JP2853519B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus using cut sheet recording paper, and more particularly to a facsimile apparatus for storing image data in accordance with a decrease in remaining capacity of a memory for storing received image data and a memory for storing image data for recording. It relates to a system in which reduced recording is forcibly performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, generally, in a facsimile machine,
The image data of the document read by the reading device can be encoded and transmitted.In addition, the received image data is stored in the reception data memory, and after being decoded, stored in the recording data memory. The recording is sequentially performed on recording paper such as roll paper or cut sheet in line units. A facsimile machine can perform a recording process at a determined recording speed among a plurality of stages, and an external facsimile device can transmit at a transmission speed corresponding to a recording speed selected from the plurality of stages of a recording speed. Image data is transmitted.

In a facsimile apparatus using a cut sheet as a recording sheet, as a manuscript sheet or a recording sheet, generally, a legal sheet having a vertical length of about 356 mm, an A4 sheet having a vertical length of about 297 mm, about
When letter paper or the like having a vertical length of 279 mm is used, and the original paper and the recording paper are the same size, for example, A4 paper, the received image data of a plurality of pages is temporarily stored in the reception data memory. The image data for one page read from the reception data memory is
Image data for recording created by decoding processing in line units is stored in a recording data memory, and when cut sheets are fed to a recording device, image data read from the recording data memory is recorded in line units. Each time the cut sheet is fed at a predetermined pitch, and when the recording of the cut sheet is completed, the recording process is interrupted, and at the same time, the recorded cut sheet is discharged to the paper output tray, and the next new cut is performed. The sheet is fed again to the recording apparatus.

However, when the original paper is, for example, legal paper and the recording paper is, for example, letter paper, the image data amount of the original is larger than the recordable data amount of the recording paper. Is divided into two pieces of recording paper and recorded. When this page division occurs, the recording process is interrupted, the recorded recording paper is discharged, and a new cut sheet is supplied.

[0005]

As described above, in a facsimile apparatus using a cut sheet as recording paper, if the size of the original paper is larger than the size of the recording paper, the image data for one page has two recording papers. In this case, the page division is recorded, and the recording process is interrupted, and extra discharge operation and paper feed operation are performed. The amount of data continued from the reception data memory for the recording process decreases, the amount of image data stored in the reception data memory increases, and finally the reception data memory is in the “memory full” state. If an ECM (Error Correction Mode) function is not provided, since flow control of image data transmission is impossible, a communication error occurs due to the “memory full” state of the reception data memory, and data There is a problem that reception ends abnormally.

An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus which can prevent abnormal termination of data reception due to a full state of a reception data memory for storing reception image data as much as possible.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus, as shown by a solid line in a functional block diagram of FIG. 1, receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the outside, and supplied from the receiving means. a first memory means for storing that image data, decoding means for decoding processing of image data from the first storage means, second storage means for storing image data decoded by the decoding means A facsimile apparatus having recording means for recording image data on recording paper made of a cut sheet, wherein reduced image data obtained by thinning out image data received from the second storage means in the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction are respectively provided. A first remaining capacity detection means for detecting the remaining capacity of the first storage means based on the reduced image data creation means to be created and the storage capacity of the first storage means and the stored data amount; With the door, the reduced image data creation means, when: the first predetermined value the remaining capacity detected by the first remaining capacity detecting means is set in advance, for each page of the read document from the second storage means It is characterized in that reduced image data obtained by reducing image data at a predetermined reduction ratio is created.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention , as shown by a two-dot chain line in the functional block diagram of FIG. A second remaining capacity detecting means for detecting a remaining capacity of the second storage means based on the reduced data amount;
The remaining capacity detected by the first remaining capacity detection means
Even when the remaining capacity detected by the second remaining capacity detecting means is equal to or less than the second predetermined value, even if the remaining capacity is larger than the first predetermined value , the original data read from the second storage means is used.
Condensation obtained by reducing processing image data of each page of the draft at a predetermined reduction ratio
It is characterized in that small image data is created .

