JPH11109704A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously execute a printing action even when one color material is used up and to prevent the printing and recording action of received data from being interrupted halfway by constituting an image recorder so that the printing action is executed by the different color material when it has been detected that the residual quantity of one color material is equal to or under the prescribed quantity at the inputting of an original image. SOLUTION: When the facsimile data is started to be received, it is detected by a 1st sensor 78 whether the residual quantity of the 1st color material(black) 70 is more than a prescribed value or not. When the residual quantity of the material 70 is equal to or under the prescribed value, it is detected by a 2nd sensor 80 whether the residual quantity of the 2nd color material(cyan) 72 is more than the prescribed value or not. When the residual quantity of the material 72 is more than the prescribed value, the facsimile data is printed and recorded by using the material 72. In such a way, the printing and recording action is executed by the material 72 when the residual quantity of the material 70 becomes equal to or under the prescribed quantity. Thus, it can be continuously executed by the 2nd to the 4th color materials 72, 76 and 76 and prevented from being interrupted half way even when the residual quantity of the material 70 becomes equal to or under the prescribed quantity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an image recording apparatus having a color printing function, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus preferably employed in a color facsimile or a multifunction machine having both a color copying function and a facsimile function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image recording apparatuses such as facsimile apparatuses are widely used in homes, offices, factories, etc. due to their convenience and low cost. Further, a copying machine capable of performing color printing (a so-called color copying machine) has been separately developed. In recent years, an image recording apparatus called a multifunction peripheral having both a color copy function and a facsimile function has become widespread.

In such a multifunction peripheral, reception of facsimile data is normally recorded in monochrome when used as a facsimile device, and copying is performed in color print when used as a copy machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of such a multifunction peripheral. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 10 denotes a multifunction machine, 12 denotes a fax original placing cover, 14 denotes a copy original pressing cover, 16 denotes a cover opening / closing mechanism, 18 denotes a fax original feeding unit, 19 denotes a fax original reading unit, and 20 denotes a copy original. A reading surface, 22 is an operation unit, 24 is a display unit, 26 is a cut sheet supply cassette, and 28 is a cut sheet discharge unit. The fax original placing cover 12 and the copy original pressing cover 14 are integrated. The facsimile document feeding unit 18 includes a document separating roller, a feeding roller, and the like (not shown) therein.
have. The facsimile document reading unit 19 has a light source, a mirror, a condenser lens, a light transmitting plate, an image sensor, and the like (not shown) therein. On the upper surface of the fax document placing cover 12, a fax document placing portion for setting a fax document to be sent and a document discharging portion for receiving a faxed document are formed.

[0005] When sending a manuscript by fax, first,
The facsimile original placing cover 12 is lowered (closed) from the state shown in the figure, and overlaps on the copy original reading surface 20, and the original is set on the original placing portion on the upper surface of the facsimile original placing cover 12. Then, input the fax number of the destination by operating the ten keys or one-touch dial of the operation unit 22,
Press the start button to fax the manuscript to the desired person. The faxed document is discharged to a document discharge section.

When facsimile data is received, cut sheets are supplied from the cut sheet supply cassette 26, and printing of the received data is performed by the recording section 58 (FIG. 5) provided above the cut sheet supply cassette 26. .

When copying an original, the original is placed on the copy original reading surface 20 and the copy original pressing cover 1 is placed.
4, the document is fixed on the copy document reading surface 20, and the operation unit 22 is appropriately operated to set the magnification, the number of copies, etc., and perform copying. Cut paper supply cassette 2
A cut sheet is supplied from 6 and copying is performed by the recording unit. The copied paper is discharged to the cut sheet discharge unit 28.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the MFP 10. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 38 denotes a CPU, 40 denotes a serial interface, and 42 denotes NC.
U and L are telephone lines, 44 is a modem, 46 is an image memory, 4
Reference numeral 8 denotes a RAM, 50 denotes a ROM, 54 denotes a codec, 24 denotes a display unit, 22 denotes an operation unit, 19 denotes a document reading unit, 58 denotes a recording unit, and 60 denotes a color printer. Reference numeral 52
Is a bus for connecting the CPU 38 to each of the above components.

