JPH07250190A - Copyinog machine with facsimile function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability of a composite machine equipped with both functions of a copying machine and facsimile equipment by specifying a tray dedicated to facsimile recording. CONSTITUTION:One of paper trays 52-55 of four stages is specified as the tray dedicated to facsimile recording. A copy paper tray selection program inhibits the dedicated tray from being selected in copying operation and feeds paper from paper trays except said dedicated tray. Further, this machine has a memory which enables facsimile reception even in the copying operation and facsimile data are stored; and received data are recorded successively to the end of the copying operation by using forms in the dedicated tray. When there is no form left in the dedicated tray at the time of facsimile data reception and recording, paper is fed from another tray containing forms of the same size and the data are recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine having a facsimile function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital copying machine which converts a read original image into a digital signal and then forms an image based on the digital signal is well known. Since such a digital copying machine can basically share the recording function with a facsimile machine, it is relatively easy to configure it as a so-called multi-function machine having both a copying machine function and a facsimile function. is there. Therefore, in recent years, such a digital multi-function peripheral has come to be marketed and used.

Since this multi-functional machine shares the image forming section (printing section), it has a high efficiency as an apparatus and is advantageous in terms of cost and space as compared with the case where a copying machine and a facsimile are separately installed. There are many advantages.

[0004]

However, it is also true that there are defects due to having the functions of both, and there are still many points to be improved in operability and the like. For example, in the present multifunction peripherals, it is not possible to distinguish between the sheets used for copying and the sheets used for facsimile recording, and to use them separately when executing their respective functions. Also, from the viewpoint of facsimile, it is desirable that the paper is always set so that recording can be performed regardless of the reception, but if the paper set in the device is consumed by the copy operation, Cannot be recorded when received by facsimile. Furthermore, in the case of a copying machine, the paper may be replenished when the paper is finished, but in the case of a facsimile, it is necessary to keep the paper from running out, and the paper is constantly fed to prevent it from running out. It is troublesome to replenish.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of operability in a compound machine having both the function of a copying machine and the function of a facsimile, ensures the independence of both functions, and improves the operability. The challenge is to provide.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a copying machine having a plurality of paper feed trays, which converts a document image into digital image information and then forms an image based on the digital image information, is provided. In a copying machine with a facsimile function having a facsimile function, at least one of the plurality of paper feeding trays can be designated as a facsimile recording tray, and facsimile reception data is recorded. The problem is solved by having control means for controlling to feed and record from the specified tray.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes to control the tray designated as the facsimile recording tray so as not to be used during a copying operation.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a mode for recording facsimile reception data without stopping the copying operation when receiving the facsimile during the copying operation. When there is no paper in the facsimile recording tray at the time of recording received data, it is proposed that the paper is fed from another tray that contains paper of the same size as the paper to be recorded.

[0009]

Operation: At least one paper feed tray is set as a dedicated tray for facsimile recording. Then, when recording the facsimile reception data, control is performed so that the paper is fed from the set tray and recorded.

Other effects will be apparent from the description of the embodiments below.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a fax machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine having a millimeter function.
It As shown in this figure, the copying machine of this embodiment is a recording device.
An automatic document feeder A is mounted on B. Automatic
The manuscript feeder A is for manuscripts placed on the manuscript table 101.
Set (not shown) one by one on the contact glass 1
Then, after the exposure scanning is completed, the original on the contact glass 1
The sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 102. On the other hand, recording device B displays images
Reader B₁, Image writing section B₂, Print section B ₃,
Paper feed section B_FourIt consists of

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system of this copying machine. As shown in this figure, the control system of the copying machine of this embodiment is roughly divided into 6 blocks, and an operation control section 110 for controlling key inputs for operating the copying machine and display of the status of the copying machine, an automatic document. In the image reading control unit 70 and the printing unit B ₃ which control the scanner of the image reading unit B ₁ to control the feeding and discharging of the document by the feeding device to read the document image on the contact glass 1 as digital data. A print controller 80 for controlling execution of the print process, a fax controller 90 for transmitting / receiving facsimile data, and a system controller 120 for controlling these controllers. Each control unit independently has a CPU and is connected by a serial communication circuit.

Here, the recording device B of the copying machine shown in FIG.
Each part of will be described.

