JP3622317B2 - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus that can be received in a short time after power-on by performing initialization processing of a receiving unit prior to other initialization processing. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, after turning on the power, the facsimile machine checks all the inspection parts to confirm that they are normal, and performs the transmission / reception and copying operations only after all the parts are in an operable state. I couldn't.
[0003]
By the way, in recent years, a large number of printing apparatuses using an electrophotographic process have been adopted for facsimile apparatuses because of the necessity of improving print quality and recording plain paper. Since the mechanism of this facsimile apparatus is complicated, the number of inspection parts for assuring normal operation is very large. In order to make each part of the facsimile apparatus operable, for example, when the fixing device is heated to a desired temperature, it takes a long time of about one minute.
[0004]
Therefore, once this type of facsimile apparatus is turned off for maintenance or the like, it takes about 1 minute after the power is turned on again until transmission / reception and copy operation become possible again. there were. In addition, when a failure occurs and the error state continues for a long time until the failure is recovered, the temperature drops, and the same time may be required. Therefore, even if there is a data incoming request from another facsimile apparatus during this period, that is, before the operation becomes possible, it cannot be accepted at all.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is not known when data transmission (incoming request) from another facsimile apparatus will arrive. When there is an incoming call request from another facsimile machine until the operation becomes possible after the power is turned on, the reception operation is not performed and only the ringing tone is performed. In this case, since the call is being made but the facsimile apparatus does not receive the call, the call is terminated due to a timeout on the transmission side. In such a case, since the transmission side facsimile apparatus determines that a line abnormality has occurred, the communication is terminated without entering the redial state. Therefore, there is a problem that even if the user leaves the place by setting a document and returns later, the document is not transmitted.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus that can be received in a short time when the power is turned on or when an abnormality is restored.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 initializes the first part including a part necessary for receiving data transmitted from the calling side when the power is turned on or when an error is restored. , Initialization means to be performed prior to initialization of the other second part, and when initialization of the first part is completed by the initialization means, initialization of the second part has not been completed. Control means for enabling reception of data transmitted from the calling side even if the call is terminatedTransfer means capable of transferring the received data to another facsimile machine, and the control means can easily return to the second part after the initialization of the first part by the user. If there is an error that cannot be received, if the data is being received, the reception operation is continued. After the reception is completed, the data is not received, and the transfer means transmits the data received so far to another facsimile device after the reception is completed. To be transferred.
[0008]
According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, the initialization at the time of power-on or abnormal recovery includes the first part including the part necessary for receiving the data transmitted from the calling side by the initialization means. Initialization is performed prior to initialization of the other second part. When the initialization of the first portion is completed, the control means enables reception of data transmitted from the calling side even if the initialization of the second portion is not completed.After the initialization of the first part, if there is an error that cannot be easily restored by the user in the second part, the reception operation is continued if data is already being received. Is not received. Then, after the reception is completed, the data received so far can be transferred to another facsimile apparatus by the transfer means.
[0009]
[0010]
Claim2The described facsimile apparatus is claimed.1In the facsimile apparatus described above, after the initialization of the first part, the control means receives data if the user can easily recover even if there is an error in the second part. It is possible. This claim2According to the described facsimile machine, the claim1In addition to the same operation as the above-described facsimile apparatus, after the initialization of the first part, even if there is an error in the second part, if the error can be easily recovered by the user, data can be received. It is said.
[0011]
Claim3The described facsimile apparatus includes a receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the calling side apparatus, a storage means for storing the data received by the receiving means, and printing the data stored in the storage means on a recording sheet. Printing means, receiving section initialization means for initializing the receiving means and storage means, and printing section initialization means for initializing the printing meansTransfer means capable of transferring the received data to another facsimile machine;An initialization unit that executes the reception unit initialization unit prior to the execution of the printing unit initialization unit when the power is turned on or returns from an abnormality, and the initialization unit initializes the reception unit initialization unit. Control means for enabling reception of data transmitted from the calling side device by operating the receiving means and the storage means even when the initialization of the printing unit initialization means is not completed when the processing is completed When, Receiving The data received by the receiving unit and stored in the storage unit after the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit and before the completion of the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit is stored after the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit. A printing control means for printing on recording paper, and the printing section initialization means includes a printing section inspection means for inspecting the printing means, and a user cannot easily return to the printing means by the printing section inspection means. When an abnormality is detected, the control means continues the reception operation if data is being received, and does not receive data after the reception is completed, and the transfer means receives the data received so far after the reception is completed. Are transferred to another facsimile machine. According to the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect, the data transmitted from the calling side apparatus is received by the receiving means, stored in the storage means, and printed on the recording paper by the printing means. Initialization at power-on or reset is performed by the initialization unit prior to the printing unit initialization unit by the reception unit initialization unit. When the initialization of the reception unit initialization unit is completed, the control unit operates the reception unit and the storage unit to transmit from the calling side device even if the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit has not been completed. The received data can be received. The data received by the receiving unit and stored in the storage unit after the initialization of the receiving unit initialization unit and before the completion of the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit is initialized by the printing control unit by the printing unit initialization unit. Printed on recording paper after completion. If the printing unit inspection unit detects an abnormality that cannot be easily restored by the user during the initialization of the printing unit, the control unit continues the receiving operation if data is already being received. Data is not received after the end of reception. The data received so far can be transferred to another facsimile apparatus by the transfer means.
