JP2595542B2 - Recording paper determination method for facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a method for determining a recording sheet of a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus capable of using cut recording sheets, the recording sheet having a size corresponding to the length of a transmission document. The present invention relates to a method for determining a recording sheet of a facsimile apparatus which allows the user to select a recording sheet.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus in which two or more recording paper trays storing cut sheets can be mounted is commercially available. In such a facsimile apparatus, which recording paper is selected is determined by the width of the transmitted document information.

For example, when the A4 size and the B4 size recording paper are set in the facsimile apparatus, and the document information in which the A5 size is laid out is sent, the width of the document information coincides with the width of the A4 size. A4 size recording paper is selected. Further, in the case of original information of irregular-size paper, for example, legal paper, the width is almost the same as that of A4 size, so that A4 size recording paper is selected.

As described above, the selection of the recording paper in the conventional apparatus is determined by the width of the document information.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional facsimile apparatus as described above, when two types of recording paper trays having the same width and different lengths of recording paper are mounted, for example, an A4 vertical tray and If A4 size document information is sent when the A5 horizontal tray is mounted, the A4 vertical tray and the A5 horizontal tray are randomly selected. Therefore, if the tray next to A5 happens to be selected, the information below the middle of the document information will be lost or
Alternatively, there is a problem that information below the center is recorded on a second recording sheet. Also, in the latter case, there is a problem that the document information near the switching of the recording paper is missing or unclear.

Further, since the conventional facsimile apparatus does not have a tray of irregularly shaped paper, when the irregularly sized original information is sent, the recording paper is divided into two sheets and recorded.
There is a problem that a blank space remains after the recording paper.
Also, when you want to receive on irregular format paper,
There was a problem that it could not be received.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to enable a facsimile machine to select an appropriate length of recording paper even when two types of recording paper trays having the same width and different lengths are mounted. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining a recording sheet of an apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining a recording sheet of a facsimile apparatus capable of recording on recording paper of an irregular size when original information of an irregular size is sent.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a recording paper determination method for a multi-stage cassette recording paper facsimile apparatus provided with an image information storage device for temporarily storing image information. Then, the number of lines per page of the received document information is measured, and the length of the recording paper loaded in the multi-stage cassette in the sub-scanning direction is compared with the number of lines per page of the received document information. It is characterized in that a recording sheet suitable for the size of the document information is selected only from the comparison result.

According to the present invention, it is possible to select a recording sheet suitable for the size of the document information by focusing only on the length of the document information in the sub-scanning direction.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a modem unit for demodulating original information received via a line, 2 a line number measuring unit for measuring the number of lines of the received original information, and 3 an original information storage for storing the demodulated original information. Device. Further, 4 is a decoder, 5 is a recording paper determining unit for selecting a recording paper tray on which recording is performed based on the number of lines obtained by the line number measuring unit 2, 6
Denotes a recording paper selection mechanism, 7 denotes a multi-stage recording paper cassette, and 8 denotes a printing unit.

Here, the operation of the line number measuring section 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the value of a counter N (not shown) is reset (step S1). Next, it is determined whether or not the data sent from the modem unit 1 is a page end signal (RTC) (step S2). When the step S2 is NO, the process proceeds to the step S3, where the data is a one-line end signal (EOL).
A determination is made whether or not. If NO, the above step S
2. The operations of S3 are repeated, and when the step S3 becomes YES, an operation of adding 1 to the counter N is performed (step S4).

The above operation is repeatedly performed, and when step S2 is YES, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the line number measuring unit 2 outputs a page end signal to the recording paper determining unit 5. Next, it is determined whether or not the original information is continuously transmitted. When the original information is present (step S6: YE
In S), the flow returns to step S1 again, and the number of lines of the next page is counted.

As described above, the line number measurement unit 2 counts the number N of lines of the sent original information and outputs a page end signal to the recording paper determination unit 5.

Next, the operation of the recording paper determination unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart in the case where A4 size recording paper and A5 size horizontal recording paper are mounted on the recording paper cassette 7.

