JP3482952B2 - Document reading storage device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document reading / storing device such as a facsimile device or a facsimile device having a plurality of functions, and more specifically, up to the number of a plurality of documents when a document is jammed or an image memory overflows. The present invention relates to a document reading storage device capable of displaying whether or not it has been stored in an image memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a facsimile machine, when transmitting a plurality of originals, images on the plurality of originals are sequentially read in advance and temporarily stored in a page memory (RAM), and then, It is known to have a memory transmission function of sequentially encoding image information in a page memory with a codec and transmitting it to a communication partner after all documents are completely stored in the image memory.

[0003]

By the way, when a document jam (paper jam) occurs during reading of a plurality of documents for the memory transmission, it is necessary to read the unread document again. . In this case, if the method of clearing the image data in the page memory when a jam occurs, there is a time delay in encoding, so some pages of the document that have been read are stored in the image memory. Not done.

However, the user erroneously recognizes that all the pages of the read document are stored in the image memory,
When only unread originals are read again and transmitted, some pages of the originals may be missing. In order to prevent such a problem, it is necessary to clear the image memory once and read all the pages of the original document again, but in that case, the same original document is read repeatedly, which is inefficient. .

On the other hand, when the image memory overflows (insufficient storage capacity) while reading a plurality of originals, the free space in the image memory due to the progress of transmission of other originals already stored in the image memory. It is necessary to wait until the storage of the read original in the image memory is completed due to the capacity generation, etc., but even in that case, it is easy to check the storage status of the original in the image memory. There was a problem I could not do.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when a jam or the like occurs during the reading of a plurality of originals, up to which original is stored in the image memory. It is a technical object to provide a document reading / storing device that can display whether or not the document has been processed. Therefore, the document reading / storing device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a document reading unit that reads image data on a document, an image coding unit that codes the read image data, and an image that stores the coded image data. A memory, a display unit, and a control unit for displaying on the display unit the number of sheets read by the document reading unit together with the number of documents whose image data has been stored in the image memory. is there.

[0007]

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the control unit causes the display unit to display the number of stored sheets and the number of read sheets when the document is jammed or the image memory overflows. It is what Here, the overflow (insufficient storage capacity) of the image memory means that the image data of a new page of the document is stored in the image memory as a result of the image data being stored up to or near the maximum capacity of the image memory. It means a state where you cannot do it.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in the schematic configuration in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus F with a copying function of this embodiment
The (original reading storage device) is a control unit 1 including a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, and a RAM.
(Random Access Memory) 3, page memory 4, image memory 5, codec 6, modem 7, NCU (Network Contr)
ol Unit) 8, display unit 10, operation unit 11, document reading unit 12
The recording unit 13 and the recording unit 13 are connected to each other by a bus line 14.

The ROM 2 stores in advance a program and the like for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus F. Further, the ROM 2 counts the number of originals whose image data has been stored in the image memory 5 and the number of completed readings in the original reading unit 12, respectively, and at least when the originals are jammed or when the image memory 5 overflows. A program for displaying the number of stored sheets and the number of read sheets on the display unit 10 is stored.

A rewritable non-volatile memory, for example, a flash memory may be used instead of the ROM 2 so that the program can be modified or upgraded. On the other hand, the RAM 3 temporarily stores various data necessary for control by the control unit 1, for example, data such as a data rate set by the modem 7.

The page memory 4 comprises a RAM so that image data (binary data indicating black and white for each pixel) corresponding to an image on a document read by a document reading unit 12 described later is temporarily stored. It has become. The page memory 4 is
It has a storage capacity that can store at least one page of image data of a document of the maximum size (for example, A3 size).

The image memory 5 is composed of a RAM, and stores encoded (compressed) image data after the image data in the page memory 4 is encoded by a codec 6 described later. The image memory 5 has a storage capacity capable of accumulating coded image data for several tens to several hundreds of pages of a document.

In the present embodiment, when a jam or an overflow of the image memory 5 occurs while reading a plurality of originals, the image data stored in the page memory 4 is cleared and the codec 6 While the encoding work is stopped, the portion of the encoded image data stored in the image memory 5 which is less than one page is cleared from the image memory 5.

