JPH09219757A - Copying machine-facsimile composite machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of the machine in a copy mode by having preference to the double-sided print in the copy mode when the data are received from the outside while the double-sided print is, carried out in the copy mode. SOLUTION: When a facsimile is received and the double-sided print is carried out in a facsimile mode, a double-sided unit 7 is used in one case and not used in another case. Thus it is monitored whether a copy application uses the unit 7 at the facsimile reception time. At the same time, the double- sided print is designated and the facsimile reception data are outputted via the double-sided print if the copy application does not use the unit 7. If the copy application uses the unit 7, the facsimile reception data are outputted via the single-sided print when the time counted by a time count means exceeds the prescribed time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine / facsimile compound machine having at least a copying function and a facsimile function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, an image forming apparatus having many functions such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile has been developed. In such a device, a plurality of applications share resources such as a paper feed unit, a printer, a paper ejection unit for ejecting printed paper, and a duplex unit for re-feeding paper after simplex printing to the printer. . In such a device,
The time zone for double-sided printing in the copy mode and the time zone for double-sided printing in the facsimile mode may overlap.

Therefore, in the digital copying machine system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-350771, the use right of the duplex unit is given to either the copying application or the facsimile application. Further, in the multifunctional image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-66929, the shared resource is used in preference to a facsimile or printer application that receives data from the outside rather than a copying application. .

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-35077
In the digital copying machine system described in Japanese Patent No. 1 publication, an operation is required in order to give the use right of the duplex unit to either the copying application or the facsimile application. The operation to switch to the facsimile mode is troublesome. Also, when you are printing on both sides in the copy mode and you receive an instruction to print data from the outside in the two-sided printing, you will lose the time to know the contents of an emergency fax unless you switch the usage right setting. There is a risk.

In the multi-functional image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-66929, when a double-sided printing operation is performed and a copy operation is performed, an external instruction to print the data in the double-sided printing operation is received. Since the facsimile application is given the right to use the duplex unit, it is inconvenient that the internal copy work must be interrupted each time external data is received. In particular, when a printed matter of a plurality of pages is sorted and a plurality of copies are copied using a bin sorter, the interruption of the copying work is extremely troublesome.

[0006]

A copy machine according to claim 1,
The facsimile multifunction peripheral shares resources such as a paper feed unit, a printer, a paper ejection unit for ejecting printed paper, and a duplex unit for re-feeding paper after simplex printing to the printer between a copying application and a facsimile application. In a copier / facsimile compound machine, a time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the reception of a facsimile, a double-sided unit monitoring means for monitoring whether or not a copying application uses a double-sided unit at the time of facsimile reception, and a facsimile reception When double-sided printing is specified and the copying application does not use the double-sided unit, a double-sided printing execution unit that outputs the facsimile reception data by double-sided printing and double-sided printing when receiving the facsimile are specified, and the copying application uses the double-sided unit. If you are Time measured by between measuring means comprises a single-sided printing execution means for outputting the single-sided printing received facsimile data when the overtime.
Therefore, if double-sided printing is designated and data from the outside is received during double-sided printing in the copy mode, double-sided printing in the copy mode is preferentially executed. If double-sided printing is still being performed in the copy mode even if the specified time has elapsed since the facsimile was received, the received data of the facsimile is output by executing single-sided printing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copier / facsimile compound machine comprising a paper feed unit, a printer, a paper ejection unit for ejecting printed paper, and a double-sided unit for re-feeding paper after single-sided printing to the printer. In a copier / facsimile multifunction machine that shares resources between a copying application and a facsimile application, a time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the reception of a facsimile and whether or not the copying application uses the duplex unit at the time of facsimile reception. A double-sided unit monitoring unit for monitoring, a double-sided printing execution unit for outputting the facsimile reception data by double-sided printing when double-sided printing is designated at the time of facsimile reception and the copying application does not use the double-sided unit,
When double-sided printing is designated at the time of facsimile reception and the copying application uses the double-sided unit, there is provided warning means for issuing a warning when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a specified time. Therefore,
When double-sided printing is specified and data from the outside is received during double-sided printing in the copy mode, double-sided printing in the copy mode is preferentially executed. If double-sided printing is still being performed in the copy mode even after the specified time has elapsed since the facsimile was received, a warning is output to the operator in preparation for facsimile reception.

