JP3525720B2 - Facsimile machine - 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 having a printing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A copying function provided in a recent facsimile apparatus is not so much as a dedicated copying machine in terms of performances such as reading speed of documents, sharpness of print image quality and operation of multi-copy processing. It is improving to the extent that there is no difference. Therefore, the facsimile apparatus generally uses the original image data transmission / reception function and the copy function together.

In such a facsimile apparatus having a copy function, a facsimile transmission process for transmitting an image read from a document to a specific destination for one document and a copy of the image or In many cases, print processing for printing a plurality of copies is requested at the same time. For the purpose of convenience in such a case, there has been proposed a facsimile apparatus capable of simultaneously performing a document image transmission process and a copy process simultaneously or continuously with a single operation.

In this facsimile apparatus, when a transmission / copy key is operated to instruct both transmission and copying after a document is set, the transmission process and the copy process for the read document image are performed in parallel or sequentially. Therefore, the sending process and the copying process can be simultaneously executed by one operation, and the office work can be speeded up as compared with the case where the sending operation and the copying operation are independently performed and the operation is required twice. It is possible to improve efficiency.

[0005]

The above-mentioned facsimile apparatus is convenient because it is possible to simultaneously perform the sending process and the copying process by one operation before reading the original, but it is convenient to operate the sending key. Therefore, once the reading process of the original document for transmission is started, the copy process cannot be added, and if the user wants to make a copy, the reading process of the original document must be restarted and the copy process must be performed. is there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an external instruction of a printing process (copying process) is issued during the process of reading a document for transmission or the process of transmitting read image data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly convenient facsimile apparatus that can accept and perform print processing (copy processing).

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus including means for reading an original, means for storing image data of the read original, means for transmitting the stored image data, and stored means. A printing unit that prints image data and a first receiving unit that receives an instruction to simultaneously perform transmission and printing
Attaching means, second receiving means for receiving a transmission instruction, and printing
The third receiving means for receiving the instruction and the second receiving means for receiving the instruction.
During the reading or sending process based on the
2 Finger of printing image data in the instruction received by the receiving means
Means for determining whether or not the indication has been received by the third receiving means
If it is determined that the printing instruction is received,
2 The image data in the instruction received by the receiving means is
And means for controlling printing by the printing means .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the third receiving means includes means for inquiring the number of copies to be printed when receiving a printing instruction, and means for receiving an instruction of the number of printing copies. And is configured to print the image data of the number of copies according to the instruction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the printing means is irrespective of the size of the read original when the third receiving means receives a printing instruction. It is characterized in that the image data is printed on a sheet of a predetermined size.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, an external instruction to print the original is input while the original for transmission is being read or while the read image data is being transmitted. In this case, print processing can be performed according to this external instruction. Therefore, even after the reading process of the original document for transmission is started, the printing process can be performed without performing the reading process of the original document again.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when an external instruction for printing is received, the external (user) is inquired about the number of copies to be printed, and the printing process is performed according to the response. Therefore, printing for a desired number of copies can be performed in response to a request from the outside (user).

Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the printing process is performed by selecting the paper of a predetermined size regardless of the size of the original detected at the time of reading. Therefore, since it is always printed on the same size paper,
Filing processing of printed paper becomes simple.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, specifically, a main control unit 1, which is configured by a CPU, includes hardware components (modem 2,
The image reading unit 4, the image memory 5, the printing unit 6, the display unit 7, the operation unit 8, the ROM 9, and the RAM 10) are connected to control them and execute various software functions.

The main control unit 1 includes a modem 2 and an NCU (Netw
It is connected to the communication line L via an ork Control Unit (line control device) 3. The modem 2 mutually exchanges image data and analog audio signals, the NCU 3 controls the closing and opening operations of the communication line L, and connects the modem 2 to the communication line L as necessary.

The image reading unit 4 is, for example, a scanner using a CCD, reads an original to be transmitted and / or copied, and outputs image data converted into binary black and white.
The image memory 5 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted and / or copied and received image data.

