JPH09312778A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the image recording device in which an original and a copy are distinguished at a glance in the case of using a copying machine, and a message and a text from a caller are easily discriminated in the case of using a facsimile equipment. SOLUTION: The image recording device is provided with a designation key 19a and a setting key 19c to designate a color, a size and a print position, an interface 20 is connected to a CPU 11 of the image according device so as to make 2-way parallel communication so as to display received image data on a screen of an external personal computer 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording device such as a combined copy / facsimile device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When the copy function of a copying / facsimile composite apparatus is used, it is difficult to distinguish between an original document and a copy, which is inconvenient when the two are arranged separately.

On the other hand, when the facsimile function of the multifunction device is used, information such as sender information is printed on the header portion at the upper end of the recording paper, which can be useful for the sender's recognition and organization.

[0004]

However, the characters printed on the header are small and difficult to read because they are the same color as the text.

In addition, a message such as "urgent" or a message such as a company name logo may be recorded in bold in the recording area of the body. However, even in this case, since the message character and the text character are in the same color, it is not only difficult to read as in the above, but the text character is buried in the bold letters of the message, etc. There was a possibility that it would be impossible.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to distinguish the original document and the copy at a glance in the case of copying, and in the case of facsimile, An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording device that can easily read a message or text from a sender.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration. In the invention according to claim 1, first storage means for storing the first image data, second storage means for storing the second image data, recording means capable of recording in a plurality of colors,
The control means controls the operation of the recording means so that the first and second image data are recorded on the same recording paper in different colors.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, an interface for connecting to an external data processing device is provided. According to the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, there is provided a designating unit for designating a color used for recording.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The first image data such as a stamp and the second image data input by receiving or reading are recorded in different colors.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effect of the invention described in (1), the above recording can be performed from an external device such as a personal computer. According to the invention of claim 3, claim 1 or claim 2
In addition to the effect of the invention described in (1), recording is performed with a required color if necessary.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a copy / facsimile multifunction apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of the copy / facsimile composite apparatus. A CPU (Central Processor Unit) 11 as a control unit, a designation unit, and a selection unit records an EPROM (Erasable) as a control unit, a designation unit, and a selection unit in which a program for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus is recorded.
and Programmable Read Only Memory (SRAM) 12, SRAM (Static Ramdom Acce) that stores various information such as abbreviated numbers
ss Memory) 13 is connected.

An NCU (Network Control Unit) 14 controls connection with a telephone line. The modem 15 modulates and demodulates transmitted / received data and also determines the communication speed. Further, the modem 15 has a DCS signal (digital command signal), a DIS signal (digital identification signal), an MPS signal (multi-page signal) as a page end signal, an EOM signal (message end signal), and a TSI from the CPU 11.
Signal generation (detection terminal identification signal) and EOP signal (procedure end signal) generation and detection circuits are incorporated.

The reading unit 16 reads the image G on the document. DRAM (Dynamic Ramdom Access Memory) 17
Stores pre-input image data (hereinafter referred to as first image data), received image data or image data read by the reading unit 16 (hereinafter referred to as second image data). . That is, this DRAM 17 is the first storage area 1 as the first storage means.
7a and a second storage area 17b as a second storage means, and the first image data is stored in the first storage area 17a.
The second image data is stored in the second storage area 17b. The first image data represents an image of the stamp character G as shown in FIG. 4, and the second image data is a copy image or a received image.

The recording unit 18 as a recording means is provided with the DR
Printing for recording is performed on the recording paper based on the first and second image data of AM17. The recording unit 18 has a color printing function by an ink jet system, and is provided with three primary colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow and a black ink cassette. The ink sensor 18a detects the presence or absence of each ink cassette and the remaining amount of ink of each color.

The operation unit 19 is a dial key for inputting a fax number, a start key for starting copy and facsimile operations, a short key for setting and registering a short number, and a designation for specifying a color. Designating key 19a as means, selection key 19b as selecting means for selecting whether or not to print with a designated color, and setting key 19c for setting the size and printing position of the second image data image. It is equipped with various operation keys such as.

The interface 20 connects the facsimile device and a personal computer 21 as a data processing device,
Match the input and output of data between them. These connections are IEEE defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
It is performed by bidirectional parallel communication such as the EE-1284 standard. Therefore, the image of the data received via the interface 20 can be displayed on the screen of the personal computer 21.

