JPH0537752A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize the facsimile equipment which is able to confirm the service life of a photosensitive drum accurately even under any operating condition. CONSTITUTION:A count (copy sheet number) from a sheet number counter 20 and an output (copy enable number) from a specified sheet number register 23 are compared by an excess discrimination circuit 24 and when the copy sheet number excess the copy enable sheet number, a signal is outputted from the circuit 24. Moreover, an output from a life timer circuit 21 (current time) and an output (usable period) of a specified life register 25 are compared by an excess discrimination circuit 26 and when the current time exceeds the usable period, the circuit 26 outputs a signal. A display control circuit 28 discriminates it that the service life of the photosensitive drum 58 is expired based on the output from the excess discrimination circuits 24, 26, and it is displayed on a display section 16 and whether expiration due to the service life based on copy sheet number or due to the service life based on the validity of use is discriminated and the result is similarly displayed on the display section 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus for recording on recording paper by a copying process using a photosensitive drum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a facsimile machine which is capable of forming an image on a plain paper by using a copying process has become widespread, and a mechanism using such a copying process causes a high proportion of troubles. Due to the need for regular overhauls to maintain performance, it is desired to enhance the service system for maintenance and management, and in particular, to promptly and accurately respond to trouble recovery at an early stage. There is.

As a conventional maintenance management method, generally, the facsimile apparatus itself detects its own state and displays the contents of trouble or the time when a specific part needs to be replaced on the display, or the consumable item is displayed. If it is necessary to notify the user by displaying a near-empty display (display indicating that the consumable item is almost out of stock), and the user recognizes it, and determines that a so-called service person should be called, the facsimile machine concerned It is customary to contact the maintenance service bureau, which is entrusted with the maintenance of the device, by means such as a telephone.

However, in the case of contacting by telephone or the like as described above, the following problems are brought about.

(1) The user cannot perform his or her own work to explain the content of the trouble, and is forced to lose time. (2) The user may erroneously recognize the trouble display content and inform the maintenance service station of a content different from the actual trouble content. (3) Even if there is a trouble display on the display, the user may be left without noticing it. In such a case, a minor trouble may progress to a serious trouble. (4) Since the maintenance service station prepares necessary parts and the like on the basis of the content of the trouble and then goes to the user after receiving the contact from the user, a quick response cannot be achieved.

Therefore, in recent years, the facsimile apparatus on the user side detects its own operating state, converts the detected content into communication information, and transmits it automatically or in response to a transmission request from the maintenance service station, and then the maintenance service. A method has been proposed in which the office receives the transmitted communication information, converts it into, for example, character information, and prints it out, thereby recognizing the operating state of the facsimile device on the user side and performing maintenance management. (Japanese Patent Application No. 1-302749).

[0007]

The photoconductor drum is deteriorated after each copying due to mechanical elements including a cleaner, residual heat of a fixing device, ozone and the like. It defines the service life. However, since the photoconductor drum is an optical semiconductor, it changes over time and the usable period is limited. For example, a photoreceptor called a 50K life photoreceptor has a life of 5 years.
For this reason, a user who is rarely used may exceed the usable period before reaching the specified number of copies.

An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus which can accurately confirm the life of the photosensitive drum.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus which records on a recording sheet by a copying process using a photosensitive drum, a counter for counting the number of times of copying, a predetermined number of times of possible copying and the counter for counting the number of times. And a count comparison means for outputting a detection signal when the count value exceeds the number of times that copying is possible, a clocking means for measuring a usage period from the start of use of the photosensitive drum, and a predetermined use Compare the available period and the period of use of the timekeeping means,
The photoconductor drum has exceeded the life when the detection signal is received from at least one of the period comparison unit and the frequency comparison unit that outputs a detection signal when the usage period exceeds the usable period. A facsimile apparatus including a determination unit that determines that

[0010]

According to the present invention, when the number of times of copying exceeds the predetermined number of times of copying, or when the usable period of the photosensitive drum exceeds the predetermined usable period, the life of the photosensitive drum is exceeded. To be judged. Therefore, in the case of a user who is frequently used, the number of times of copying increases even during a relatively short period of time, and it is determined that the life has been exceeded when the number of times of copying is exceeded even within the usable period. In the case of a user who has a low usage frequency, the number of times of copying is small even for a relatively long period of time, and it is determined that the life has been exceeded when the usable period has passed even within the usable number.

