JPH08151163A - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent a recording paper jam by detecting whether the output to each bin of the recording paper sorter of a facsimile device is possible or not, and suppressing the output when the output to the bin intended to output to is impossible. CONSTITUTION: A control panel 1, a reader part 3, a printer part 5, and a sorter part 7 are respective exclusive control part 2-8. On the other hand, the operation of the whole facsimile device is controlled by a microprocessor unit(MPU) 12, and a ROM for storing programs and a RAM for storing data necessary for control programs are arranged therein. When it is detected that the stacking number of each bin in a sorter reaches a maximum stackable number, the bin is controlled to be laid in the output impossible state until the recording paper of the bin is removed, and it is alarmed to a user that the output to the bin is impossible. Thus, when the stacking number of each bin reaches the maximum stackable number, the device can be effectively conformed thereto.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine having a multi-bin sorter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a facsimile apparatus which is provided with a recording paper sorter having a plurality of bins and which outputs a received document to a predetermined bin according to a predetermined condition.

A facsimile machine having such a sorter has no means for detecting whether each bin of the sorter is in use.

[0004]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the occurrence of a paper jam is inevitable when a specific bin has a large number of outputs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus which can effectively cope with the number of loaded sheets in each bin reaching the maximum number.

[0006]

According to the present invention, by providing means for detecting whether or not output is possible to each bin of a sorter, when the bin to be output cannot be output, output is performed. By suppressing it, the occurrence of a recording paper jam can be prevented.

[0007]

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

The operation panel 1 is composed of an LCD display, a numeric keypad for dial input, a keyboard on which a start key for instructing the start of transmission, and the like are arranged. The operation panel control unit 2 controls the operation panel 1.

The reader unit 3 reads a document to be transmitted and converts it into image data, and the reader control unit 4
Controls the reader unit 3. Printer section 5
Outputs the received document, and the printer control section 6 controls the printer section 5.

The sorter unit 7 has a plurality of bins for receiving the printed recording sheets, and has a function of detecting the maximum number of recording sheets stacked in each bin when the bins are detected. Further, the sorter control unit 8 controls the sorter unit 7.

The network control unit 9 controls communication between the facsimile apparatus and the network via the line 11, and the communication control unit 10 controls communication with a communication partner connected to the facsimile apparatus via the line 11. To do.

Microprocessor unit (MPU) 1
Reference numeral 2 controls the operation of the entire facsimile apparatus, and includes a ROM storing programs and the like described in each flowchart described later, a RAM for storing data necessary for controlling the programs, and the like. There is.

The buffer memory 13 is for temporarily storing an image to be transmitted or received, and the encoding / decoding unit 14 compresses the image data read by the reader unit 3 into encoded data or from the line 11. It expands the received data.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the basic print-out processing of the received document in this embodiment.

First, in S1, the sender's telephone number obtained by the communication control unit 10 is checked to see if the telephone number is registered in the output bin designation table (FIG. 11). Temporarily stores the bin corresponding to the telephone number in the fixed area SELBIN on the RAM and branches to S2, and if not registered, branches to S3.

In S2, a fixed area SELB on the RAM
This is a process of moving the bin stored in IN to the discharge port of the printer, and this process is performed by the sorter control unit 8. After this, the process proceeds to S3.

In S3, the received document is printed out. Next, in S4, after the printing is finished, it is checked whether or not the sorter bin is in the default position. If the sorter bin is in the default position, the process is terminated, and if not, the process proceeds to S5. At this time, the default bin is stored in SELBIN. Note that the default bin is stored in advance in a fixed area on the ROM.

In S5, the sorter bin is returned to the default position. The default position is stored in the ROM in advance.

Table 1 shown in FIG. 11 is the output bin designation table, and is a table in which the telephone number of the communication partner and the bin number of the print output destination are associated with each other. It is also possible to register a plurality of telephone numbers for one bin. Further, this Table 1 is stored in a fixed area on the RAM.

The registration of Table 1 is carried out by the same processing as the registration of the speed dial etc. performed by the user's operation.

Next, a description will be given of the process when the number of stackable bins reaches the output disabled state.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a bin monitoring process which is performed when the number of stackable bins has been reached after printing.