[0008]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing the internal mechanism of a copier / facsimile multifunction machine, FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation unit, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the entire control system, and FIG. 4 is a block showing the configuration of an image processing unit. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a flow of an image during FAX transmission / reception, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a right-of-use unit usage right setting process, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing respective processes during use of the double-sided unit. .

First, the internal mechanism of the copying machine / facsimile multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus main body 2 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) 3, a scanner 4, a printer 5, a paper feed tray 6 as a paper feed unit, a duplex unit 7, a bin sorter 8 as a paper discharge unit, and the like. Further, the apparatus main body 2 is placed on the bank 9 which is a paper feeding unit. The respective configurations and functions will be described below.

In the ADF 3, the originals placed on the original feed table 31 having the side guides are sent one by one from the lower one by the paper feed roller 32, and are conveyed to the upper surface of the contact glass 41 of the scanner 4 to form an image. After reading, the sheet is ejected onto the sheet ejection tray 35 by the belt 33 and the sheet ejection roller 34.

When reading a two-sided original, the original on the contact glass 41 after the image on one side is read is reversed by a reversing claw (not shown) whose direction is switched immediately before the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 35. And contact glass 4 again
Refeed on top of 1. After scanning the second image,
Return the reversing claw to the original direction, and set the belt 33 and the paper discharge roller 34.
The sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 35 by.

In the scanner 4, the contact glass 4
The original on 1 is illuminated by the exposure lamp 42, the reflected image from the original is deflected by a plurality of mirrors, and the lens 43 forms an image on the full-color CCD 44.

In the printer 5, the outer periphery of the photoconductor 51 is charged, and based on the image read by the scanner 4,
Alternatively, the photoconductor 51 is exposed based on the data transmitted from the outside by FAX communication to form an electrostatic latent image. The black image is exposed by the deflection scanning type exposure device 52 to form an electrostatic latent image, which is developed by the developing device 53, and the red (second color) image is exposed by the line type exposing device 54 to electrostatically. A latent image is formed and developed by the developing device 55. The developed image on the photoconductor 51 is transferred to a sheet by the transfer belt 56,
The sheet is conveyed to the fixing device 57 to fix the transferred image.
The transferred sheet is discharged to the bin sorter 8, and in the case of double-sided printing, the sheet discharged from the fixing device 57 is turned by the separating claw 58 and temporarily stored in the double-sided unit 7 via the reversing passage 71. .

The double-sided unit 7 reverses the sheet guided by the reversing passage 71 into an S-shape when rotating clockwise and re-feeds the reversed sheet when rotating counterclockwise to the printer 5. It has a roller 72 and a separation roller 73 that comes into contact with the conveyance roller 72 and prevents double feeding of sheets.

The paper feed tray 6 is provided with a paper feed roller 61 for separating and pulling out the stacked paper sheets one by one. Further, the bank 9 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 9
a and a paper feed roller 91 for separating and pulling out the sheets stacked inside the paper feed tray 9a one by one. Further, on one side of the apparatus main body 2 and one side of the bank 9, vertical transport units 62, 92 for guiding the paper from the paper feed trays 6, 9a or the duplex unit 7 to the printer 5 are provided. Therefore, any paper feed tray 6, 9
Paper feeding from a or the duplex unit 7 is selected.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the operation unit 10. A liquid crystal display unit 101 of 400 × 256 dots and a touch panel (not shown) are provided at the center of the operation unit 10. The liquid crystal display unit 101 displays a copy and a facsimile. The user operates the device according to this display. Switching between copying and facsimile is performed by the function switching keys 102 and 103. Liquid crystal display unit 101
On the right side of, there are a numeric keypad 104, a clear / stop key 105, a start key 106, and a program key 10 commonly used in the copy mode and the facsimile mode, respectively.
Various keys such as 7, a job recall key 108, a mode clear / preheat key 109, and an interrupt key 110, a pause / redial key 111, a shortening key 112, a receiving key 113, and the like used in the fax millimeter mode are arranged. Further, on the left side of the liquid crystal display unit 101, in addition to the function switching keys 102 and 103 described above, an initial setting key 114, a guidance key 115, and an LCD volume 116 are arranged,
On the left side, a display section 117 dedicated to the facsimile mode
Is provided. The display unit 117 is provided with an LED group 118 for displaying, for example, “memory full” during communication, and a liquid crystal display unit 119 for displaying the communication status in 40 characters (20 characters × 2 lines).

