JPH0530262A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To implement error display for the case that the supply of image data is not in time to a picture recording section operated continuously and a space is caused onto print paper. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile equipment is provided with a white line data generating section 3-2, a selector 3-1 receiving an output of the white line data generating section 3-2 and an output of a buffer memory and sending the received output to a picture recording section, and means 3-3, 3-4 sending a select signal used to select an output of the white line data generating section 3-2 synchronously with a read line end signal from the buffer memory when the buffer memory outputs an empty signal representing an idle memory. When an image data sent from the buffer memory to the picture recording section is interrupted, the output of the white line data generating section 3-2 is fed to the picture recording section synchronously with the read line end signal from the buffer memory and a space in the unit of lines is caused onto print paper. An error representing interruption of image data is displayed when the space appears on the print paper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus which displays an error when a blank area appears on a printing sheet because the image data cannot be supplied to a continuously operating image recording section in time. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a facsimile apparatus. In FIG. 2, 1 is an image reading unit, 2 is an image recording unit, 3 is a buffer memory control circuit, 4 is a buffer memory, 5 is a compression / decompression unit, 6 is a code memory, 7 is an operation panel, 8 is a CPU (central processing unit). Processing device).

The buffer memory control circuit 3 controls the writing of the image data read by the image reading unit 1 into the buffer memory 4 and the reading of the image data of the buffer memory 4 into the image recording unit 2 and the compression / decompression unit 5. do. The compression / decompression unit 5 compresses the image data in the buffer memory 4 and converts it into code data, or conversely decompresses the code data in the code memory 6 and converts it into image data. The code memory 6 stores code data sent from another facsimile apparatus via a line (not shown) and code data compressed by the compression / expansion unit 5. The operation panel 7 is a panel for the operator to send a command to the facsimile device and display the operation status.

The buffer memory 4 is a memory mounted as a memory for temporarily storing image data. The capacity of the buffer memory 4 was not large enough to store the image data of one page of the document.

Therefore, when inputting image data from the image reading unit 1, the buffer memory 4 is inserted in the middle of a page.
When is full, the image reading unit 1 is temporarily stopped, the input image data is read from the buffer memory 4, and then the operation is restarted. Further, when outputting to the image recording unit 2, if the buffer memory 4 becomes empty in the middle of a page, the image recording unit 2 is temporarily stopped, and the operation is performed after the next succeeding image data is filled in the buffer memory 4. Was restarting. That is, the image reading unit 1 and the image recording unit 2 are
It could only work intermittently.

If the image reading unit 1 and the image recording unit 2 are stopped many times in the middle of a page, the speed of processing one page becomes slow. Therefore, there is provided a facsimile apparatus in which a page memory is mounted instead of the buffer memory 4 and the image reading unit 1 and the image recording unit 2 are continuously operated. Since the page memory has a capacity for storing one page of image data, it does not have to be stopped in the middle of a page.

[0007]

However, the page memory, which requires a large number of memory elements, is expensive and raises the cost of the facsimile machine. Therefore, there is a strong demand to reduce the cost. In order to meet such a request and prevent the processing speed from decreasing, a buffer memory having a smaller capacity is mounted instead of the page memory, and the image reading unit 1 and the image recording unit 2 are provided in the middle of the page. A facsimile machine that does not stop (operates continuously) is proposed separately.

During printing in the image recording section 2 of such a facsimile apparatus, the buffer memory 4 may become empty for some reason. That is, it is conceivable that the supply of image data to the image recording unit 2 will be interrupted in the middle of the page. Since the image recording unit 2 is continuously operating, the portion of the printing paper that has advanced while it is cut off is blank. However, there is a problem that it may not be possible to distinguish whether the original image data was image data for printing white or whether the supply of image data was interrupted and the image data became blank, simply by looking at the print paper. was there.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and when the supply of the image data to the image recording unit 2 is interrupted during printing on the printing paper, the printing paper is affected by the problem. Is intended to be displayed clearly.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a buffer memory having a capacity smaller than a capacity for storing image data for one page, an image reading unit and an image recording unit which operate continuously are provided. In a facsimile device, the white line data generator, a selector for receiving the output of the white line data generator and the output of the buffer memory and sending the output to the image recording unit, and the buffer memory when the empty signal is output. And a means for issuing a select signal for selecting the output of the white line data generator in synchronization with the read line end signal from.