The printing unit 6 is, for example, an electrophotographic printer or the like, and prints image data to be copied and image data received by facsimile communication on a sheet as a hard copy. The display unit 7 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device (L
CD) or a display device such as a CRT display,
Display the operating status of the facsimile machine, send and / or
Alternatively, the image data to be copied and the received image data are displayed.

The operation unit 8 receives an external instruction of communication / copy processing from a user, and includes a communication key 8a for instructing execution of communication processing, a copy key 8b for instructing execution of copy processing, and a transmission processing. Further, it has at least a transmission / copy key 8c for instructing simultaneous execution of copy processing, and a ten key 8d necessary for inputting a destination telephone number, inputting the number of copies, and the like. Note that various function keys such as a speed dial key and a one-touch dial key may be further provided.

The ROM 9 stores in advance a software program necessary for the operation of the facsimile machine. R
The AM 10 is composed of, for example, an SRAM or a flash memory, and stores temporary data generated when software is executed.

Next, the operation will be described. In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, a communication instruction is given by the user,
If the user gives an instruction to copy the original document during the reading process or the transmission process of the original document, when the copy instruction is given during the original document reading process, the copying process is performed in parallel with the transmission process after the reading is finished, When a copy instruction is given during the process of transmitting the original, the copy process is immediately started.

2 to 5 are flow charts showing the operation procedure in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 show the procedure of the original reading process / transmission process, and FIG. 4 the copy number input procedure. 5 shows the procedure of the copy process.

When the user places a document to be transmitted, a communication screen is displayed on the display unit 7, and the user's ten key 8d is operated to input the telephone number of the other party (step S).
1). The input telephone number is displayed on the communication screen of the display unit 7. When the communication key 8a is pressed (step S2: YES), the image reading unit 4 starts the reading process of the document (step S3), and the image data of the read document is stored in the image memory 5 (step S3). Step S4).

It is determined whether or not the user has pressed the copy key 8b to copy the original document during the reading process of the original document (step S5). If the copy key 8b is pressed (S5: YES), the routine for inputting the number of copies is started (step S6), and the process proceeds to step S7. If the copy key 8b is not pressed (S5: (NO) The process directly proceeds to S7. It is determined whether the read page is the last page (S
7) If it is not the final page (S7: NO), the process returns to S4 and the processes of S4 to S6 are repeated to perform the reading process / image data storing process of the next page.

On the other hand, if it is the final page (S7: YE
S), and it is determined whether or not a copy command has been issued by then (step S8). If a copy command has been issued (S8: YES), the copy process routine is started (step S9), and then the process proceeds to step S10. If no copy command has been input (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S10.
The process proceeds to.

Next, image data transmission processing is performed (S1).
0). That is, the image data stored in the image memory 5 is read, the image data is converted into a voice signal by the modem 2, and the voice signal is output to the communication line L via the NCU 3.

During the process of transmitting the image data, it is determined whether or not the user has pressed the copy key 8b to copy the document (step S11). If the copy key 8b is pressed (S11: YES), the routine for inputting the number of copies and the routine for copy processing are started (steps S12 and S13), and then step S
When the copy key 8b is not pressed (S11: NO), the process proceeds directly to S14.

It is judged whether or not the transmission processing has been completed for all the image data (S14), and if not completed (S14: NO), the processing returns to S10 and S10-S10.
The process of S13 is repeated.

On the other hand, when the transmission processing of all the image data has been completed (S14: YES), it is determined whether or not a copy command has been input in the middle and the copy processing being performed in parallel has been completed. (Step S15). Then, when the copy process ends (S15: YES), the image data stored in the image memory 5 is erased (step S16), and the process ends. If a copy command is not issued and copy processing is not being performed in parallel, YES is unconditionally determined in S15.

Next, the operation of inputting the number of copies will be described with reference to FIG. When the copy key 8b is pressed,
Erase the communication screen on display 7 and click "Enter the number of copies."
Is displayed (step S21), and at the same time, the timer (not shown) in the main controller 1 starts the time counting operation (step S22).

Then, it is determined whether or not the user operates the ten-key pad 8d to set the number of copies (step S23). When the ten key 8d is operated (S23: YES), the number of copies to be copied is set according to the operation (step S24), and the step S24 is performed.
The process proceeds to 26.