Next, FIG. 3 shows the entire control system. The control system of the copier / facsimile multifunction machine 1 includes an operation unit controller 120 for performing various key input controls of the operation unit 10, a main controller 121 for performing process control of the paper conveyance system and the printer 5, and an image control / scanner 4. An image processing controller 122 that controls reading, an ADF controller 123 that controls the ADF 3, a sorter controller 124 that controls the bin sorter 8, a paper feed tray controller 125 that controls the paper feed trays 6 and 9a, a facsimile transmission / reception management and a file. It is composed of a FAX controller 126 for managing, a G3 controller 127 for controlling protocol of G3 or G4, a G4 controller 128 and the like.

Next, the configuration of the image processing unit 130 will be described with reference to FIG. The image processing controller 12
The second CPU 122a is the main controller 121.
When a reading start instruction is received from the scanner control circuit 13,
Give instructions to 1. The scanner control circuit 131 drives and controls the scanner 4. That is, the exposure lamp 4
2 is turned on to expose the original surface, the motor 132 is driven to move the optical system in the sub-scanning direction, and the position sensor 133 detects the position of the optical system, and then the reading is started. At this time, a sub-scanning effective period signal FGATE (active at the start of reading, negative at the end of reading) is created and sent to the timing control circuit 134. In the timing control circuit 134, the image synchronization clock CLK, the main scanning synchronization signal LSYN
C, Generates and outputs the main scanning enable signal LGATE.

The flow of the image processing is as follows.
The analog image signal separated into green and blue is amplified by the signal processing circuit 135, the light amount is corrected, and the AD converter 13
6 is converted into a digital multi-valued signal, corrected by the shading correction circuit 137, and sent to the image processing unit 138. The image processing unit 138 performs basic image processing such as MTF correction, γ correction, black image generation, binary processing, and multi-value processing, and digital-specific image processing such as scaling, editing, and marker detection to obtain a black image. Data DATA0-7, color data D
ATAC is output. The image data output from the image processing unit 138, the synchronization signal output from the timing control circuit 134, and the write reference signal PMSYNC are input to the image selector 139.

In the case of copying, the black image is written in the write control unit 14
0 is sent to the exposure device 52, and the color image is sent from the writing control unit 141 to the exposure device 54.
An image is formed on the photoconductor 51 by the exposure of 4.

When performing FAX transmission, image data is transferred from the image selector 139 to the image memory 121a (see FIG. 5) provided inside the main controller 121. Further, the FAX reception output is input to the image selector 139 together with the image data and the synchronization signal after decompressing the data received from the line and expanding it in the image memory 121a memory, and writing of the electrostatic latent image by the exposure devices 52 and 54. Is done.

FIG. 5 shows the flow of images during FAX transmission / reception. When storing and transmitting a FAX image, the image data read by the scanner 4 is stored in the image processing controller 12.
After performing various image processing in 2, the image selector 139
To the image memory 121 of the main controller 121
It is stored in a. After that, it is compressed into a compression code (MH, MR, MMR) designated by the compression / expansion unit 121b, and the SAF memory 126 on the FAX controller 126 is compressed.
It is stored in a. At this time, if it is more efficient to transmit the data stored in the image memory 121a by rotating it in the A4 landscape, B5 landscape, etc., the image memory 121a
The rotator 121c is used when data is transferred from a to the compression / expansion unit 121b, and the image is rotated and compressed. S
The data stored in the AF memory 126a is transferred to the line buffer 127a in the G3 controller 127, compressed again by the compression / expansion unit 127b according to the mode of the receiver, and then NCU (network control) via the modem 127c. (Unit) 127d. In the case of G4 as well, the data is transferred to the line buffer 128a in the G4 controller 128, recompressed by the compression / expansion unit 128b according to the mode of the receiver, and then IS
It is transmitted via the DN control unit 128c and the transformer 128d.

