JPH07115488A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continue the reception of facsimile even when the remaining storage capacity of a storage device is running short of at the time of preheating. CONSTITUTION:An image forming device 10 is provided with a facsimile part 32 with the reception function of the facsimile, hard disk 5 connected to the facsimile part 32, reader part 15 reading originals, printer part 20 outputting the read original or the reception contents of the facsimile stored in the hard disk 5, and core part 40 controlling the entire system. With the signal from the core part 40, when a preheating switch 20a of the printer part 20 is turned on and the printer part 20 is set to the preheating state, the preheating switch 20a is turned off to release the preheating state when the remaining capacity of the hard disk 5 becomes less than the prescribed amount. The received contents of the facsimile stored in the hard disk 5 is outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a facsimile receiving function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus provided with a facsimile receiving function and a storage device for storing the received contents, when the output section is used by another device when in a preheated state, the output amount is When the received content of the facsimile cannot be output immediately when the received amount is larger, the received content of the facsimile is temporarily stored in the storage device, and when the output unit becomes available, the facsimile contents stored in the storage device are stored. The received content was being output.

[0003]

However, when the conventional image forming apparatus is in a preheated state, if a facsimile reception exceeding the storage capacity is received, the subsequent facsimile reception cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of continuing the reception of a facsimile even when the remaining storage capacity of the storage device becomes small in the preheated state.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention outputs a content stored in the storage means for storing the content received by the facsimile. Output means, preheating means for setting the output means in a standby state to reduce power consumption, preheating means for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage means, and the remaining capacity detecting means in the preheating state. A preheating state releasing means for releasing the preheating state when the remaining capacity of the storage means detected by the storage means becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, and the output means has the storage means after releasing the preheating state. The contents stored in are output.

The image forming apparatus further includes preheating state returning means for returning to the preheating state after the contents stored in the storage means are output by the output means.

Further, in the preheated state of the image forming apparatus, message display means for displaying a message when the remaining capacity of the storage means detected by the remaining capacity detection means becomes less than a predetermined amount. Equipped with.

Further, in the above image forming apparatus, in the connecting means with the host computer and in the preheating state,
And a notification unit for notifying the host computer that the remaining capacity of the storage unit detected by the remaining capacity detection unit has become smaller than a predetermined amount.

[0009]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the content received by the facsimile is stored by the storage means, the content stored in the storage means is output by the output means, and the output means is put on standby to preheat means. Is set to a preheating state for suppressing power consumption, and in the preheating state, when the remaining capacity of the storage means detected by the remaining capacity detecting means becomes less than a predetermined amount, The preheating state is released, and the output means outputs the content stored in the storage means after releasing the preheating state.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after the contents stored in the storage unit are output by the output unit, the preheating state is restored again by returning to the preheating state.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the remaining capacity of the storage means detected by the remaining capacity detecting means in the preheating state becomes less than a predetermined amount, a message is displayed by the message displaying means. indicate.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the remaining capacity of the storage means detected by the remaining capacity detecting means in the preheating state is smaller than a predetermined amount by connecting to the host computer by the connecting means. The notification means notifies the host computer.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image input apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a reader section) 15 for converting a document into image data,
An image output device (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit) 20 that has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes and outputs image data as a visible image on the recording paper in response to a print command, and various functions electrically connected to a reader unit 15. External device 3 having
Equipped with 0. The external device 30 is provided with a fax unit 32, a computer interface unit 37 for connecting to the computer 35, a core unit 40 for controlling the above-mentioned functions, and the like.

The function of each unit will be described in detail below.