First, regarding the image reading section B ₁ . The image reading section of this copying machine is constructed as shown in FIG. The image signal processing circuit of the image reading section is as shown in FIG. In these figures, a document (not shown) placed on the contact glass 1 is irradiated with light from the exposure lamps 2a and 2b. The reflected light from the original is reflected by the first to third mirrors 3, 4, and 5, and is incident on the CCD 7 through the condenser lens 6. The CCD converts the reflected light from the document into an electric signal corresponding to the light and shade thereof. In the copying machine of this embodiment, the CCD has 5000 pixels.
Has a resolution of 400 dpi. CCD7
The signal from is amplified by the amplifier circuit 31 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter circuit 32. In this embodiment, it is output as an 8-bit digital signal. Generally, in an image reading system, even if a document of uniform density is read, it is output from the A / D converter due to uneven light amount of an illumination lamp, reduction of peripheral light amount due to a condenser lens, and variation in sensitivity of CCD pixels. The digital value of the output is not constant. A shading correction circuit 33 performs shading correction to correct this variation. In addition, MTF correction, electrical scaling processing, and the like are performed as necessary, and output as image data. The image data is temporarily stored in the image memory of the print controller 80 (see FIG. 2), subjected to image processing as necessary, and output as an image image.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the image reading unit. In this control unit, a reading control CPU 71 having a built-in communication port 71 and RAM 78
Controls the scanner motor 75 and the like. The control for reading the original image on the contact glass 1 is as follows. That is, the reading control CPU 71 uses the built-in serial communication port 72 to execute the system control unit 11
When a read command from the CPU of 0 (see FIG. 2) is received, a signal is output to the lamp control circuit 73 to turn on the exposure lamp 2 and the scanner motor control circuit 74.
Is output to drive the scanner motor 75 to expose and scan the original on the contact glass 1. At this time, the scanner motor 75 is controlled at a constant speed, and after scanning a preset distance, the scanner motor 75 is returned to the original position to prepare for the next document scanning. Since the image data of the read original is stored in the image memory as described above, it is possible to make a plurality of copies by one scanning. In addition, 7
6 is an encoder for controlling the scanner motor, 77 is a ROM storing control programs and the like, and 79 is a timing control circuit (including the synchronization control circuit 34 in FIG. 4) for controlling the output timing of the image signal of the CCD 7.

Next, the image writing section B ₂ will be described. A semiconductor laser is used for image writing in the copying machine of this embodiment, and a laser beam is modulated according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the structure of the laser optical system of the image writing section B ₂ . In this figure, LD
The (semiconductor laser) unit 41 includes a laser modulation circuit that modulates laser light according to the image data stored in the image memory. The laser light modulated by the LD unit 41 is converted into parallel light by the cylinder lens 42 and applied to the polygon mirror 8. Polygon mirror 8
Has an accurate polygonal shape and is rotated at a constant speed by a polygon motor 10 in a fixed direction. The laser light reflected by the polygon mirror 8 is corrected by the fθ lens 43 on the photoconductor 11 so as to be evenly spaced in the main scanning direction, and the inclination of the reflecting surface of the polygon mirror 8 is also corrected at the same time so that the photoconductor 11 is corrected.
The surface of is exposed to create an electrostatic latent image. That is, the laser beam from the LD unit 41 is mainly scanned by the rotation of the polygon mirror 8 and is sub-scanned by the rotation of the photoconductor 11.
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 11 is visualized by a well-known electrophotographic process. The fθ lens 43
A sensor 44 for detecting synchronization is provided near
The laser light reflected by the polygon mirror 8 is detected outside the image area, and a signal is output for each line scanning of the laser light to provide a synchronization signal.

Next, the paper feed section B ₄ will be described. Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 3, the paper feeding section of the copying machine of this embodiment is composed of four paper feeding trays 52 to 55, a double-sided tray 51, and a paper feeding / conveying mechanism of each tray. 4-stage paper feed trays 52 to 5
5 and the structure of the sheet feeding / conveying mechanism of each tray are the same, one of them will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet feeding / conveying mechanism includes a pickup solenoid 61, a calling roller 62, and a sheet feeding roller 6.
3, separation roller 64, paper feed sensor 65, grip roller 6
6 etc. Now, assume that the first tray 52 is selected from the operation panel (described later) of the copying machine. When the copy operation is started and a paper feed request is issued by the print controller, the pickup solenoid 61 corresponding to the selected paper feed tray is energized. as a result,
The calling roller 6 is provided at the upper end of the sheet bundle stored in the tray 52.
2 is pressed and the conveyance of the paper is started by the frictional force. The paper is further gripped by the paper feed roller 63 and the separation roller 64, and is fed until the leading edge of the paper is detected by the paper feed sensor 65. The sheet is temporarily stopped there, and at that time, the energization of the pickup solenoid 61 is turned off and the calling roller 62 is separated from the sheet. The separating roller 64 reverses when a plurality of sheets are called by the calling roller 62 and conveyed, and prevents double feeding. After that, the paper is sent to the grip roller 66 by the paper feed roller 63 that has restarted rotation. As described above, when the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sheet feeding sensor 65, the sheet feeding is temporarily stopped, and the sheet feeding is restarted after a predetermined time from the time when the sheet feeding request is issued. This is to reduce fluctuations in the paper interval depending on the position of the paper in the paper feed tray. Continuing with the description with reference to FIG. 1, the paper held by the grip roller 66 driven by the carry motor 27 is fed by the paper feed and carry path 5.
6 is conveyed to the registration roller 57.

Next, the print section B ₃ will be described with reference to FIG. The printing unit is to execute a printing process in which the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor is visualized as a toner image and recorded on the paper fed from the paper feed tray.

