JP3633433B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that includes a storage unit that stores image information and records the image information stored in the storage unit on one side or both sides of an image recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A facsimile apparatus, which is a type of conventional image recording apparatus, includes a storage unit that stores image information. The received image information is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and the image information is read from the storage unit, decoded, and printed. Had gone. In these facsimile apparatuses, as in the facsimile apparatus described in JP-A-6-319031, as an additional function in printing, a function for performing printing on both sides of printing paper (hereinafter referred to as “double-sided printing”). There was also a known one. In a facsimile apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing, the printing image data developed in the print data development buffer of the storage means is printed on the surface of the printing paper by the printing mechanism, and then the printing paper is discharged to the double-sided printing mechanism. Therefore, the printing surface of the printing paper is reversed and returned to the printing mechanism, and printing is also performed on the back surface of the printing paper.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the facsimile apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing as described above takes time to invert the printing paper by the double-sided printing mechanism, the storage means receives the reception compared to the conventional facsimile apparatus that performs only single-sided printing. The stored image information and the developed image data are stored for a long time. Therefore, there is a problem that the free capacity of the storage means is reduced, the storage means is filled with the received image information, and the reception cannot be performed continuously.
[0004]
Some facsimile machines have an answering machine function. In a facsimile machine equipped with this answering machine function, the storage means for storing the received message is also used as the storage means for storing the image information. In many cases, the free space of the storage means is further reduced, the image information received by the storage means is likely to become full, and it is impossible to continue reception.
[0005]
Further, depending on the facsimile apparatus, the received image information is stored in the storage means, and the image information stored in the storage means is stored in the other storage device in response to a request from another facsimile apparatus connected via a communication line. A device having a function of transmitting to a facsimile machine is also known. In the facsimile apparatus having this function, since the received image information is stored in the storage means until a transmission request is received from another facsimile, the free space of the storage means is further reduced, and the storage means There is a problem that the received image information is likely to become full, and it becomes impossible to continue reception.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in an image recording apparatus having a double-sided printing function, double-sided printing is performed when the free space of the storage means for storing received image information is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that can prevent the storage unit from being filled with received image information without performing the process.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0008]
[0009]
In order to achieve the above-described object, in the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , a receiving unit that receives image information, a storage unit that stores image information received by the receiving unit, and a storage unit that stores the image information. Recording means for recording the image information on one side or both sides of the image recording medium, empty capacity determining means for determining whether or not the free capacity of the storage means is a predetermined amount or more capable of duplex printing , and A double-sided recording mode setting unit that sets a double-sided recording mode for recording on both sides of the image recording medium, and when the double-sided recording mode is set by the double-sided recording mode setting unit, the empty capacity determining unit stores the memory If the free space of the means is determined to be smaller than the predetermined amount, clear double-sided printing mode set by said double-sided printing mode setting means, the image recording medium by said recording means It has a structure which is characterized in that the recording of the one side.
[0010]
In the image recording apparatus having this configuration, when the double-sided recording mode is set by the double-sided recording mode setting unit, the empty capacity determining unit has the free capacity of the storage unit less than a predetermined amount that allows double-sided printing. Is determined, the double-sided recording mode set by the double-sided recording mode setting unit is canceled, and the recording unit performs recording on one side of the image recording medium. Therefore, when the free capacity of the storage means is less than the predetermined amount does not perform two-sided printing, it can be prevented from becoming full of the image information storing means receives.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the image recording apparatus according to claim 2 , in addition to the configuration of the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , the storage unit records the image information while recording the image information of a plurality of pages on one side of the image recording medium. If the free space of the means is restored above the predetermined amount, structure, characterized in that said not return to the double-sided printing mode for double-sided printing of the image recording medium, to continue the recording on one side of said image recording medium It has become.
[0012]
In the image recording apparatus having this configuration, in addition to the operation of the image recording apparatus according to claim 1, when the recording unit records image information of a plurality of pages on one side of the image recording medium, the free space of the storage unit is small. Even when the image is recovered to a predetermined amount or more that allows double-sided printing , recording is continued on one side of the image recording medium without returning to the double-sided recording mode for performing double-sided recording on the image recording medium. Therefore, the printing result of a plurality of pages is not mixed with a double-sided printing after a single-sided printing.