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
Claim4The described facsimile apparatus is claimed.3In the facsimile apparatus described above,Control meansIf an abnormality is detected in the printing means, if the data is being received, the receiving operation is continued.The transfer means includesAfter the reception is completed, the data received so far is automatically transferred to another facsimile machine.
[0017]
Claim5The described facsimile apparatus is claimed.3In the facsimile apparatus described above, if an abnormality is detected in the printing unit by the printing unit inspection unit, the receiving operation is continued if data is being received, and if the received data exists, where is the received data? Transmission destination notifying means for notifying whether the information is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus. This claim5According to the described facsimile machine, the claim3In addition, the transmission destination of the received data is notified by the transmission destination notification means.
[0018]
Claim6The described facsimile machineReceiving means for receiving data transmitted from the calling side device; storage means for storing the data received by the receiving means; printing means for printing the data stored in the storage means on recording paper; A receiving unit initializing unit that initializes the receiving unit and a storage unit; a printing unit initializing unit that initializes the printing unit; and the receiving unit initializing unit that executes when the power is turned on or when an error is restored. An initialization unit that is executed prior to the execution of the printing unit initialization unit, and when the initialization unit initializes the receiving unit initialization unit, the printing unit initialization unit has not been initialized. Even after the completion of the printing, after the initialization of the reception unit initialization unit and the control unit that enables the reception unit and the storage unit to operate to receive the data transmitted from the calling side device Initialization of part initialization means The data stored in the storage means is received by the receiving means before, and a print control means for printing on the recording paper after completion of initialization of the printing unit initialization means,The printing unit initialization unit includes a printing unit inspection unit that inspects the printing unit.,ThatThe printing unit inspected by the printing unitIt cannot be easily restored by the userIf an abnormality is detected,The control means includesIf data is being received, continue receiving operation.After the end of the reception, do not receive the dataAnd a writing means capable of writing the data received so far after the end of reception from the storage means to the non-volatile second storage means. This claim6According to the described facsimile machine,The data transmitted from the calling side device is received by the receiving means, stored in the storage means, and printed on the recording paper by the printing means. Initialization at power-on or reset is performed by the initialization unit prior to the printing unit initialization unit by the reception unit initialization unit. When the initialization of the reception unit initialization unit is completed, the control unit operates the reception unit and the storage unit to transmit from the calling side device even if the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit has not been completed. The received data can be received. The data received by the receiving unit and stored in the storage unit after the initialization of the receiving unit initialization unit and before the completion of the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit is initialized by the printing control unit by the printing unit initialization unit. Printed on recording paper after completion. here,The printing unit inspects the printing unit during initialization of the printing unit.It cannot be easily restored by the userIf an abnormality is detected,If the data is already being received by the control means, the receiving operation is continued, but no data is received after the reception is completed. AndThe data received so far is written into the nonvolatile second storage means by the writing means.
[0019]
Claim7The described facsimile apparatus is claimed.3From6Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the above, when an abnormality is detected in the printing unit by the printing unit inspection unit, if the data is being received, the reception operation is continued, and when the received data exists, Informing means for informing that effect is provided. This claim7According to the described facsimile machine, the claim3From6In addition, the notifying means notifies that the received data is left unprinted due to an abnormality of the printing means.
[0020]
Claim8The described facsimile apparatus is claimed.3From7In the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the above, the storage means is configured to store and retain data even when the power is turned off.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the facsimile machine 1. A handset 3 is attached to the side of the main body 2 of the facsimile apparatus 1. The handset 3 is placed on a hook (not shown) provided in the main body 2 when not talking, and is picked up from the hook when talking. The former is called an on-hook state, and the latter is called an off-hook state. An operation panel 4 having a plurality of buttons is provided at the front part of the upper surface of the main body 2, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5 is provided at the left rear part of the operation panel 4. The facsimile apparatus 1 is operated by pressing a button provided on the operation panel 4, and the operated state and operation procedure are displayed on the LCD 5. A document insertion slot 6 is provided at the rear of the operation panel 4 and the LCD 5. A document to be transmitted by facsimile is inserted into the document insertion port 6 with the document surface facing downward, and after being read, is discharged from a document discharge port 7 provided on the front surface of the main body 10 and below the operation panel 4. Is done.
[0022]
A recording paper holder mounting portion 9 is provided at the rear of the document insertion slot 6, and a recording paper holder 14, which will be described later, capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording papers 17 is detachably attached to the recording paper holder mounting portion 9. (See FIG. 2). The opening of the recording paper holder 14 is covered with a lid 10 rotatably attached to the main body 2, and the recording paper 17 supplied from the recording paper holder 14 and used for printing is stored in the document discharge port 7. The paper is discharged from a recording paper discharge port 8 provided below. An FD insertion port 11 for inserting a floppy disk (FD) serving as second storage means is provided at the lower right of the recording paper discharge port 8. The FD inserted into the FD insertion port 11 is a writing unit. Writing and reading are performed by a floppy disk drive (FDD) 12.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of the facsimile machine 1. The recording paper holder 14 has a shallow box shape, and a pressure plate 15 is rotatably attached to the recording paper holder 14 and is urged by a spring 16 to urge the recording paper 17 in close contact with the paper feed roller 18. Between the lid 10 and the pressure plate 15, there is provided a connecting device (not shown) for connecting the recording paper holder 14 to the recording paper holder mounting portion 9 in a state where the recording paper holder 14 is mounted. When the lid 10 is opened by this connecting device, the pressure plate 15 is pushed down against the urging force of the spring 16, and a space for inserting the recording paper 17 is formed between the pressure plate 15 and the paper feed roller 18. On the other hand, when the lid 10 is closed, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressure plate 15 is urged by the spring 16 and the recording paper 17 is brought into close contact with the paper feed roller 18.