In FIG. 1, the photoconductor 11 is rotated clockwise. A charging charger 12 is installed on the upstream side of the irradiation position of the laser beam from the image writing unit B ₁ on the photoconductor 11 to uniformly charge the photoconductor 11. The charged photoreceptor 11 is irradiated with laser light from the image writing section B ₁ to form an electrostatic latent image. After that, unnecessary charges are removed by the eraser 13 installed on the downstream side of the irradiation position of the laser light, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the toner in the developing device 14. A toner cartridge 15 is attached to the developing device 14 and toner is replenished.
The developed toner image is transferred onto the paper fed from the paper feed tray by the transfer unit 16. The toner remaining on the photoconductor 11 without being transferred is removed by the cleaning device 17, and the next copying operation becomes possible.

The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photoconductor 11 by the separating section 18 and sent to the fixing device 20 by the carrying unit 19. The sheet is heated and pressed by the fixing device 20, and the unfixed toner image is fixed on the sheet. After the fixing, the discharge destination of the sheet is changed according to a predetermined destination. Therefore, the first branch claw 21 is provided immediately downstream of the fixing device 20, and the second branch claw 22 is provided between the first branch claw 21 and the second paper discharge tray 29. By operating these branching claws, the paper transport path is switched to the first paper discharge tray 28, the second paper discharge tray 29, and the reversing path 23 for double-sided copying. That is, when the discharge destination is the first paper discharge tray 28, the first branch claw 21 is operated to switch the discharge direction to the first paper discharge tray 28 side. Output destination is the second output tray 29
In this case, the first branch claw 21 and the second branch claw 22 are operated to switch the discharge direction to the second sheet discharge tray. further,
When performing double-sided copying, the sheet discharged from the fixing device 20 is guided to the inversion path 23 without being discharged to the outside of the copying machine even after the transfer to one side is completed. A paper push-up member 30 is provided at the lower end of the reversing path 23, and pushes up the paper when the paper guided to the reversing path 23 is sent to the double-sided tray. The sheet reversed in the reversing path 23 is sent to the double-sided tray 51 through the conveying path 26. At this time, the switching claws 24 and 25 provided on the transport path 26 are switched according to the sheet size, and the sheets enter the double-sided tray 51 and are stacked along this. The printing process ends when the sheets are ejected outside the machine or stacked on the double-sided tray 51. Note that the conveyance rollers and the like provided on the paper conveyance path are driven by the conveyance motor 27. The paper pushing-up member 30 is driven by a reversing motor (not shown).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit that executes the above-mentioned printing process. As shown in this figure, the print control CPU 81 has a serial port 81.
a and the RAM 81b are built in. Print control CP
A ROM 82, an output port 83, an input port 84, an image writing control circuit 85, etc. are connected to the U81.
Various clutches, various solenoids, various motors, fans, etc. are connected to the output port 83, and ON / OFF control is performed as necessary. Signals from various sensors are input to the input port 84. By the way, an encoder 86 is connected to the main motor (conveyance motor) 27 of the printing unit and generates a pulse corresponding to the rotation speed of the motor. The main motor control circuit 87 drives the main motor 27 at a constant speed by a signal from the encoder 86. The encoder signal is also input to the frequency divider 88, frequency-divided at a predetermined frequency division ratio, and then sent to the print control CPU 81 to be counted. The pulse generated by the encoder 86 is the main motor 2
Since it is proportional to the movement distance (rotation amount) of 7, the sheet conveyance distance can be recognized by counting this pulse, and the above-described control becomes possible.

By the way, in the execution of the above-mentioned print process, image formation on one sheet is made as one unit (print job). The method of executing a print job will be described below.

The timing of each operation in the printing process is set in advance, and as described above, the print control CPU 81 counts the pulse signals output in proportion to the sheet conveying distance, and the count value is set to the set count. When the values match, each load (clutch, solenoid, etc.) is operated and necessary processing is performed. Here, the timing serving as a reference for each operation is the turning on of a sensor provided in the paper feed conveyance path. The typical processing items in the printing process are as follows.
That is, erase data change processing, exposure start processing, erase off control, development bias change processing, resist o
n control, exposure completion processing, erase on control, resist o
ff control, first discharge branch solenoid control, first tray discharge sequence completion check / completion processing, second discharge branch solenoid control, second tray discharge sequence completion check / completion processing, reversing motor control, first double-sided branch solenoid Control, second double-sided branch solenoid control, double-sided sequence completion processing, etc.

Here, each of the above processes will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to.

Erase data change processing. Eraser 13
Is an array of LEDs (light emitting diodes). When turning on or off the required parts of the LEDs arranged in a row, the data represented by a binary number of 1 or 0 is serially sent in advance for the number of LEDs and can be output when necessary. Has been done. Since the eraser 13 is for removing unnecessary charges on the photoconductor, it is necessary to change the erase data when the image area is changed. The processing for that is performed here.

Exposure start processing. The exposure is to write the image data stored in the image memory on the photoconductor in the operation of the image writing unit. At this time, which image memory is used is determined for each print job. Select with.