[0013]
Furthermore, in the image recording device according to claim 3 , in addition to the configuration of the image recording device according to claim 1 or 2 , in response to a request from another device connected via a communication line, the storage unit stores the image recording device. Transmitting means for transmitting the stored image information to the other device is provided.
[0014]
In the image recording apparatus having this configuration, in addition to the operation of the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , the image stored by the transmission unit in the storage unit in response to a request from another apparatus connected via a communication line. Even in an image recording apparatus that transmits information to the other apparatus, it is possible to prevent the storage unit from being filled with image information received.
[0015]
In addition to the configuration of the image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , the image recording device according to claim 4 is configured to receive audio information transmitted from another device connected through a communication line. The data is stored in the storage means.
[0016]
In the image recording apparatus having this configuration, in addition to the operation of the image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , audio information transmitted from another apparatus connected via a communication line is stored in the storage unit. Even in an image recording apparatus having an answering machine function, it is possible to prevent the storage unit from being filled with image information received.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile machine 1 which is an example of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus 1 is provided with a CPU unit 2 that controls the entire facsimile apparatus 1. The CPU unit 2 includes a CPU 3 that performs various arithmetic processes and a logic circuit that performs various processes. A configured gate array 4 and an I / O circuit (not shown) are provided. The gate array 4 also has a function of performing encoding and decoding such as MH method and MR method.
[0019]
The facsimile apparatus 1 is also provided with an input key unit 5 on which a numeric keypad for inputting a telephone number, a duplex printing setting key for setting duplex printing, and the like are arranged. Is input to the CPU unit 2 as an input signal, and the input key control circuit 6 is connected to the CPU unit 2.
[0020]
The CPU unit 2 is connected to a ROM 7 storing a control program executed by the CPU 3 and initial setting values, and a rewritable EEPROM M8 storing various setting values. Further, the CPU unit 2 is connected to a RAM 9 for storing image information, received audio information, duplex printing setting information, and the like.
[0021]
Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 is provided with a recording LF motor 10 for conveying printing paper, an OHP sheet, etc., which is an example of an image recording medium (not shown), in the sub-scanning direction. The recording LF motor 10 is a recording LF motor. It is connected to the CPU unit 2 via the control circuit 11.
[0022]
Further, the facsimile machine 1 transports the document or the reading device 22 in the sub-scanning direction when a document (not shown) is read by the reading device 22 using a CCD (charge coupled device) or a CIS (contact image sensor). The reading motor 12 is provided, and the reading motor 12 is connected to the CPU unit 2 via the reading motor control circuit 13.
[0023]
Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 is provided with a carriage motor 14 for driving a carriage (not shown) for transporting a print head 24 to be described later in the main scanning direction. A carriage motor control circuit 15 is connected to the carriage motor 14. The carriage motor control circuit 15 is connected to the CPU unit 2.
[0024]
Further, the CPU unit 2 is connected to an IEEE 1284 interface 16 compliant with the IEEE 1284 standard for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device such as a computer, and a speaker 17 for reproducing RAM audio information.
[0025]
The CPU unit 2 is connected to a modem 18 which is a modem, and the modem 18 is connected to an NCU 19 which is a network control unit for controlling connection to the communication line 20. A handset 21 equipped with a handset is connected. The facsimile apparatus 1 is provided with a reading device 22 that reads an image of a document. The reading device 22 is connected to an image processing LSI 23, and the image processing LSI 23 is connected to the CPU unit 2.
[0026]
Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 is provided with an ink jet type print head 24, a head drive circuit 25 is connected to the print head 24, and the head drive circuit 25 is connected to the CPU unit 2. The CPU unit 2 is provided with a sensor 26. Although only one sensor 26 is shown in FIG. 1, various sensors such as a paper sensor, a document sensor, and an ink sensor (not shown) are actually provided and connected to the CPU unit 2.