As described above, the life of the photosensitive drum can be accurately confirmed and the time of replacement can be known regardless of the usage condition. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of recording quality.

[0012]

1 is a block diagram showing the basic construction of a facsimile apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile device 1 is connected to the telephone line 2 and transmits / receives image data to / from other facsimile devices.
Various information can be transmitted / received to / from the management device 3 described later via the telephone line 2. Facsimile device 1
Performs an electrostatic copying process of forming a charged image and recording (transferring) it on a recording sheet.

The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11 realized by a microcomputer, etc., and the control unit 11 includes a communication control unit 12, a reading unit 13, a recording unit 14, and
The operation unit 15, the display unit 16, the detection unit 17, and the memory 1
And 8 are connected. The communication control unit 12 includes an incoming call detection circuit, a modem, and the like, demodulates the received image data and supplies it to the control unit 11, modulates the image data to be transmitted, and outputs it to the telephone line 2. The reading unit 13 includes a CCD (charge-coupled device), a lens, an exposure device, and the like, which will be described later, and optically reads the document when transmitting the document, converts the document into an electric signal (image data), and supplies the signal to the control unit 11. At the time of copying a document, the document is exposed to form a document image on the surface of the photoconductor provided in the recording unit 14 described later.

The recording unit 14 includes a photoconductor, a developing device, a charger, a fixing device, and the like, and transfers an image onto a recording sheet by the electrostatic copying process described above.

The operation unit 15 is provided with a numeric keypad, a transmission key, various function setting keys and the like. The display unit 16 is
It is realized by a liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays input data from the operation unit 15, an operation state of the facsimile apparatus 1, for example, error information or information indicating that a consumable item is out.

The detection unit 17 detects an operating state of the facsimile apparatus 1, more specifically, an abnormal state, and gives the detected operating state to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes a trouble content determination unit, a trouble type determination unit, and a communication information conversion unit, which are not shown, and each of these units operates under the control of the detection unit 17.

The trouble content discriminating means discriminates the content of the trouble or the like detected by the detecting section 17. The trouble type determining means is configured such that the trouble determined by the trouble content determining means is
Determine if the type requires a so-called serviceman call. The type of trouble that does not require a serviceman call is a trouble that the user can relatively easily deal with, such as a paper jam or a recording paper shortage. What kind of trouble requires a serviceman call?
For example, it is a trouble that the user cannot deal with, such as the life of the photoconductor of the recording unit 14 is exceeded.

The memory 18 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores programs for controlling various operations of the facsimile apparatus 1, and the RAM manages the programs. A registration area of the opening information transmitted from the device 3, a work area used for processing operation by the control unit 11, and the like are set.

The management device 3 is a device having a so-called personal computer as a basic configuration, and transmits / receives data to / from the facsimile device 1 and other terminal devices via the telephone line 2. The management device 3 includes a control unit 31 including a CPU (central processing unit), and the control unit 31 is connected to a modem 32, a recording unit 33, a display unit 34, and an operation unit 35.

The modem 32 demodulates the received data and gives it to the control unit 31, modulates the data to be sent given from the control unit 31, and outputs it to the telephone line 2. The recording unit 33
It is realized by a thermal printer or the like, and records image data received through the telephone line 2 or various kinds of received information or information input from the operation unit 35 on a recording paper such as a thermal recording paper. The display unit 34 is realized by a liquid crystal display device or the like,
Various types of information received via the telephone line 2 and information input from the operation unit 35 are displayed. The operation unit 35 is provided with a plurality of key switches such as numeric keys and various function setting keys for designating the operating state of the management device 3.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the facsimile apparatus 1. Facsimile apparatus 1 generally includes reading unit 1
3, a recording unit 14, and a document transport unit 19. When the document 41 is inserted into the document insertion port 42, the document 4 is detected by the document detection sensor 43 realized by a micro switch or the like.
It is detected that 1 is set. After that, when the copy key or the transmission key is operated by the operator, the conveyance operation of the document 41 is started.