The codec 6 has a role of sequentially encoding the image data to be transmitted, which is sent from the page memory 4, and of decoding the encoded image data received from the other party of the facsimile communication. The modem 7 modulates / demodulates transmission / reception data, specifically, modulates transmission data into a voice band signal and sends it to the public line network L via the NCU 8 while receiving from the other party from the public line network L via the NCU 8. The voice band signal is demodulated into a digital signal. NCU8
Has a function of controlling the connection between the public line network L and the facsimile apparatus F, and a function of transmitting a dial pulse corresponding to the facsimile number of the other party and a function of detecting an incoming call.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 10 is composed of a liquid crystal display element, etc., and displays the facsimile number of the other party of communication as well as a normal facsimile apparatus, and the document reading unit 12 has completed reading. The number of originals (the number of completed readings) and the number of originals in which the encoded image data is stored in the image memory 5 (the number of completed readings) are displayed.

The operation unit 11 comprises a key panel including a ten-key A shown in FIG. 2, a start key B, and a cross key C for moving a cursor (not shown) up, down, left and right in the display unit 10, and the facsimile of the other party. The scheduled transmission start time in the case of reserved transmission by specifying a number or time is input. The document reading unit 12 is composed of a line sensor (not shown), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), or the like, and reads a document for facsimile transmission or copying.

The recording unit 13 is provided with a printing device such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system, and records the image data received from the other party at the time of facsimile reception, while recording the document read by the document reading unit 12 at the time of copying. Image data is recorded at a desired magnification.

A procedure for transmitting image data of a plurality of originals in the image memory 5 and then performing facsimile transmission or copying will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5. First, when a user sets a plurality of documents on an automatic document feeder (not shown) in the document reading unit 12 (S1) and operates a start key A on the operation unit 11 (S2), the control unit 1 sets a predetermined area of the RAM3. The stored "number of completed readings" (the number of originals read by the original reading unit 12) is cleared to "0" (S
3) Clear the “number of stored sheets” (the number of originals for which image data has been stored in the image memory 5) stored in another predetermined area of the RAM 3 to “0”.

The control unit 1 subsequently instructs the document reading unit 12 to start reading one page of the document (first page first) (S
5) Based on this, reading by the document reading unit 12 and storage of the read image data in the page memory 4 are executed (S6). Next, the control unit 1 determines whether a jam (paper jam) has occurred in the automatic document feeder of the document reading unit 12 (S7). Whether this jam has occurred is
As is well known, it is determined whether or not the trailing edge of the document sent from the automatic document feeder has passed a sensor position (not shown) on the downstream side of the reading position at a predetermined timing.

If a jam has not occurred in S7, then the control unit 1 determines whether or not an overflow (insufficient storage capacity) of the image memory 5 has occurred depending on, for example, whether or not an overflow flag described later is on. Whether or not (S
8). If the overflow of the image memory 5 has not occurred, the control unit 1 subsequently determines whether or not the reading of one page of the document has been completed (S9). This determination is made, for example, based on whether or not the trailing edge of the relevant page of the document has passed the sensor position on the downstream side of the reading position, similarly to the above.

If the reading of one page of the original is not completed in S9, the process returns to S6 and the reading and the storage of the image data in the page memory 4 are continued. On the other hand, if the reading of one page of the document is completed in S9, the control unit 1 causes the RAM to operate.
After adding "1" to the number of completed readings stored in the predetermined area 3 (S10), the new number of completed readings is displayed on the display unit 10 (S11).

Next, the control unit 1 performs an operation of encoding (compressing) the image data of the page which has been stored in the page memory 4 by the codec 6 and storing the encoded image data in the image memory 5. It is started (S12). Subsequently, the control unit 1 detects whether or not the next page of the document exists on the automatic document feeder in the document reading unit 12 by a sensor (not shown) on the automatic document feeder (S13). If there is a next page, the process returns to S5 to start reading a new page. On the other hand, if the next page of the document does not exist, the process proceeds to S20 of FIG. 4, and the control unit 1 executes facsimile transmission or copying when the storage of the image data of all pages of the document in the image memory 5 is completed. Let

If a jam has occurred in S7 of FIG. 3 or if an overflow of the image memory 5 has occurred in S8, the process proceeds to S14 of FIG. Clear the image data already stored in. Note that the control unit 1 stops the encoding work in the codec 6 at the same time, and the portion of the encoded image data stored in the image memory 5 which is less than one page is stored in the image memory 5
Clear from

Subsequently, the control unit 1 causes the display unit 10 to simultaneously display the number of completed readings in the document reading unit 12 and the number of completed storages in the image memory 5 (S15). For example,
When the number of read sheets is 4 and the number of stored sheets is 3,
As shown in FIG. 2, a slash mark “/” is used in the middle to display “4/3”.