When an empty signal is output and the output of the white line data generating section is sent to the image recording section, the white line is output until a buffer full signal indicating that the buffer memory is full of new image data is output. It is also possible to continue the output of the data generator.

Further, when recording the output of the white line data generator on a sheet, a message or mark indicating an error may be printed.

[0013]

[Operation] In a facsimile apparatus including a buffer memory having a capacity smaller than that for storing one page of image data, a continuously operating image reading unit and an image recording unit, a white line data generation unit is provided, and a buffer memory is provided. When the image data sent from the image recording section to the image recording section is interrupted, the output of the white line data generating section is supplied to the image recording section in synchronization with the line end signal read from the buffer memory. As a result, a blank portion is produced on the printing paper line by line. By displaying this blank portion, it is displayed that an error of interruption of image data has occurred.

It should be noted that the blank portion can be continuously widened to fill the buffer memory with new image data so that the blank portion can be made more conspicuous. Furthermore, it is possible to clarify the display by printing a message or mark indicating an error in the blank portion.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a characteristic part of the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, 3-1 is a selector, 3-2 is a white line data generator, 3-3 is a latch, 3-4 is an AND circuit. As the latch 3-3, for example, a D flip-flop is used. Such a configuration is configured as a part of the buffer memory control circuit 3 (see FIG. 2). The “Em signal” is a signal indicating that the buffer memory 4 is empty, that is, a signal indicating that there is no image data to be read from the buffer memory 4 (empty signal).

When the empty signal is output, "1" is input to the input terminal D of the latch 3-3 and one input terminal of the AND circuit 3-4. When the image data read from the buffer memory 4 reaches the end of one line, a line end signal is output. When it is input to the latch 3-3, the output terminal Q of the latch 3-3 changes to the input terminal D.
The value "1" that was input to is output. At this stage, A
Both inputs of the ND circuit 3-4 become "1", and the output "1" is sent to the selector 3-1 as a select signal.

Select signal "1" from the AND circuit 3-4
, The selector 3-1 selects the input shown in (b), that is, the output of the white line data generator 3-2. This output is sent to the image recording unit (IOT) 2, and a blank portion is created on the printing paper line by line. Since the select signal is transmitted in synchronization with the read line end, the blank portion does not start in the middle of the line but becomes in units of line. The select signal issued from the selector 3-1 when the buffer memory 4 is not empty is "0".
At that time, however, the input shown in (a), that is, the image data (IMD) from the buffer memory 4 is selected and sent to the image recording unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the printing status of the first embodiment described above. 9 is a printing paper, 9-1 is a printing section, 9-2
Is a blank part. When the printing paper 9 that has been printed out has a blank portion 9-2 in line units while printing is being performed in the image recording unit 2, the presence of the blank portion 9-2 indicates that printing is in progress. An error occurs indicating that the image data was not supplied in time.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the printing operation in the first embodiment. In step 1, it is checked whether an empty signal is output, in step 3 it is checked whether a line end signal is output, in step 4, the white line data from the white line data generating section 3-2 is selected, and the image recording section ( IOT) 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a characteristic part of the facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment, which is also constructed as a part of the buffer memory control circuit 3. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. In this embodiment, once the buffer memory 4
When the empty signal is output from the device, the output from the white line data generation unit 3-2 is output to the image recording unit (IOT) 2 until the buffer memory 4 is filled with new image data (until the buffer full signal is output). It is something to continue.