[0027]
Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 is provided with a display panel 27 composed of a liquid crystal panel for displaying various settings and input results from the input key unit 5, and the display panel 27 is a display panel control for controlling the display panel 27. Connected to the circuit 28, the display panel control circuit 28 is connected to the CPU unit 2. Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 is provided with a double-sided printing mechanism (not shown) and a double-sided printing mechanism 29 for driving the double-sided printing mechanism. The double-sided printing mechanism 29 is connected to a double-sided printing mechanism control circuit 30 to control the double-sided printing mechanism. The circuit 30 is connected to the CPU unit 2.
[0028]
Next, the storage area of the RAM 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the storage area of the RAM 9.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, the RAM 9 has a duplex printing setting information storage area 9 a for storing whether or not duplex printing is performed on both sides of the printing paper, and an image received from the communication line 20 and demodulated by the modem 18. Information, an image information storage area 9b for storing image information of a document read by the reading device 22, a print data expansion buffer 9c for decoding image information and expanding print data for printing by the print head 24, and communication An ICM (In Coming Message) storage area 9d for storing voice messages from other telephones connected via the line 20 is provided. The RAM 9 is provided with a work area (not shown).
[0030]
Next, the structure of the input key unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the input key unit 5 provided on the upper surface of the casing (not shown) of the facsimile apparatus 1.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3, the input key unit 5 has a dial button 37 composed of “0-9” numeric buttons for inputting a telephone number and “*” and “#” symbol buttons, An abbreviated transmission button 38 for transmitting the stored telephone number by operating one button, a start button 32 for instructing start of document reading or transmission of the facsimile apparatus, and instruction for canceling document reading or transmission A stop signal 33, a duplex printing button 34 for instructing duplex printing on printing paper, and a request signal from another facsimile apparatus connected via the communication line 20 to the image information stored in the image information storage area 9b of the RAM 9 Thus, a retrieval function setting button 35 for setting a function (hereinafter referred to as “retrieval function”) to be transferred to the other facsimile apparatus. , A reproduction instruction button 31 for instructing the reproduction of the audio information recorded in the ICM storage area 9d, a function setting button 36 is provided for setting various functions such as functions answering machine function.
[0032]
When the duplex printing button 34 is pressed to set duplex printing, “1” indicating the duplex printing mode setting is stored in the duplex printing setting information storage area 9a of the RAM 9 shown in FIG. On the display panel 27 shown in FIG. 6, a character “duplex printing” indicating that the duplex printing mode is set is displayed. When the duplex printing mode is set, the CPU unit 2 drives the duplex printing mechanism 29 via the duplex printing mechanism control circuit 30 so that the printing paper printed on one side is turned over and the back side is also printed. Printing is performed.
[0033]
Next, facsimile reception recording processing of the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing facsimile reception recording processing of the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart is referred to as “S”.
[0034]
When the facsimile apparatus 1 prints the received image according to the main control program (not shown) stored in the ROM 7, the facsimile reception recording process shown in FIG. 4 is performed.
[0035]
First, it is determined whether double-sided printing has been set (S1). Specifically, the determination in S1 is made based on whether or not “1” indicating the duplex printing mode setting is stored in the duplex printing setting information storage area 9a of the RAM 9 (S1). If “1” indicating the duplex printing mode setting is stored in the duplex printing setting information storage area 9a, the duplex printing setting is ON (S1: YES), so that the RAM 9 can only perform duplex printing. It is determined whether there is free memory (S2).
[0036]
When the RAM 9 has a free memory of a predetermined amount or more capable of duplex printing (S2: YES), for example, when there is a free space more than twice the recording memory for one page (S2: YES), One page of image data is received from another facsimile machine connected via the communication line 20, and the image data for one page is stored in the image information storage area 9b of the RAM 9 (S3). Reception is continued until the reception of image data for one page is completed (S3: NO). When reception of image data for one page is completed (S3: YES), the image information storage area 9b of the RAM 9 is stored. The stored image data for one page is decoded and expanded in the print data expansion buffer 9c, and printing is performed on the surface of the printing paper by the print head 24 (S4).
