means is the recording section.
Recording the above facsimile data after stopping the control of
Sent to the above fax receiver
The facsimile data in the facsimile receiver.
The claim 2 or claim 3 is characterized in that
Facsimile machine with the printer functions described.