At the time of transmitting the original document, the original document 41 is transferred to the roller 44.
And the pressing member 45, and the pair of conveying rollers 46 convey the transparent glass 47 to the exposure area where the transparent glass 47 is installed. In the exposure area, the irradiation light from the light source 48 is incident on the original surface of the original 41, and the reflected light is incident on the CCD 51 via the mirror 49 and the lens 50. The incident light is converted into an electric signal (image data) by the CCD 51 and is given to the control unit 11. The exposed original 41 is conveyed by a pair of paper ejection rollers 52 and ejected onto the original tray 53.

An exposure head 54 is arranged below the mirror 49 in FIG. 2, and at the time of copying the original 41, the electrostatic copying process is executed together with the above-described original feeding operation. The original image exposed by the exposure head 54 is transferred to the lens 55.
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 58 via the mirrors 56 and 57.

The photosensitive drum 58 is rotated in the direction of arrow 59. The surface of the photoconductor drum 58 is uniformly charged by the corona charger 60. Next, the exposure head 54 irradiates the portion other than the original image with light to remove the charged electric charge in the exposed portion, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image in which the electric charge remains in the original image portion. In the developing unit 61, toner, which is colored fine particles charged in a polarity opposite to that of the electrostatic latent image, is supplied from the toner cartridge 62 and attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image. Next, the recording paper is superposed on this toner image, and the photosensitive drum 5
A transfer device 63 applies a charge having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to the recording paper from the surface opposite to 8, and the toner image is transferred to the recording paper by electrostatic force.

The recording paper is stored in a recording paper cassette 64, conveyed to a conveyance path by a paper feed roller (not shown), and supplied by a paper feed roller 65 to a transfer area where the transfer device 63 is arranged.

The toner image transferred onto the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper by applying heat or pressure by a fixing device. On the other hand, the latent image charges on the photosensitive drum 58 after the transfer are removed by the charge remover 70. Further, the residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 58 without being transferred is removed by a cleaner (not shown). By repeating the series of processes from the charging to the cleaning, the original image is continuously copied onto the recording paper.

The recording paper on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 67 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 68.

In the vicinity of the exposure head 54, the exposure head 5
A cooling fan 69 for cooling the heat of No. 4 is arranged.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1. In step a1,
The facsimile apparatus 1 is installed in a user's office, for example, by a service person from the maintenance service station. At this point, the user of the facsimile machine 1 and the service person consult with each other about the contract content. The contract details include
Selection of maintenance function, that is, facsimile machine 1
Among the automatic transmission functions of the operating state included in, the information includes which information is transmitted to the management device 3 which is the maintenance service station and maintenance is requested.

At step a2, the service person sends the contract contents to the management apparatus 3 by facsimile communication. In addition to the selection of the maintenance function, the contract content includes information related to the installed facsimile machine 1, such as the name of the contractor, the installed model name, the serial number, and the contract date.

At step a3, opening information for opening (activating) the automatic transmission function of the facsimile apparatus 1 is input from the operation unit 35 based on the contract content received by the facsimile communication.

When the opening key of the management device 3 is turned on in step a4, the opening information input in step a5 is transmitted to the facsimile device 1.

At step a6, the opening information transmitted from the management device 3 is received, and at step a7, the control section 11 registers the opening information in the opening information registration area 18a in the memory 18. The opening information includes a telephone number of a transmission destination by the automatic transmission function, a contract number, information for activating the automatic transmission function, and the like.

At step a8, the recording unit 14 records the received opening information on the recording paper. As a result, the user and the service person can confirm the opening information set in the facsimile apparatus 1, that is, the contract content. In addition, the service person himself / herself is the facsimile device 1
There is no need to operate the to register the opening information, and it is possible to prevent erroneous registration from occurring.

At step a9, the registered opening information is converted into image data. The control unit 11 converts the opening information into image data based on the registered opening information and based on the character data stored in the ROM of the memory 18. The converted image data is temporarily stored in the memory 18
Stored on the work area of.