The erase-off control turns off the LEDs corresponding to the image area among the LEDs that are all lit at the start of image writing.

Development bias changing processing. A density changing key is provided on the operation panel of the copying machine of the present embodiment so that the image density can be changed even during copying. In this copying machine, the developing bias voltage is changed as a means for changing the image density. But,
In order to prevent the density from changing during the formation of one image, the latent image is controlled to change only before being visualized.

Resist on control. In order to align the image area with the paper, the paper is temporarily registered by the registration roller 57.
It is hit and stopped. After that, the registration rollers are driven to send the paper to the transfer position in time with the image.

Erase on control. In order to remove the charge on the photoconductor outside the image area, all the LEDs of the above-mentioned eraser are turned on at the rear end of the image area. Since the image area changes variously depending on the paper size, the magnification, etc., the lighting of the eraser is controlled so as to correspond to each image area.

Resist off control. When the trailing edge of the paper leaves the registration roller, the registration roller needs to be temporarily stopped for the next paper. Therefore, the driving of the registration rollers is turned off at a timing matched with the paper size.

First discharge branch solenoid control. It is necessary to switch the paper discharge path according to the designated mode (designation of discharge tray, double-sided copy, etc.). Therefore, the mode is checked for each print job, and ON / OFF of the solenoid (shown as the first sheet discharge SOL in FIG. 8) that operates the first branch claw 21 is controlled.

First tray discharge sequence completion check /
Completion process. When the paper discharge destination is the first paper discharge tray 28, the discharge sensor (not shown) for the first tray is checked here, and when the discharge is completed, the first paper discharge tray discharge completion signal is output. Then, the print job completion process is executed. That is, the job execution flag is reset. If the discharge destination is other than the first discharge tray 28, no processing is performed here and the next processing is awaited.

The second paper discharge branch solenoid control is control of a solenoid (shown as a second paper discharge SOL in FIG. 8) for operating the second paper branch claw 22, and this processing is executed at the paper discharge destination. Is the second output tray 29 or the double-sided tray 51
Is the case of stacking to. Output destination is the second output tray 2
In the case of 9, this solenoid is turned on, and in the case of stacking on the double-sided tray, it is turned off.

Second tray ejection sequence completion check /
Completion process. When the paper discharge destination is the second paper discharge tray 29, a discharge sensor (not shown) for the second tray is checked here, and when the discharge is completed, the second paper discharge tray discharge completion signal is output. Then, the print job completion process is executed. That is, the job execution flag is reset. If the discharge destination is other than the second discharge tray 29, no processing is performed here and the next processing is awaited.

Reverse motor control. When the paper discharge destination is the stack on the double-sided tray 51, it is necessary to reverse the paper for the next back side copy. Therefore, the reversing motor (not shown) is controlled to drive the paper pushing-up member 30 to guide the paper entering the reversing path 23 to the double-sided tray 51.

First double-sided branch solenoid control and second double-sided branch solenoid control. The first and second double-sided branch solenoids (shown as double-sided A3 and B4SOL in FIG. 8) are solenoids for actuating the switching claws 24, 25 for changing the place of feeding the paper to the double-sided tray 51. There are three paper carry-in entrances to the double-sided tray 51, and the paper size (length in the paper carrying direction) determines where to feed the paper.
Determined by Therefore, the paper size of the print job is checked, the solenoids that operate the switching claws corresponding to the paper size are turned on, and the other solenoids are turned off.

Double-sided sequence completion processing. Double-sided tray 51
When the paper stack inside is completed, a double-sided stack completion signal is output and the completion processing of the print job is executed.

The above processing is the outline of the operation of the printing process. The control circuit that executes the print process has a counter for checking the execution timing for each job and a pointer that indicates up to what process has been executed. In doing so, multiple jobs can be executed independently.

Next, the processing from job acceptance to job execution in the print controller will be described.

The print job is accepted by a command sent from the CPU of the system control unit (see FIG. 2), and waits for execution. Jobs are numbered in order to accept a plurality of jobs, but the maximum value of this number is fixed, and when the maximum value is exceeded, it returns to 1. That is,
In the job acceptance routine shown in FIG. 9, the job accepted in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 is numbered and registered, and in S2, the job number is incremented for the next accepted job. In S3, it is determined whether the job number registered in S1 has reached the maximum value. If it has not reached the maximum value, it returns. When the job number reaches the maximum value, the process proceeds to S4 and the job number is returned to the initial value.

The start timing of the sequence of the print job waiting to be executed is checked by the sequence registration routine, the job execution flag is set, and the execution of the above-mentioned print process is started. Further, at this time, a command for permitting job reception is output to the CPU of the system control unit so that the next print job can be received. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined in S1 whether the sequence start timing has come. If the start timing has not come, the process returns, and if the start timing is detected, the process proceeds to S2 to determine whether there is a job waiting to be executed. If there are no waiting jobs, the process returns. If there is a job waiting for execution, the sequence counter is cleared in S3. And in S4,
A job execution flag is set and a command for permitting job acceptance is output in S5.