In S16, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred. If a jam has occurred, although not shown, a message for asking the user whether or not to reset the document and read the document is displayed on the display unit. 10 is displayed (S17), on the other hand, in response to the message, the user presses the execution key D of the operation unit 11 when rereading, and when not rereading, the stop key is pressed. The E is pressed (S18).

When the execution key D is operated by the user to re-read in S18, the control unit 1 waits for the document to be set again in the automatic document feeder in the document reading unit 12 and waits for the image memory. The image data of the page following the final page stored in 5 is read, temporarily stored in the page memory 4 in the same manner as described above, then coded by the codec and stored in the image memory 5 (S19).

In this case, since the number of sheets stored in the image memory 5 is displayed on the display unit 10 as described above, the user can easily grasp the number of originals that need to be re-read and re-read them without excess or deficiency. Can be done. Further, the image data stored in the page memory 4 is cleared from the page memory 4 at the time when the jam occurs, and the coded image data less than one page stored in the image memory 5 is also stored in the image memory 5. Therefore, it is necessary to surely re-read the pages other than the pages that have been completely stored in the image memory 5. Therefore, the same page will not be redundantly read and stored in the image memory 5 due to the re-reading.

In step S20, the control unit 1 determines whether or not all pages of the document are stored in the image memory 5, whether or not a new page of the document remains on the automatic document feeder. On the condition that all pages have been stored in the image memory 5, the control unit 1 sends the encoded image data stored in the image memory 5 by facsimile via the NCU 8 or the like. Copying is performed by causing the coded image data to be decoded again by the codec 6 and then printed by the recording unit 13.

If a jam has not occurred in S16, S
7 and S8, the overflow of the image memory 5 has occurred. In this case, the control unit 1 causes the display unit 10 to display a message asking the user whether to clear the encoded image data in the image memory 5 (S21).

When the user chooses to clear the encoded image data in the image memory 5 according to the above message, for example, he operates the execution key D in the ten-key A of the operation unit 11 and selects not to clear it. If yes, the stop key E in the ten keys A is operated (S22). When the user operates the execution key D for the purpose of clearing the image data in the image memory 5, the process proceeds to S23 and the control unit 1
Clears the image data in the image memory 5. Also,
Even if the cancel key E is operated to re-read the original document in S18, the process proceeds to S23 to clear the image data in the image memory 5.

If it is selected in S22 not to clear the image data in the image memory 5, then S24 in FIG.
Then, the control unit 1 determines whether or not there is a possibility that an empty space will occur in the image memory 5. This determination is made based on whether or not image data of a document other than the document currently being read exists in the image memory 5. That is,
This is because if image data of another original document exists in the image memory 5, a vacant capacity may occur in the image memory 5 as a result of performing facsimile transmission or copying of the other original document.

If it is determined in S24 that there is no possibility that an empty space will occur in the image memory 5, that is, there is no image data of another original document in the image memory 5, then the control unit 1 Displays a message on the display unit 10 indicating that the image memory 5 is out of capacity, and further displays a message for prompting the user to select whether or not only pages already stored in the image memory 5 are to be facsimile-transmitted or copied. Is displayed (S25).

When the user sends or copies only the pages stored in the image memory 5 by facsimile, the user operates, for example, the execution key D of the operation unit 11 in accordance with the message, and the pages stored in the image memory 5 are processed. When only the facsimile transmission or copying is not performed, the stop key E of the operation unit 11 is operated (S26).

When it is selected in S26 that the facsimile transmission or copying of only the pages stored in the image memory 5 is selected by operating the execution key D, the process proceeds to S20 of FIG. 4 to execute the facsimile transmission or copying. To do. S2
If it is selected in step 6 not to perform facsimile transmission or copying of only the pages stored in the image memory 5, S2 in FIG.
Proceed to step 3 to clear the image data in the image memory 5.

If it is determined in S24 of FIG. 5 that image data of an original other than the original currently being read exists in the image memory 5 and there is a possibility that free space will occur in the image memory 5, Subsequently, the control unit 1 determines whether or not a free space has actually occurred in the image memory 5 (S27). When the free space is generated, the process proceeds to S19 of FIG. 4 to wait for the unread page of the document to be reloaded before rereading.

