JPH08237446A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To attain image recording at a high speed with high quality by means of a shuttle type image recording means by delaying or quickening image recording by a recording head on a forward or a return path by a time corresponding to a deviation in a recorded image. CONSTITUTION: A printer section 102 uses a shuttle type head printer. A correction pattern having been stored in an image memory 104 in advance is printed on a recording medium by the printer section 102. A system control section 108 detects a deviation in the scanning line direction caused between a print image on a forward path and a print image on a return path by a recording head based on a correction pattern read by a scanner section 101. The time (correction time) corresponding to the deviation from the detected print image is set and the printing of the magnetic head on the forward path or the return path is delayed by the set correction time under the control for the printer section 101 afterward.

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 to a facsimile machine in which a shuttle printer can be applied to an image recording means which is a recording portion for image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The image recording means of a facsimile machine is
A thermal recording type printer that records an image on thermal paper is often used. However, thermal paper has the property of discoloring due to heat, friction, chemicals, etc., and is not suitable for storing recorded images.

In recent years, a facsimile machine equipped with an electrophotographic recording type image recording means has been introduced. In the case of this method, an image is recorded on plain paper, which is suitable for storing the recorded image. However, this type of image recording means has a drawback that the device configuration is complicated and the product cost is high.

On the other hand, various types of printers have been developed with the spread of personal computers, and printers capable of recording images of high quality and good storability have become available at low cost. If such a printer for a personal computer can be used as an image recording unit of a facsimile machine, the above-mentioned drawbacks can be solved, which is convenient. In particular, a shuttle type printer that can perform reciprocal printing on recording paper realizes high-speed image recording, and thus can be said to be suitable as an image recording unit of a facsimile machine that requires quick recording of image information being received. .

[0005]

However, conventionally,
There is no example of applying a shuttle type printer for a personal computer as an image recording means of a facsimile device,
It is considered that it has the following problems.

That is, the shuttle type printer for a personal computer performs high-speed processing by reciprocating printing when printing out font characters, but there is no ruled line or the like.
When an image is recorded over the forward and backward passes of the print head, reciprocal printing is prohibited, and processing is performed so that only one-way printing is performed. This is because during reciprocal printing, backlash or the like in the drive mechanism of the print head causes a deviation between the image recorded in the forward pass and the image recorded in the return pass, resulting in a marked decrease in image quality.

However, most of the image information received by the facsimile apparatus is image information read by a CCD or the like, and is information that is recorded over the forward path and the backward path of the print head, so that it is the same as a personal computer. If the control is performed, one-way printing is performed and the recording speed is delayed.

When a shuttle type printer is used as the image recording means of the facsimile apparatus, even if the reciprocal printing is always performed, the image quality due to the deviation between the image recorded on the outward path and the image recorded on the return path as described above is The decrease becomes a problem and it is not practical. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to realize high-quality and high-speed image recording by a shuttle type image recording means.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image reading means for reading image information of an original, an image transmitting means for transmitting the image information of the read original, and image information from a communication destination. The image receiving means for receiving the image information and the image recording means for recording the input image information on the recording medium,
In a facsimile apparatus provided with a unit for outputting image information received by an image receiving unit, the image recording unit sends a recording medium in a sub-scanning direction and reciprocates a recording head in a scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. It is a shuttle-type image recording means for moving and recording image information.

Then, a correction amount detection means for obtaining the amount of deviation in the scanning direction between the print image when the print head moves forward and the print image when the print head moves backward, and the print obtained by this correction amount detection means. An image recording control means is provided for delaying or advancing the image recording on the forward path or the backward path of the recording head for a time corresponding to the image shift amount.