The actual execution of the print job is performed based on the job execution routine. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the job execution flag is checked in S1.
Next, the process proceeds from S2 to S3 until all the processes are completed, and the sequence counter corresponding to the set job is counted up. Then, in S4, it is determined whether or not the processing timing has come by comparing the count value with the preset count value. If the predetermined processing timing has not come, the process returns to the step before S1. If the count value of the set job matches the set count value, the process proceeds to S5 to execute the process. Then, in S6, the pointer pointing to the next process is incremented so that the print process can be executed sequentially. Returning from S6 to before S1, the above process is performed for all the executed jobs, and if it is determined in S2, this routine is completed.

Next, the copy processing operation in the copying machine of this embodiment will be described.

In the copying machine of this embodiment, the normal copying process is performed by the control section other than the Fax control section 90 in the control system of the copying machine shown in FIG.
0, the operation control unit 110, the DF control unit 100, the image reading control unit 70, and the print control unit 80.
The copy process is performed according to the copy mode specified from the operation panel described later. The copy mode in this embodiment includes the following modes or combinations of settings. That is, ADF mode, SADF
Mode, pressure plate mode, single-sided mode, double-sided mode, copy magnification, paper tray and paper size, number of sets, paper discharge destination, and the like.

The ADF mode is a mode in which the originals set in the automatic document feeder are set one by one on the contact glass and a required number of copies are made for all the set originals.

In the SADF mode, the automatic document feeder has one
This is a mode in which a required number of copies are made for originals set one by one.

The pressure plate mode is a mode in which a document set on the contact glass is copied.

The single-sided mode is a mode in which a single-sided original or a double-sided original is copied on one side of a sheet and is discharged to the selected discharge tray.

The double-sided mode is a mode in which a single-sided original or a double-sided original is copied onto both sides of a sheet. The double-sided mode is a process of front side copying and back side copying. Then, back side copying is a process of stacking on the double sided tray 51, and back side copying is a process of forming an image on the back side of the sheets stacked on the double sided tray.

An input signal indicating the above-mentioned copy conditions from the operation panel is sent to the system control section, and when a print key (described later) on the operation panel is pressed, the copy process is started.

In the copying machine of this embodiment, according to the above-described mode, one process for forming a document image on a selected paper (paper stored in the selected paper feed tray) at a designated magnification is performed. A print job is used, and the copy process employs a method of sequentially executing a plurality of print jobs.

The relationship between the print job and the copy process will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Upon receiving a copy request from the operation control unit 110, the CPU (not shown) of the system control unit 120
First, the DF mode or the pressure plate mode is checked, and the processing according to the mode is performed. In the DF mode, since it is necessary to convey the documents set on the document table 101 of the automatic document feeder A one by one onto the contact glass 1 of the recording device B, the DF controller 100 is requested to feed the documents. Give a signal. At the same time, the pre-processing request command is output to the print control CPU 81 (shown in FIG. 8) of the print control unit 80. The pre-processing request command is for preparing the copy process so that the copy processing can be performed immediately after receiving the print request. When the document is set on the contact glass 1 under the control of the DF control unit 100, the reading control CPU 71 (of the image reading control unit 70 (in order to read the document image and convert the analog electric signal into digital data). The image reading request is output to (shown in FIG. 5). When the reading control CPU 71 receives a command, the exposure lamp 2 is turned on, the scanner driving motor 75 (see FIG. 5) is turned on, and the document scanning is started. The original scanning distance is determined by the original size, the paper size, and the scaling factor, so when all the data is fixed,
The CPU of the system control unit instructs the reading control CPU 71 about the document scanning distance. When the scanning of the required distance is completed, the scanner drive motor 75 rotates in the reverse direction, and the scanner is returned to the home position and stopped. Reading control CPU7
1 indicates C of the system control unit 120 when the document scanning is completed and the digital data of the document image is stored in the image memory.
A document scanning completion signal is sent to PU.

At this point, C of the system control unit 120
The PU creates a print job according to the conditions set from the operation panel and issues a print request to the print control CPU 81. The paper has already been fed, and the image writing is performed without a great delay after the completion of the document scanning. . The print job at this time is as follows.

Recording type: Copy Image memory: Memory number Paper tray: Use the selected paper tray Paper size: Size of paper stored in the above paper tray Paper discharge destination: discharge destination determined by the mode In the print job, the recording type is necessary for the print control CPU 81 to output which process is completed when the print process is completed. The memory number is added as the image memory to instruct which image memory is used as the image data. The paper tray and paper output destination differ depending on the copy mode.
The paper tray is the paper tray selected on the operation panel. In the double-sided copy mode, it is the selected tray for front side copying, but it is the double sided tray for back side copying. In the designation of the paper discharge destination, the discharge tray 28 or 29 is used in the single-sided copy mode.
It is a stack to 1 and the output tray 28 when copying the back side
Or 29.

