Facsimile apparatus

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a function of stapling received sheets of a communication.

2. Related Background Art

In the facsimile apparatus with stapling function, there has conventionally been proposed a facsimile apparatus capable of stapling the received sheets for each communication, thereby facilitating the sorting of the received sheets.

Also there has been proposed a facsimile apparatus having a sorter provided with plural output bins and adapted to change the output bin for each communication.

However, such conventional facsimile apparatus with the stapling function has been associated with a drawback of becoming incapable of stapling if the number of the received sheets per communication increases.

On the other hand, the facsimile apparatus with the sorter of plural output bins has been associated with a drawback that, if all the received sheets are sorted by the respective communications and if the number of communications received per day is large, the sorting becomes impossible because the number of the output bins is limited. Also if the number of the output bins is increased significantly, the facsimile apparatus becomes inevitably large in size and higher in cost.

In consideration of the foregoing, the object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the stapling function and the sorter function according to the number of the received sheets.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 and 7 are flow charts showing the function of a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are flow charts showing the function of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus embodying the present invention.

For utilizing a telephone network for data communication, an NCU (network control unit) 2 is connected to a terminal of the network, executing connection control of the telephone network, switching to the data communication channel, loop holding, etc. The NCU 2 connects a telephone line 2 a to a telephone set 4 if a signal level of a signal line 20 a from a control circuit 20 is “0”, but connects the telephone line 2 a to the facsimile apparatus if the signal level is “1”. In the ordinary state, the telephone line 2 a is connected to the telephone set 4 .

A hybrid circuit 6 separates transmission signals and reception signals, and sends a transmission signal from an adder circuit 12 to the telephone line 2 a through the NCU 2 , and receives a signal from a communication partner through the NCU 2 and sends the signal to a modem 8 through a signal line 6 a.

A modem 8 executes modulation and demodulation according to the ITU-T recommendation V. 8 , V. 21 , V. 27 ter, V. 29 , V. 17 and V. 34 , and the transmission mode is designated by a signal line 20 c . The modem 8 enters the signal supplied to a signal line 20 b and outputs modulated data to a signal line 8 a , and also enters a received signal supplied to the signal line 6 a and outputs demodulated data to a signal line 8 b.

An ANSam signal sending circuit 10 , for sending an ANSam signal, is adapted to send the ANSam signal to a signal line 10 a when a signal of a level “1” is supplied to a signal line 20 d , but to send no signal to the signal line 10 a when the signal level is “0”.

The adder circuit 12 enters the information on the signal lines 8 a and 10 a , and outputs the result of addition to a signal line 12 a . A reading circuit 14 reads the image of an original and outputs the read image data to a signal line 14 a.

A recording circuit 16 records the information outputted on a signal line 20 e , line by line. It also staples the recorded (received) sheets when a stapler pulse is generated on a signal line 20 f , and it ejects the recorded (received) sheets to a bin designated by a signal line 20 h when an output pulse is generated on a signal line 20 g .

A memory circuit 18 is used for storing raw or encoded information of the read data, and also for storing received or decoded information.

An operation unit 22 is provided with a one-touch dial, a shortened dial, numeral keys, *# keys, registration keys for registration circuits 36 , 38 , 40 , a set key, a start key, a memory reception output key and other functions keys, and the information of a depressed key is outputted to a signal line 22 a.

A display circuit 24 is to provide a display indicating that the output bins are full so that the recording sheet can no longer be outputted, and provides such display or not respectively when the signal level on a signal line 20 i is “1” or “0”.

Bins 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 are respectively output bins 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 for outputting the recorded sheets. When a bin output pulse is generated on the signal line 20 g while a signal “1” is outputted on the signal line 20 h , the recorded sheets are outputted to the bin 1 . Similarly, when a bin output pulse is generated on the signal line 20 g while a signal “2”, “3”, “4” or “5” is outputted on the signal line 20 h , the recorded sheets are outputted to the bin 2 , 3 , 4 or

When the bin 1 contains a recorded sheet or not, a signal of a level “1” or “0” is respectively outputted on a signal line 26 a . Similarly, the information on the presence or absence of the recorded sheet in the bin 2 , 3 , 4 or 5 is outputted on a signal line 28 a , 30 a , 32 a or 34 a.

A registration circuit 36 registers, through a signal line 36 a , a predetermined maximum number of received sheets to be stapled, for example 25 sheets.

A registration circuit 38 registers, through a signal line 38 a , a predetermined maximum number A of received sheets to be stapled, for example 25 sheets.

A registration circuit 40 registers, through a signal line 40 a , a predetermined minimum number B of received sheets to be stapled, for example 2 sheets.

A control circuit 20 controls the entire facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, and, particularly in the first embodiment of the present invention, executes such control, utilizing the registration circuit 38 for registering the maximum number of the received sheets to be stapled, as to output the received sheets to a predetermined bin by stapling the sheets of each communication in case the number of the received sheets per communication does not exceed the predetermined number, but to change the output bin in every communication without stapling the sheets for each communication in case the number of the received sheets per communication exceeds the predetermined number.