Next, the operation of the copying / facsimile combined apparatus at the time of copying will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This routine proceeds under the control of the CPU 11 based on the program in the EPROM 12. First, in the first storage area 17a of the DRAM 17,
First image data representing a stamp character G as shown in FIG. 4 is stored in advance.

In step S1, a mode is set in which the first image data representing the stamp character G is color printed by the selection key 19b. In step S2,
The printing position, size and color of the stamp character G are set by operating the designation key 19a and the setting key 19c. The data set or designated in steps S1 and S2 is SR.
Stored in AM13.

When the copy is started by operating the start key in step S3, the ink sensor 18 in step S2 is started in step S4.
It is determined whether or not the ink of the color set based on the detection of a is equal to or more than the specified amount. If the ink is equal to or more than the specified amount, the process proceeds to step S5, and the monochrome copy and the color stamp character G are printed. It is performed on the same recording paper. In step S6, it is determined whether or not there is an original to be copied, that is, whether or not the start key is pressed. When the copying is finished, the designation mode 19 is canceled in step S7 by designating the cancellation of the printing of the first image data with the designation key 19a.

If the amount of ink is less than the specified amount, the process proceeds to step S8 to issue a warning, and in step S9, a normal copy without stamp character G is performed and the process ends. That is, when the color printing is not selected in step S1, the printing in step S9 is performed in monochrome only for the second image data.

Next, the operation at the time of facsimile reception executed by the CPU 11 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. This flowchart is based on the program stored in the EPROM 12
Proceed under the control of U11. Further, in the SRAM 13, telephone numbers corresponding to one-touch keys and abbreviated numbers are registered in advance.

First, in step S1, the selection key 1
9b sets a mode in which the first image data representing the stamp character G is printed in color. In step S2, the printing position, size, and color of the stamp character G are set by operating the designation key 19a and the setting key 19c. The data set or designated in steps S1 and S2 is stored in the SRAM 13. Further, the SRAM 13 stores a plurality of types, sizes and colors of the stamp character G for each registered telephone number.

In step S3, the signal of the second image data, which is the text, is received from the outside and stored in the second storage area 17b.
When the signal is received, it is determined in step S4 whether or not the telephone number of the caller is the telephone number corresponding to the one-touch key or the abbreviated number registered in SRAM 13. If the received telephone number is the one-touch key or the telephone number corresponding to the abbreviated number, step S7.
Will be moved to.

If the telephone number is not registered, the second image data is transferred to the personal computer 21 as a data processing device through the interface 20 and stored in the memory of the personal computer 21 in step S5. Displayed on the screen.

In step S6, steps S1 and
At S2, it is determined whether various designations or settings have been made. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the ink remaining amount is equal to or greater than the specified value. If the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than the specified amount, the process proceeds to step S8
According to the settings of 1 and S2, the color stamp and the monochrome text are recorded on the same recording paper. In this case, as the size, type, position and color of the stamp character G, those corresponding to the registration number are extracted.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not there is a next page. If yes, the process proceeds to step S7 and the same recording is performed again. If there is no next page,
In step S10, the designated mode is released and the process ends.

In step S7, when the ink remaining amount is less than or equal to the specified value, a warning is displayed on the LCD (not shown) in step S11 and a warning sound is emitted by the buzzer, and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the text is printed in monochrome, and it is determined in step S13 whether or not there is a next page. If there is a next page, the process proceeds to step S12 to print the next page. If there is no next page, printing ends.

That is, when the color printing is not selected in step S1 and the remaining ink amount is less than the specified amount, in step S12, only the image of the second image data is printed in monochrome.

For ease of understanding, FIG. 4 shows only the stamp character G. As described above, when the caller's telephone number is registered, the stamp character G corresponding to the number is printed on the body.

The facsimile apparatus of the first embodiment configured as described above has the following effects. (1) At the time of copying, a character having a shape or color different from that of the text can be printed, if necessary. Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the original document from the copy without making the text difficult to read.

(2) When receiving a facsimile, a message such as the stamp character G is printed according to the registered telephone number, so that the sender can recognize it at a glance and it is convenient for organizing. Moreover, since the stamp character G is different from the text as described above, the text is not difficult to read.

(3) The received image data is sent to the personal computer 2
The contents can be confirmed by transferring it to an external data processing device such as 1. Therefore, it is possible to judge whether or not the recording on the recording paper is necessary and unnecessary, and it is possible to omit the unnecessary recording, and it is possible to record the image requiring recording by using the printer attached to the personal computer 21.