Based on this print job, the print control CPU 81 executes the above-mentioned print process. Upon receiving one print job, the print control CPU 81 outputs a reception completion signal to the CPU of the system control unit. When a plurality of copies are to be performed on one original, the CPU of the system control unit waits for this acceptance completion signal, creates print jobs for the designated number of sheets, and executes the print processes one after another. It will be. The process in the pressure plate mode is the same as the above except that the process for that part is omitted because the document is not required to be conveyed by the automatic document feeder.

FIG. 1 shows the print timing during the copy operation.
2 shows. By the way, activation of the carry motor, turning on of the charging charger, turning on of the eraser, and turning on of the transfer / separation charger are performed by a preprocessing request command sent from the CPU of the system control unit. As shown in this timing chart, after the charging charger, eraser, transfer and separation charger are turned on, execution of each print job is started, and it is turned off at the predetermined timing to finish those operations for the last print job. Has been done.

Next, the facsimile receiving process in the copying machine of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 13 shows the fax in the copying machine of this embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows a control part. As shown in this figure,
The Fax control unit includes a Fax control CPU 91, an NCU 92,
A MODEM 93, a buffer memory 94, an image data expansion / compression unit 95, an image data input / output unit 96, a ROM 97 and the like. Fax control CPU 91 is communication port 9
It is a one-chip microcomputer including 1a and a control RAM 91b. The NCU 92 is a network control unit that controls connection with a telephone line. MOD
The EM 93 is a modem that modulates and demodulates communication data. The buffer memory 94 is for accumulating received data. The image data expansion / compression unit 95 stores the received data stored in the buffer memory 94 in the image memory of the print control unit (see FIG. 2) and transmits the original image stored in the image memory by facsimile.
They are for data decompression and data compression, respectively.

The fax control CPU 91 temporarily stores the data transmitted from the communication partner device in the buffer memory 94 via the MODEM 93 and NCU 92. When the data for one page has been received, the received data is expanded by the image data expansion / compression unit 95 and transferred to the image memory of the print control unit via the image data input / output unit 96. Image data stored in this image memory (decompressed data)
Will be visualized by the same process as the copy process.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 2, when the transfer of the image data to the image memory is completed, the fax control unit 90 issues a print request to the system control unit 120, and the system control unit 120 executes the print job. A print request is issued to the print controller 80 after it is created. The print mode at this time is as follows.

Copy mode: Single-sided copy Paper tray: Use paper tray set for facsimile recording Paper size: Paper size stored in the above paper tray Paper discharge destination: Facsimile paper discharge tray This print mode is normal Is one of the copy modes. Therefore, the print job created is as follows.

Recording type: Fax Image memory: Memory number Paper tray: Use paper tray set for facsimile recording Paper size: Paper size stored in the above paper tray Paper discharge destination: Facsimile paper discharge tray Book In the copying machine of the embodiment, it is possible to set one of the four paper trays 52 to 55 (see FIG. 1) as a dedicated tray for facsimile recording. The control is performed by setting the tray for feeding the paper to the tray set for exclusive use of the facsimile when the system control unit creates a print job for facsimile recording. That is, in the print job for the above-mentioned facsimile recording, the part "paper tray: use the paper tray set for facsimile recording" corresponds to that. By doing so, it becomes possible to record the facsimile reception data on a specific paper (for example, color paper), and it becomes possible to easily manage and classify the paper. Further, by this setting, the facsimile-dedicated tray cannot be selected when selecting the sheets at the time of copying, so that the facsimile-dedicated sheets are not accidentally used for copying.

The operation panel of the copying machine for setting the tray for facsimile recording will be described below.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the operation panel of the copying machine of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, a main display 111, a fax display 112, a message display 113, a fax / copier switching key 114, a start key 115, a numerical input key 116, etc. are provided on the operation panel, and the operation panel is operated. It is roughly divided into a display section and a key input section. The main display 111 is provided with touch keys on its surface and serves as a selection key as well as a function display. This main display 111 is
When the Fax / Copier switching key 114 is pressed, the display for Fax and the display for Copier are switched. The fax display 112 is an information display unit dedicated to facsimile. The message display 113 is the toner end,
It is a display that displays the state of the machine such as door open. The start key 115 is a key for instructing the start of copying or the reading of a document for facsimile transmission. Numerical value input keys 116 are keys for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies and a telephone number when transmitting a facsimile.

FIG. 15 shows the Fax / copier switching key 1 described above.
Main display 1 when switching to Copier in 14
11 shows a display screen of No. 11. As described above, the copying machine according to the present embodiment is provided with four-stage paper feed trays, and the main display 111 has icons indicating the size and storage amount of each paper feed tray and the paper stored therein. 117a, b, c, d are displayed. These icons 117a, b, c, d are input keys by touch keys, and when the user designates a tray for paper feeding, one of these four icons is pressed to select. When a paper feed tray is selected, an icon representing that tray is displayed in a color different from the icons of other trays so that it can be confirmed which tray is selected. The icon 118 is an input key for designating an automatic paper selection mode, which will be described later, and also a display indicating that the mode has been designated.

