JPH08116392A - Recorder and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To facilitate the discrimination of an original image and a copied image by recording a prescribed pattern with prescribed resolution and recording the pattern as a different pattern when the pattern is copied by a copying device with low resolution. CONSTITUTION: Based on a first recording mode recording an image on a medium to be recorded based on the image data which is read by a reader 3 and inputted and a second recording mode which is different from the image for the medium to be recorded, a control means controls the driving of a recording part 11. The recording part 11 records the image based on input image data and a prescribed pattern on the medium to be recorded. When this prescribed pattern is recorded with prescribed resolution and is copied by a copying device whose resolution is lower than the prescribed resolution, the pattern is recorded as a different pattern. When the prescribed pattern is the dot pattern in which plural dots are arrayed at prescribed space, a footer mark which is painted black is recorded because the copying machine with low resolution is not capable of the pattern of a mark.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device and an information processing system using the device as output means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, paper, cloth, plastic sheet, O
Recording medium such as HP sheet (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper)
A recording apparatus that performs recording with respect to various types of recording systems, such as a wire dot system, a thermal system, a thermal transfer system, and an inkjet system, has been proposed as a form in which a recording head can be mounted.

Among these methods, the ink jet recording method is a low noise and non-impact recording method for recording an image by ejecting ink directly onto a recording material. Moreover, since this method does not require a complicated device for implementation, it is easy to achieve low running costs, downsizing of the device, and colorization. Therefore, recording apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimiles and word processors to which the inkjet recording method is applied have been put into practical use. Therefore, in a facsimile apparatus to which an inkjet recording method is applied, image data input by a communication unit or a reading unit provided in the apparatus is used as recording paper (plain paper) common to other recording apparatuses without using thermal paper. Can be output to.

[0004]

However, when the image output from the facsimile is copied by another recording device (copying machine) using the same type of recording paper, the original image recorded by the facsimile and the copying machine are It becomes difficult to distinguish it from the recorded copy image. In order to avoid such a problem, conventionally, a method has been tried in which an original image and a copied image are recorded on recording papers of different colors, or different recording materials such as inks of different colors are used. . However, the use of at least two kinds of recording paper and ink is a troublesome problem for the user, and sometimes a problem such as setting a facsimile one on the copying machine side occurs. Further, when an inkjet type recording apparatus is used as a facsimile recording apparatus, there is a problem that it is always necessary to pay attention to running out of ink. That is, even if it is determined that ink is present and image data is received, ink may run out or the ink ejection port may be clogged during the recording operation. In such a case, the apparatus main body advances the recording operation in the unrecorded state, and returns a confirmation that the reception is completed to the transmission side. Since facsimiles are often received unattended, it is difficult to deal with such a situation immediately.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, facilitates discrimination between an original image and a copied image, and is provided with a recording device provided with means capable of detecting the remaining ink amount, and information provided with the recording device. The purpose is to provide a processing system.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording apparatus according to the present invention is a recording apparatus having recording means for recording an image according to image data on a recording medium, An input unit for inputting, a first recording mode for recording an image on a recording medium based on the image data input by the input unit, and a predetermined pattern different from the image on the recording medium. The control means for controlling the drive of the recording means based on the second recording mode for recording is provided, and further, the predetermined pattern is recorded at a predetermined resolution,
In addition, when the image is copied by a copying apparatus having a resolution lower than the predetermined resolution, it is recorded as a different pattern.

Preferably, the control means further controls the recording means in the third recording mode. That is,
The driving of the recording unit is controlled based on a third recording mode in which the predetermined pattern is recorded with a resolution different from that of the image based on the image data input by the input unit.

Preferably, the input means has a communication means for receiving image data, and the recording means records an image according to the image data received by the communication means on a recording medium.

Preferably, the predetermined pattern is a dot pattern in which a plurality of dots are arranged at predetermined intervals.

Preferably, the dot patterns arranged at the predetermined intervals are copied by the copying apparatus.
It is recorded as a solid pattern.

Preferably, the recording medium further comprises detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording material, and the predetermined pattern is used as a pattern for detecting the remaining amount of the recording material. The material is ink, and the detecting means is density detecting means for detecting the density of the predetermined pattern.