At step a10, the converted image data is transmitted to the management device 3 as a confirmation result. In step a11, the management device 3 receives the confirmation result transmitted from the facsimile device 1, and in step a12, the recording unit 33 records the confirmation result on the recording paper. As a result, the operator of the management device 3 can make the facsimile device 1
You can immediately check the correctness of the opening information sent to. If the confirmation result is incorrect, the opening information may be input and transmitted again.

As described above, the automatic transmission function of the facsimile apparatus 1 can be activated (opened) by the operation of the management apparatus 3 side, and it is not necessary to input by the service person as in the conventional case, and erroneous registration is performed. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of and to save labor. Further, since the registered opening information is recorded on the recording paper, it is possible to immediately confirm the opening information (contract content) on the spot and give the user a sense of security. Furthermore, since the opening information is transmitted to the management device 3 as a confirmation result, the operator of the management device 3 can immediately confirm whether the opening information (registration content) is correct or not, which is convenient.

Next, taking the photoconductor drum 58 provided in the facsimile apparatus 1 as an example, the operation of detecting the operating state by the above-mentioned detecting section 17 will be described. The photosensitive drum 58 is
Since each time one copy is deteriorated due to mechanical elements including a cleaner, residual heat of the fixing device 66, ozone, etc., the life is generally defined by the number of copies. However, since the photoconductor drum 58 is an optical semiconductor, it changes over time and the usable period is limited. For example, 50
A photoreceptor called a K-life photoreceptor has a life of 5 years.

Therefore, a user who is not frequently used may exceed the usable period before the prescribed number of copies is reached. Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present invention, the life of the photosensitive drum 58 is confirmed based on the number of copies and the usage period, and when the life is exceeded, the user of the facsimile apparatus 1 is notified and the maintenance service described above is performed. Information indicating that the life of the photosensitive drum 58 has expired is automatically transmitted to the management device 3 which is a station.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure required for the operation of checking the life of the photosensitive drum 58. The recording unit 14 includes a number counter 20 that counts up by “1” for each copy, and a life timer circuit 21 that counts an elapsed time from the installation time of the photosensitive drum 58. The life timer circuit 21 determines that the time when the fuse 22 provided on the photosensitive drum 58 is blown is the installation time, and starts the aging operation with the time from the clock circuit 29 in the control unit 11 as an initial value. The time obtained by adding the period corresponding to the life of the photoconductor drum 58 to the initial value is set in the specified life register 25 as the expiration date of the photoconductor drum 58.

The count value of the number counter 20 is detected by the detection unit 17
Is supplied to the excess judgment circuit 24. Excess judgment circuit 24
Compares the count value from the number counter (the number of copies) with the output from the specified number register 23 (the number of copies), and outputs a signal when the number of copies exceeds the number of copies. The output of the excess determination circuit 24 is given to the OR (logical sum) circuit 27 and the display control circuit 28.

The output of the life timer circuit 21 is the detection unit 1
7 to the excess judgment circuit 26. Excess judgment circuit 26
Is the output from the life timer circuit 21 (current time),
The output of the specified life register 25 (expiration date) is compared, and a signal is output when the current time exceeds the expiration date. The output of the excess determination circuit 26 is given to the OR circuit 27 and the display control circuit 28.

The OR circuit 27 is composed of excess judgment circuits 24 and 26.
When either one of the outputs is high level, a high level signal indicating that the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded the life is output to the display control circuit 28.

When the display control circuit 28 detects a high level signal from the OR circuit 27, the display control circuit 28 determines that the photosensitive drum 58 has reached the end of its life, displays the fact on the display unit 16, and the excess determination circuit 24, Based on the output from 26, it is determined whether it is the life based on the number of copies or the life based on the period of use, and the display unit 16 similarly displays that fact. Further, the content displayed on the display unit 16 is automatically transmitted to the management device 3 by the communication control unit 12.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the life confirmation operation of the photosensitive drum 58. Step b1
In step b2, the photosensitive drum 58 is set in the facsimile apparatus 1, and in step b2, a current is applied to the fuse 22.