The recording paper determining unit 5 calculates the maximum number l of lines that can be recorded on the A5 horizontal recording paper from the length in the sub-scanning direction (step R1).
(Step R2). Next, it is determined whether a page end signal has been received from the line number measuring unit 2 (step R3). If YES, the line number N is larger than the length l of the A5 horizontal recording paper in the sub-scanning direction. A determination is made (step R4).

When the determination in step R4 is YES, the process proceeds to step R5, where A4 recording paper is selected. On the other hand, when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step R6, where A5 horizontal recording paper is selected. Next, the decoder 4 is activated (step R7), and the image information read from the document information storage device 3 is decoded. The decoded information is input to the printing unit 8 and printed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Two cassettes storing recording papers having the same length in the main scanning direction and different lengths in the sub-scanning direction, for example,
A4 cassette and A5 horizontal cassette or letter (Lette
r) Paper cassette and Legal paper cassette
It is assumed that the facsimile apparatus is mounted on a cassette receiver.

When document information is sent to the modem unit 1 via a line, the modem unit 1 demodulates the document information and sends it to the line number measurement unit 2. The line number measuring section 2 counts the number of lines by the operation shown in FIG. 2 and sends document information to the document information storage device 3. When the line number measuring section 2 detects a page end signal (RTC) and sends a page end signal to the recording paper determination section 5, the recording paper determination section 5 performs the operation of FIG. It is determined whether the number N is smaller or larger than the number l of lines of the recording paper having a short length in the sub-scanning direction. If the number of lines of the document information is small, a recording sheet having a short length in the sub-scanning direction is selected.
A recording sheet having a long length in the sub-scanning direction is selected.

A signal for selecting a recording paper cassette is sent to a recording paper selection mechanism 6, which supplies recording paper from the selected cassette 7 to the printing unit 8. Further, the recording paper determination unit 5 outputs a signal for prompting the decoder 4 to generate a print image. As a result, the decoder 4 stores the original image information storage device 3
The original image information is read from the printer, converted into a print image, and transmitted to the printing unit 8. The printing unit 8 prints the original image information sent from the decoder 4 on the supplied recording paper.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the storage of the recording paper having the same length in the main scanning direction and the different length in the sub-scanning direction is performed.
Even if cassettes are installed in the facsimile machine,
Since the cassette that stores the recording paper of an appropriate size according to the length of the document information is selected, there is a problem that the recording is divided into two recording papers and a margin is left behind the recording paper. Disappears.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. In this embodiment, when a plurality of cassettes accommodating fixed size paper of different sizes are mounted on a facsimile apparatus, a recording paper suitable for the length of transmission document information can be selected. Now, A4 size and B4
The operation of the present embodiment will be described on the assumption that a cassette for storing recording paper of a size is mounted on the facsimile apparatus.
The configuration of this embodiment is the same except for the function of the recording paper determination unit 5 in FIG. Therefore, only the function of the recording paper determination unit 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The recording paper determination unit 5 calculates the maximum number of recording lines l1 and l2 based on the length of the A4 and B4 recording papers attached to the facsimile machine (step R11). The length of the recording paper can be known from a sensor (for example, a hard switch or the like) provided in a cassette receiver of the facsimile machine. Next, the line number N is fetched from the line number measuring unit 2 (step R12), and it is determined whether a page end signal has been received from the line number measuring unit 2 (step R1).
3).

When the determination in step R13 is YES, it is determined whether or not the number N of lines is equal to or less than the length l1 of the A4 size (N ≦ l1) (step R14).

If the determination is YES, A4 recording paper is selected (step R15). On the other hand, when NO, the line number N is A
4 size longer than l1 and B4 size less than l2 (l
It is determined whether or not 1 <N ≦ l2 (step R).
16). If YES, B4 recording paper is selected (step R17). On the other hand, when the answer is NO, A4 recording paper is selected twice (step R18).