Preferably, the recording medium further has a trailing edge detecting means for detecting the trailing edge of the recording medium, and the recording means records the pattern at a predetermined position from the trailing edge of the recording medium.

Preferably, the recording means records an image by ejecting ink in accordance with the image data, and more preferably the recording means ejects a heating resistance element which causes film boiling in the ink. An ink jet recording head is used as an energy generating means for the purpose.

An information processing system according to the present invention is characterized in that a recording device is provided as an output means.

[0015]

The control means records the first recording mode in which the image is recorded on the recording medium based on the image data input by the input means, and the first recording mode records a predetermined pattern different from the image on the recording medium. The drive of the recording means is controlled based on the second recording mode. The recording means records an image based on the input image data and a predetermined pattern on the recording medium. This predetermined pattern is recorded as a different pattern when it is recorded at a predetermined resolution and is copied by a copying apparatus having a resolution lower than the predetermined resolution. Further, when the predetermined pattern is a dot pattern in which a plurality of dots are arranged at a predetermined interval, when the dot pattern is copied by the copying apparatus,
It is recorded as a solid pattern.

When the detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording material is provided, the predetermined pattern is used as a pattern for detecting the remaining amount of the recording material.

The remaining ink amount can be estimated by detecting the density of the ink adhering to the recording medium by the detecting means. Therefore, it is possible to make a reliable judgment not only when the facsimile recording is out of ink but also when the recording cannot be normally performed due to clogging depending on the output level of the density detecting means.

Further, in a facsimile machine having a printer function as a terminal such as a personal computer, a facsimile reception recording sheet and a printout sheet of a personal computer may be mixed and stacked. You can easily distinguish between paper and printer-out paper.

Further, in the communication reception (facsimile reception) recording and the pattern recording, by providing recording means capable of changing the recording resolution and recording density, it is possible to prevent the pattern from being mistaken for the received image.
Generally, the head generally has a facsimile resolution (8p
This can be easily realized because it has a recording capacity of a higher density than that of EL × 3.751 / mmor7.711 / mm).

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows marks recorded by a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention. This fax is
An image for identification (hereinafter, also referred to as a footer mark) is recorded on a recording paper when the received image is recorded. This footer mark is shown in Figure 1.
(A), the pattern is formed in the lower right corner of the document with a size smaller than the resolution of the copying machine and recognizable by the naked eye. For example, a square mark having a dot pattern formed with a resolution of 360 dpi and a density of 50% is used.
When copying this, a copying machine having a resolution lower than that of a facsimile machine cannot identify the mark pattern, so that the footer mark is recorded as a black-painted pattern as shown in FIG. The footer mark is also used when determining the remaining amount of ink.

(Embodiment 2) The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is the same as the facsimile apparatus of Embodiment 1 except that it is provided with a detecting means for detecting the footer mark.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a recording device section using a head having a recording density of 360 dpi × 360 dpi for recording on a recording paper. In this embodiment, thermal energy is used to cause a state change in ink. As a result, ink is ejected from the head. Reference numeral 2 is 8 pel x 7.7
line / mm resolution (hereinafter referred to as resolution A) and 8 pel × 3.85 line / mm resolution (hereinafter,
A resolution conversion circuit for converting the resolution B) to a resolution of 360 dpi × 360 dpi (hereinafter, referred to as the resolution C), 3 has a resolution of 8 pel × 3.
85 or 7.71 / mm reader unit, 4 is a reader unit 3
4 Mbit for storing image information and received image information of an original read by the control device and control data for controlling the recording device unit 1.
When the memory section 5 and the 5 are connected to the 5a side, the resolution conversion circuit 2
Is a switching circuit for transmitting data to the recording device unit 1 without resolution conversion when connected to the 5b side, and for selecting whether to perform resolution conversion or not, and 6 is a CPU for controlling the entire device, Reference numeral 7 is a control signal line for the CPU 6 to control the recording control unit 15. Other than this M
Although there are well-known components such as ODEM, NCU, and operation unit, they are not shown here.