[0024]
A recording paper sensor 20 that detects the presence or absence of the recording paper 17 is provided at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the paper feeding roller 18 in the recording paper feeding direction. The recording paper sensor 20 is a contact type sensor. When the cover 10 is closed and the recording paper 17 is brought into close contact with the paper feed roller 18, the detector of the recording paper sensor 20 is pushed, whereby the recording paper 17 is present. Is detected. The recording paper 17 in the recording paper holder 14 is sent out in order from the recording paper 17 stacked on the top by an automatic paper feeding device including a paper feeding roller 18 and a separation pad 22. The recording paper 17 sent out by the automatic paper feeder is sent to the recording device 29 by a pair of transport rollers 26.
[0025]
The recording device 29 is a device that visualizes the image data received by the facsimile apparatus 1 on the recording paper 17. The recording device 29 includes a photosensitive drum 30, a transfer roller 52, a developing sleeve 76, a cleaning device 51, a charger 78, a toner cartridge 68, and the like. The photosensitive drum 30 is supported rotatably in the clockwise direction in FIG. A charger 78 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 30, and a developing sleeve 76 is provided on one side of the photosensitive drum 30 and on the downstream side of the charger 78. A toner cartridge 68 containing toner as a developer is detachably attached to one side of the developing sleeve 76 opposite to the photosensitive drum 30. A transfer roller 52 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 30 in contact with the photosensitive drum 30, and a cleaning device 51 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer roller 52 in the photosensitive drum 30.
[0026]
A laser beam scanning device 34 is provided below the recording device 29. The laser beam scanning device 34 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 uniformly charged by the charger 78 in accordance with the image data of the print image, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30. belongs to. The laser beam scanning device 34 includes a laser light emitting unit 36 that also includes a scanner motor and a polygon mirror, a lens 37, a reflection mirror 37, and the like.
[0027]
The laser light emitted from the laser light emitting unit 36 is incident on the lens 37 and is applied to the photosensitive drum 30 through the reflection mirror 37. Since the photosensitive drum 30 is uniformly charged by the charger 78, the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is irradiated with laser light, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.
[0028]
The developing sleeve 76 supplies the toner contained in the toner cartridge 68 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 30, and attaches the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30, thereby converting the electrostatic latent image. It is for visualization. The toner image visualized on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is transferred to the recording paper 17 conveyed between the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer roller 52 by the transfer roller 52. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 30 is scraped off and collected by the cleaning device 51.
[0029]
The recording paper 17 to which the toner image is transferred is sent to a fixing device 54 provided on the downstream side of the recording device 29. The recording paper 17 sent to the fixing device 54 is passed between the heating roller 56 and the pressure roller 58 of the fixing device 54. The toner image transferred onto the recording paper 17 is heated and melted here and fixed on the recording paper 17. The fixed recording paper 17 is discharged from the recording paper discharge port 8 to the outside of the facsimile apparatus 1 by a pair of paper discharge rollers 60.
[0030]
Below the laser beam scanning device 34, there is provided a control device 40 for performing each control of the facsimile apparatus 1. The control device 40 reads / writes data from / to a floppy disk (FD) as second storage means. A floppy disk drive (FDD) 12 for executing the above is connected via a drive circuit 235 (see FIG. 3).
[0031]
An image reading device 42 that reads an image written on the document 90 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 2. Documents 90 placed on a document table 94 provided at an intermediate portion on the upper surface of the main body 2 are sent out one by one by a document feeder 96 (see FIG. 3) based on an instruction to start reading. The sent document 90 is sent to the image reading device 42 by a feed roller or the like. The document table sensor 98 detects that the document 90 is set on the document table 94. A document sensor 99 is attached to the document feeder 96. The document sensor 99 detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document 90 sent to the document feeder 96. It is detected that the original 90 has been sent to the reading position after a predetermined time has elapsed since the leading edge of the original 90 was detected by the original sensor 99, and the end of the original 90 was detected by the original sensor 99. It is detected that the reading of the page original 90 has been completed and the original 90 has been sent to a predetermined position.
[0032]
The image reading device 42 irradiates the original on the original support plate 102 with the light source 100, reflects the reflected light from the original with the mirrors 103 and 104, collects the light with the lens 106, and enters the line message 108. The image of the document 90 is read line by line. The line message 108 includes a plurality of charge coupled devices CCD (Charge Coupled Devices). The CCD is a photoelectric conversion element that outputs a voltage corresponding to the intensity of received reflected light. The output voltage of the CCD increases as the intensity of the received light increases (close to white). When the intensity of the reflected light is larger than the threshold value, the area read by the CCD is white (dod data value is 0). When the reflected light intensity is smaller than the threshold value, black (dot data value is 1). ).
[0033]
The document 90 after reading is sent by the discharge roller 110 and discharged from the document discharge port 7 to the outside of the facsimile apparatus 1.
[0034]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 40 includes a CPU 200, a RAM 202 as storage means, a ROM 204, an EEPROM 206, an input / output port (I / O port) 210, a bus line 211, a transmission / reception control circuit 212, and a modem 214. It has.