[0011]

The shuttle type image recording means records the image information by reciprocating the recording head, so that the image information can be recorded at high speed. Further, the amount of deviation in the scanning direction between the print image on the forward path of the print head and the print image on the return path is obtained by the correction amount detecting means, and the print image is delayed or accelerated to forward or backward image recording. It is possible to improve the quality of the recorded image by correcting the deviation of

Further, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention comprises a correction pattern output means for outputting image information of a predetermined correction pattern to the image recording means, and the correction pattern recorded on the recording medium is read by the image reading means. At the same time, the deviation amount can be obtained by the correction amount detecting means based on the read information of the correction pattern.

According to this structure, it is not necessary to manually measure the deviation of the recorded image or to install a special sensor for inputting the deviation of the recorded image to the correction amount detecting means, which reduces the product cost. It can be kept at a low price.
Further, when the facsimile device is provided with report information output means for outputting report image information such as transmission / reception records to the image recording means on a regular basis or upon request, output of the report image information by the report information output means. According to the above, correction pattern recording control means for outputting the image information of the correction pattern from the correction pattern output means and for recording the image information of the correction pattern in the margin of the recording medium for recording the reporting image information may be provided. . As a result, the recording medium for recording the correction pattern as an image can be used together with the recording medium for recording the report image information, and the recording medium can be saved.

Furthermore, the image reading means reads the image information recorded in a certain area in the central portion of the document, and
When outputting a video signal with margins on both sides of the area, the correction pattern recording control means is provided by the image recording means on both sides of the recording image information recording medium corresponding to the margins of the read document. By recording the image information of the correction pattern, it is possible to save the recording medium and efficiently use the video signal output from the image reading means. Further, by providing the correction pattern reading means for inputting the image information of the recorded correction pattern to the image reading means on the image recording means, the correction pattern can be automatically read by the correction pattern reading means,
The operation can be simplified.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The scanner unit 101 has a function as an image reading unit that reads image information of a document, irradiates the document conveyed to a predetermined reading position with light from a light source, and reflects it on the document surface. Light is incident on a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and image information on a document is converted into an electric video signal and output.

The printer section 102 has a function as an image recording means for recording image information on a recording medium. In this embodiment, a shuttle type head printer (shuttle type image recording means) is used. As is well known, the shuttle-type head printer is a printer that feeds a recording medium in the sub-scanning direction and prints (records) image information by reciprocating the recording head in the scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. The printer unit 102 can be built in the main body of the facsimile device, but if a commercially available printer for personal computer is used, the system of the facsimile device can be constructed at low cost.

The printer unit 102 is provided with a print driving unit 102a having a head driver for causing the recording head to perform a printing operation of image information, and a shuttle drive motor driver for reciprocating the recording head in the scanning direction. The shuttle drive unit 102b is included.

The encoding / combining unit 103 compresses image information by a predetermined encoding method or restores the compressed data to the original image information. The image memory 104 is a component that stores input image information, and a correction pattern described later is also stored in the image memory 104. In addition, report image information such as transmission / reception records is also stored in the image memory 10.
Stored in 4.

The G3 FAX modem 105 executes facsimile communication according to the communication procedure of the group 3 standard. Further, the network control unit 106 executes a predetermined line control when sending and receiving image information. The G3 FAX modem 105 and the network control unit 106 have a function as an image transmitting unit for transmitting image information and an image receiving unit for receiving image information from a communication destination. The operation display unit 107 displays various operations that can be performed by the user, and displays the operation state of the device.

The system control unit 108 is composed of a microcomputer, monitors and controls each of the above-mentioned components, and also functions as a correction amount detection means, an image recording control means, and a correction pattern output means of the present invention. That is, when functioning as a correction pattern output unit, the image information of the correction pattern stored in advance in the image memory 104 is taken out and printed on the recording medium by the printer unit 102. The correction pattern will be described later.