Next, the configuration of the recording device section 1 will be further described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 11 has nozzles of 64 dots in one row with a recording density of 360 dpi in the sub-scanning direction (arrow A direction), and the recording density for recording while moving at a recording density of 360 dpi in the main scanning direction is 360 dpi × 360 dpi.
A recording unit having an i head, 12 is a recording paper feed unit, a discharge unit, and a recording paper conveyance unit having a feed accuracy of 360 dpi steps for determining a position in the sub-scanning direction when recording by the recording unit 11, If there is a recording sheet, it is turned on, and if not, it is turned off. A recording sheet sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording sheet and the leading edge and the trailing edge. Reference numeral 14 detects the density of the recording surface of the recording sheet. It is a reflection type photo sensor. The recording control unit 15 converts the image data sent from the CPU 6 so that the recording unit 11 can record the image data, and according to the instruction of the control data sent from the CPU 6, the recording unit 11, the recording paper conveying unit 12, the recording paper sensor 13 To control. Further, 16 is a cut sheet on which an image is recorded.

Next, the principle of resolution conversion will be described.

In a facsimile apparatus having different reading and recording resolutions or a recording density different from the facsimile communication resolution, a resolution conversion circuit is required because recording at the same size as the original is required at the time of reception or copying. For example, when recording image data read at a resolution of 8 pel x 7.7 l / mm with a 360 dpi x 360 dpi head, if one pixel of reading corresponds to one pixel of recording, the main scanning direction is 8 pel / 360 dpi = 0. ．
564, sub-scanning direction 7.7 l / mm / 360 dpi =
An image will be recorded at a reduction ratio of 0.543. Therefore, in the scanning direction, the original data of 9 bits is changed to 16 bits,
When 6 bits are expanded to 11 bits in the sub-scanning direction, the main scanning direction is 0.564 × (16/9) = 1.003, and the sub-scanning direction is 0.543 × (11/6) = 0.996, which is almost the same size. be able to.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the concept of resolution conversion when copying and recording a read image and when receiving and recording a received image. Reference numeral 5a indicates resolution conversion in the main scanning direction, and the read pixel 51a is replaced by two recording pixels 51a 'and 53a is replaced by one recording pixel 53a', and the same magnification in the main scanning direction is obtained. Recording is possible. Reference numeral 5b indicates resolution conversion in the sub-scanning direction. In the sub-scanning direction, the read pixel one line 51b is replaced by two recording pixel lines 51b 'and 53b' by one recording pixel line 53b '. It is possible to record at the same size. This resolution conversion circuit uses a simple latch circuit in the main scanning direction, and performs double writing control of the same line by software control in the sub scanning direction.

The memory of 4 has a MODEM (not shown).
The image data received in step 1 and the image data read by the reader unit 3 are stored, and the arbitrary image data created by the CPU 6 and the control data for the recording control unit 15 are stored.

Therefore, in facsimile reception, 8 pels
Since image data is sent at a resolution of × 3.85 or 7.71 / mm, the resolution conversion is performed by connecting the switching circuit 5 to the image data stored in the memory 4 from the MODEM (not shown) on the side of 5a. The CPU 6 controls so that resolution conversion is performed by the circuit 2 and recording is performed at the same size as the transmission original.

The image data read by the reader unit 3 is also subjected to the same processing as described above to make a copy of the same size.

On the other hand, if the switching circuit 5 is connected to the side of 5b, the image data in the memory 4 can be recorded in the recording device section 1 by making one pixel of the image data correspond to one pixel of recording without resolution conversion. Further, when sending control data to the recording control unit 15, it is connected to the 5b side.

FIG. 5 shows a recording paper sensor 13 and a photo sensor 14.
17 shows a footer mark and its recording position which will be described later. Here the sensors 13, 1
The marks 4 and the marks 17 are arranged so as to be aligned in a straight line in the recording paper conveyance direction (direction A). In addition, these are arranged at the leftmost end of the recordable range on the recording paper 16 of the recording unit 11. Further, the footer mark recording device 17 can be positioned so that a white background of recording paper of a predetermined length remains at the trailing edge of the recording paper 16.

Next, the control when recording a facsimile received image will be described. When the leading edge of the recording paper 16 reaches the recording paper sensor 13, the sensor 13 is turned on, and the recording paper conveying unit 12 conveys the recording paper 16 for a predetermined length, and thereby the recording paper 16 is moved to the recording position of the recording unit 11. Moving. From there, the recording control unit 15 controls the recording unit 11 and the recording paper conveyance unit 12 so that the resolution conversion circuit 2
Image data for one page after resolution conversion from
To record. The subsequent control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, the received image data is stored and recorded in the memory 4 in parallel.