FIG. 16 shows a display screen of the main display 111 when the tray for exclusive use of facsimile recording is set. This screen is a part of a mode setting screen called a user tool. When one of the four paper feed trays is selected on this screen, the paper feed tray icon 117a on the normal copier operation screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.
The icon "Fax" appears on the icon of b, c, and d which is set only for facsimile, and the paper feed tray cannot be selected at the time of copying. Now, Figure 1
If the fourth tray is selected on the mode setting screen shown in FIG. 6, the icons 117a, b, c, d in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, it is displayed that one paper feed tray is set for exclusive use of the facsimile.

By the way, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the tray selection at the time of copying includes a mode in which the tray used by the user is designated and a mode in which the apparatus automatically selects. The latter is called an automatic paper selection mode, and is a mode in which the optimum paper is automatically selected according to the size of the set original document and the specified scaling ratio. When the user designates a tray to be used, as described above, when one of the icons 117a, b, c, d of FIG. 15 is pressed on the operation panel, that tray is selected and paper feeding is performed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the process of selecting and displaying the copy tray. In this routine, it is determined in S1 whether or not the tray selection key is pressed, and if not pressed, the process returns. If the tray selection key is pressed, the process proceeds to S2, and it is determined whether or not automatic paper selection is designated. If the automatic paper selection is designated, the automatic paper selection is displayed in S3 and the process returns. If not, the process proceeds to S4. In S4, it is determined whether or not the first tray is selected. If the first tray is selected, then in S5, it is determined whether or not the tray is set only for Fax. If the first tray is not set only for Fax, the display indicating that the first tray is selected is returned in S6, and the process returns, and the first tray is set to F.
If it is set to ax only, the process returns without displaying the first tray selection. If the first tray is not selected in S4, the process proceeds to S7. In S7 to 9, the same processing as the processing performed for the first tray in S4 to 6 is performed on the second tray. After that, the same processing as that performed for the first tray in S4 to 6 is performed for the third tray and the fourth tray. As described above, when each tray of the copying machine is selected, it is checked whether or not the tray is set only for Fax, and if it is set, the selection display as the copy tray is not performed. Controlled by.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the control of the paper feed tray selection in the automatic paper selection mode. In this routine, first, in S1, the optimum paper size is determined based on the document size and the scaling factor. And in S2,
It is determined whether the paper in the first tray matches the determined paper size, and if they match, the tray is set to F in S3.
It is determined whether or not it is set only for ax. If not set, the process proceeds to S4, selects the first tray, and returns. If the paper size of the first tray does not match the determined paper size, or if the first tray is set to Fax only, the next paper feed tray is checked. That is, in S5-7, S2-4 for the second tray.
Then, the same processing as that performed for the first tray is performed. After this, for the third tray and the fourth tray, S
In steps 4 to 6, the same processing as that performed for the first tray is performed. If the trays up to the fourth tray are checked and the same size as the determined paper size is stored and there is no tray not set for exclusive use of Fax, a display indicating that there is no suitable size is displayed in S14.

By such control, the tray set for exclusive use of the facsimile is not selected in the copying process, and it is possible to prevent the problem that the paper is mistakenly copied on the facsimile paper.

Next, the facsimile reception during the copying process will be described.

The copying machine of this embodiment is a device capable of performing the received facsimile recording without interrupting the copying process even if a facsimile is received during the copying process. Therefore, the copying process and the facsimile recording in the middle of the copying process can be performed, and the processes can be continuously performed. When a facsimile is received during copying, the received data is converted into image data (image data) and stored in the image memory as described above. The image memory used at this time is a memory that is not used for copy processing.

In the copying machine of this embodiment, when facsimile reception is completed, the facsimile image is immediately recorded and output even during copying.
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

The fax control CPU 91 sends a print request to a system control CPU (not shown) when the facsimile reception is completed and the image data is transferred to the image memory of the print control unit 80 via the system control unit 120. put out. The system control CPU is the Fax control CPU 91.
When the print request from the user is accepted, the above-mentioned print job is created. If the print control CPU 81 can accept the print request, it immediately outputs the print request command, and if the print control CPU 81 cannot accept the print request, it waits until the print request can be accepted and outputs the print request command. By starting the print process of the print job for the facsimile recording, the print control CPU 81 executes a print process (recording operation) having a mode different from that of the print process for the copying so far.

As described above, in the copying machine of this embodiment,
Facsimile recording is also possible during the copying process, but at that time, if the paper in the paper feed tray set for exclusive use of the above-mentioned facsimile has ended, the following two processes, That is, (1) a sheet is fed from another sheet feed tray to perform facsimile recording. (2)
Recording is performed after receiving the memory and supplying paper to the tray for exclusive use of the facsimile. You can choose either.

In the case of the above (1), in order to print the received data on the paper in the paper feed tray for copy processing, when the print job for facsimile recording is created, the designation of the paper tray should be changed. Good. Also,
When the memory reception of (2) is selected, the received data is stored in the buffer memory 94 of the fax control unit 90, so if the paper is supplied to the paper feed tray set for facsimile, the data is automatically printed. Is performed.