[Function of Reader Unit 15] FIG. 2 shows the reader unit 1.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of a printer 5 and a printer unit 20. FIG. The reader unit 15 includes a document feeding device 50 that conveys a document onto the glass surface 102, an image reading device 54 that reads an image of the document conveyed onto the glass surface 102, and signal processing that performs signal processing of the read image of the document. The circuit 56 (see FIG. 3) is provided. The number of documents loaded on the document feeder 50 is 1
The sheets are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the glass surface 102 of the document table. The image reading device 54 includes a scanner unit 104, a mirror unit 101, and a CCD image sensor 109. When the original is conveyed to a predetermined position on the glass surface 102, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on and the scanner unit 104 moves to illuminate the original. The reflected light from the lower surface of the document is reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 107,
It is input to the CCD image sensor 109 (hereinafter referred to as CCD) via the lens 108. The CCD 109 is a color CCD having a color filter on the entrance window. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal processing circuit 56 of the reader unit 15 described above. In the signal processing circuit 56, the CCD 1
The reflected light of the original document irradiated on 09 is photoelectrically converted here, and converted into electric signals of red, green, and blue colors. The color information from the CCD 109 is sent to the amplifier 11
It is amplified by 0R, 110G, and 110B according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111. A / D converter 111
The output signal from is input to the shading circuit 112, where uneven light distribution of the lamp 103 and uneven sensitivity of the CCD 109 are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / O.
It is input to the F switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 calculates the signal from the shading circuit 112 in accordance with Equation 1 to generate a Y signal.

[0019]

## EQU1 ## Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B Further, it has a color detection function of separating the R, G, B signals into seven colors and outputting the signals for the respective colors. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to the scaling / repeat circuit 114. Scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed at the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and scaling in the main scanning direction is performed by the scaling circuit / repeat circuit 114. Further, the scaling / repeat circuit 114 can output a plurality of identical images. Contour / edge enhancement circuit 115
Obtains edge emphasis and contour information by emphasizing high frequency components of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit 114. The signal from the contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 is input to the marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116, patterning / thickening, and masking / trimming circuit 117.

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Reads the portion of the manuscript written with a marker pen of a specified color, generates contour information of the marker, and the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 thickens, masks or trims the contour information. I do. Further, patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

When the output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is input to the laser driver circuit 118, various signals are processed and converted into a signal for driving a laser. Laser driver 118
The image output signal output from is input to the printer unit 20 and is used for image formation as a visible image.

Next, the external I / F switching circuit 119 connected to the external device will be described. When outputting the image information from the reader unit 115 to the external device 30, the external I / F switching circuit 119 receives the image information from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 from the connector 1.
Output to 20. Further, when the image information from the external device 30 is input to the reader unit 15, the external switching circuit 119 is used.
Inputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

Each of the above-mentioned image processes is performed according to an instruction from the CPU 122, and the area signal generation circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the above-mentioned image process according to the value set by the CPU 122. Further CPU1
Communication with the external device 30 is performed by using the communication function built in 22. The SUB / CPU 123 has an operation unit 124.
And the communication with the external device 30 using the communication function built in the SUB / CPU 123.

[Function of Printer Unit 20] The configuration and operation of the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The image signal input to the printer unit 20 is modulated by the exposure control unit 201 and converted into an optical signal. The optical signal is projected onto the photoconductor 202. Photosensitive member 2 by irradiation of light
The latent image formed on 02 is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer sheets 204a and 205a are conveyed from the transfer sheet stacking unit 204 or 205 in accordance with the leading edge of the development, and the development is transferred to the transfer sheets 204a and 205b at the transfer unit 206. After the images transferred onto the transfer papers 204a and 205a are fixed by the fixing unit 207, the transfer papers 204a and 205a are discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer papers 204a and 205a output from the paper output unit 208 are discharged to each bin when the sort function of the sorter 220 is working.
If the sort function is not working, the sorter 220
Is discharged to the top bin of.

Next, a method for outputting successively read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described. After the transfer papers 204a and 205a fixed by the fixing unit 207 are once conveyed to the paper discharge unit 208, the conveyance direction of the papers is reversed, and the re-transferred transfer paper stacking unit 210 is transferred via the conveyance direction switching member 209. Transport. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above process, but since the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, the surface of the same transfer paper is eventually ended. , Images of two originals can be output on the back side.

[Description of Function of External Device 30] External Device 30
Is connected to the reader unit 15 by a cable, and the core unit 40 in the external device 30 processes signals and controls various functions. In the external device 30, a fax unit 32 for transmitting and receiving a facsimile, a computer interface unit 37 connected to a host computer 35, and a core unit 4 for controlling functions.
0 is provided.