(4) Since the color can be freely designated, the color can be easily changed according to the registered and changed telephone number. (5) Since the presence / absence of recording in the designated color can be selected, unnecessary color printing is not performed. Therefore, the consumption of color ink can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The following description will focus on the points that are different from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the modem 15 is provided with an NSS signal (non-standard function setting signal) generation and detection circuit, and the stamp character G is transmitted by using the NSS signal. Configured so that it can be set on the side. That is, in the case of a model provided with the NSS signal generation and detection circuit, by attaching a predetermined registration number to the same stamp character G and transmitting the registration number from the calling side,
The stamp character G corresponding to the same number can be output on the receiving side.

With this configuration, in step S1 of the first embodiment, after it is determined that the registration number is registered, the image designated based on the content of the NSS signal can be recorded together with the text.

The facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment having the above-described structure has the following effects. (1) If the character is designated by the NSS signal, the stamp character G can be designated from the sender side.

The present invention can be embodied even with the following modifications. (A) The interface 20 is used as bidirectional parallel communication in the IEEE-488 standard (GPIB: General Purpus I).
nterface Bus) to change. Even with this configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and it is possible to interface with a large number of devices.

(B) RS232C, a serial SCS, which is a modem interface standard defined by the EIA (American Electronics Industry Association) as the interface 20 for serial communication.
USB which is I (Small Computer System Interface)
(Universal Data Bus) or IEEE-1394 standard personal computer interface or IrDA (Infra-red Da
Change to wireless communication such as infrared data communication by ta Association). With this configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and the configuration is simplified by using a commercially available serial interface dedicated LSI.

(C) Embodying the present invention in an apparatus having a single function such as a copying apparatus or a facsimile apparatus. (D) Set the sender information printed on the header as the first image data.

(E) When the first image data is set, the first image data is color printed regardless of the registered telephone number. (F) The recording unit 18 is not limited to the ink jet type, but may be changed to a color ribbon thermal transfer type, a color sublimation type, or a color laser type color printer.

Further, the technical idea understood from the above embodiment will be described below. (1) The image recording apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the interface section is configured according to the IEEE-1284 standard. Even with this structure, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

(2) The image recording apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the interface section is compatible with serial communication. With this configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and the configuration is simplified by using a commercially available serial interface dedicated LSI.

(3) The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising detection means for detecting the remaining amount of ink, wherein the control means controls the recording means according to the detection result. With this configuration, color or monochrome printing is performed according to the remaining ink amount.

(4) The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the designated color is applied to the second image data representing the text. According to this structure, printing is performed on the recording paper with the structure opposite to that of the above embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained.

(5) A claim, further comprising a registration means for registering a telephone number, wherein the first image data is printed in a designated color when the second image data is received from the sender of the registered telephone number. The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. With this configuration, the sender can be identified by the color printed on the text.

(6) The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first image data is set in the first storage means prior to receiving the second image data. With this configuration, there is no trouble in recording.

(7) The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising selection means for selecting whether or not to record in a designated color. With this configuration, when color is unnecessary, it becomes monochrome and ink can be saved.

(8) The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a judging means for judging whether or not the first image data is output. With this configuration,
Messages such as stamp characters can be recorded as needed.

[0051]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. According to the invention described in claim 1, in copying, it is possible to prevent the original document and the copy from being mistaken. Further, in the facsimile, the message from the sender can be seen at a glance, and it is also useful for organizing the manuscript.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), the contents of the image data can be confirmed without recording with a personal computer that is an external device, and the waste of recording paper can be eliminated.

According to the invention of claim 3, according to claim 1,
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, recording can be performed in a desired color.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image recording apparatus showing each embodiment.

FIG. 2 is likewise a flowchart for copying.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for printing as well.

FIG. 4 is a recording paper on which printing is also performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... CPU, 12 ... EPROM, 13 ... SRAM, 1
4 ... NCU, 15 ... Modem, 16 ... Reading unit, 17 ... DR
AM, 17a ... First storage area, 17b ... Second storage area, 18 ... Recording section, 18a ... Ink sensor, 19 ... Operation section, 19a ... Designation key, 19b ... Selection key, 19c ...
Setting key, 20 ... interface, 21 ... personal computer.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first storage means for storing first image data, a second storage means for storing second image data, a recording means capable of recording in a plurality of colors, and first and second An image recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the operation of the recording unit so that image data is recorded on the same recording paper in different colors. 2. The image recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an interface for connecting to an external data processing device. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a designating unit for designating a color used for recording.