The correction pattern printed on the recording medium is read by the scanner unit 101, and at this time, the system control unit 1
Reference numeral 08 functions as a correction amount detection unit and an image recording control unit. That is, the amount of deviation in the scanning direction generated between the print image when the print head moves forward and the print image when the print head moves backward is detected from the correction pattern read by the scanner unit 101 (correction amount detection means). Then, a time (correction time) corresponding to the detected amount of deviation of the printed image is set, and in the subsequent control of the printer unit 102, the printing on the forward or return path of the magnetic head is delayed by the set correction time. Yes (image recording control means). System bus 10
Reference numeral 9 is a line that connects the above-mentioned components.

2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of the head driver in the print drive unit 102a which is a component of the printer unit 102. As shown in FIG. The print head of the printer unit 102, which is a shuttle type head printer, is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a large number of nozzles n are serially arranged in the recording medium feeding direction (that is, the sub-scanning direction). Each nozzle n has an image data signal (hereinafter abbreviated as SEG) sent from the system control unit 108 and a common signal (hereinafter abbreviated as COM) for turning on / off the nozzle n in synchronization with the shuttle operation of the recording head. ) And eject ink onto the recording medium.

A general shuttle type head printer has 64
The nozzle n has a book, and each nozzle n is controlled by a combination of SEG1 to 8 and COM1 to 8 as shown in FIG. Therefore, for the sake of convenience, a case where 64 nozzles n are controlled by SEG and COM of 1 to 8 will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of shuttle drive motor control signals for controlling the printer unit 102 and SEG and COM output timings. The shuttle drive unit 102b of the printer unit 102 is controlled by the system control unit 108 from A of FIG.
The shuttle drive motor control signal shown in B is input, and the shuttle drive motor is driven with one step during which these signals A and B are switched ON or OFF. Then, COM1 to COM8 for each step of the shuttle drive motor
Occur sequentially. The SEG has 8 bits for each of COM1 to COM8. As a result, 64 nozzles n are sequentially controlled in synchronization with the movement of the recording head to print an image.

Now, as shown in FIG. 5, a positional deviation in the scanning direction may occur between the print image D1 on the forward path and the print image D2 on the return path due to backlash in the drive mechanism of the recording head. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6, the COM for the shuttle drive motor control signal is
By adjusting the timing of occurrence of the, it is possible to correct the deviation of the printed image. For example, when the print image D2 on the return path is printed before the original position indicated by the imaginary line as shown in FIG. Just do it. On the contrary, when the print image D2 is printed behind the original position, the COM may be generated earlier.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a correction pattern printed on a recording medium. The correction pattern P can be, for example, a ruled line in the sub-scanning direction that is printed at a plurality of locations on the recording medium. The correction pattern P is stored in the image memory 104 as described above, and is printed out from the printer unit 102 when the deviation amount of the print image is detected.

When the scanner unit 101 reads the correction pattern P printed on the recording medium, the scanner unit 10
The video signal of the correction pattern P converted in 1 is between the signal portion V1 indicating the correction pattern printed on the forward path of the print head and the signal portion V2 indicating the correction pattern printed on the backward path as shown in FIG. A time shift Δt occurs. This time shift Δt of the video signal corresponds to the shift amount of the correction pattern P on the recording medium shown in FIG. 7.

When the system control unit 108 functions as a correction amount detection unit and an image recording control unit, the system control unit 108 detects a time shift Δt from the video signal as a correction time of the COM generation timing, and a time corresponding to this Δt, the forward path. Alternatively, a control operation for delaying or accelerating the COM generation timing on the return path is performed.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a simplified operation of setting the correction time of the COM generation timing described above. First, the correction pattern is read from the image memory 104, and the correction pattern is printed on the recording medium by the printer unit 102 (S1). Next, the correction pattern P (see FIG. 7) printed on the recording medium is read by the scanner unit 101 (S2), and the video signal of the correction pattern P (see FIG. 8) is read.
Reference) to the system control unit 108. Then, the correction time is detected and set from the video signal of the correction pattern P (S3, S4).

FIG. 10 shows the CO based on the set correction time.
6 is a flowchart showing a simplified operation of adjusting the timing of occurrence of M. Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is assumed that the print image D2 on the return path is printed before the original position, and COM occurs on the return path for a correction time corresponding to the deviation amount. Will be delayed.