The CPU 38 controls the operation of each unit of the multifunction device 10. The serial interface 40 is for receiving an input from outside such as a word processor or a personal computer PC. NCU 42 is a line control unit,
It controls the closing and opening of the telephone line L, and detects the sending and receiving of dial pulses corresponding to the facsimile number of the destination. The modem 44 modulates and demodulates transmission and reception data. An image memory 46 serving as an image storage unit temporarily stores received image data and image data read by the reading unit 19. The RAM 48 is composed of an SRAM or a flash memory, and temporarily stores a telephone number from the operation unit 22, data obtained in accordance with execution of a control program, and the like, and also stores data relating to a document size, a copy enlargement / reduction ratio, and the like. doing. The ROM 50 stores various control programs necessary for the operation of the MFP 10. The codec 54 encodes and decodes facsimile transmission / reception data. The display unit 24 is a liquid crystal display panel LCD, CRT
Display, LED, etc., "copy mode",
The operation state of the device such as “communication mode”, “standby”, and “device abnormality” is displayed. The operation unit 22 includes operation keys such as a copy / communication key, a start key, a character key, a speed dial key, a numeric keypad, a one-touch dial key, and a data input key. The copy / communication key is a key for selecting a copy mode or a facsimile communication mode. The start key is used to start a copy operation or a facsimile communication operation. The data input key is used to set the magnification for reading and recording in the copy mode. The fax document reading unit 19 reads an image on the fax document via the light transmitting plate, and outputs black and white binary image data to the CPU 38. The recording unit 58 records the received image data and the image data read by the reading unit 19 on a cut sheet. The document reading unit 19 is C
A scanner such as a CD is provided.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a color material of the color printer 60 and a document feeding roller. This color printer uses four ink jet inks (four color materials)
This is a color printer of the type using 70, 72, 74, 76. Among the four color materials, for example, the first color material 70 is black, the second color material 72 is cyan, the third color material 74 is magenta, and the fourth color material 76 is yellow. Sign 2
K, 2C, 2M, and 2Y are document feed rollers associated with the four ink jet inks, respectively.

In color printing, a desired color is formed by appropriately combining the above four color materials.

[0012]

In general, the above-mentioned multifunction machine 1
When printing is performed at 0, the black color material 70 is used the most. This is because only black is used for facsimile reception, and black is considerably used for color printing. The reason is that the MFP 10 is more often used as a facsimile machine than used as a color printer.

As described above, since the black color material 70 is used most frequently, the black color material 70 is naturally replaced with the other color materials 72, 74, 7.
It's gone faster than 6. Then, facsimile reception cannot be performed. In addition, color printing cannot be performed.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present invention relates to an image recording apparatus having a function of performing printing using a plurality of color materials. An image recording apparatus for performing printing with another color material when it is detected that the remaining amount of the one color material is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. (Claim 1).

When the remaining amount of one specific color material is larger than a predetermined amount, printing of the received data is performed by using the color material.
Then, when it is detected that the remaining amount of the color material is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, print recording is performed using another color material. Therefore, even if the remaining amount of one specific color decreases (or becomes zero), the printing of the received data can be continuously performed by using another color material. The predetermined amount is, for example, an amount capable of recording a predetermined number of recording sheets by the color material or zero.

The plurality of color materials are, for example, four color materials. When detecting that the remaining amount of the first color material among the four colors is equal to or less than a predetermined amount at the time of inputting the original image, recording is performed using the second color material, and the first and second colors are recorded. When it is detected that the remaining amount of the color material is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, recording is performed with a third color material, and it is detected that the remaining amount of the first, second, and third color materials is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. In such a case, recording may be performed using the fourth color material (claim 2).

An ordinary color copy uses four color materials. In an image recording apparatus having a function of performing color copying using four color materials, first, at the time of reception recording, print recording of reception data is performed using the first color material. When it is detected that the remaining amount of the first color material is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the printing is performed using the second color material. Further, when it is detected that the remaining amounts of the first and second color materials are equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the printing is performed using the third color material. When it is detected that the remaining amounts of the first, second, and third color materials are equal to or less than a predetermined amount,
Record with the fourth colorant. Therefore, even if the remaining amount of the first color material is small, the printing of the received data can be performed by the second to fourth color materials without interruption.

The first color material is, for example, black, the second color material is cyan or magenta, the third color material is magenta or cyan, and the fourth color material is black.
Is a yellow color (Claim 3). The reason why the first color material is black is that recording of received data is usually performed in black. The reason why the fourth color material is yellow is that it is considered that printing in yellow is more difficult to see than printing in cyan or magenta. The second and third color materials may be either cyan or magenta. Therefore, when the remaining amount of the black color material is small, printing and recording can be continued in cyan or magenta. Further, even when the remaining amounts of the cyan and magenta color materials become small, the printing and recording can be continued in yellow.

[0019]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention.
It will be described based on.

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit block diagram of an image recording apparatus 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image recording apparatus 11 differs from the conventional image recording apparatus 10 (FIG. 5) in that the color printer 60 is provided with four sensors (first to fourth sensors) 78, 80, 82, and 84. is there. Components common to the image recording device 11 of FIG. 1 and the image recording device 10 of FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The first sensor 78 is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of black ink as the first color material 70. The second sensor 80 is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the cyan ink as the second color material 72. The third sensor 82 is the third sensor
Is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the magenta ink which is the color material 74. The fourth sensor 84 is a fourth color material 76
Is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of yellow ink.