The latch 3-3 latches the empty signal and releases the latch when the buffer full signal indicating that the buffer memory 4 is full is output. While the empty signal is being latched, the selector 3-1 selects the output from the white line data generating section 3-2 and sends it to the image recording section (IOT) 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the printing status of the second embodiment. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. W
Is the width of the blank portion 9-2, which is the width of the white line output during the time until the buffer memory 4 is full.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the printing operation in the second embodiment. 4 is different from the flowchart in FIG. 4 in that it is checked in step 5 whether or not a buffer full signal is output, and the data from the white line data generator 3-2 is output until the check is output.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the characteristic portion of the facsimile apparatus of the third embodiment. Reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. 1, 3-5 is a line counter, and 3-6 is an error line value storage memory. This configuration is also configured as a part of the buffer memory control circuit 3. Line counter 3
-5 is a counter that is counted up by a line end signal issued for each line when the image data is supplied from the compression / expansion unit 5 to the buffer memory 4. The error line value storage memory 3-6 is a memory that stores the value of the line counter 3-5 when the empty signal is generated.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the printing operation in the third embodiment. Step 1 ... Checks whether an empty signal is output. Step 2 ... If the empty signal is not output, the output of the AND circuit 3-4 is "0".
At this time, the selector 3-1 inputs the image shown in (a), that is, the image data (IMD) from the buffer memory 4.
Is selected and sent to the image recording unit (IOT) 2. Step 3: If the empty signal is output, the value of the line counter 3-5 at that time is stored in the error line value storage memory 3-6.
Write in.

Step 4 ... It is checked whether a line end signal has been output for the line read from the buffer memory 4. Step 5 ... When the line end signal is output, A
The output "1" is output from the ND circuit 3-4, and the selector 3-1
Indicates the input shown in (b), that is, the error line value written in the error line value storage memory 3-6 is selected and sent to the image recording unit 2. Therefore, instead of the image data from the buffer memory 4, the error line value is written.

FIG. 9 shows the printing status of the third embodiment.
The error line value display section 9-3 appears next to the printing section 9-1 on which the image data from the buffer memory 4 is printed. 9-31 is an error line value display indicating which line is in error. By displaying the error line value display 9-31 on the printing paper 9, it is possible to know that an error that the supply of the image data is interrupted in the middle of the page has occurred. Step 6 ... Checks whether one page is completed, and if not, returns to Step 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printing situation of a modified example of the third embodiment. In this example, the error line value display 9
Reference numeral -31 indicates that the printing is performed collectively on the next page, and it is possible to know that an error has occurred on the previous page by outputting such printed sheets.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the characterizing portion of the facsimile apparatus of the fourth embodiment. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. 1, 3-7 is a timer, 3-8 is a mark generator, and 3-9 is an OR circuit. In this embodiment, when an error occurs that the image data supplied from the buffer memory 4 to the image recording unit 2 is interrupted in the middle, a mark notifying the fact is printed on the printing paper 9.

The mark generation section 3-8 is a section for generating the mark, and the timer 3-7 is for determining the generation period of the mark. The empty signal is used as a select signal of the selector 3-1 and selects the output of the white line data generator 3-2. At the same time, the empty signal is also input to the mark generator 3-8 and the timer 3-7. A predetermined mark is generated by the mark generation unit 3-8,
It is input to the OR circuit 3-9. At this time, the OR circuit 3-9
The other input that is input to is the white line data from the selector 3-1. In this case, the input from the mark generation unit 3-8 is the output of the OR circuit 3-9 and the image recording unit (IO
T) 2.

When the time defined by the timer 3-7 has elapsed, the timer 3-7 outputs a signal for stopping the operation of the mark generating section 3-8. At this point, the mark generation is stopped and the white line data output from the selector 3-1 is
It is output from the OR circuit 3-9.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the printing status of the fourth embodiment. 9-4 is a mark display portion, and 9-41 is a mark. The printing section 9-1 is a section printed while the image data is being supplied from the buffer memory 4,
When the image data is interrupted, the mark 9-41 is printed on the mark display portion 9-4. The length of the mark 9-41 is determined by the timer 3-7.