While recording on the recording paper 16, it is checked in S1 that the recording paper sensor 13 is turned off.
FF state (that is, the trailing edge of the recording paper 16 is detected)
And S2, until the recording position of the footer mark 17 reaches the recording position of the recording unit 11, the recording paper 1 is conveyed by the recording paper conveying unit 12.
6 is conveyed. The number of transport steps is N steps (number of movement distance divided by 1/360 inch). Next, in step S3, the footer mark is recorded on the recording paper 16 by the recording unit 11.
The footer mark is recorded at the footer mark recording position 17. The footer mark is an image which stores the image data created by the CPU 6 in the memory 4 and is sent to 15 via the 5a side of the switching circuit 5.

Here, a dot pattern formed with a resolution of 360 dpi and a density of 50% is drawn by drawing a contour of a square of about 4.5 mm square corresponding to the recording width of 64 dots of the recording unit 11. Mark it. S
In 4, the recording paper conveying unit 12 conveys the recording paper 16 so that the position 17 moves to the detection position of the photo sensor 14.
The number of transport steps is M steps. In S4, the photosensor 14 detects the density at the 17th position.
If the footer mark described above is recorded at the position 17, it is determined that the footer mark has been detected because the reflected light is small, and it is determined that the footer mark has been normally recorded. If the recording portion 11 is out of ink or if the nozzles of the recording portion 11 are clogged so that normal recording cannot be performed, no footer mark is recorded at the footer mark recording position 17 of the recording paper 16 and reflection occurs. When the photo sensor 14 detects that the footer mark is not recorded due to the increased light, the CPU 6 determines that the recording is abnormal. In this case, the CPU 6 retains the received image data of the current page stored in the memory 4 without erasing it, and outputs a predetermined intermittent tone from a speaker or the like in the facsimile apparatus to indicate that the recording is abnormal, for example. Let me know. After the recovery operation and the head replacement, the reception recording is performed again by a predetermined operation procedure so that the recording can be surely completed. When it is detected that the footer mark is not normally recorded, the mode shifts to the alternate reception mode and the image data of the current page stored in the memory 4 and the image data sent thereafter are stored in the memory 4. The image data saved may be recorded by a predetermined operation after the recovery operation, the replacement of the head, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the footer mark recording described above can be controlled by the CPU 6 so that it is performed only when recording the received image and not when recording reports such as a copy and a communication management report. is there. This is because the user wants to record the copy and the report consciously at the spot, so if an abnormal recording is made, the user can make a judgment so that the facsimile machine automatically makes a judgment. Because there is no need to do it. Further, even if the footer mark is used for copying, it is judged that it is better to record only the image information of the read document as much as possible.

When recording on cut paper, the received image information of one page may not be recorded on one cut paper. In this case, there is a known method of divided recording, but even in the case of divided recording, the footer mark is always controlled to be recorded at a predetermined position at the trailing edge of each cut sheet.

FIG. 7 shows the signal name of the control signal line of reference numeral 7. This control signal conforms to the well-known Centronics interface as an interface of a printer used as a terminal such as a personal computer. 7a is a data line (DATA1 to 8) that outputs a control command or image data, and 7b is a strobe signal (X
STROBE) or initialization signal (XINIT),
7c is a status signal (XACK
NLG, BUSY, P.N. E. FIG. , SELECT, XERR
O). 7a and 7b are input signals to the printer, and 7c is an output signal. By using such a control signal, the CPU 6 can control the recording device unit 1 in the same manner as the personal computer controls the printer.

(Embodiment 3) The facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of Embodiment 1 or 2, but when recording the foot mark, the recording unit 11 is provided at a position adjacent to the foot mark. The difference is that an all-black solid mark of a square of about 4.5 mm square corresponding to the recording width of 64 dots is recorded. This makes it easier to distinguish the original image and the copied image by comparing the foot mark and the black solid mark when the original image is copied by the copying machine.

(Other Embodiments) The recording apparatus and the information processing system based on the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can take various modes within the scope of the present invention.