If there is no free space in the image memory 5 in S27, then the control unit 1 determines whether or not the image memory 5 needs to be used because there is an incoming facsimile transmission ( S28) and if there is no incoming call, S2
Return to 7. If there is an incoming facsimile transmission in S28, there is no free space in the image memory 5, so the image data of the original document stored in the image memory 5 is rewritten page by page in the received image data. Are sequentially stored in the image memory 5 (S29).

In this case, the image data of the last page of the original document stored in the image memory 5 is sequentially rewritten with the incoming image data. Subsequently, since the control unit 1 used the image memory 5 for the incoming image, the display unit 10 displays that it is necessary to reread the original including the page rewritten with the image data of the incoming image ( (S30)
Return to S27.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
A procedure for encoding the image data in the page memory 4 with the codec 6 and storing it in the image memory 5 will be briefly described. When reading a plurality of originals, the control unit 1 sequentially encodes the image data stored in the page memory 4 with the codec 6 and stores it in the image memory 5 (S32).

Then, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the image data corresponding to one original document in the page memory 4 has been stored in the image memory 5 (S33), and one original document is determined. If the storage of the image data of No. 3 in the image memory 5 is completed, "1" is added to the number of completed storages in the RAM 3 (S
After 34), the updated storage completion number is displayed on the display unit 10 (S35). After that, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the image data of the next page exists in the page memory 4 (S36). If the image data of the next page does not exist, the encoding process ends, while the image data of the next page does not exist. If it exists, S32
Return to.

When the encoding of the image data for one page in the page memory 4 and the storage in the image memory 5 are not completed in S33, the control unit 1 subsequently determines whether the image memory 5 overflows. Whether or not it is determined based on the remaining capacity of the image memory 5 and the like (S37). If no overflow has occurred, the process returns to S32, while if an overflow of the image memory 5 has occurred, the RAM
The overflow flag in 3 is turned on (“1”) (S
38).

The overflow flag is cleared to off ("0") when the apparatus is activated, and the overflow flag which has been turned on once is turned off on condition that a predetermined free space is generated in the image memory 5. Will be cleared.

In the above embodiment, the number of read sheets and the number of stored sheets are sequentially displayed while the original is being read. However, the number of read sheets and the number of stored sheets are jammed or overflowed in the image memory 5. It may be displayed only when occurs. Further, in the above embodiment, the facsimile machine with a copying function has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a facsimile-only apparatus or a copying-only apparatus.

[0044]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The document reading / storing device is a document reading unit that reads image data on a document, an image coding unit that codes the read image data, an image memory that stores the coded image data, a display unit, and a document. Since a control unit that displays the number of sheets read by the reading unit on the display unit together with the number of documents whose image data has been stored in the image memory is displayed, for example, when a document jam occurs, By comparing the number of read sheets and the number of stored sheets, it is possible to easily know the number of documents that need to be read again.

[0045]

On the other hand, when the overflow of the image memory occurs and there is no remaining capacity for newly storing the coded image in the image memory, rereading is useless. It is necessary to take measures such as waiting until the transmission processing of other originals stored in the image memory is completed. In that case, the read original is stored in the image memory as free space is generated in the image memory. The storage status can be easily grasped.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the control unit causes the display unit to display the number of stored sheets and the number of read sheets when the document is jammed or the image memory overflows. Since the necessary display is performed only when a problem such as a jam occurs, it is possible to suppress the power required for displaying the number of stored sheets and the number of read sheets.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a facsimile apparatus with a copying function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display unit and an operation unit in the facsimile apparatus with the copying function.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a document reading procedure in the facsimile apparatus with the copying function.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a subsequent reading procedure in the facsimile apparatus with the copying function.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subsequent reading procedure in the facsimile apparatus with the copying function.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for storing encoded image data in an image memory in the facsimile device with the copying function.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 control unit 5 image memory 6 Codec (image coding unit) 10 Display 12 Document reading section

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/21

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A document reading unit for reading image data on a document, an image coding unit for coding the read image data, an image memory for storing the coded image data, a display unit, and a document reading unit. A document reading / storing device, comprising: a control unit for displaying the number of sheets read by the device together with the number of documents whose image data has been stored in the image memory on the display unit. 2. The control unit causes the display unit to display the number of stored sheets and the number of read sheets when a document is jammed or an image memory overflows.
The document reading storage device described.