FIG. 2 shows the first to fourth sensors 78 and 80,
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the relationship between 82,84 and 1st-4th color material 70,72,74,76. First to fourth sensors 78, 8
0, 82, and 84 are first to fourth color materials 70, 72, respectively.
It is connected so as to detect the remaining amounts of 74 and 76 and to input the values to the CPU 38.

Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S1, it is determined whether an incoming call has been received from an external facsimile machine. If there is an incoming call from an external facsimile machine, reception of facsimile data is started (step S2). At this time, the first sensor 78 detects whether the remaining amount of the first color material (black) 70 is larger than a predetermined value (step S3). First color material 7
If the remaining amount of 0 is larger than the predetermined value, facsimile data is printed and recorded by the first color material 70 (step S4).
If the remaining amount of the first color material 70 is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the second sensor 80 detects whether the remaining amount of the second color material (cyan) 72 is larger than a predetermined value (step S5). If the remaining amount of the second color material 72 is larger than the predetermined value, the facsimile data is printed and recorded by the second color material 72 (step S).
6). If the remaining amount of the second color material 72 is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the third
The sensor 82 detects whether the remaining amount of the third color material (magenta) 74 is larger than a predetermined value (step S7).
If the remaining amount of the third color material 74 is larger than a predetermined value, the third color material 7
4 to print and record facsimile data (step S8). If the remaining amount of the third color material 74 is equal to or less than a predetermined value,
The fourth sensor detects whether the remaining amount of the fourth color material (yellow color) 76 is larger than a predetermined value (step S9).
If the remaining amount of the fourth color material 76 is larger than a predetermined value, the fourth color material 7
6 to print and record facsimile data (step S10). If the remaining amount of the fourth color material 76 is equal to or less than the predetermined value, it is impossible to print and record the received facsimile data, and the flow ends (END).

While printing the facsimile data with the first color material 70, the first color material 70 is detected by the first sensor.
Is always detected (steps S11 → S3 → S4
→ S11). Before the reception of the facsimile data is completed, if the remaining amount of the first color material 70 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the process shifts to printing using the second color material 72. Therefore, even before the reception of the facsimile data is completed, even if the remaining amount of the first color material 70 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the second to fourth color materials 72, 74, and 7 may be used.
6, and printing is continued. Therefore, unless the remaining amount of the fourth color material 76 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the printing of the received data does not stop halfway.

In the present embodiment, the predetermined amount is an arbitrary amount. For example, the predetermined amount may be an amount that allows printing of several cut sheets with the color material, or may be a case where the remaining amount of the color material is zero.

In the above embodiment, the first color material 70
Is black, the second color material 72 is cyan, the third color material 74 is magenta, and the fourth color material 76 is yellow. Whether to use the color material of No. 4 is optional. For example, the second color material 72 may be magenta, the third color material 74 may be cyan, the first color material 70 may be cyan, and the second color material may be black.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image recording apparatus for performing printing with four color materials has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to an image recording apparatus for performing printing with three or less or five or more color materials. It is possible.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an image recording apparatus having an ink jet printing function has been described.
The present invention is also applicable to an image recording apparatus having a printing function using an electrophotographic toner and a thermal transfer ink film.

[0030]

According to the apparatus of the present invention, in an image recording apparatus having a function of performing printing using a plurality of color materials,
At the time of reception recording, printing is performed using one of the plurality of color materials, and when it is detected that the remaining amount of the one color material is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, printing is performed using another color material. Even if the one color material is used up, printing can be continued using another color material. Therefore, the printing of the received data is not interrupted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit block diagram of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows first to fourth sensors and a first sensor of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1;
-It is a key map showing the relation with the 4th color material.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional image recording apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between ink and a roller in a color copy unit of the image recording apparatus in FIG. 4;

[Description of Signs] 11 Image recording device 70 First color material 72 Second color material 74 Third color material 76 Fourth color material 78 First sensor 80 Second sensor 82 Third sensor 84 Fourth sensor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus having a function of performing printing using a plurality of color materials, wherein when one of the plurality of color materials is used for printing when a document image is input, the one color material is used. When it is detected that the remaining amount of
An image recording apparatus for performing printing with another color material. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of color materials are four color materials, and at the time of reception recording, when it is detected that the remaining amount of the first color material among the four color materials is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of the first and second color materials is detected to be equal to or less than a predetermined amount, recording is performed with the third color material and the first and second color materials are recorded. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is detected that the remaining amount of the third color material is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, recording is performed with the fourth color material. 3. The first color material is black, and the second color material is black.
3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color material is cyan or magenta, the third color material is magenta or cyan, and the fourth color material is yellow.