[Function of Core Unit 40] Next, the core unit 40
The function of will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the core unit 40 in detail.

The connector 1001 of the core section 40 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader section 15 by a cable. The connector 1001 contains four types of signals, and the signal 1057 is an 8-bit (multivalued) video signal. The signal 1055 is a control signal for controlling the video signal. The signal 1051 communicates with the CPU 122 in the reader unit 15. The signal 1052 is the SUB / CPU 1 in the reader unit 15.
23 to communicate. Communication signal 1051 and signal 1052
Is transmitted as communication information to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1053 when the communication IC 1002 processes the communication protocol.

The signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal, and it is possible to input information from the reader unit 15 to the core unit 40 and output information from the core unit 40 to the reader unit 15.

The signal 1057 is connected to the buffer 1010, and is separated from the bidirectional signal into the unidirectional signals 1058 and 1070 in the buffer 1010. Signal 1058
Is an 8-bit (multi-valued) video signal from the reader unit 15 and is input to the LUT 1011 in the next stage. LUT10
In 11, the image information from the reader unit 15 is converted into a corresponding value by referring to the table. LUT101
The output signal 1059 from 1 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 binarizes the multi-level signal 1059 with a fixed slice level, a simple binarization function, a binarization function with a variable slice level in which the slice level varies from the values of pixels around the pixel of interest, and It has a binarization function by the error diffusion method. Binarized information is 00H when the value is "0" and F when the value is "1".
It is converted into a multilevel signal of FH and input to the selector 1013 at the next stage. The selector 1013 selects the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012. The output signal 1060 from the selector 1013 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 outputs the output video signals from the fax unit 32 and the computer interface unit 37 to the connectors 1005 and 1007, respectively.
The signal 1064 input to the core unit 40 via the and the output signal 1060 of the selector 1013 are selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. Output signal 106 of selector 1014
1 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 adds +9 to the input image signal.
It has the function of rotating 0 degrees, -90 degrees, and +180 degrees.
The rotating circuit 1015 converts the information output from the reader unit 15 into a binary signal by the binarizing circuit 1012, and then stores the information in the rotating circuit 1015 as information from the reader unit 15. Next, the rotation circuit 10 is instructed by the CPU 1003.
Reference numeral 15 rotates and reads the stored information. Selector 1
016 selects either the output signal 1062 of the rotating circuit 1015 or the input signal 1061 of the rotating circuit 1015, and outputs the signal 1063 as a signal 1063 to the fax unit 32 and the connector 10.
05, connector 10 to the computer interface
07 and the selector 1017.

The signal 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus signal transferred from the core unit 40 to the fax unit 32 and the computer interface unit 37 as image information. The signal 1064 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus signal for transferring image information from the fax unit 32 and the computer interface unit 37. It is the video control circuit 1004 that controls the synchronous bus of the signal 1063 and the signal 1064, and control is performed by the output signal 1056 from the video control circuit 1004. In addition to the signals 10 to the connectors 1005 and 1007,
54 signal lines are connected to each other. The signal line of the signal 1054 is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus and is used for asynchronous data command exchange. To transfer information between the fax unit 32, the computer interface unit 37, and the core unit 40, the above two video bus signals 1063 and 1064 and the CPU bus signal 1054 are used.
Done by

The signal 1064 from the fax unit 32 and the computer interface unit 37 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The selector 1014 is
The signal 1064 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 of the next stage according to the instruction of the CPU 1003.

The selector 1017 selects the signal 1063 and the signal 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal 1065 of the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching 1018 pattern-matches the input signal 1065 with a predetermined pattern. When the patterns match, a predetermined multi-valued signal is output to the signal line 1.
Output to 066. If they do not match in the pattern matching, the input signal 1065 is directly output as the signal 1066.

The selector 1019 outputs the signals 1065 and 1
066 is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. The output signal 1067 of the selector 1019 is the LUT 102 of the next stage.
Input to 0.