[0037]
When the next page of image data is received from another facsimile machine connected via the communication line 20 (S5: YES), the image of the next page is stored in the image information storage area 9b of the RAM 9. Data is stored (S6). Reception is continued until reception of the next page of image data is completed (S6: NO), and reception of image data for one page is completed (S6: YES), an image information storage area in the RAM 9 The image data for one page stored in 9b is decoded and expanded in the print data expansion buffer 9c, and printing is performed on the back surface of the printing paper by the print head 24 (S7).
[0038]
In the process of S7, the CPU unit 2 drives the double-sided printing mechanism 29 via the double-sided printing mechanism control circuit 30 and operates the double-sided printing mechanism (not shown) to print the printing paper printed on the surface. Since the reverse side of the print paper is printed by the print head 24 (S7), until the print paper is turned over by the double-sided printing mechanism (not shown) and conveyed to the position facing the print head 24, the RAM 9 Since the storage contents of the image information storage area 9b and the print data expansion buffer 9c are not erased, the time occupied by the storage area of the RAM 9 becomes longer than in the case of single-sided printing.
[0039]
Furthermore, when there is reception of image data of the next page (S8: YES), the process returns to S1. If the next page of image data has not been received (S8: NO), the facsimile reception recording process is terminated, and the process returns to the main control program process (not shown).
[0040]
In the facsimile reception recording process described above, when “0” indicating the single-sided printing mode setting is stored in the double-sided printing setting information storage area 9a of the RAM 9 in the determination process of S1, the double-sided printing setting is OFF. Therefore (S1: NO), printing is performed only on one side of the printing paper. Specifically, image data for one page is received from another facsimile machine connected via the communication line 20, and the image data for one page is stored in the image information storage area 9b of the RAM 9 (S9). ). The reception is continued until the reception of the image data for one page is completed (S9: NO), and when the reception of the image data for one page is completed (S9: YES), it is stored in the image information storage area 9b of the RAM 9. The stored image data for one page is decoded and expanded in the print data expansion buffer 9c, and printing is performed on the surface of the printing paper by the print head 24 (S10).
[0041]
Furthermore, when there is reception of image data for the next page (S11: YES), the processing returns to S9. If the next page of image data has not been received (S11: NO), the facsimile reception recording process is terminated, and the process returns to the main control program process (not shown).
[0042]
Next, when duplex printing is set in the facsimile reception recording process described above (S1: YES), a process when there is not enough free memory in the RAM 9 to perform duplex printing (S2: NO) will be described. To do.
[0043]
When duplex printing is set (S1: YES), if there is no free memory of a predetermined amount or more that can perform duplex printing in the RAM 9 (S2: NO), for example, the RAM 9 stores two screens. If there is not enough free space (S2: NO), there is not enough free space in the RAM 9 to perform double-sided printing, so the process moves to S9 to perform single-sided printing processing without performing double-sided printing processing.
[0044]
Specifically, image data for one page is received from another facsimile machine connected via the communication line 20, and the image data for one page is stored in the image information storage area 9b of the RAM 9 (S9). ). The reception is continued until the reception of the image data for one page is completed (S9: NO), and when the reception of the image data for one page is completed (S9: YES), it is stored in the image information storage area 9b of the RAM 9. The stored image data for one page is decoded and expanded in the print data expansion buffer 9c, and printing is performed on the surface of the printing paper by the print head 24 (S10).
[0045]
Furthermore, when there is reception of image data for the next page (S11: YES), the processing returns to S9. If the next page of image data has not been received (S11: NO), the facsimile reception recording process is terminated, and the process returns to the main control program process (not shown). Therefore, even if the duplex printing is set, once the single-sided printing mode is set, the duplex printing is not returned until the facsimile reception recording process is completed.
[0046]
With the above processing, the facsimile reception recording processing of the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is completed.
[0047]
As described above, in the facsimile apparatus 1 described above, when the free space of the RAM is less than the predetermined amount, even when the duplex printing is set, the duplex printing setting is canceled and the simplex printing is performed. Since printing is performed, the received image information does not fill the image information storage area of the RAM and cannot be continuously received. Further, even if the duplex printing is set, once the single-sided printing mode is set, the double-sided printing is not resumed until the facsimile reception recording process is completed. There is no double-sided printing, so there is no user confusion.