[0009]

In the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, external image data received by the receiving means is stored in the first storage means, and the image data is decoded by the decoding means, and the decoding processing is performed. Image data for recording
While being stored in the storage means, the image data in line units received from the second storage means is recorded by the recording means on recording paper made of cut sheets. By the way, the first
The remaining capacity detection means detects the remaining capacity of the first storage means based on the storable capacity of the first storage means and the amount of data stored, and the reduced image data creation means uses the first remaining capacity detection means. If the first predetermined value or less that the detected remaining capacity is set in advance, to create the reduced image data and the image data of each page of the document received from the second storage means and reduction process with a predetermined reduction ratio. In this case, the reduced image data creating unit creates reduced image data that has been thinned out in the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction based on a predetermined reduction ratio.

[0010] Thus, in the case of the following first predetermined value the remaining capacity of the first storage means is set in advance, the reduced image data creating means, the image data read from the second storage means, the document each Since reduced image data that is reduced by a predetermined reduction rate in units of pages is created, the image data is not divided into pages when the recording process is performed, the recording process is not interrupted, and the data stored in the first storage unit is not interrupted. The balance between the amount and the amount of data read from the first storage means for the recording process is maintained, and the occurrence of the "memory full" state of the first storage means is reliably suppressed, resulting in the "memory full" state. Abnormal termination of data reception can be prevented as much as possible.

[0011] In the facsimile apparatus of claim 2,
In addition to the function of the first aspect, the second remaining capacity detection means further detects the remaining capacity of the second storage means based on the storable capacity of the second storage means and the stored data amount , Thumbnail
The image data creating means is configured to detect the remaining capacity detected by the first remaining capacity detecting means.
Even if the capacity is larger than the first predetermined value, in the case of less than the second predetermined value the remaining capacity detected by the second remaining capacity detecting means is set in advance, each of the read document from the second storage means page
Reduced image of the image data, and reduction processing in Jo Tokoro reduction ratio
Create data. In this case, the reduced image data creating means
Creates reduced image data that has been thinned out in both the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction.

As described above, the remaining capacity of the first storage means is equal to the first capacity.
Even if it is larger than the predetermined value, the remaining capacity of the second storage means
There if: the second predetermined value, reduced image data creating means
Accordingly, the image data read from the second storage means, the document
It is reduced at a predetermined reduction ratio in each page unit of Runode, each of the document
The time required to record a page is reduced , the page data is not divided when the image data is recorded, the recording process is not interrupted , and the amount of data stored in the first and second storage means and the first and second data are stored . The balance with the amount of data read from the second storage means is maintained, the occurrence of the "memory full" state of the first and second storage means is reliably suppressed, and the reception of data due to the "memory full" state is suppressed. Abnormal termination can be prevented as much as possible.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus having a copying function, in addition to the ability to record received image data of a document on cut paper. Since this facsimile apparatus 1 is a general one, FIGS.
This will be described briefly based on The main body frame 2 is provided with an operation panel 3 at a front upper portion thereof. The operation panel 3 transmits and receives original data such as a transmission key, a copy key, a reduction ratio setting key, and a numeric keypad. A plurality of function keys for executing a copying process are provided. Immediately behind the operation panel 3, an original placing section 4 is provided. The original placing section 4 is provided with a plurality of originals G composed of a plurality of types of cut sheets such as legal paper and A4 paper. Can be set.

Next, a reading device 5 provided inside the main body frame 2 for reading the original G set on the original placing portion 4 will be described with reference to FIG. A first paper path 7 for guiding the original G set on the original placing portion 4 to the outside of the main body is formed by a plurality of guide walls 6 inside the main body frame 2 directly below the operation panel 3. A pair of paper feed rollers 8 for feeding the original G is provided in the middle of the first paper path 7, and a downstream end of the first paper path 7 for discharging the original G is provided. A pair of paper discharge rollers 9 is provided, and the paper supply roller 8 and the paper discharge roller 9 are driven to rotate in the paper feed direction in synchronization with a document feed motor 35 (see FIG. 4).

Immediately upstream of the paper feed roller 8, a reading sensor 10 for reading an original G transported by the paper feed roller 8 and a light emitting diode (LED) 1 as a reading light source are provided.
1 (see FIG. 4) are disposed facing the first paper path 7. The reading sensor 10 is composed of a CCD line image sensor, accumulates electric charge via reflected light from the light emitting diode 11, reads the original G for each dot line, and outputs line image data each time it is read.