[0035]
The I / O port 210 is connected to the recording paper sensor 20, the toner remaining amount detection device 80, the document table sensor 98, the document sensor 99, the operation panel 4, the speaker 226, and the like, and a network control unit (NCU) 222. External lines 224 are connected to each other. The NCU 222 is connected to the receiver 3. The I / O port 210 is also connected with a binarization circuit 228 and a printing device 227 as printing means, and also via a drive circuit 230, 231, 233, 235, a document feeding device 96, a ringing tone generating device. H.232, LCD 5 and FDD 12 are connected.
[0036]
In addition to the initialization program illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 8, the ROM 204 stores an encoded image processing program, a decoded image processing program, and the like. These programs are executed by the CPU 200.
[0037]
The RAM 202 includes a FAX side reception data buffer, a FAX side transmission data buffer, a read image data buffer, a recording buffer, a dial buffer, a one-page data buffer, a decoding buffer, an encoding buffer, and an image data reception transmission parameter buffer. In addition, a reception flag 203 is provided. Image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 1 to the partner apparatus 114 is stored in the FAX-side transmission data buffer, and facsimile data received by the facsimile apparatus 1 from the partner apparatus 114 is stored in the FAX-side reception data buffer. Note that a backup power supply (not shown) is supplied to at least a part of the RAM 202 so that data can be stored and retained even when the power is shut off. Therefore, the data stored in the FAX reception data buffer is stored and held without being erased even after the power is shut off.
[0038]
The reception flag 203 is a flag that is set when facsimile data is received after initialization of the receiving unit and before initialization of the output device such as the printing device 227, and is included in a part of the backup area of the RAM 202. Stored. When the reception flag 203 is set, the reception data stored in the FAX reception data buffer is output after the output device is initialized.
[0039]
The EEPROM 206 includes a transfer destination telephone number memory 207 and an output destination counter 208 in addition to an area for storing threshold data used in the binarization circuit 228. The transfer destination telephone number memory 207 stores the transfer destination telephone number input from the operation panel 4 by the user.
[0040]
By the way, the facsimile apparatus 1 can output received data by three methods. The first is an output for printing the received data on the recording paper 17, the second is an output for writing the received data to the FD by the FDD 12, and the third is an output for transferring the received data to another facsimile machine. . The transfer destination telephone number memory 207 is a memory for storing the transfer destination telephone number of the received data which is the third output.
[0041]
The output destination counter 208 is a counter that indicates the priority order of which of the three output devices the received data is output to. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the output destination counter 208. The output destination counter 208 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. A value from “0” to “5” is set in the output destination counter 208 by a user operation. When “0” is set in the output destination counter 208, the received data is output in the priority order of the printing device 227, the FDD 12, and the data transfer. That is, if there is no abnormality in the printing device 227, the received data is printed on the recording paper 17 by the printing device 227, but if there is an abnormality in the printing device 227, it is received by the FDD 12, which is the second priority output device. Data is written to the FD. If the FDD 12 is also abnormal, the received data is transferred to another facsimile machine having a number stored in the transfer destination telephone number memory 207.
[0042]
When “1” is set in the output destination counter 208, the priority order is determined in the order of the printing device 227, data transfer, and FDD12. The priorities “2” to “5” are determined as shown in the table of FIG. The initial value of the output destination counter 208 is set to “0”. However, since the output destination counter 208 is stored in the EEPROM 206, once set by the user, the facsimile apparatus 1 is turned off or reset. Alternatively, the set value is not lost even when the voltage of the backup power supply is lowered.
[0043]
When the facsimile apparatus 1 and the partner apparatus 114 are connected via the external line 224, the transmission / reception control circuit 212 exchanges transmission / reception related information such as the facsimile number and resolution of the both apparatuses with the partner apparatus 114. Circuit.
[0044]
The modem 214 modulates a digital signal into an analog signal, outputs the signal to the external line 224 via the NCU 222, and demodulates the analog signal input from the external line 224 via the NCU 222 into a digital signal. . Therefore, it has a modulation / demodulation mechanism 234 and an audio reproduction mechanism 236 that reproduces audio analog data that has been transmitted to audio. These modulation / demodulation mechanism 234, sound reproduction mechanism 236, NCU 222, and receiver 3 constitute a telephone.
[0045]
The modem 214 is further provided with a modem transmission data buffer 238 and a modem reception data buffer 239 that are used when transmitting facsimile data to and from the partner apparatus 114. The NCU 222 automatically receives a call from the external line 224 when receiving data, and automatically makes a call to the other party when sending data. Digital data representing the number of the other party is supplied from the CPU 200 to the NCU 222 through the I / O port 210.
[0046]
The binarization circuit 228 is a circuit that converts read image data read by the image reading device 42 into binarized data. That is, it is determined whether or not the analog output voltage supplied from the CCD is larger than the threshold value data (converted from the digital value to the analog signal in the binarization circuit 228) supplied from the EEPROM 206. The binarized data is generated by setting 0 (white) and black (1) when small.
[0047]
The printing device 227 includes a recording device 29, a laser beam scanning device 34, and a fixing device 54. Here, since the fixing device 54 cannot heat and melt the toner image transferred to the recording paper 17 unless the temperature is a predetermined temperature, heating is started when the power is turned on or reset. The temperature of the fixing device 54 is detected by a sensor and input to the control device 40 via the I / O port. If this temperature does not reach the predetermined temperature, the printing device 227 cannot operate and printing cannot be performed.