In step b3, it is determined whether or not a current flows through the fuse 22, and if no current flows, it is determined that the used photoconductor drum 58 has been set by mistake, the photoconductor drum is removed, and the photoconductor drum is removed again. Return to step b1. If a current flows through the fuse 22, step b4
When it is confirmed that the current has been cut off after the elapse of a certain period of time, the number counter 20 and the life timer circuit 21 are initialized in step b5. The number counter 20 is set to “0” as an initial value, and the life timer circuit 21 is set to the current time as an initial value.

At step b6, it is judged whether or not copying has been performed. When copying is performed, the number counter 20 is incremented by "1" in step b7, and in step b8, the excess determination circuit 24 determines whether or not the number of copies exceeds the number of copies possible. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step b10, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step b9. If copying is not performed in step b6, the process proceeds to step b9.

In step b9, the excess determination circuit 26 determines whether the usable period of the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded the usable period. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step b11, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step b6.

At step b10, it is displayed that the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded the life defined by the number of copies, and the process proceeds to step b12. At step b11, a display indicating that the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded the life defined by the period of use is displayed, and the routine proceeds to step b12.

At step b12, the control unit 11 invalidates the input of the copy key provided in the operation unit 15.

At step b13, the information indicating that the life of the photosensitive drum 58 has been exceeded is transmitted to the management device 3 which is the above-mentioned maintenance service station.

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus 1, the life of the photosensitive drum 58 is determined based on the number of copies and the period of use. Therefore, even when the copying function is relatively infrequently used, the life of the photoconductor drum 58 can be accurately confirmed, and a notification operation for prompting the user to replace the photoconductor drum 58 at an appropriate timing. Can be executed.

Next, the automatic transmission function of the operating state of the facsimile apparatus 1 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the automatic transmission function of the facsimile apparatus 1. Step c
When the detection unit 17 detects the operating state (abnormal state) in 1, the detected abnormal state is displayed on the display unit 16 in step c2.

At step c3, it is judged whether or not the abnormal state detected by the control unit 11 requires automatic transmission. That is, in the case of a trouble that can be dealt with by the user himself, such as when the recording paper runs out or a paper jam occurs, it is not necessary to perform automatic transmission, and the process ends. Further, as described above, when the photosensitive drum 58 needs to be replaced due to the end of its life, the user cannot deal with it, and the process proceeds to step c4 to transmit the detected abnormal state.

At step c4, the telephone number of the management device 3 is read out from the registered opening information to perform the calling operation, and the abnormal state detected at step c5, for example, the photosensitive drum 58 needs to be replaced. Information and the like are transmitted.

In step c6, the information transmitted to the management device 3 is recorded on the recording paper by the recording unit 14. As a result, the user can confirm that the automatic transmission function of the facsimile device 1 is functioning normally, and can also confirm the information transmitted to the management device 3, which gives the user a sense of security. Can be given.

At step c7, the number counter 20
Is set to the count value before recording the transmission information in step c6. This is because the automatic transmission function of the abnormal state is performed as an additional service on the side of the maintenance service station, and if the recording operation of the transmission information is counted as the number of times the photosensitive drum 58 is used, the number of times the user has used ( The number of copies) will be reduced. Therefore,
When recording the transmission information, the counting operation of the number counter 20 is not performed. Normally, the number of copyable sheets set in the above-described prescribed number of sheets register 23 shown in FIG. 4 is set to a number smaller than the number of copyable sheets in which the copying operation cannot be performed completely, with a certain margin. Therefore, even if the recording operation of the transmission information is not counted as the number of times of copying, it does not affect the confirmation of the life of the photosensitive drum 58.

Next, another automatic transmission function of the facsimile apparatus 1 will be described.