The LUT 1020 converts the input signal 1067 according to the characteristics of the printer when the image information is output to the printer unit 20.

The selector 1021 selects the output signal 1068 and the signal 1065 of the LUT 1020 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal of the selector 1021 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 at the next stage.

The enlargement circuit 1022 can set the enlargement ratio independently in the X and Y directions according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The expansion method is a first-order linear interpolation method. The output signal 1070 of the expansion circuit 1022 is input to the buffer 1010.

The signal 107 input to the buffer 1010
0 indicates a bidirectional signal 1057 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
Then, it is sent to the printer unit 20 via the connector 1001 and printed out.

The signal flow between the core section 40 and each section will be described below.

[Core part 40 based on the information of the fax part 32]
Operation] The case of outputting information to the fax unit 32 will be described. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 15 via the communication IC 1002, and issues a scan command for a document. The reader unit 15 outputs image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to the scan command. The reader unit 15 and the external device 30 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 15 is stored in the connector 1001 of the core unit 40.
Entered in. Further, the image information input to the connector 1001 is input to the buffer 1010 through the 8-bit multi-level signal line 1057. Buffer circuit 1010
Inputs the bidirectional signal 1057 as a unidirectional signal to the LUT 1011 via the signal line 1058 according to the instruction of the CPU. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 15 into a corresponding value by referring to the table. For example, it is possible to remove the background of the original. LUT
The output signal 1059 of 1011 is the binarization circuit 101 of the next stage.
Entered in 2. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 1059 into a binarized signal. Binarization circuit 10
12 is "00" when the binarized signal has the value "0".
If it is "H" and the value is "1", it is converted into two signals "FFH". The output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is the selector 101.
3, input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selector 1014. The output signal 1062 of the rotation circuit 1015 is also input to the selector 1016, and the selector 1016 selects either the signal 1061 or the signal 1062. The selection of the signal is determined by the CPU 1003 communicating with the fax unit 32 via the bus signal 1054 of the CPU. Output signal 1 from the selector 1016
063 is sent to the fax unit 32 via the connector 1005.

Next, the case of receiving information from the fax unit 32 will be described.

The image information from the fax unit 32 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005. The signal 1064 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The printer unit 2 is instructed by the CPU 1003.
When the image at the time of fax reception is output to be rotated to 0, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is the selector 1016 and the selector 1017.
Is input to the pattern matching 1018 via.

When the image at the time of facsimile reception is directly output to the printer 20 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018.

The pattern matching 1018 has a function of smoothing rattling of an image when received by facsimile. The pattern-matched signal is the selector 1
It is input to the LUT 1020 via 019. LUT1
Reference numeral 020 denotes the printer unit 20 that receives the image received by facsimile.
In order to output the desired density, the table of the LUT 1020 can be changed by the CPU 1003 according to the density. The output signal 1068 of the LUT 1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The enlarging circuit 1022 performs an enlarging process on an 8-bit multivalued signal having two values (00H, FFH) by a linear interpolation method of the first order. The 8-bit multi-valued signal having many values from the enlargement processing 1022 is stored in the buffer 1010 and the connector 1
It is sent to the reader unit 15 via 001. Reader unit 15
Inputs this signal to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via the connector 120. External I / F switching circuit 11
9 inputs the signal from the fax unit 32 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113
The output signal from is output to the printer unit 20 after being processed as described above, and an image is formed on the transfer sheets 204a and 205a.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Computer Interface Unit 37] The computer interface unit 38 exchanges signals with a computer connected to the external device 30. The computer interface unit 37 has a plurality of interfaces for performing various communications with SCSI, RS232C, and Centronics. The computer interface unit 37 has the above-mentioned three types of interfaces, and information from each interface is C through the connector 1007 and the data bus 1054.
It is sent to the PU 1003. Various controls are performed based on the contents sent.

[Description of Function of Fax Unit 32] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fax unit 32.

The fax unit 32 is connected to the core unit 40 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. The fax unit 32 includes memories A405 to D408, and receives the binary information from the core unit 40 from these memories A405.
When storing in any one of 5 to the memory D 408, it is performed as follows. The signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404 and stored under the control of the memory controller 404 in any one of the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408, or a cascade connection of two sets of memories. .