[0048]
The ringing tone generating device 232 generates a ringing tone by a voltage supplied via the drive circuit 231 based on a command from the control device 40 when a calling signal is sent from the counterpart device 114 or the telephone. . The drive circuit 231 supplies a voltage or stops supply in response to the calling signal.
[0049]
Next, operations when the power of the facsimile apparatus 1 configured as described above is turned on or reset will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the power is turned on again after being turned off for maintenance by a service person, the CPU 200 starts the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 200 initializes itself based on a program stored in the ROM 204 (S1), and then executes a receiving unit initialization process shown in FIG. 6 (S2).
[0050]
In the receiving unit initialization process (S2), a ROM sum check is first performed as a check of the ROM 204 (S21). In the ROM sum check, all data in the ROM 204 is added one byte at a time, and it is checked whether the added sum is “00”. In the ROM 204, data is adjusted and written in an area other than the program area so that the sum added in advance becomes “00”. Therefore, if the addition result is “00”, it can be determined that the ROM 204 is normal, and if it is not “00”, it is abnormal.
[0051]
If there is no abnormality (error) in the ROM sum check (S22: N), then the RAM 202 shown in detail in FIG. 8 is checked (S23). For example, if the reception flag 203 is reset (S41: N), the RAM check is performed for all areas including the backup area of the RAM 202 (S42). More specifically, predetermined data is once written in all areas including the backup area of the RAM 202, and then the written data is read to check whether the data is surely written. If the same data as the written data is read in all checked areas, the RAM 202 is normal, and if even one different data is read, the RAM 202 is determined to be abnormal (error). If the reception flag 203 is set (S41: Y), the same check as described above is performed (S44) except for the used portion in the backup area (S43).
[0052]
If there is no abnormality (error) in the RAM check (S24: N), each buffer and other flags provided outside the backup area in the RAM 202 are initialized (S25). Thereafter, initialization of the transmission / reception control circuit 212 (S26) and initialization of the modem 214 (S27) are performed, and the reception unit initialization process is terminated (S29). After the reception unit initialization process is completed, the process proceeds to S3 in FIG.
[0053]
On the other hand, if an error occurs in either the ROM sum check (S21) or the RAM check (S23) (S22: Y, S24: Y), memory error processing is executed (S28). In this error processing, a buzzer is sounded by a speaker 226 connected to the I / O port 210 to notify the user of a memory error. In the case of a memory error, since other processing cannot be executed, this error processing (S28) is repeated until the power is turned off.
[0054]
When the receiver initialization process (S2) ends, the process proceeds to S3, and the initialization process of each device is started (S3). This initialization process is performed by an interrupt process (not shown). In this initialization process, whether each device is normal is also checked at the same time.
[0055]
While the initialization procedure of each device, that is, the preparation procedure of each device is not completed (S4: N), the process proceeds to S5, and it is checked whether an error that cannot be recovered by the user occurs during the initialization (S4: N). S5). Here, the “error that cannot be recovered by the user” refers to an error that cannot be recovered unless the service person of the manufacturer, such as a failure of the device itself. For example, there is a case where the temperature of the fixing device 54 of the printing device 227 has not reached a desired temperature even though a predetermined time has passed. On the other hand, the absence of recording paper detected by the recording paper sensor 20 and the toner empty detected by the toner remaining amount detection device 80 are errors that can be easily recovered by the user, and are not included in the error of S5.
[0056]
If there is no error (S5: N), it is checked whether there is a call (incoming request) of the facsimile machine 1 (S6). As described above, after the initialization of the receiving unit is completed, the incoming request can be accepted even before the initialization of each device is completed. it can. This is because the initialization of the receiving unit is the initialization of the electronic circuit, so that the initialization can be performed in a very short time compared to the initialization of the printing device 227 or the like that requires initialization of the mechanical elements.
[0057]
If there is no call (S6: N), the process proceeds to S4. If there is a call (S6: Y), data reception is performed via the NCU 222 (S7). The received data is stored in the FAX-side received data buffer provided in the backup area of the RAM 202, and a received flag 203 indicating that there is received data is set (S8). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S4, and the processes from S4 to S8 are repeated until the preparation procedure of each device is completed.
[0058]
If an error that cannot be restored by the user in any device occurs (S5: Y) before the preparation procedure of each device is completed (S5: Y), even if there is a call from another facsimile device 114 The process proceeds to S4 so as not to be accepted. This is because the received data cannot be output if there is an error in the output device even though the data has been received. Therefore, in this embodiment, data is not received after detecting an error that cannot be recovered by the user. However, if an error occurs during reception, the reception operation is continued and new data reception is not performed after the reception is completed.
[0059]
Although an error in the output device may be detected after data reception, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes three output devices for receiving data, so that even if an error is detected in one output device, other errors are detected. The output device can output the received data. Details of this will be described later using the flowchart of FIG.