For example, since many files used for organizing documents are generally left-closed, many transmission originals have sentences written with a blank space left. Therefore, by disposing the footer mark recording position and the density detecting means at the leftmost end of the recording range with respect to the conveying direction of the recording paper, it is possible to make the footer mark less noticeable.

When the cut paper is used as the recording paper, it has a trailing edge detecting means for detecting the trailing edge of the recording paper and a conveying means for conveying the recording paper by a predetermined amount, and the predetermined distance from the rear edge of the recording paper. By recording the footer only when the facsimile reception image in which the footer mark is recorded at the position is recorded, it can be distinguished from the copied recording paper at a glance. Further, even if a cut sheet of an arbitrary length is set, the footer mark can always be recorded at a predetermined position from the trailing edge of the recording sheet, so that the footer mark and the facsimile received image can be easily distinguished.

By arranging the trailing edge detecting means in the vicinity of the footer mark recording position (ideally on a straight line), even if the recording paper is skewed, the footer mark will always be present at the recording paper. Is recorded, there is an effect of safety design that can surely detect the footer mark. If not arranged in the vicinity, the footer mark may be recorded in a place where there is no paper, so that the footer mark may not be reliably detected, and this arrangement has a great effect.

[0045]

As described above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention is a recording apparatus having recording means for recording an image according to image data on a recording medium, and an input means for inputting the image data. A first recording mode for recording an image on a recording medium based on the image data input by the input means, and a second recording for recording a predetermined pattern different from the image on the recording medium. Control means for controlling the driving of the recording means based on the mode, and further, the predetermined pattern is recorded at a predetermined resolution and copied by a copying apparatus having a resolution lower than the predetermined resolution. In this case, the different patterns are recorded as different patterns. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish between the original image and the copied image and to detect the ink remaining amount of the recording means by using the pattern. Further, it is possible to automatically and surely judge whether or not the image data recording is normally performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a pattern printed by a printing apparatus according to the present invention, in which (a) is a pattern printed on a printing paper and (b) is a copy of the pattern (a). The pattern obtained by the above is shown.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a layout view of main constituent elements constituting a recording apparatus according to the present invention.

4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining resolution conversion of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams of resolution conversion in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between a recording sensor, a photo sensor, and a footer mark recording position.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for determining whether or not recording has been normally performed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing control signals for controlling the recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Recording Device Section 2 Resolution Conversion Circuit 3 Reader Section 4 Memory 5 Switching Circuit 6 CPU 7 Control Signal Line 11 Recording Section 12 Recording Paper Conveying Section 13 Recording Paper Sensor 14 Photo Sensor 15 Recording Control Section 17 Footer Mark and Its Recording Position

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 25/20

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus having a recording means for recording an image according to image data on a recording medium, based on the input means for inputting the image data, and the image data input by the input means. Control for controlling the drive of the recording means based on a first recording mode for recording an image on a recording medium by a recording medium and a second recording mode for recording a predetermined pattern different from the image on the recording medium. And a predetermined pattern is recorded at a predetermined resolution, and is recorded as a different pattern when copied by a copying apparatus having a resolution lower than the predetermined resolution. Recording device. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit has a communication unit that receives image data, and the recording unit receives an image corresponding to the image data received by the communication unit. A recording device characterized by recording on a recording medium. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pattern is a dot pattern in which a plurality of dots are arranged at predetermined intervals. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dot patterns arranged at the predetermined intervals are recorded as a solid pattern when copied by the copying apparatus. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has a resolution different from that of the image based on the image data input by the input unit. A recording apparatus for controlling the driving of the recording means based on a third recording mode for recording. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of the recording material,
The recording apparatus, wherein the predetermined pattern is used as a pattern for detecting the remaining amount of the recording material. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording material is ink, and the detecting unit is a density detecting unit that detects the density of the predetermined pattern. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a trailing edge detecting unit that detects a trailing edge of the recording medium, the recording unit including a trailing edge of the recording medium. A recording apparatus for recording the pattern at a predetermined position from an edge. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records an image by ejecting ink according to image data. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording means comprises an ink jet recording head using a heating resistance element for causing film boiling of ink as energy generating means for ejecting ink. Recording device. 11. An information processing system, comprising the recording device according to claim 1 as output means.