On the other hand, when the ten key 8d is not operated (S23: NO), it is determined whether or not the timer has counted a predetermined time (step S25). When the predetermined time is not timed (S25: NO), the process returns to S23 to check again whether or not the ten key 8d is operated, and when the predetermined time is timed (S25: YES), the process proceeds to S26. When the setting of the number of copies is completed or the time is up, the display unit 7 displays the communication screen again (S26), and the process ends.

Next, the operation of the copy process will be described with reference to FIG. When the setting of the number of copies is completed, "1" is set to the parameter i indicating the number of copies (step S
31) and "1" is set to the parameter j indicating the number of pages (step S32).

Next, it is determined whether or not the copy mode is the standard size (step S33). If the copy mode is the standard size (S33: YES), the paper of a preset size (for example, A4 size) is selected (step S34), and if not (S33: N).
O), and selects a paper size corresponding to the size of the original read by the image reading unit 4 (step S35).

Then, the image data for one page is copied onto the paper (step S36). That is, the image data for one page stored in the image memory 5 is read out, and the printing unit 6
At, the image data is copied onto one sheet of paper of the selected size. It is determined whether the parameter j is smaller than m (m: number of pages of original) (step S37).

If j has not reached m (S37:
If YES, the parameter j is incremented by 1 (step S38), and then the process returns to S33 to copy the image data for the next page onto the next sheet. When j reaches m (S37: NO), it is determined whether the parameter i is smaller than n (n: the set number of copies) (step S39).

If i has not reached n (S39:
If YES, the parameter i is incremented by 1 (step S40), and then the process returns to S32 to copy the next set. When i reaches n (S39: N
O), the copy process ends.

Although the above-described copy processing is an example of sorting a plurality of copy sheets, it goes without saying that the copy processing may be performed without sorting.

In the above example, when the copy key 8b is not pressed after the communication key 8a is pressed and during the reading process or the transmission process of the document, that is, before the transmission of the document is completed. It goes without saying that only normal communication processing is carried out.

By pressing the send / copy key 8c shown in FIG. 1, the communication process and the copy process can be simultaneously executed from the beginning. When only the copy key 8b is pressed, the original is read and its image data is copied onto the paper. Since the processing in such a case is not a characteristic part of the present invention, description of its operation is omitted.

[0039]

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the external instruction of the printing process is issued during the reading process of the original document for transmission or the transmission process of the read image data. By giving the print processing, the print processing can be performed, so that the user's request to add the print processing can be met and the convenience of the user can be improved.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the user can be inquired about the number of copies to be printed, and the printing process of the number of copies can be performed according to the reply, so that the convenience can be further improved.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, regardless of the size of the original detected at the time of reading, the paper of the predetermined size is selected and the printing process is performed, so that the printed paper of the same size is always obtained. The filing process becomes simple.

[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 flowchart showing an operation procedure (reading process / transmission process) in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure (reading process / sending process) in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure (copy number input processing) in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure (copy processing) in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main control unit 2 modem 3 NCU 4 Image reading section 5 image memory 6 Printing department 7 Display 8 operation part 8a Communication key 8b Copy key 8d numeric keypad

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A document reading unit, a unit for storing image data of the read document, a unit for transmitting the stored image data, a printing unit for printing the stored image data, and a unit for transmitting and printing. First to receive instructions for simultaneous execution
Reception means, second reception means for receiving a transmission instruction, and printing
Is received by the third receiving means and the second receiving means.
During the reading process or the sending process based on the
Printing of image data according to the instruction received by the second receiving means
A hand for judging whether or not an instruction has been received by the third receiving means.
If it is determined that the printing instruction has been received,
The image data in the instruction received by the second receiving unit
A facsimile apparatus comprising : a printing unit that controls printing. 2. The third accepting means includes means for inquiring the number of copies to be printed when a printing instruction is received, and means for receiving an instruction of the number of copies to be printed, and the image data of the number of copies according to the instruction. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is configured to print. 3. The printing unit is configured to print the image data on a sheet of a predetermined size regardless of the size of the read original when the third receiving unit receives a printing instruction. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the facsimile apparatus is provided.