[0060]
When the preparation procedure of each device is completed (S4: Y), it is checked whether an error that cannot be recovered by the user has occurred in any device (S9). If the error has not occurred in any device (S9: N), the state of the reception flag 203 is checked and the data is received during the initialization of each device, assuming that the initialization has been completed normally. It is checked whether it has been done (S10). If data is received, that is, if the reception flag 203 is set (S10: Y), the received data is output from the first output device designated by the output destination counter 208 (S11). If an error that can be recovered by the user has occurred in the first designated output device at this time, the received data is output after the error has been recovered. For example, when the first output device is the printing device 227, if no recording paper or toner empty error is detected, a message to that effect is displayed and these errors are cleared by the user. Wait and print the received data. Also, when the first output device is a floppy disk drive (FDD), the floppy disk (FD) is not installed in the FD insertion slot 11, or even if it is installed, the format is different. If not, a message to that effect is displayed, and after waiting for a writable FD to be inserted into the FD insertion slot 11, the received data is written to the FD. Furthermore, when data transfer is specified as the first output device, if the transfer destination telephone number is not set, a message to that effect is displayed and the transfer destination telephone number is input. Wait until the received data is transferred.
[0061]
After the reception data is output (S10), the reception flag 203 is reset (S12), and the process shifts to a standby state (S13). On the other hand, if data has not been received (S10: N), the process proceeds to a standby state as it is (S13). Since operations such as transmission, reception, and copy of the document after shifting to the standby state are not different from those of a normal facsimile apparatus, description thereof is omitted here.
[0062]
After completion of the device preparation procedure (S4: Y), if an error that cannot be recovered by the user has occurred in any device (S9: Y), the initialization procedure has been completed, but the device has not been initialized properly. As an example, the error processing of FIG. 7 is executed. In this embodiment, data can be received before the initialization of the output device is completed in order to be able to receive in a short time after the power is turned on or after an abnormal recovery. For this reason, if an error occurs in the output device even though the data is received, there arises a problem that the received data cannot be output. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of reception data output devices. When an error occurs in one output device, the reception data is output using another output device. I am trying to output. Further, the facsimile apparatus is configured so that the received data is not lost even if an error occurs in all output devices by enabling backup of the RAM 202 for storing the received data.
[0063]
In this error processing, it is first checked whether or not the reception flag 203 is set (S31). If the reception flag 203 is set (S31: Y), it is determined whether there is an error in the first output device designated by the output destination counter 208 (S32). If there is no error in the first output device (S32: N), the received data is output from the first output device (S33), and the first output device from which the received data is output is displayed on the LCD 5. It is displayed (S39).
[0064]
For example, when the received data is transferred to another facsimile machine, the display indicates that the received data has been transferred, such as “Received data has been transferred to the facsimile machine No. XXX.” The transfer destination telephone number is displayed on the LCD 5. When the received data is written to the FD by the FDD 12, “Received data has been written to a floppy disk”, and when the received data is printed by the printing device 227, “Received data is printed. Is displayed on the LCD 5. After the process of S39, the process proceeds to each error process (S40).
[0065]
If an error has occurred in the first output device (S32: Y), it is determined whether there is an error in the second output device designated by the output destination counter 208 (S34). If there is no error in the second output device (S34: N), the received data is output from the second output device (S35), and the second output device from which the received data is output is displayed on the LCD 5. The message is displayed (S39), and the process proceeds to each error process (S40).
[0066]
If an error has also occurred in the second output device (S34: Y), it is determined whether there is an error in the third output device designated by the output destination counter 208 (S36). If there is no error in the third output device (S36: N), the received data is output from the third output device (S37), and the third output device from which the received data is output is displayed on the LCD 5. It is displayed (S39), and each error process is entered (S40).
[0067]
On the other hand, if an error has occurred in all three output devices (S36: Y), the received data cannot be output. Therefore, the fact that the received data is not output but remains in the RAM 202 is displayed on the LCD 5 (S38), and the user is notified of the fact, and then the process proceeds to each error process (S40). It should be noted that, in this way, an error occurs in all the output devices, and the power of the facsimile apparatus 1 may be temporarily shut down for error recovery in a state where the received data is not output and remains in the RAM 202. However, since the FAX side received data buffer of the RAM 202 in which the received data is stored can be backed up, the received data will not be lost due to power interruption.
[0068]
In S40, the type of error is displayed on the LCD 5 so as not to overlap the display area of S38 and S39, and the user is made aware of the error state. As a result, depending on whether or not the user can cope with the abnormality immediately, for example, if a service person comes and repairs, the user waits for the repair to finish and outputs the unreceived received data. Alternatively, if it takes time to repair, the communication history data stored so far using the memory area of the RAM 202 or the EEPROM 206 is called up to the LCD 5 or the like. You can display it, check where the unreceived received data was sent from, and call the other party, and if it is an emergency, you can have it retransmitted to another facsimile machine If it is not urgent, it may wait until the repair is completed and output already received data. In this case, it is possible to display that the unreceived received data remains and to automatically display on the LCD 5 or the like which facsimile apparatus the received data is received from. Convenient.
[0069]
Note that if the power supply is temporarily shut down for repair, when the repair is completed and the power supply is turned on again, the reception flag 203 remains set. The data remaining in the buffer is automatically output. However, for example, when the data has already been retransmitted to another facsimile machine before repair, it is wasted. In order to prevent this, for example, the reception flag 203 may be appropriately reset according to the user's will before the power is turned off.
[0070]
Sometimes, the initialization program shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 8 is executed when the power is turned on. For example, the initialization program is initialized even when repairs are made without temporarily shutting off the power. Of course, initialization may be executed in response to a specific key operation or a dedicated button operation.
[0071]
In the case where an error that cannot be recovered by the user is detected, the facsimile machine 1 continues the receiving operation if data is being received, and once the reception is completed, once permitted reception is prohibited. No new data is received. That is, reception of data that cannot be output can be minimized.