The paper feed tray selection processing for facsimile recording in the case of the above (1) will be described below with reference to FIG. In this routine, it is determined whether or not there is a tray set for facsimile only in S1. If the facsimile-dedicated tray is not set, the flow advances to S1-1 to perform automatic paper selection processing. The automatic paper selection process is
In S1-2, it is determined whether or not there is a tray that stores paper of a size suitable for printing the received data. If there is no tray that accommodates paper of a suitable size, the process proceeds to S1-5 to select memory reception and return to the main routine.
If there is a suitable tray in S1-2, the process proceeds to S1-3, and it is determined whether or not there is paper in the tray. If there is no paper in the tray, memory reception is selected in S1-5 and the process returns. If it is determined in S1-3 that there is paper in the tray, the tray is selected in S1-4 and the process returns.

On the other hand, if the facsimile-dedicated tray is set in S1, the process proceeds to S2, and it is determined whether or not there is no paper in that tray. If there is paper in that tray, S2-
Proceed to 1, select the tray, and return. If there is no paper in the tray in S2, the process proceeds to S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the process (1), that is, the process of feeding the paper from another tray to perform recording is specified as the process in the case of the end of the paper in the facsimile-dedicated tray. If the processing is not specified, S3-1
Go to, select memory reception and return. If the process is designated in S3, the process proceeds to S4, and it is determined whether or not the paper size of the first tray is a size suitable for recording. If the paper size is suitable, the process proceeds to S5, and it is determined whether or not there is paper in the tray. If there is paper in the tray, the first tray is selected in S6 and the process returns.
If it is determined in S5 that there is no paper in the tray, proceed to S7,
Select memory reception and return. When it is determined in S4 that the paper size of the first tray is not suitable, the process proceeds to S4-2, and the same processing as that performed for the first tray in S4 to 7 is performed for the second tray. Less than,
The same applies to the third tray and the fourth tray.

[0084]

As described above, in the copying machine having the facsimile function of the present invention, a specific paper feed tray can be designated as a tray dedicated to facsimile recording, and therefore, a specific paper, for example, a color paper. It becomes possible to facilitate the classification, management, etc. of documents by performing facsimile recording on the etc. Further, the tray to which the paper for facsimile recording is to be supplied becomes clear, and the usability is improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the copying function is used, it is possible to prohibit the selection of the paper feed tray designated only for the facsimile recording, so that the facsimile recording paper is consumed for copying. The received facsimile data can be printed without fail.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a facsimile is received during the copying operation, the facsimile recording is performed without stopping the copying operation, and even when the sheet designated for the facsimile recording is finished, Since the facsimile recording can be performed by using the papers stored in the tray, it is possible to improve the usage efficiency of the apparatus without interrupting both the facsimile recording and the copying operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an image reading unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an image signal processing circuit of the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of an image reading unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration of a laser optical system of an image writing unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a paper feeding unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit that executes a printing process in the copying machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a print job acceptance routine at the time of executing a print process in the copying machine.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a print job registration routine when the print process is executed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a print job execution routine when the print process is executed.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the print timing of the copy operation in the copying machine of this embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a Fax control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a copier display on the main display of the operation panel.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the display screen of the main display when setting the tray for facsimile recording.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a paper feed tray icon displayed on the main display of the operation panel.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process of selecting and displaying a copy tray in the copying machine of this embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing control of paper feed tray selection in the automatic paper selection mode.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a paper feed tray selection process for facsimile recording.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Contact Glass 7 CCD 11 Photosensitive Member 27 Main Motor 28, 29 Paper Ejection Tray 51 Double-sided Tray 52, 53, 54, 55 Paper Feed Tray 70 Image Reading Control Unit 71 Reading Control CPU 80 Print Control Unit 81 Print Control CPU 90 Fax Control Part 91 Fax control CPU 100 DF control part 110 Operation control part 111 Main display 117a, b, c, d Paper tray icon 118 Automatic paper selection icon 119 Operation panel 120 System control part A Automatic document feeder B Recording device B ₁ Document Reading unit B ₂ Image writing unit B ₃ Printing unit B ₄ Paper feeding unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine having a plurality of paper feed trays, which converts a document image into digital image information and then forms an image based on the digital image information, the facsimile machine having a facsimile function. In a copying machine, at least one of the plurality of paper feed trays can be designated as a facsimile recording tray, and when recording facsimile reception data, paper is fed from the designated tray and recorded. A copying machine with a facsimile function, characterized in that it has control means for controlling the above. 2. The copying machine with a facsimile function according to claim 1, wherein the tray designated as the facsimile recording tray is controlled so as not to be used during a copying operation. 3. A mode for recording facsimile reception data without stopping the copying operation when receiving the facsimile during the copying operation. 2. The copying machine with a facsimile function according to claim 1, wherein when there is no sheet, the sheet is fed from another tray that accommodates a sheet of the same size as the sheet for recording.