JPH0690315A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the operator from being confused without print of data on recording paper fed to a print section and left for a long period by printing out a management report, a message and a check pattern on the recording paper fed to a print section. CONSTITUTION:After cassette recording paper contained in a cassette is fed up to a system control section when print data are sent from an external computer, recording paper 22 for succeeding print is fed at the print of a 1st page. When no print data are in existence in this case, the operator monitors the attachment/withdrawal of the cassette and a management report is printed out on the recording paper 22 fed up to a print section 3 when the cassette is not withdrawn and the timer expires for a prescribed time or over under the condition of number of communication times over n-times or over. On the other hand, when the number of communication times is less than (n) times, a check pattern is printed on the recording paper and the recording paper 22 is discharged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly, it can be applied to a facsimile machine having a printer function, and in particular, a management report, a message, and a recording paper which are fed to a printing section. The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that prints a check pattern so that character printing data and image image data are not printed on a recording sheet that has been fed to a printing unit and left for a long time, and that the operator is not confused.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some facsimile apparatuses having a printer function have a CPU as a printer function and a CPU as a facsimile function independently, and in this case, this apparatus is used as a printer. In some cases, the CPU on the facsimile side interfaces with the CPU on the printer side by the control code of the external computer. Further, in such an apparatus, if there is a facsimile reception while operating as a printer function, the printer function is once interrupted, the printer function is resumed, and after the end, printing is resumed as a printer function.

Such a conventional facsimile apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-166647, and here, in the main body of the facsimile apparatus,
A signal is generated in facsimile image information because it is configured to have a Centronics connector, means for generating image information from the information input by the connector, and means for communicating or recording the image information generated by the means. Then, facsimile communication or recording can be performed. Further, for example, in the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-48727, a compound device including at least a printing unit and a communication unit detects that there is a communication request and interrupts it if printing is in progress. And a line signal detecting means for detecting that communication is completed and instructing to restart printing, and a print interrupt for instructing the printing means to interrupt or restart printing by an instruction from the line signal detecting means. Since the resuming means and the communication request indicating means for informing the user that there is a communication request according to the instruction of the line signal detecting means are provided, printing is performed when there is a telephone call or a FAX reception during the document printing. By interrupting, a ringing tone is sounded, a page break is carried out, and the mode is switched to FAX reception, and the document printing is restarted after the reception is completed, thereby improving the usability.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus having a printer function, a large amount of cut paper is used as the recording paper, and this recording paper is stored in the cassette, which makes it easy to carry out. The recording paper can be replenished and replaced. However, in the case of such a device, in printing by facsimile communication, the end page can be recognized by the system side by page management. However, when it is used as a printer, the end page of printing depends on the model connected externally. May not be recognized by the system side. Therefore, when operated as a printer function, recording paper is fed for printing the next page regardless of whether it is the end page of printing or not. The supplied recording paper stands by as it is. Then, if left in this state for a certain period of time, the fed recording paper is curled, and if the operator detaches the recording paper cassette while still feeding the recording paper, a recording paper jam or the like may occur. It becomes a cause. Further, if the fed recording paper is discharged as it is, it becomes impossible for the operator to determine whether it is a blank paper discharge due to a printing error or a conveyance error or a normal operation.

Therefore, according to the present invention, by printing a management report, a message, and a check pattern on the recording paper fed to the printing unit, character print data and data are printed on the recording paper fed to the printing unit and left for a long time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus that does not print image data and does not mislead the operator.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 is a printing means for printing dots, and a recording paper for feeding and discharging recording paper using cut paper stored in a cassette as recording paper. A transfer control means and an interface connectable to an external computer are connected to the line and a character print control means for converting the character print data sent from the external computer into a character dot pattern for printing and printing. In a facsimile machine equipped with an image image control means for performing facsimile communication and converting received image image data into a dot pattern for printing, and a system control means for selecting and executing one of them, the external computer is used. After printing of the sent data, the next character print data or image Kere words, is characterized in that already provided discharge means for discharging the paper by performing the printing of the communication management report performed in the facsimile communication to the recording paper fed to the print unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above first aspect of the invention, the paper discharge means outputs the next character print data or image image data after printing the data sent by the external computer. If there is no fixed time, the recording paper already fed to the printing means is printed with a message notifying the operator that it is a paper for switching the printer and the paper is ejected. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the paper discharging means is arranged to print the next character print data or an image image after the printing of the data sent by the external computer is completed. If there is no data for a certain period of time, the check pattern is printed on the recording paper that has already been fed to the printing means and the paper is ejected.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the above-mentioned first to third aspects of the invention, a detection means for detecting the attachment / detachment of the recording paper cassette is provided, and when the cassette is removed, it is fed to the printing means. The recording paper is ejected by the paper ejection means. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a counting unit that counts the number of times of facsimile communication after printing is performed on the recording paper discharged by the paper discharging unit is provided. According to the number of times of communication counted by the counting means, the discharge pattern is changed by the discharging means to print on the recording paper to be discharged next, and printing is performed to discharge the recording paper.