[0072]
By the way, in the above embodiment, since the reception buffer can be backed up, for example, even if it cannot be repaired without turning off the power supply, it is possible to repair it without worrying about losing the received data. Although very convenient, it is not necessary that the receive buffer can be backed up.
[0073]
That is, even if the data received so far cannot be output because an abnormality has been detected in the output device, and the power must be temporarily shut down for repair, the RAM 202, Alternatively, a part of the memory area of the EEPROM 206 is used to store the communication history data up to the present, unreceived received data remains, and the destination of the received data is a facsimile. By displaying on the LCD 5 whether the device is a device or the like, the user can call the other party and have it retransmitted to another facsimile device if it is an emergency, or it must be an emergency. You can wait for the repair to finish and have it sent again. Therefore, even if the received data is lost due to power failure for repair, there is no problem. Of course, when the received data can be transferred to another facsimile machine or written into the FD as in the above-described embodiment, it is needless to say that the data need not be retransmitted.
[0074]
In the above embodiment, for example, when an abnormality is detected in the printing apparatus 227 set as the first output apparatus, the received data is automatically transferred to another preset facsimile apparatus. In this case, only when the output device is abnormal and cannot be output, the fact that the unreceived received data remains is displayed on the LCD 5 or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the following configuration may be used.
[0075]
That is, when an abnormality is detected in the printing device 227 set as the first output device, first, the LCD 5 displays that there is still received data that cannot be output (printed) due to a failure of the printing device. (At this time, the telephone number of the other party of the received data may be displayed at the same time), and the user who viewed the display on the LCD 5 may arbitrarily select the subsequent countermeasure. . For example, if it is desired to transfer to another facsimile machine, a selection operation to that effect is performed, and the received data is sent to another facsimile machine set in advance or another facsimile machine newly set at that time. May be transferred. In addition to the above facsimile apparatus, when a dedicated device capable of displaying or printing received data written on the FD, such as a personal computer, is installed, a selection operation is performed to write the received data on the FD. It may be. In this case, the received data can be displayed on the CRT screen by setting the FD in which the received data is written in a personal computer, and can be printed out as necessary.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, although it takes a long time to initialize the entire apparatus, only the first part including the part necessary for data reception is initialized first. After completion of initialization, it is possible to receive even before the initialization of the second part other than that, so that it can be made ready for reception in a short time when the power is turned on or when an error is restored effective.
[0077]
FurtherIn addition, if there is an error that cannot be easily restored by the user in the second part, the reception operation is continued if data is already being received. However, since the data is not received after the reception is completed, there is an abnormality in the apparatus. Nevertheless, there is an effect that data reception is not performed indefinitely.Further, since the received data is transferred to another facsimile apparatus by the transfer means, even if the abnormality occurring in the second part is difficult to recover, other data can be received without losing the received data. There is an effect that it can be printed or stored in a facsimile machine. In this case, if the data transferred from the transfer destination facsimile apparatus is sent back after the abnormal recovery of the second portion, the data can be printed by the facsimile apparatus.
[0078]
Claim2According to the described facsimile machine, the claim1In addition to the effects exhibited by the facsimile machine described above, even if there is an error in the second part, if the error can be easily recovered by the user, it is possible to receive the data. There is an effect that reception is not restricted.
[0079]
Claim3According to the described facsimile apparatus, it takes a long time to initialize the printing unit. However, the initialization of the receiving unit and the storage unit (receiving unit) is performed before the initialization of the printing unit, and the initialization of the receiving unit is completed. After that, since reception is possible even before the initialization of the printing means is completed, it is possible to make it possible to receive in a short time when the power is turned on or when an error is restoredFurther, there is an effect that data received before the end of the initialization of the printing unit can be printed. Furthermore, if there is an abnormality that cannot be easily restored by the user in the printing means, the reception operation is continued if data is already being received. Regardless, there is an effect that data reception is not performed indefinitely. Further, even if an abnormality that has occurred in the printing means is difficult to recover, there is an effect that it can be printed or stored in another facsimile apparatus without losing the received data. In this case, if the data transferred from the transfer destination facsimile apparatus is sent back after the abnormal return of the printing means, the data can be printed by the facsimile apparatus.
[0080]
[0081]
[0082]
[0083]
Claim4According to the described facsimile machine, the claim3In addition to the effects exhibited by the facsimile apparatus described above, if an abnormality is detected in the printing means, the received data is automatically transferred to another facsimile apparatus, so the user needs to perform a transfer operation. There is an effect that operability can be improved.
[0084]
Claim5According to the described facsimile machine, the claim3In addition to the effect achieved by the facsimile apparatus described above, the destination of the received data is further notified, so that the user can contact the data destination and request re-transmission as necessary. There is.
[0085]
Claim6According to the described facsimile machineThe initialization of the printing unit takes a long time, but the initialization of the receiving unit and the storage unit (receiving unit) is performed before the initialization of the printing unit, and the initialization of the printing unit is completed after the initialization of the receiving unit. Since reception is possible even before completion, it is possible to make it ready for reception in a short time when the power is turned on or when an error is restored, and furthermore, data received before the completion of initialization of the printing means is printed. There is an effect that can be done. Printing means If there is an abnormality that cannot be easily restored by the user, the reception operation will continue if the data is already being received, but the data will not be received after the reception is completed. There is an effect that reception is not performed indefinitely. Also,When an abnormality is detected in the printing unit, the received data is written into the non-volatile second storage unit by the writing unit.SoEven if an abnormality that has occurred in the printing means is difficult to recover and requires extensive repairs, the received data is not lost. In this case, the data can be read from the non-volatile second storage means and printed by the facsimile apparatus after the printing means returns to an abnormal state (after repair).