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41.
According to the instruction No. 2, a mode for exchanging data with the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, the memory D 408 and the CPU bus 462, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 463 of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function. , Memo A405, memory B
406, memory C407, memory D408 contents DM
A mode in which data is exchanged with the bus 454 from the scaling circuit 403 under the control of the A controller 402, and binary video input data 454 is stored in any of the memories A405 to D408 under the control of the timing generation circuit 409. Mode and memory A405 to memory D40
Signal line 45 for reading the memory contents from any of 8
It has five functions in the mode of outputting to 2.

Each of the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408 has a capacity of 2 Mbytes, and can store an image of A4 size at a resolution of 400 dpi. Timing generation circuit 409
Are connected to the connector 400 by a signal line 459, and control signals (HSYNC, HEN,
VSYNC, VEN) to generate signals to accomplish the following two functions: One of them is that the image signal from the core unit 40 is stored in the memories A405 to D40.
8 is a function of storing in any one memory or two memories. The other one is memory A405 to memory D4.
This is a function of reading an image signal from any one of 18 and transmitting it to the signal line 452. Dual port memory 4
10 is the CPU of the core unit 40 via the signal line 461.
1003 and the CPU 412 of the fax unit 32 are connected via a signal line 462. Each CPU
Exchange commands via the dual port memory 410. The SCSI controller 413 exchanges signals with the hard disk connected to the fax unit 32 shown in FIG. It stores the data when sending and receiving facsimiles. CODEC
411 reads out the image information stored in any of the memory A405 to the memory D408, MH, MR,
After being encoded by any of the MMR methods, it is stored as encoded information in any of the memories A405 to D408. Also, memory A405 to memory D408
The encoded information stored in the MH, MR,
After decoding by any one of the MMR methods, it is stored in any of the memories A405 to D408 as the decoding information, that is, the image information. MODEM414
Is a CODEC 411 or SCSI controller 41
NCU4 and the function of modulating the encoded information from the hard disk connected to 3 for transmission over the telephone rotation.
15 demodulates the information sent from 15 and converts it into coded information, and the CODEC 411 or SCSI controller 41
The encoded information is transferred to the hard disk connected to No. 3. The NCU 415 exchanges information according to a predetermined procedure with an exchange that is directly connected to a telephone line and installed in a telephone office or the like.

An embodiment of facsimile transmission will be described. The binary image signal from the reader unit 15 is sent to the connector 4
00, and reaches the main controller 404 through the signal line 453. The signal 453 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. The timing to be stored in the memory A 405 is determined by the timing signal 459 from the reader unit 15
9 is generated. The CPU 412 is the memory controller 4
04 memory A405 and memory B406 to CODEC
It is connected to the bus line 463 of 411. CODEC41
1 reads the image information from the memory A405 and MR
Coding is performed by the method and the coded information is written in the memory B406. CODEC 411 for A4 size image information
Is encoded, the CPU 412 connects the memory B 406 of the memory controller 404 to the CPU bus 462. The CPU 412 stores the encoded information in the memory B40.
6 is sequentially read and transferred to MODEM 414. MO
The DEM 414 modulates the encoded information and sends the facsimile information over the telephone line via the NCU.

Next, an embodiment of facsimile reception will be described. The information sent from the telephone line is NCU
It is input to the fax unit 32 according to a predetermined procedure by the NCU 415. Information from NCU 415 is M
It enters the ODEM 414 and is demodulated. CPU412 is CP
The information from the MODEM 414 is stored in the memory C407 via the U bus 462. Information of one screen is memory C40
7 is stored in the memory controller 7,
Controlling 04 connects the data line 457 of memory C407 to line 463 of CODEC 411. The CODEC 411 sequentially reads the encoded information of the memory C407 and decodes it, that is, stores it in the memory D408 as image information. The CPU 412 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 410, and makes settings for printing an image from the memory D 408 through the core unit 40 to the printer unit 20. When the setting is completed, the CPU 412 activates the timing generation circuit 409 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 460 to the memory controller 404. The memory controller 404 is the timing generation circuit 4
The image information is read from the memory D 408 in synchronization with the signal from the memory 09, transmitted to the signal line 452, and output to the connector 400. From the connector 400 to the printer unit 20
Since it has been described in the core unit 40, the description thereof will be omitted.