First, in S11, a message indicating that the output bin has become unusable is displayed on the LCD screen. This message is, for example, "Please remove the recording paper from bin 1."

Next, in S12, a wait process for allowing a fixed time to elapse is performed. It should be noted that if there is another process to be performed during this process, that process can be performed.

Next, in S13, after the lapse of a certain time period in S12, it is confirmed whether or not the recording paper of the monitored bin is removed and is ready for use. If the monitored bin is available, the process proceeds to S14. If not, the wait process of S12 is performed again.

In S14, the message displayed in S11 is erased.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Here, description will be given of the processing when there is a reception from another facsimile machine through the line 11 when the bin is in the output disabled state.

Since the constituent elements of the apparatus are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment (FIG. 1), individual explanations are omitted.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the processing when an incoming call is received from the line 11.

In S21, the communication control unit 10 checks whether or not the telephone number of the communication partner device has been received, and if so, the process proceeds to S22, and if not, the process proceeds to S23.

In step S22, when the telephone number of the communication partner device is received in step S21, it is checked whether the telephone number is registered in the output bin designation table (Table 1) stored in the RAM. If so, the process proceeds to S23, and if not, the process proceeds to S24.

In S23, the default bin is selected,
It is temporarily stored in the fixed area SELBIN on the RAM. The default bin is stored in the ROM in advance.

In S24, the output bin designation table (Table 1) is checked, and the output bin corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner device is selected and temporarily stored in the fixed area SELBIN on the RAM.

After these processes, in S25, it is checked whether or not the bin stored in the fixed area SELBIN on the RAM is usable, and if it is available, the process proceeds to S27,
Otherwise, proceed to S26.

In S26, the line is disconnected and the process ends. Note that this processing is performed by the communication control unit 10 and the network control unit 9.

In step S27, the process of receiving and disconnecting the line is performed. Note that this processing is performed by the communication control unit 10
And the network control unit 11. Next, in S28, R
The bin stored in the fixed area SELBIN on the AM is moved to the discharge port of the printer unit 5.

In step S29, the received document is printed out. After the printing is completed in S30, the default bin is moved to the paper exit of the printer unit 5.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Here, a description will be given of the processing when there is a reception from another facsimile apparatus through the line 11 when the bin is in the output disabled state.

Since the constituent elements of the apparatus are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment (FIG. 1), individual explanations are omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing when there is an incoming call on the line 11.

Steps S31 to S34 are the same as steps S21 to S24 described in the second embodiment. Then S
35 receives the document and temporarily stores it in the buffer unit 13.

Then, in S36, SELB on the RAM
It is checked whether the bin stored in IN is available. If it is available, the process proceeds to S37, and if not, the process ends.

In S37, the bin stored in SELBIN on the RAM is moved to the paper discharge port of the printer unit 5, and S
In 38, the received document stored in the buffer unit 13 is printed out.

Then, in S39, the default bin is moved to the discharge port of the printer.

Next, as a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a process for outputting a document which has been received in the buffer section because the sorter cannot be used in the third embodiment will be described. This embodiment is an example in which the sorter monitoring process prints out when the sorter changes from the unusable state to the usable state.

Since the constituent elements of the apparatus are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment (FIG. 1), individual explanations are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing when there is an incoming call on the line 11.

From S41 to S45, the same processing as in the fourth embodiment is performed. Then, in S46, it is checked whether or not the bin stored in SELBIN on the RAM is available. If it is available, the process proceeds to S47, and if not, the process proceeds to S50.

Further, in S47 to S48, the same processes as the processes in S37 to S39 of the fourth embodiment are performed.

Then, in S50, the sorter monitoring process from S11 to S14 described in the second embodiment is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to S47 and thereafter.

Next, as a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a process for outputting a document which is still received in the buffer portion because the sorter cannot be used in the third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the output is started by a user's key operation after the sorter becomes available.

Since the components of the apparatus are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment (FIG. 1), the individual explanations are omitted.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing when there is an incoming call on the line 11.