[0010]

According to the first, second and third aspects of the present invention, the recording sheet feeding control for feeding and discharging the recording sheet using the printing means for dot printing and the cut sheet stored in the cassette as the recording sheet. Means and an interface connectable to an external computer, character print control means for converting the character print data sent from the external computer into a character dot pattern for printing and printing, and facsimile communication connected to the line. In a facsimile machine with a printer function, which comprises an image image control means for converting the received image image data into a dot pattern for printing and a system control section for selecting and executing one of them, an external computer In the printer mode where the printer is connected and prints out, the recording paper for the next page is always fed to the printing means, If there is character data, it prints, if there is no character data, it waits as it is, and for a certain period of time after there is no print data, it is monitored whether there is print data from the next external computer or image data from the facsimile function. If not, a communication management report by facsimile communication on the recording paper fed to the printing means, or a message notifying the operator that the paper is ejected for printer switching, or a check pattern for the operator to check for missing dots A sheet discharging unit for printing and discharging the sheet is provided.
For this reason, after the print data from the external computer is completed, it is monitored whether there is the next print data for a certain period of time, and if not, the management report, message, and check pattern are printed on the recording paper fed to the printing means. Since it is possible to discharge the paper, it is not necessary to print the character print data and the image data on the recording paper that is fed to the printing means and left for a long time. You can judge whether there is,
It can be done without disturbing the operator.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the recording paper cassette is provided, and when the cassette is removed, the recording paper fed to the printing means is ejected by the ejection means. With this configuration, when the recording paper is fed to the printing means and the operator removes the cassette containing the recording paper while monitoring whether the next print data is received, the management report, Either the message or the check pattern can be printed on the recording paper fed to the printing means and discharged. Therefore, when the recording paper is fed to the printing means, it is detected that the recording paper cassette is removed during the next print data monitoring period, and the same printing and discharging are performed. The jam of the recording paper can be prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided counting means for counting the number of times of communication of the facsimile communication after printing on the recording paper discharged by the paper discharging means, and the number of communication times counted by the counting means. With this configuration, the print pattern is changed by the paper discharge means to the next recording paper to be discharged, and printing is performed to discharge the paper. Therefore, the facsimile communication after the printing and the paper discharge by the above method is performed. It is possible to count the number of times of communication by the above method, and when printing and discharging by the above method next time, set which of the management report, the message, and the check pattern is to be printed according to the number of times of communication, and print and discharge. For this reason, since the printing format on the discharged recording paper is changed according to the number of times of facsimile communication, the management report, the message and the check pattern can be printed periodically.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
3 is a system control unit, a reading unit, and a printing unit,
Reference numerals 4 to 6 are an operation display unit, a communication control unit, and an image memory. Reference numerals 7 to 10 are an encoding / decoding unit, an image image control unit, a character print control unit, and a printer interface. From a facsimile machine. The operation display unit 4 of the present embodiment is operated by an operator to display the state of the apparatus at that time, an error message, etc., and the reading unit 2 processes an original image by an image sensor in the system. Next, the communication control unit 5 is connected to the line to perform facsimile communication, the encoding / decoding unit 7 encodes / decodes the transmission data in the facsimile communication, and the image memory 6 receives the received image data and the read original image. Accumulate data once. Then
The image control unit 8 performs density conversion for dot printing of the image data stored in the image memory 6, and the character print control unit 9 converts the print data sent from the external computer through the printer interface 10 into character dots. The pattern is converted, and the printing unit 3 performs dot printing. Further, the system control unit 1 has a built-in CPU and a timer, and manages the entire apparatus.

Next, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an apparatus showing a recording paper cassette and a mechanism for detecting attachment / detachment of the recording paper cassette in a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, and
Is a recording paper cassette that stores the recording paper 22, and the recording paper 22 fed from the recording paper cassette 21 to the printing unit 3 is printed by the ink cartridge 23 of the printing unit 3
Paper is ejected from 24. Reference numerals 25 and 26 respectively denote a push switch and a sensor with an actuator. The cassette attachment / detachment is detected by the push switch 25 and the sensor with an actuator.
Detected by 26.