During FAX reception and printing, the data sent from the line is stored in the SFA memory 126a via the NCU 127d and the modem 127c. The accumulated data is stored in the compression / expansion unit 1 of the main controller 121.
It is expanded by 21b and expanded on the image memory 121a. If it is more efficient to print by rotating A4 landscape or B5 landscape during decompression, rotate the image using the rotator 121c when transferring data from the compression / decompression device 121b to the image memory 121a. Perform stretching.
The data expanded on the image memory 121a is sent to the image processing controller 122, and the image selector 139
Is passed to the writing control units 140 and 141, and printing is performed.

By the way, when receiving a facsimile and executing double-sided printing in the facsimile mode, the use right of the double-sided unit 7 is given to the facsimile application. At this time, the double-sided unit 7 is used in the copy mode. There are cases where it is used and cases where it is not used,
As an internal task, the present invention is intended to avoid the occurrence of a situation where the double-sided copy work currently being executed is suddenly interrupted by the exclusive function of facsimile reception. Therefore, in addition to the configurations described so far, the following configurations are provided.

1) Time measuring means (not shown) for measuring the elapsed time from the reception of the facsimile 2) Double-sided unit monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the copying application uses the double-sided unit 7 when receiving the facsimile (see FIG. 6, st. 6-3, Toka. 7 in FIG.
-2, st. 8-2, corresponding to st9-2 in FIG. 9) 3) Double-sided printing that outputs facsimile reception data by double-sided printing when double-sided printing is specified when receiving a facsimile and the copying application does not use the double-sided unit 7. Execution means (st. 7-3 in FIG. 7, s in FIG. 8)
t. 8-3, st. 9-3) 4) When double-sided printing is specified at the time of facsimile reception and the copying application uses the double-sided unit 7, when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds the specified time, the facsimile reception data is printed on one side. Single-sided printing execution means for outputting by printing (corresponding to st.8-5 in FIG. 8) The operation of the above configuration will be described below. As shown in FIG. 6, first, regarding the double-sided unit 7, whether or not a usage right request is made is determined by st. (Step) 6-1 is determined at a predetermined timing. st. When it is determined in 6-1 that the usage right is not requested, the usage right is released to the facsimile application. In this state, the right to use the duplex unit 7 is given to the facsimile application as soon as the facsimile is received and the duplex printing is designated. st. In 6-1 the request for the right to use the duplex unit 7 is confirmed, and st. If it is determined in 6-3 that the duplex unit 7 is not being used by the copying application, st. 6-4, the usage right is given to the facsimile application. 6-3
If it is determined that the duplex unit 7 is being used by the copying application in step ST. In 6-5, the usage right is denied to the facsimile application.

Next, the processing for executing double-sided printing will be described with reference to FIG.
9 to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7-1, it is determined that there is a request for the right to use the duplex unit 7, and st. If it is determined in 7-2 that the usage right is not being used by the copy application, st. In 7-3, double-sided printing execution processing in the facsimile mode is performed.