That is, when the image information read from the image memory 104 or the image information received by the G3 FAX modem 105 is printed out from the printer unit 102, the recording head is moved by one step prior to that (S5).
This operation determines the moving direction of the recording head (S
6) If the return path is determined, the COM generation timing is set in consideration of the correction time set above (S7).
On the other hand, when it is determined to be the outward path, the COM generation timing is set as usual without considering the correction time. Then, 8
The bit SEG data is set and sent to the print drive unit 102a in the printer unit 102 (S8). Next, COM1 to COM8 are sequentially generated based on the previously set generation timing, and the nozzle n of the print head is caused to execute the printing operation (S9).

After COM1 to COM8 are generated, it is judged whether or not the printing operation is completed for all 64 nozzles n, and if not completed, the SEG data setting operation (S8) and the COM The generation operation (S9) is repeated. When the printing operation is completed for all 64 nozzles n, it is judged whether or not all the printing operations are completed (S11). If not completed, the recording head is moved one step again (S5). ), The moving direction of the recording head is determined (S6), and the above operations (S7 to S11) are repeated until all the printing operations are completed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. This example is
It is intended for facsimile machines equipped with the function of printing out a communication management report. Many of the recent facsimile machines have a function of recording destination information such as a telephone number, date and time of transmission and reception, and storing the information in the image memory 104 every time image information is transmitted and received. In a facsimile apparatus having such a function, when the transmission / reception record reaches a certain amount, or at every certain period, the transmission / reception record is printed out from the printer unit 102 to create a communication management report. Has become.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, when the transmission / reception record 202 is printed out on the recording medium to create the communication management report 201, the margin portion 20 thereof is used.
The correction pattern P (see FIG. 7) described in the previous embodiment is printed on the third sheet. As a result, the recording medium required for printing the correction pattern P can be saved, and the correction pattern P is automatically printed on the communication management report 201, so it is not necessary to output the correction pattern P.
The user operation can be simplified.

Printing control of the correction pattern P on the communication management report 201 is performed by the system control unit 108 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the system control unit 108 determines whether or not to print out the transmission / reception records accumulated in the image memory 104 (S2).
1) For example, when the transmission / reception information reaches a certain amount, the transmission / reception record is read from the image memory 104 and the printer unit 1
It is printed out from 02 (S22). At this time, the correction pattern is read from the image memory 104 together with the transmission / reception recording, and is sent to the printer unit 102 to send the communication management report 20.
Printing is performed on the margin portion 203 of No. 1 (S23).

The correction pattern printed on the communication management report 201 is the same as in the previous embodiment.
Is read and sent to the system control unit 108 to detect the correction time.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In general, the scanner unit 101 of the facsimile apparatus sets a marginal area where an image is not read in the peripheral portion of the document 301. Therefore, in the video signal V output from the photoelectric conversion element 101a of the scanner unit 101, the areas corresponding to the blank areas are empty areas Vx and Vy.

Therefore, in this embodiment, both sides 2 of the communication management report 201 corresponding to the blank area of the above-mentioned document.
By printing the correction pattern P on 01a and 201b (portions that cannot be read by the scanner unit 101), the video signal output from the photoelectric conversion element 101a is efficiently used (see FIG. 15).

Further, in this embodiment, the printer unit 10
On the conveyance path of the recording medium in FIG.
2c on both sides of the communication management report 201 on the downstream side of 2c.
01a, 201b is provided with a light source 302 for irradiating the light beam a reflected by the portions 201a, 201b.
The correction pattern reading means is configured by installing reflecting members 303 and 304 that guide the light to the photoelectric conversion element 101a of the scanner unit.