[0048]
In the above embodiment, the recording method is an ink jet method, but it may be a laser recording method, a heat sensitive recording method, or a thermal transfer recording method.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
[0050]
As described above, in the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , when the double-sided recording mode is set by the double-sided recording mode setting unit, the empty capacity determining unit determines that the free capacity of the storage unit is double-sided printing. When it is determined that the amount is less than the predetermined amount as possible , the double-sided recording mode set by the double-sided recording mode setting unit is canceled, and the recording unit performs recording on one side of the image recording medium. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the storage unit from being filled with the received image information. Therefore, it is possible to continue receiving the image information to the storage means, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a reception error or the like.
[0051]
Furthermore, in the image recording apparatus according to claim 2 , in addition to the effect of the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , the storage unit records the image information while recording the image information of a plurality of pages on one side of the image recording medium. Even when the free space of the means is restored to a predetermined amount or more capable of duplex printing , the recording is continued on one side of the image recording medium without returning to the duplex recording mode for performing duplex recording on the image recording medium. . Therefore, the printing result of a plurality of pages is not mixed with a double-sided printing after a single-sided printing.
[0052]
In addition, in the image recording device according to claim 3 , in addition to the effect of the image recording device according to claim 1 or 2 , the transmission means stores the memory in response to a request from another device connected via a communication line. Even in the image recording apparatus that transmits the image information stored in the means to the other apparatus, it is possible to prevent the storage means from being filled with the received image information. Therefore, it is possible to continue receiving the image information to the storage means, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a reception error or the like.
[0053]
Further, in the image recording device according to claim 4 , in addition to the effects of the image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , audio information transmitted from another device connected via a communication line is received. Even in an image recording apparatus having an answering machine function stored in the storage means, it is possible to prevent the storage means from being filled with image information received. Therefore, it is possible to continue receiving the image information to the storage means, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a reception error or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a storage area of a RAM 9 of the facsimile apparatus 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the input key unit 5 of the facsimile apparatus 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a facsimile reception recording process of the facsimile apparatus 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Facsimile device 2 CPU unit 3 CPU
4 Gate array 5 Input key unit 6 Input key control circuit 7 ROM
9 RAM
9a Duplex printing setting information storage area 9b Image information storage area 9c Print data expansion buffer 9d ICM storage area 18 Modem 19 NCU
20 Communication line 22 Reading device 23 Image processing LSI
24 Print Head 25 Head Drive Circuit 27 Display Panel 29 Double-Sided Printing Mechanism 30 Double-Sided Printing Mechanism Control Circuit 31 Playback Instruction Button 34 Double-Sided Printing Button 35 Retrieval Function Setting Button 36 Function Setting Button

Claims (4)

Receiving means for receiving image information;
Storage means for storing image information received by the receiving means;
Recording means for recording the image information stored in the storage means on one or both sides of an image recording medium;
Empty capacity determining means for determining whether or not the free capacity of the storage means is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount capable of duplex printing;
A double-sided recording mode setting means for setting a double-sided recording mode for recording on both sides of the image recording medium,
When the double-sided recording mode is set by the double-sided recording mode setting unit, the double-sided recording mode setting unit determines that the free capacity determining unit determines that the free capacity of the storage unit is less than the predetermined amount. An image recording apparatus characterized by canceling the double-sided recording mode set by (1) and performing recording on one side of the image recording medium by the recording means . While the recording unit is recording image information of a plurality of pages on one side of the image recording medium, double-sided recording that performs double-sided recording on the image recording medium even when the free space of the storage unit is restored to the predetermined amount or more The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording is continued on one side of the image recording medium without returning to the mode . A request from another apparatus connected via a communication line, according to the image information stored in the storage means to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transmitting means for transmitting to the other device Image recording device. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein audio information transmitted from another apparatus connected via a communication line is stored in the storage unit.

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