In FIG. 7, the facsimile machine 1 is provided with a copying machine 81.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration in the case where is connected. The copying machine 81 includes a control unit 82 realized by a microcomputer or the like, and a reading unit 83 that optically reads a document image and a copying unit 84 that copies the read document image onto recording paper are connected to each other. Make a copy. Further, the control unit 82 includes a copying machine 8
The detection unit 85 for detecting the operation state (abnormal state) of No. 1 is connected, and the abnormal state detected by the detection unit 85 needs to be displayed on the display unit 86 and transmitted to the management device 3 which is the maintenance service station. When a trouble occurs, the interface circuit 87 outputs information indicating the trouble.
The interface circuit 10 of the facsimile apparatus 1 via the
Give to.

In the facsimile apparatus 1, the information indicating the abnormal state given to the interface circuit 10 and the information indicating the abnormal state of the facsimile apparatus 1 itself detected by the detecting unit 17 are selectively managed through the communication control unit 12. Send to device 3. That is, since the information given to the interface circuit 10 is the information given from the copying machine 81 and the information that must be sent without fail, all the input information is sent to the management device 3.

The abnormal condition detected by the detection unit 17 includes a trouble that the user can deal with and a trouble that requires calling a service person. Therefore, information is provided only when a trouble requiring calling a service person occurs. It is transmitted to the management device 3. A predetermined address is given to the interface circuit 10, and the information is transmitted to the management device 3 together with the predetermined address. Management device 3
Determines whether the received information is from the facsimile machine 1 or the copying machine 81 based on the address.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation when transmitting the transmission information from the copying machine 81 to the management apparatus 3. When the detection unit 85 detects an abnormal state in step d1, the abnormal state detected in step d2 is displayed on the display unit 86.

At step d3, it is judged whether or not the detected abnormal state is a trouble to be transmitted to the management device 3 which is the maintenance service station. In the case of data that does not need to be transmitted, in the case of a trouble that can be dealt with by the user's own hands such as recording paper out or paper jam, the information is not transmitted, and the user responds. In the case of a trouble that needs to be transmitted, for example, when the photosensitive drum 58 has exceeded its life and needs to be replaced, the information indicating the abnormal state detected in step d4 is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 1.

In step d5, the facsimile apparatus 1 receives the information from the copying machine 81, in step d6, the calling operation to the management apparatus 3 is performed, and in step d7, the information is transmitted to the management apparatus 3. In step d8, the transmitted information is recorded on the recording paper, and in step d9, the count value of the sheet number counter 20 in the facsimile apparatus 1 is set to the count value before recording the transmission information.

The transmission information is a code set in response to a trouble, and the recording information is also the code.
Therefore, the communication fee spent for automatic transmission can be kept low.

As described above, even a device other than the facsimile device, such as a copying machine, which does not require the telephone line 2 in the normal operation, is connected to the facsimile device 1 to execute the automatic transmission function of the operating state. can do. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a dedicated telephone line to execute the automatic transmission function, and the automatic transmission function can be executed at a relatively low cost.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, the life of the photoconductor drum is judged based on the number of times of copying and the period of use. You can check the service life, and you can know the replacement time at an appropriate timing. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of recording quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a facsimile apparatus 1 which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a facsimile device 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the automatic transmission function of the facsimile device 1 is opened.

FIG. 4 is a photoconductor drum 58 in the facsimile apparatus 1.
It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the detection part 17 at the time of confirming the life of the.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a life confirmation operation of a photosensitive drum 58.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an automatic transmission function in the facsimile device 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another usage example of the facsimile apparatus 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another automatic transmission function of the facsimile device 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile device 2 Telephone line 3 Management device 11 Control part 12 Communication control part 13 Reading part 14 Recording part 17 Detection part 18 Memory

Claims (1)

Claim: What is claimed is: 1. In a facsimile apparatus which records on a recording sheet by a copying process using a photosensitive drum, a counter for counting the number of times of copying, a predetermined number of times of copying and a counter for counting the number of times. A number comparison means that compares the numerical value and outputs a detection signal when the count value exceeds the number of times that copying is possible, a time counting means that measures the usage period from the start of use of the photosensitive drum, and a predetermined usable period And a period comparison means that outputs a detection signal when the usage period exceeds the usable period, and a detection signal from at least one of the number of times comparing means and the period comparing means is received. A facsimile device, characterized in that it includes a judgment means for judging that the photosensitive drum has exceeded its life.