[Description of Function of Computer Interface Unit 37] The function of the computer interface unit 37 will be described with reference to FIG. Connector A700 and connector B
Reference numeral 701 is a connector for a SCSI interface. The connector C702 is a Centronics interface connector. Connector D703 is RS232
It is a C interface connector. Connector E707
Is a connector for connecting to the core portion 40.

The SCSI interface has two connectors (connector A700 and connector B701), and when a device having a plurality of SCSI interfaces is connected, the connectors A700 and B701 are used for cascade connection. When the external device 30 and the computer are connected one-to-one, the connector A700 and the computer are connected by a cable, and the connector B701 is connected with a terminator (terminating resistor). Connector A700
Alternatively, the information input from the connector B701 is SCS I / F-A704 or S via the signal line 751.
It is input to the CSI I / F-B 708. SCSI I
/ F-A704 or SCSI I / F-B708
Outputs data to the connector 707E via the signal line 754 after performing the procedure according to the SCSI protocol. The connector E707 is the CPU 10 of the core unit 40.
54 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 40.
Receives from the CPU bus 1054 the information input to the SCSI / I / F connector (connector A700, connector B701). When outputting the data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 40 to the SCSI connector (connector A700, connector B701), the procedure reverse to the above is performed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector C702 and input to the Centronics I / F 705 via the signal line 752. The Centronics I / F 705 receives the data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and the connector E is connected via the signal line 754.
Output to 707. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 40, and is C of the core unit 40.
The PU 1003 receives, from the CPU bus 1054, information input to the Centronics I / F connector (connector C702).

The RS232C interface is connected to connector D703 and is connected to RS2 via signal line 753.
It is input to the 32C I / F 706. RS232C ・ I
/ F706 receives data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and the connector E7 is connected via the signal line 754.
It outputs to 07. The connector E707 is C of the core portion 40.
CP of the core unit 40 connected to the PU bus 1054
From the CPU bus 1054 to the U1003, RS232C
Receives the information input to the I / F connector (connector D703). Data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 40 is transferred to the RS232C / I / F connector (connector D7).
When outputting to 03), the procedure is reversed.

In the image forming apparatus 10 having the above basic structure, the image forming apparatus 10 has the following functions when receiving a facsimile.

The printer unit 20 has a preheat switch 20a for setting a preheat state for suppressing power consumption.
A preheat state can be set or released by a signal output from the core unit 40 via the connector 1001. Core part 4
0 has a hard disk 5 connected to the fax unit 32, and can detect the free space of the hard disk 5. The free space of the hard disk 5 is determined by the file allocation table (F
AT)).

When the preheat switch 20a is turned on by the command from the core unit 40 and the printer unit 20 is set to the preheat state, the free space of the hard disk 5 in the core unit 40 becomes smaller than a predetermined amount. When this is detected, the core unit 40 outputs a signal to the printer unit 20 to turn off the preheat switch 20a to release the preheat state of the printer unit 20. Then, the received content of the facsimile stored in the hard disk 5 is output to the printer unit 20 via the connector 1001 and printed out. After the print output is completed, the core unit 40 turns on the preheat switch 20a to bring the printer unit 20 into the preheat state again.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, unlike the case of outputting the contents of the hard disk 5 from the printer unit 20 after releasing the preheating state in the first embodiment, the free space of the hard disk 5 is smaller than a predetermined amount. When it is detected, the display unit 20b provided in the printer unit 20 outputs a message indicating that the hard disk 5 has no free space.

As a result, the operator can release the preheated state of the printer unit 220b by seeing the message on the display unit 20b and print out the contents received by the facsimile stored in the hard disk 5.