Next, from the buffer memory 4 to the image recording unit 2
If the supply of image data to the printer is interrupted in the middle of one page, the next original is changed to another page and printed on another printing paper to notify that an error of the interrupted image data has occurred. Here are some: 14
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a normally printed page of printing paper 9. Print contents 10 to 12 are shown in FIG. 1 when the image data corresponding to these are continuously supplied.
It is printed continuously as shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows an example of page change printing when the buffer memory becomes empty. 9A is the first page of paper, 9B is the second page of paper, and 9C is the third page of paper. In this example, as shown in FIG.
If the image data from the buffer memory 4 is interrupted while the print content 10 is being printed on the paper 9A of the first page, the next print content 11 is changed to another page and printed on the paper 9B of the second page. To do. Then, if the print content 11 is interrupted again during printing, the next print content 12 is printed on the third page 9C by changing the page again. In this way, by performing page change printing, it is displayed that an error of interruption of image data has occurred. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15B, even if an error message is displayed on the panel display section 7-1 of the operation panel 7, for example, "Expansion was not in time. It was divided into 3 pages". Good.

FIG. 16 shows another example in which page change printing is performed and an error message is printed when the buffer memory becomes empty. In FIG. 16A, the error message 13 is printed at the end of each page changed and printed as shown in FIG.

The reference numerals in FIG. 16B correspond to those in FIG. In this example, when the page change printing is performed due to the interruption of the image data, the printing is performed from the interruption line position. That is, when the print content 11 is printed on the second page of paper 9B, it is printed from the line position corresponding to the end line of the print content 10, and when the print content 12 is printed on the third page of paper 9C. The print content 12 is printed from the line position corresponding to the last line of the content 11. By using such a printing method, it is possible to clearly show that there is a break in the image data.

[0036]

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when an error occurs such that the supply of image data from the buffer memory to the continuously operating image recording unit is interrupted, a blank portion is printed line by line. The occurrence of the error is displayed by generating a message or by printing a message or mark on the blank portion, so that the occurrence of the error can be clearly known.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a characteristic part of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a facsimile device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a printing situation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a characteristic part of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a printing situation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a characteristic part of a facsimile apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a printing situation of a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printing situation of a modified example of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a characteristic part of a facsimile apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the printing status of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a normally printed one-page printing paper.

FIG. 15: Example of changing pages when the buffer memory becomes empty

FIG. 16: Another example of page change printing when the buffer memory becomes empty

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Image reading unit, 2 ... Image recording unit, 3 ... Buffer memory control circuit, 3-1 ... Selector, 3-2 ... White line data generating unit, 3-3 ... Latch, 3-4 ... AND circuit, 3- 5
... line counter, 3-6 ... error line value storage memory, 3-7 ... timer, 3-8 ... mark generation section, 3-9 ...
OR circuit, 4 ... Buffer memory, 5 ... Compression / decompression unit, 6 ...
Code memory, 7 ... Operation panel, 7-1 ... Panel display section, 8 ... CPU, 9 ... Printing paper, 9-1 ... Printing section, 9-
2 ... Blank area, 9-3 ... Error line value display, 9-31 ...
Error line value display, 9-4 ... Mark display section, 9-41
... mark, 9A ... first page of paper, 9B ... second page of paper, 9C ... third page of paper, 10-12 ... print content, 13 ... error message

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising a buffer memory having a capacity smaller than a capacity for storing image data for one page, an image reading section and an image recording section operating continuously, and a white line data generating section and the white line data generating section. A selector that receives the output of the line data generation unit and the output of the buffer memory and sends the output to the image recording unit, and the white line data generation that is synchronized with the read line end signal from the buffer memory when the empty signal is output. And a means for issuing a select signal for selecting the output of the facsimile unit. 2. When the empty signal is output and the output of the white line data generating section is sent to the image recording section, the white line is output until a buffer full signal indicating that the buffer memory is full of new image data is output. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of the data generator is continued. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a message or mark indicating an error is printed when recording the output of the white line data generating section on a sheet.