Next, a recording device provided inside the main body frame 2 for recording image data received from outside or image data of the original G read by the reading device 5 for copying on a recording paper P. 21 and the feeding device 15 for feeding the recording paper P will be described with reference to FIG. A paper cassette 16 containing a plurality of recording sheets P made of cut sheets of A4 size or B5 size is detachably mounted at a lower end portion inside the main body frame 2. A second guide passage 18 extending substantially U-shaped from the rear end of the paper cassette 16 is formed.
A feed roller 19 is provided at the start of the guide passage 18, and a plurality of feed rollers 20 are provided in the middle thereof.
And a thermal head 22 having a predetermined length in which a large number (for example, 1728) of heating elements are provided in a row.
It is arranged facing the guide passage 18. The feed roller 19 and the feed roller 20 are connected to a recording paper feed motor 37.
(See FIG. 4).

On the other hand, above the second guide passage 18,
A ribbon cassette 23 containing a wide ink ribbon 24 corresponding to the width of the thermal head 22 is provided.
The ink ribbon 24 wound around a ribbon supply spool 22a rotatably supported by the ribbon cassette 23 includes:
Ribbon take-up spool 22b via thermal head 22
To be wound up. Then, when the recording operation is started, the uppermost recording sheet P stored in the sheet cassette 16 is first fed by the feed roller 19 to the second guide path 18.
While being transported at a predetermined speed through the second guide passage 18 by the feed roller 20, recording is performed by the ink of the ink ribbon 24 by heating by the thermal head 22, and is discharged out of the main body through the second guide passage 18. You. The recording device 21 includes the thermal head 22, the ribbon cassette 23, and the like.

Next, the control system of the facsimile machine 1 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. The communication control device 25 is connected to the input / output interface 38 of the control device C, the communication modem 26, and the network control device (NCU: network control unit) 27, respectively, and receives control signals and images received from the input / output interface 38. Facsimile control is performed when data is transferred to the modem 26 or when a control signal or image data received from the modem 26 is transferred to the input / output interface 38. The modem 26 controls the modulation of image data into a transmission signal during transmission, and controls the demodulation of the received transmission signal into image data during reception. Further, the network control device 27 automatically controls outgoing calls to the destination and automatically controls incoming calls to incoming calls from outside.

A strobe signal generating circuit 29 and a P / S (parallel / serial) converter 28 are connected to a drive circuit 30 for driving the thermal head 22, and a parallel image output from an input / output interface 38. The data is converted into serial image data by the P / S converter 28 and supplied. The drive circuit 30 outputs a drive signal to the thermal head 22 in response to the strobe signal received from the strobe signal generation circuit 29. In addition, the P / S
The converter 28 is provided with a gate array 31.

The communication controller 25 and the read sensor 1 are connected to the input / output interface 38 of the controller C.
An S / P converter 32 for converting serial image data output from 0 to parallel image data, an operation panel 3,
A drive circuit 33 for the light emitting diode 11, a drive circuit 34 for the document feed motor 35, a drive circuit 36 for the recording paper feed motor 37, a P / S converter 28, and a strobe signal generation circuit 29 are connected respectively. .

The control device C basically includes a CPU 40,
The CPU 40 includes an input / output interface 38, a ROM 41, and a RAM 50 connected to the CPU 40 via a bus 39 such as a data bus. The ROM 41 has an encoding control program for creating a transmission signal obtained by compressing (encoding) the image data of the original G at the time of transmission, and decompressing (decoding) the encoded transmission signal into image data at the time of reception. A decoding control program for reducing the image data for recording in the first recording data memory 53 in the sub-scanning direction based on a set reduction ratio, thereby reducing the size of the image data, and a memory capable of storing the received data memory 51 A reception memory remaining capacity detection control program for detecting the remaining memory capacity RM based on the capacity and the stored image data amount, the memory capacity that can be stored in the first recording data memory 53 and the stored image data amount for recording; And a recording memory remaining capacity detection control program for detecting the remaining memory capacity RN based on the Grams, the drive circuit 30 and the recording paper feed motor 37 recording controller that drives the like, the copy control, various control programs such as a facsimile communication control is stored. By the way, in this facsimile apparatus, a desired reduction ratio of, for example, up to 70% can be set by operating a reduction ratio setting key.