[0086]
Claim7According to the described facsimile machine, the claim3From6In addition to the effect of the facsimile apparatus described in any of the above, since the notification means notifies the presence of received data left unprinted due to an abnormality in the printing means, the user is not printing There is an effect that the existence of the received data can be easily recognized. Based on the notification result, the user can transfer unprinted received data to another facsimile machine or write it to the non-volatile second storage means. You won't lose that data.
[0087]
Claim8According to the described facsimile machine, the claim3In addition to the effects exhibited by the facsimile apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, since the storage means can store and retain data even when the power is cut off, an abnormality in the printing means cannot be recovered unless the power is turned off. Therefore, even if the power is cut off, the received data is not lost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the facsimile apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an output destination counter.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing initialization processing executed after power-on.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing reception unit initialization processing;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing error processing.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of a RAM check.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Facsimile device
5 Liquid crystal display (LCD)
12 Floppy disk drive (FDD)
200 CPU (control means)
202 RAM (storage means)
203 Receive flag
204 ROM
206 EEPROM
207 Transfer destination phone number memory
208 Output counter
212 Transmission / Reception Control Circuit
214 Modem
222 NCU
227 Printing device (printing means)

Claims (8)

Initialization of initialization of the first part including the part necessary for reception of data transmitted from the calling side prior to initialization of the other second part at the time of power-on or abnormal recovery And
Control that enables reception of data transmitted from the calling side even when initialization of the second part is not completed when initialization of the first part is completed by the initialization means Means ,
A transfer means capable of transferring the received data to another facsimile machine;
After the initialization of the first part, the control means continues the receiving operation if data is being received when there is an error that cannot be easily restored by the user in the second part. While not receiving data,
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the reception is completed, the transfer means transfers the data received so far to another facsimile apparatus. After the initialization of the first portion, the control means enables data reception even if there is an error in the second portion if the error can be easily recovered by the user. to claim 1 Symbol placement of the facsimile apparatus. Receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the calling side device;
Storage means for storing data received by the receiving means;
Printing means for printing the data stored in the storage means on recording paper;
A receiving unit initializing unit for initializing the receiving unit and the storage unit;
A printing unit initializing unit for initializing the printing unit ;
Transfer means capable of transferring the received data to another facsimile machine;
An initialization unit for performing the execution of the reception unit initialization unit prior to the execution of the printing unit initialization unit when power is turned on or when an abnormality is restored;
When the initialization of the reception unit initialization unit is completed by the initialization unit, even if the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit is not completed, the reception unit and the storage unit are operated to make a call Control means for enabling reception of data transmitted from the side device ;
The data received by the receiving unit and stored in the storage unit after the initialization of the receiving unit initialization unit and before the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit is initialized by the printing unit initialization unit. Printing control means for printing on the recording paper after completion,
The printing unit initialization unit includes a printing unit inspection unit that inspects the printing unit, and when the printing unit inspection unit detects an abnormality that cannot be easily restored by the user to the printing unit, the control unit includes: If the data is being received, the reception operation is continued. After the reception is completed, the data is not received.
It said transfer means after the end of reception, the data received so far, another facsimile machine off Akushimiri device you characterized thereby transferred. When an abnormality is detected in the printing unit, the control unit continues the receiving operation if data is being received, and the transfer unit transfers the data received so far to another facsimile machine after the reception is completed. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the facsimile apparatus is automatically transferred. When an abnormality is detected in the printing unit by the printing unit inspection unit, the receiving operation is continued if data is being received. If the received data exists, the received data is transmitted from any facsimile machine. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising transmission destination notifying means for notifying whether or not. Receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the calling side device;
Storage means for storing data received by the receiving means;
Printing means for printing the data stored in the storage means on recording paper;
A receiving unit initializing unit for initializing the receiving unit and the storage unit;
A printing unit initializing unit for initializing the printing unit;
An initialization unit that performs the execution of the reception unit initialization unit prior to the execution of the printing unit initialization unit at the time of power-on or abnormal recovery ;
When the initialization of the reception unit initialization unit is completed by the initialization unit, even if the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit is not completed, the reception unit and the storage unit are operated to make a call Control means for enabling reception of data transmitted from the side device;
The data received by the receiving unit and stored in the storage unit after the initialization of the receiving unit initialization unit and before the initialization of the printing unit initialization unit is initialized by the printing unit initialization unit. Printing control means for printing on the recording paper after completion,
The printing unit initialization unit includes a printing unit inspection unit that inspects the printing unit,
When an abnormality that cannot be easily restored by the user to the printing unit is detected by the printing unit inspection unit, the control unit continues the reception operation if data is being received, and does not receive data after the reception is completed. With
After the end of reception, data, the storage means full Akushimiri device you comprising the writing means can be written in the second memory means a nonvolatile from that received so far. When an abnormality is detected in the printing unit by the printing unit inspection unit, a receiving operation is continued if data is being received, and when there is received data, a notification unit for notifying the fact is provided. facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein 6. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7 , wherein the storage means is configured to store and retain data even when the power is turned off.

Images