The system control unit 108 follows the flow chart shown in FIG. 16, and the correction pattern P printed on both sides 201a and 201b of the communication management report 201.
Is read and a series of control is performed until the correction time is set. That is, it is determined whether or not the transmission / reception records accumulated in the image memory 104 are to be printed out (S31).
When the transmission / reception information reaches a certain amount, the transmission / reception record is read from the image memory 104 and printed out from the printer unit 102 (S32). At this time, the correction pattern is read out from the image memory 104 along with the transmission / reception recording, and is sent to the printer unit 102 and printed on the margin portions 201a and 201b on both sides of the communication management report 201 (S33).

Then, the light source 302 is turned on (S34),
Margins 201 on both sides of the communication management report 201
The reflected light from a and 201b is incident on the photoelectric conversion element 101a to read the image information of the correction pattern P (S3).
5). Then, the correction pattern P is detected from the empty areas Vx and Vy (see FIG. 14) of the video signal V sent from the photoelectric conversion element 101a (S36), and the correction time is set (S37).

[0042]

As described above, according to the facsimile means of the present invention, the shuttle type image recording means is used, and the space between the forward recording image and the backward recording image of the recording head is used. The amount of deviation in the scanning direction that has occurred is obtained, and the deviation of the image is corrected by delaying or advancing the image recording on the forward path or the backward path of the recording head for a time corresponding to this deviation amount. High-speed image recording can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a head driver in a print drive unit that is a component of a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a head driver in a print driving unit which is a component of the printer unit, similar to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of shuttle drive motor control signals, COM, and SEG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a shift of a print image in a scanning direction.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the adjustment of COM generation timing for correcting the deviation of the printed image.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a recording medium on which a correction pattern is printed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a video signal when a shift of a print image is read.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting a correction time.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of correcting a deviation of a print image.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which a correction pattern is printed on a communication management report in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a printing operation of a correction pattern according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing correction pattern reading means of a facsimile apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a video signal output from the scanner unit.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state in which a correction pattern is printed on a communication management report in the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a correction time setting operation in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101: Scanner unit 102: Printer unit 103: Encoding / decoding unit 104: Image memory 105: G3 FAX modem 106: Network control unit 107: Operation display unit 108: System control unit 302: Light source 303: Reflecting member P: Correction pattern V : Video signal

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for reading image information of a document, an image transmitting unit for transmitting image information of the read document, an image receiving unit for receiving image information from a communication destination, and a recording medium for input image information. Image recording means to record to
In a facsimile apparatus including a unit for outputting image information received by the image receiving unit, the image recording unit sends a recording medium in a sub-scanning direction and a recording head in a scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. A shuttle-type image recording unit that reciprocates to record image information, and obtains a deviation amount in the scanning direction between a recording image when the recording head moves forward and a recording image when the recording head moves backward. A correction amount detecting unit; and an image recording control unit for delaying or advancing the image recording on the forward or return path of the recording head for a time corresponding to the deviation amount of the recording image detected by the correction amount detecting unit. Characteristic facsimile machine. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction pattern output unit that outputs image information of a predetermined correction pattern to the image recording unit, and the correction pattern recorded on the recording medium is the image reading unit. A facsimile apparatus which is characterized in that the amount of deviation is obtained by the correction amount detecting means based on the read information of the correction pattern. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising report information output means for outputting report image information such as transmission / reception records to the image recording means on a regular basis or upon request. A correction pattern for outputting the image information of the correction pattern from the correction pattern output means in response to the output of the image information for use and for recording the image information of the correction pattern in the margin of the recording medium for recording the image information for report. A facsimile apparatus comprising recording control means. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said image reading means reads the image information recorded in a fixed area in the central portion of the document and outputs a video signal having margins on both sides of the area. The correction pattern recording control unit causes the image recording unit to record the image information of the correction pattern on both sides of the recording medium on which the image information for reporting is recorded, corresponding to the margins of the read document, and recorded the image information. A facsimile apparatus comprising a correction pattern reading unit for inputting image information of a correction pattern to the image reading unit on the image recording unit.