The reception data memory 51 of the RAM 50
A predetermined amount (for example, 2
A memory capacity of 56 Kbytes is provided, and received transmission signals, that is, encoded image data, are sequentially stored.
The decoded data memory 52 stores image data obtained by decoding the transmission signal received from the reception data memory 51 and image data read by the reading sensor 10 at the time of copying.
First recording data memory 53 (corresponding to second storage means)
The image data of the decoded data memory 52 is converted into high-resolution recording high-density image data and stored.

The second recording data memory 54 stores reduced image data obtained by thinning out the high-density image data of the first recording data memory 53 based on the reduction ratio. The encoded data memory 55 stores image data encoded at the time of transmission. Further, the RAM 50 is provided with a work memory for storing data of the set reduction ratio and various memories for temporarily storing the calculation results calculated by the CPU 40.

Next, a reduced image data creation control routine performed by the control device C of the facsimile machine 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, since image data is transmitted from the external facsimile at a transmission speed based on the selected recording speed, this image data is stored in the reception data memory 51 while being decoded and subjected to the first recording. This control is started for each recording sheet P by being stored in the data memory 53.
In the figure, reference numerals Si (i = 31, 32, 33,...) Represent each step.

When this control is started, first, based on the data stored in the first recording data memory 53, when the recording image data for one page of the document is stored in the first recording data memory 53 (S31). : Yes), the remaining memory capacity RM of the reception data memory 51 detected by the reception memory remaining capacity detection control is read (S32), and the remaining memory capacity R is read.
M is larger than a predetermined value M (corresponding to a first predetermined value, for example, 6 Kbytes) (S33: Yes), and the first recording data memory 5 detected by the recording memory remaining capacity detection control.
3 is read (S34), and when the remaining memory capacity RN is larger than a predetermined value N (corresponding to a second predetermined value, for example, 3 Kbytes) (S35: Ye).
s), when the reduction ratio is not set (S37: N
o), the image data for recording in the first recording data memory 53 is stored in the second recording data memory 54 without reduction processing (S39), and when the reception of the image data is not completed (S40: No), It returns to S31.

When the reduction ratio has been set (S37: Yes), the reduction control program
Based on the data of the reduced rate stored in the work memory, it is created reduced image data thinning processing in the sub-scanning direction in the line image data unit (S38), stored in the second recording data memory 54 (S 39) , And returns to S31 through S40.

On the other hand, when this control is started, if the remaining memory capacity RM of the reception data memory 51 is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value M (S33: No), or if the remaining memory capacity RM is larger than the predetermined value M, When the remaining memory capacity RN is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value N (S33: Yes, S35: No), the reduction rate is temporarily and forcibly set to 70%, and the data of this reduction rate is temporarily stored in the work memory ( S36). Then, based on the data of the forcibly set reduction ratio, reduced image data obtained by performing the thinning process in the sub-scanning direction in units of line image data is created (S38), and stored in the second recording data memory 54 (S38). S 39), through the S40 S
Return to 31.

That is, the reduction rate of 70% is a reduction rate for recording the image data of the legal paper (vertical length of about 356 mm) on the letter paper (vertical length of about 279 mm). In step (1), reduced image data obtained by performing thinning processing in units of line image data is created based on the 70% reduction ratio. Then, when the reception of the image data is completed (S40: Yes), this control is terminated and the process returns to the main routine. Then, with respect to the reduced image data stored in the second recording data memory 54, the gate array 31 performs a thinning process of thinning out dot data corresponding to the reduction ratio in the main scanning direction, and finally, the sub-scanning direction is reduced. Reduced image data reduced in the main scanning direction is supplied to the thermal head 22 via the P / S converter 28, and the drive circuit 30 drives the heating element in response to a drive signal from the strobe signal generation circuit 29. Then, a reduced image corresponding to the set reduction ratio is recorded on the recording paper P.