[Third Embodiment] The image forming apparatus of the third embodiment will be described below. In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, unlike the case of outputting the contents of the hard disk 5 from the printer unit 20 after releasing the preheating state in the first embodiment, the free space of the hard disk 5 is smaller than a predetermined amount. When it detects that the hard disk 5 is full, the core unit 40 outputs a message to the host computer 35 via the computer interface unit 37 to the effect that the hard disk 5 has no free space. The host computer 35 constantly monitors the reception of the message by the timer interrupt process, and when the reception of the message is confirmed, the SCS
I / I / F-A704 and SCSI I / F-B70
The facsimile reception content stored in the hard disk 5 is transferred via 88, and the free space of the hard disk 5 is increased. Since the free space of the hard disk 5 is increased, the subsequent facsimile reception is continued. Alternatively, the operator may cancel the preheating state of the printer unit 20b by notifying the operator who is operating the host computer 35 of the message.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will be described. In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, unlike the case of outputting the contents of the hard disk 5 from the printer unit 20 after releasing the residual heat state in the first embodiment, the free space of the hard disk 5 is smaller than a predetermined amount. When it is detected that the sound generation processing unit 20c provided in the printer unit 20
A message indicating that there is no free space on the hard disk is generated, and is output to the outside as sound by the speaker 20d. Here, the message may be a warning sound such as a buzzer.

As a result, the operator recognizes from the voice output from the speaker 20 that the free space of the hard disk 5 is small, and releases the preheating state,
It is possible to print out the received contents of the facsimile stored in the hard disk 5.

[0064]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the preheating means sets the preheating state, the remaining capacity of the storage means for storing the contents received by the facsimile is determined by the remaining capacity detecting means. When it is detected that the number is less, the preheating state releasing means releases the preheating state and outputs the content of the reception of the facsimile stored in the storage means, thereby avoiding the state in which the facsimile cannot be received.

Further, by displaying a message to the operator or notifying the host computer, it becomes possible to output the received contents of the facsimile stored in the storage means. Therefore, the subsequent facsimile reception can be continued.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of a reader unit and a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a signal processing circuit of a reader unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a core unit in detail.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fax unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a function of a computer interface unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 image forming apparatus 15 reader section 20 printer section 20a preheating switch 30 external device 40 core section

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Hidehiko Asai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing the contents received by facsimile, output means for outputting the contents stored in the storage means, and a preheating state in which the output means is put on standby to reduce power consumption. Preheating means, remaining capacity detection means for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage means, and in the preheating state, the remaining capacity of the storage means detected by the remaining capacity detection means is less than a predetermined amount An image forming apparatus, comprising: a preheat state releasing unit that releases the preheat state, wherein the output unit outputs the content stored in the storage unit after the preheating state is released. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a preheating state returning unit that returns the contents stored in the storage unit to the preheating state after being output by the output unit. . 3. Storage means for storing the contents received by facsimile, output means for outputting the contents stored in the storage means, and a preheating state in which the output means is on standby to reduce power consumption. Preheating means, remaining capacity detection means for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage means, and in the preheating state, the remaining capacity of the storage means detected by the remaining capacity detection means is less than a predetermined amount An image forming apparatus comprising a message display unit for displaying a message. 4. A connection means for connecting to a host computer, a storage means for storing the contents received by facsimile, an output means for outputting the contents stored in the storage means, and a standby means for the output means. A preheating unit that sets a preheating state that suppresses power consumption, a remaining capacity detection unit that detects a remaining capacity of the storage unit, and a remaining capacity of the storage unit that is detected by the remaining capacity detection unit in the preheating state in advance. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an informing unit that informs a host computer that the amount is less than a predetermined amount. 5. Storage means for storing the contents received by facsimile, output means for outputting the contents stored in the storage means, and a preheating state in which the output means is on standby to reduce power consumption. Preheating means, a remaining capacity detecting means for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage means, and a voice generating means for emitting a sound, and the remaining capacity of the storage means detected by the remaining capacity detecting means in the preheating state. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that when the amount becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, a voice is generated by the voice generating means to notify the outside.