Here, S51 to S60 are the same processes as in the fifth embodiment. Then, in S61, S60
This is the process when the output destination bin becomes available by the bin monitoring process of No. 2, and is the process as shown in FIG.

That is, FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a key input monitoring process for monitoring the input of the keys arranged on the operation panel 1.

Step S71 is a wait process for allowing a certain time to elapse, and if there is a key input during this time, R
The key input is stored in the key input buffer on the AM.

Next, in S72, it is checked whether or not there is a key input in S71, and if there is a key input, S73.
If not, go back to S71 again.

In S73, if the input key is the start key in S71, the process is ended, and if it is any other key, the key buffer is cleared, and the process returns to S71 to perform the wait process.

As a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a process for outputting a document which has been received in the buffer unit because the sorter cannot be used in the third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, another bin is selected by the user's key operation to start output.

Since the constituent elements of the apparatus are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment (FIG. 1), individual explanations are omitted.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing when there is an incoming call on the line 11.

Here, S81 to S90 are the same processes as S61 to S70 of the sixth embodiment.

Then, in S91, the process is performed when the output destination bin becomes available by the bin monitoring process in S90, and is the process as shown in FIG. Also, S
92 is the same process as S84.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a key input monitoring process for monitoring the input of the keys arranged on the operation panel 1.

Steps S101 and S102 are the same as steps S71 and S72 of the sixth embodiment. Then, S103
Then, depending on the type of the input key, if the key is a numeric key, the process proceeds to S104 and the same process as S84 is performed. If it is the start key, the process proceeds to S92. If it is any other key, the process returns to S101 again.

In each of the above embodiments, the bin is selected by the communication partner, but in the present invention, the factors for selecting the bin are, for example, the size of the recording paper, the type of the recording paper, the recording time zone, etc. However, the same can be applied.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By providing each bin of the sorter with means for detecting whether or not recording paper can be output, and if the output is impossible, by suppressing the output, the occurrence of recording paper jam can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a basic printout process of a received document in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a bin monitoring process performed when the number of stackable bins is reached after printing is completed in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing when an incoming call is received from a line in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing processing when an incoming call is received from a line in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process when an incoming call is received from a line in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing when an incoming call is received from a line in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a key input monitoring process for monitoring the input of a key arranged on the operation panel in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process when an incoming call is received from a line in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a key input monitoring process for monitoring the input of keys arranged on the operation panel in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an output bin designation table used in each of the embodiments.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation panel, 2 ... Operation panel control part, 3 ... Reader part, 4 ... Reader control part, 5 ... Printer part, 6 ... Printer control part, 7 ... Sorter part, 8 ... Sorter control part, 9 ... Network control part , 10 ... Communication control unit, 11 ... Line, 12 ... MPU, 13 ... Buffer memory, 14 ... Encoding / decoding unit.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising a recording paper sorter having a plurality of bins and outputting a received document to a predetermined bin according to predetermined conditions, wherein the number of sheets loaded in each bin of the sorter is the maximum number of sheets loaded. When the detection means detects that the maximum number of stacked sheets has been reached, the output control means that disables output until the recording paper in that bin is removed, and the output of that bin A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a notification unit for notifying a user that it is impossible. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a certain bin has already reached the output disabled state, if the bin is received, the reception is rejected. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a certain bin has already reached the output disabled state, if there is a reception for that bin, the received document is temporarily stored in a memory. Facsimile machine. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output designated bin of the received document is in the output disabled state,
When the received document is temporarily stored in the memory, the user is notified that there is a temporarily stored document, and when the user removes the output recording paper from the specified bin and prints it, printing is possible. A facsimile machine characterized by starting output. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output designated bin of the received document is in the output disabled state,
When the received document is temporarily stored in the memory, the user is notified that there is a temporarily stored document, and when the user removes the output recording paper from the specified bin and enables output, A facsimile apparatus characterized in that a user is notified that there is a received document that is temporarily stored, and a print output is started by a subsequent output instruction operation. 6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output designated bin of the received document is in the output disabled state,
When the received document is temporarily stored in the memory, notify the user that there is a temporarily stored document, and change the output bin to a bin that can be output by the subsequent output instruction operation and start print output. A facsimile machine characterized by.