Next, the operation of discharging the recording paper at the end of the printer in the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an operation flow when this apparatus prints by sending print data from an external computer via a printer interface. In this embodiment, first, when print data is sent from an external computer, the cut recording paper stored in the cassette is fed to the system control unit 1 having a print head (process S ₁ ), and one page is printed. When the eyes are printed, the recording paper 22 for the next printing is fed (processes S2 _, S
₃ ). At this time, the timer T starts to monitor whether there is print data for the next page (processing S _4), stop the timer T if either the character print data by an external computer, or picture image data by facsimile,
Printing is performed (process S ₅ , Y loop). On the other hand, if there is no print data, the operator monitors the attachment / detachment of the cassette (process S ₇ ), and if the cassette is not removed, the timer T has passed the predetermined time t or more (process S ₈ ), the last time,
According to the number of times of facsimile communication after the paper is discharged to protect the recording paper 22, the communication management report is printed on the recording paper fed to the printing unit 3 when the number of communication is n times or more (Process S ₁₀ ) If less than n times, print a check pattern on the recording paper 22 (process S ₁₁ ) and eject the recording paper 22 (process S ₁₁ ).
₁₂ ). At this time, the communication counter is reset and the next recording paper
The number of communications is counted up to the discharge of paper for protection 22 (process S ₁₃ ). However, the timer T taken immediately processing S ₉ when detecting a missing cassette during a period in which monitoring the print data for the next Beji (processing S _7, N-loop).

As described above, in the present embodiment, after the print data is completed from the external computer, it is monitored whether or not there is the next print data for a certain period of time. Since the management report is printed on the paper 22 and ejected, it is not necessary to print the character print data or the image image data on the recording paper 22 which is fed to the printing unit 3 and left for a long time. Since it can be determined whether or not the sheet is discharged for, the operator can be prevented from being confused. Further, when the recording paper 22 is fed to the printing unit 3, it is detected that the recording paper cassette is removed during the next print data monitoring period, and the same printing and paper ejection are performed. Can prevent jam of the recording paper 22. Further, since the printing format is changed on the recording paper 22 to be discharged according to the number of times of facsimile communication, the management report is printed periodically.

In the above embodiment, the case where the management report made by the facsimile communication is printed on the recording paper 22 fed to the printing unit 3 and the paper is ejected is explained, but in the present invention, the printing unit 3 is used. It is also possible to print a message notifying the operator that the paper is ejected to the recording paper 22 that has been fed up to the printer 22 for switching the printer, or to eject the recording paper that has been fed to the printing unit 3. Alternatively, a check pattern may be printed on the paper 22 by an operator so that dot dropouts may be inspected and the paper may be discharged.

[0018]

According to the present invention, by printing a management report, a message, and a check pattern on a recording sheet fed to the printing section, characters are printed on the recording sheet fed to the printing section and left for a long time. There is an effect that the data and the image image data are not printed, and moreover, it is possible not to confuse the operator.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an apparatus showing a recording paper cassette and a recording paper cassette attachment / detachment detection mechanism in a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow when print data is sent by an external computer via a printer interface according to an embodiment of the present invention to perform printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 system control unit 2 reading unit 3 printing unit 4 operation display unit 5 communication control unit 6 image memory 7 encoding / decoding unit 8 image image control unit 9 character printing control unit 10 printer interface 21 recording paper cassette 22 recording paper 23 ink cartridge 24 Output port 25 Push switch 26 Sensor with actuator

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printing means (3) for performing dot printing, a recording paper conveyance control means for feeding and discharging recording paper by using cut paper stored in a cassette as recording paper, and connected to an external computer. With possible interfaces (10),
A character print control means (9) for converting the character print data sent from the external computer (10) into a character dot pattern for printing and printing, and an image image received by facsimile communication connected to the line. In a facsimile machine equipped with an image image control means (8) for converting data into a dot pattern for printing and a system control means (1) for selecting and executing one of them, the data is sent by the external computer. If the next character print data or image data is not available for a certain period of time after printing the data, the communication management report printed by facsimile communication is printed on the recording paper that has already been fed to the printing means and the paper is ejected. A facsimile machine provided with a paper means. 2. The paper discharging means, if the next character print data or image image data does not exist for a predetermined time after the printing of the data sent by the external computer is completed,
2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a recording sheet already fed to the printing means is printed with a message notifying the operator that it is a sheet for switching the printer and the sheet is ejected. 3. The paper discharging means, if printing of the data sent by the external computer is completed and there is no next character print data or image image data for a certain period of time,
3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a check pattern is printed on the recording paper that has already been fed to the printing means and the paper is ejected. 4. A detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the recording paper cassette is provided, and when the cassette is removed, the recording paper fed to the printing means is discharged by the discharging means. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3. 5. A discharge device is provided with counting means for counting the number of times of communication of facsimile communication after being printed on the recording paper discharged by said discharging means, and said discharging means is determined by the number of times of communication counted by said counting means. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing pattern is changed by changing the print pattern on the recording paper to be ejected next, and the recording paper is ejected.