As described above, when the remaining capacity RM of the reception data memory 51 is equal to or less than a predetermined value M, or when the remaining capacity RN of the first recording data memory 53 is equal to or less than a predetermined value N, Since reduced image data obtained by thinning out the image data continued from the first recording data memory 53 at a reduction ratio of 70% is created and recorded,
For example, image data of legal paper can be recorded on a cut sheet of letter paper by one sheet. As a result, since the page division does not occur and the recording process is not interrupted, the balance between the data amount stored in the reception data memory 51 and the data amount continued from the reception data memory 51 for the recording process is maintained. Therefore, occurrence of the “memory full” state of the reception data memory 51 can be reliably suppressed, and abnormal termination of data reception due to the “memory full” state can be prevented as much as possible.

Here, the correspondence between the means described in the claims and the configuration in the above embodiment will be described. The reduced image data creating means corresponds to S38 of reduced image data creation control. The reduced control program to be executed, which corresponds to the first remaining capacity detecting means, is R
OM41 Ru receive memory remaining capacity detection control program der stored in. Also, what corresponds to the second remaining capacity detecting means is a recording memory remaining capacity detection control program stored in the ROM 41.

In the reduced image data creation control, S34 and S35 are deleted and the reception data memory 51 is deleted.
May be reduced to 70% when the remaining capacity RM is equal to or less than a predetermined value M , and the predetermined reduction rate is not limited to 70%. The predetermined value M and the predetermined value N can be set to arbitrary values based on the memory capacity of the reception data memory 51 and the first recording data memory 53. still,
Within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, various changes may be made to the control of the above-described embodiment based on existing technology or technology obvious to those skilled in the art. The present invention can be applied to various facsimile apparatuses provided with various recording apparatuses such as a thermal system and a laser system .

[0032]

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, the reduced image data creating means and the first
When the remaining capacity of the first storage is equal to or less than a preset first predetermined value, the image data read from the second storage is converted by the reduced image data generator into the original data. Since reduced image data that is reduced at a predetermined reduction rate is created for each page, the image data is not divided into pages when recording processing is performed, and the recording processing is not interrupted and stored in the first storage unit. The balance between the amount of data and the amount of data read from the first storage unit for the recording process is maintained, and the occurrence of the “memory full” state of the first storage unit is reliably suppressed, and the “memory full” state is established. Abnormal termination of data reception due to this can be prevented as much as possible.

According to the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, further provided second remaining capacity detection hand stage, the remaining capacity of the first storage means
Even if it is larger than the first predetermined value, if the remaining capacity of the second storage means is equal to or less than the second predetermined value, the reduction is performed.
The image data read from the second storage unit is reduced by the image data generating unit at a predetermined reduction rate for each page of the document.
And for reduced small image data is created, records each page of the document
To reduce the time required for, is no longer page division when recording process this image data, the second storage means
Abnormal termination of data reception due to "memory full" status
Can be prevented. Other effects similar to those of the first aspect can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration according to claims 1 and 2;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view of a main part showing an internal mechanism of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a reduced image data creation control routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 facsimile device 21 recording device 22 thermal head 23 ribbon cassette 25 communication control device 26 communication modem 27 network control device 40 CPU 41 ROM 50 RAM 51 reception data memory 53 first recording data memory C control device

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A receiving device for receiving image data transmitted from an external, first memory means for storing the image data supplied from the receiving means, decoding the image data from the first storage unit A facsimile apparatus comprising: a decoding unit that stores the image data decoded by the decoding unit; and a recording unit that records the image data on a recording sheet made of a cut sheet. Reduced image data creating means for creating reduced image data obtained by thinning out image data received from the second storage means in the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction, respectively; and a storage capacity of the first storage means and a stored data amount. And a first remaining capacity detecting means for detecting a remaining capacity of the first storage means, wherein the reduced image data creating means has a remaining capacity detected by the first remaining capacity detecting means. Is less than or equal to a preset first predetermined value
The facsimile apparatus characterized by creating a reduced image data and the image data of each page of the read document from the second storage means and reduction process with a predetermined reduction ratio. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second remaining capacity detecting unit configured to detect a remaining capacity of the second storage unit based on a storable capacity of the second storage unit and a stored data amount. The creation unit may be configured to determine whether the remaining capacity detected by the first remaining capacity detection unit is greater than the first predetermined value.
When the remaining capacity detected by the second remaining capacity detecting means is equal to or less than a second predetermined value set in advance, the image data of each page of the original read from the second storage means is reduced at a predetermined reduction rate. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus creates image data.