By the way, even though the double-sided printing in the copy mode as the internal work is prioritized over the double-sided printing in the facsimile mode, there is a risk that the time to know the contents of the urgent facsimile reception may be lost, In the invention described in Item 1, when double-sided printing is still performed in the copy mode even after the specified time has elapsed since the facsimile was received, the received data of the facsimile is output by executing single-sided printing.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8-
1, it is determined that there is a request for the right to use the duplex unit 7, and st. If it is determined in 8-2 that the usage right is not being used by the copy application, s
t. In 8-3, double-sided printing execution processing in the facsimile mode is performed. The processing up to this point is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 7. st. In 8-3, it is determined that the duplex unit 7 is being used by the copying application, and s
t. In the period 8-4, when it is determined that the elapsed time from the reception of the facsimile is within the specified time, the steps are looped until the usage right request of the duplex unit 7 is secured. If it is determined in 8-4 that the specified time has been exceeded, the right to use resources such as the paper feed system, the printer 5, and the bin sorter 8 is given to the facsimile application without giving the right to use the duplex unit 7,
t. In 8-5, single-sided printing is executed based on the received facsimile data. In this case, the copying application and the facsimile application share the printer 5 by utilizing the open time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, if double-sided printing is still being performed in the copy mode even after the prescribed time has elapsed since the facsimile was received, a warning is output to the operator in preparation for facsimile reception. I did it. Therefore, when double-sided printing is designated at the time of facsimile reception instead of the single-sided printing execution means and the copying application uses the double-sided unit 7, when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds the specified time. A warning means (equivalent to st. 9-5 in FIG. 9) for issuing a warning is provided. Hereinafter, the operation will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, st. 9-1, it is determined that there is a request for the right to use the duplex unit 7, and st. If it is determined in 9-2 that the usage right is not being used by the copy application, st. 9-3
In, the double-sided printing execution process in the facsimile mode is performed. The processing up to this point is the same as the processing shown in FIG. st. 9-3, it is determined that the duplex unit 7 is being used by the copying application, and the st. 9-4
In step S1, the step is looped until the right to use the double-sided unit 7 is secured during the period when it is determined that the elapsed time from the facsimile reception is within the specified time.
t. If it is determined in 9-4 that the specified time has been exceeded, st. At 9-4, a warning is output and the operator is prompted to call for interruption of the copying work in a good place.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when double-sided printing is specified and data from the outside is received during double-sided printing in the copy mode, double-sided printing in the copy mode is performed. Since it is executed with priority, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of interrupting double-sided printing in the copy mode each time a facsimile is received, and improve the usability in the copy mode. If double-sided printing is still being performed in the copy mode even if the specified time has elapsed since the facsimile was received, the received data of the facsimile is output by executing single-sided printing. You can prevent losing the time to know.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when double-sided printing is specified and data from the outside is received during double-sided printing in the copy mode, double-sided printing in the copy mode is prioritized. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of interrupting double-sided printing in the copy mode each time a facsimile is received, and improve the usability in the copy mode. If double-sided printing is still being performed in the copy mode even after the specified time has elapsed since the fax was received, a warning is output to the operator in preparation for fax reception. The operator can be prompted to promptly confirm the content of the received facsimile, such as interrupting the work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing an internal mechanism of a copying machine / facsimile multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall control system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a flow of images during FAX transmission / reception.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of setting a usage right of a duplex unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing each process during use of the duplex unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing each process during use of the duplex unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing each process during use of the duplex unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Printer 6, 9 Paper feeding section 7 Double-sided unit 8 Paper ejection section st. 6-3, 7-2, 8-2, 9-2 Duplex unit monitoring means st. 7-3, 8-3, 9-3 double-sided printing execution means st. 8-5 Single-sided printing execution means st. 9-5 Warning means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A copying application and a facsimile application share resources such as a paper feeding unit, a printer, a paper ejection unit for ejecting printed paper, and a duplex unit for re-feeding paper after simplex printing to the printer. Copier /
In a multifunctional facsimile machine, a time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the reception of a facsimile, a double-sided unit monitoring means for monitoring whether or not a copying application uses a double-sided unit at the time of receiving a facsimile, and a double-sided printing at the time of receiving a facsimile. If the specified copy application does not use the duplex unit, the duplex printing execution unit that outputs the received fax data by duplex printing, and duplex printing when the fax is received, and the copy application uses the duplex unit In this case, a copying machine / facsimile multifunction machine, comprising: a single-sided printing execution means for outputting facsimile reception data by single-sided printing when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a specified time. 2. A copying application and a facsimile application share resources such as a paper feed unit, a printer, a paper ejection unit for ejecting printed paper, and a duplex unit for re-feeding paper after simplex printing to the printer. Copier /
In a multifunctional facsimile machine, a time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the reception of a facsimile, a double-sided unit monitoring means for monitoring whether or not a copying application uses a double-sided unit at the time of receiving a facsimile, and a double-sided printing at the time of receiving a facsimile. If the specified copy application does not use the duplex unit, the duplex printing execution unit that outputs the received fax data by duplex printing, and duplex printing when the fax is received, and the copy application uses the duplex unit In this case, a copier / facsimile multifunction machine comprising: warning means for issuing a warning when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a specified time.