As described above, in the present embodiment, a sheet large enough to record the received document information on one sheet is selected from the cassettes mounted on the facsimile apparatus. , And the probability of being divided and recorded on the recording paper is reduced.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, since only cassettes for recording paper of normal size paper (A series and B series) are prepared, if original information of an irregular size is sent, the recording paper is divided into two sheets. That is, it is possible to prevent the recording from being performed, or to leave a margin after the recording paper.

In the present embodiment, a flexible cassette 10 as shown in FIG. 5 is set in one of the multi-cassette type plain paper facsimile receivers so that it can be detected by a magnetic sensor or the like. deep. The flexible cassette 10 comprises a fixed cassette 11 and a movable cassette.
An indicator 13 such as a magnet for notifying the facsimile apparatus that the cassette is a flexible cassette is attached to the side of the fixed cassette unit 11. Since the movable cassette section 12 is variable in the direction indicated by the arrow, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to store irregular-sized paper.

In using the facsimile apparatus, the operator sets the length of the flexible cassette in the sub-scanning direction set in advance as a threshold value of the recording paper in the facsimile apparatus from a scanning panel or the like. For example, when receiving on a format paper of about 180 mm in A4 width, a threshold value of 180 mm is input. By this operation, the recording paper determination unit 5 in FIG. 1 stores the value of 180 mm. Further, the size of the paper of another cassette mounted on the facsimile apparatus is stored.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in the case where a facsimile machine is equipped with a flexible cassette for storing the format paper of about 180 mm in A4 width and a cassette for storing A4 size standard paper (length 297 mm). It will be described assuming.

When document information is sent from the sending facsimile, the receiving facsimile starts receiving using the storage memory,
Reception is performed while counting the number of lines in the sub operation direction.
At this time, a preset threshold value is read from the memory, converted into the number of lines at that time, and stored as cassette selection information.

While receiving, the cassette selection information is compared with the number of reception lines, and when the selection information value is exceeded, a cassette for storing the A4 size standard paper is selected, and the original information is read from the memory and decoded. To the printing unit to start printing. On the other hand, before the number of reception lines exceeds the cassette selection information, the page end signal (RTC)
Is input, the user selects a flexible cassette.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the received original information is significantly different from the size of the standard paper, or when the original information has an irregular amount of information, the recording paper of the irregular size can be selected. In addition, it is possible to prevent a large margin from being generated on the recording paper.

In each of the above embodiments, the size of the cassette set in the facsimile apparatus has been described as being limited to a specific size. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented without being limited to this.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following excellent effects.

(1) Even when recording paper of the same paper width and different lengths is mounted on the facsimile apparatus, it is possible to select a recording paper of an appropriate length in accordance with the length of transmitted document information. In addition, by combining with the selection based on the recording paper width according to the related art, an appropriate recording paper can be selected even in the case of three-stage recording paper such as B4, A4, and A5 horizontally.

(2) Further, since the number of lines of the received document information is counted for each page, it is possible to select a recording sheet having an appropriate size for each page even for documents having different lengths.

(3) Since a cassette accommodating irregularly shaped recording paper can be set, even if the transmitted document information has irregularly shaped paper, the information can be recorded on an appropriately sized recording paper.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the function of a line number measuring unit, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the function of a recording paper determining unit, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the function of the recording paper determination unit of FIG.
The figure is a perspective view showing an example of the flexible cassette used in the third embodiment of the present invention. 1 ... modem section, 2 ... line number measurement section, 3 ... original image information storage device, 4 ... decoder, 5 ... recording paper determination section,
6 recording paper selection mechanism, 7 cassette, 8 printing section,

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-55-154869 (JP, A) JP-A-58-50856 (JP, A) JP-A-58-92168 (JP, A) JP-A-60-1985 157374 (JP, A) JP-A-62-163466 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording paper determination method for a multi-stage cassette recording paper facsimile apparatus having an image information storage device for temporarily storing image information, comprising: measuring the number of lines per page of received document information;
The length of the recording paper set in the multi-stage cassette in the sub-scanning direction is compared with the number of lines per page of the received document information. A method for determining a recording sheet of a facsimile apparatus, wherein the recording sheet is selected.