In this control, the unstapled received sheets are not discharged to the aforementioned predetermined bin to which the stapled received sheets are discharged. Also, in case the number of the received sheets per communication does not exceed the predetermined number, if the number of the sheets received in a communication is one, the received sheet is discharged, without stapling, to such predetermined bin.

FIGS. 2 to 7 are flow charts showing the control sequence of the control circuit 20 in the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the registration circuits 38 , 40 shown in FIG. 1 are not used.

Referring to FIG. 2, a step 50 starts the sequence and a step S 2 outputs a signal of a level “0” to the signal line 20 i , whereby the display circuit 24 does not provide the display for the absence of the output bins. A step S 4 outputs a signal “1” to the signal line 20 h , thereby designating the output of the recorded sheets to the bin 1 . Then a step S 6 outputs a signal “0” to the signal line 20 a , thereby turning off the CML, and a step S 8 outputs a signal “0” to the signal line 20 d for not sending the ANSam signal.

Then a step S 10 enters the information of the signal line 22 a and discriminates whether the registration to the registration circuit 36 is selected, and, if selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 12 for registering the maximum number of the received sheets to be stapled, for example 25 sheets, in the registration circuit 36 through the signal line 36 a , and the sequence then proceeds to a step S 14 . If not selected, the sequence proceeds directly to the step S 14 .

The step S 14 discriminates whether a receiving operation is selected, and, if selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 20 , but, if not selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 16 for other processes. A step S 18 enters the information of the signal line 22 a and discriminates whether the output of memory reception is selected, and, if selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 84 , but, if not selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 98 .

A step S 20 outputs a signal of a level “1” to the signal line 20 a to turn on the CML, and a step S 22 executes a pre-procedure. Then a step S 24 enters the information of signal lines 28 a , 30 a , 34 a to discriminate whether the received sheets are present in all the bins 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 , and the sequence proceeds to a step S 62 or S 26 respectively if the result is affirmative or negative.

The step S 26 sets “1” in a page counter, and a step S 28 executes reception/recording of the image signal. A step S 30 discriminates whether the reception of the image signal of a page has been completed, and, if not, the sequence proceeds to the step S 28 , but, if completed, the sequence proceeds to a step S 32 for executing an intermediate procedure and then to a step S 34 .

The step S 34 discriminates whether a next page is present, and, if present, the sequence proceeds to a step S 36 for increasing the value of the page counter by “1” and then to the step S 28 . If the next page does not exist, the sequence proceeds to a step S 38 .

The step S 38 outputs a signal of a level “1” to the signal line 20 a , thereby turning off the CML. A step S 40 enters the information of the signal line 36 a , and discriminates whether the number of the received sheets does not exceed the predetermined number of sheets (for example 25 sheets) registered in the registration circuit 36 , and the sequence proceeds to a step S 50 or S 42 respectively according to whether the predetermined number is exceeded or not.

The step S 42 discriminates whether the number of received sheets is one, and, if it is one, the sequence proceeds to a step S 46 . If it is not one, the sequence proceeds to a step S 44 for generating a stapler pulse on the signal line 20 f to staple the received and recorded sheets, and then proceeds to a step S 46 .

The step S 46 outputs a signal “1” to the signal line 20 h for designating output of the recorded sheets to the bin 1 . A step S 48 generates a bin output pulse on the signal line 20 g for discharging the recorded sheets to the bin 1 . The sequence then proceeds to the step S 6 .

The step S 50 sets “2” in k. Then a step S 52 enters the information of a signal line (24+2k)a to discriminate whether the recorded sheets are present in the bin k, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 54 or S 60 respectively if the recorded sheets are present or absent.

The step S 54 discriminates whether k is “5”, and, if “5”, the sequence proceeds to a step S 58 for executing an error process and then to the step S 6 . If not “5”, the sequence proceeds to a step S 56 for increasing the value of k by “1” and then to the step S 52 .

A step S 60 outputs a value “k” to the signal line 20 h for designating output of the recorded sheets to the bin k. Then the sequence proceeds to the step S 48 .

A step S 62 outputs a signal “1” to the signal line 20 i , thereby causing the display circuit 24 to display the absence of the available output bins. A step S 64 sets “1” in the page counter. A step S 66 executes the memory-reception, and a step S 68 executes the intermediate procedure.

Then a step S 70 discriminates whether a next page is present, and, if present, the sequence proceeds to a step S 72 for increasing the value of the page counter by “1”, and to the step S 66 .

If the next page does not exist, the sequence proceeds to a step S 74 for executing a post-procedure. Then a step S 76 memorizes the number of received pages corresponding to the current communication. A step S 78 outputs a signal “0” to the signal line 20 a to turn off the CML.

Then a step S 80 enters the information of a signal line 36 a , and discriminates whether the number of the received sheets does not exceed the predetermined number of sheets (for example 25 sheets) registered in the registration circuit 36 , and, if the predetermined number is not exceeded, the sequence proceeds to a step S 82 for recording the memory reception and then to the step S 42 . If the predetermined number is exceeded, the sequence proceeds to the step S 6 .

A step S 84 enters the information of the signal line 36 a , and discriminates whether the number of the sheets to be discharged, received by memory reception, does not exceed the predetermined number of sheets (for example 25 sheets) registered in the registration circuit 36 , and, if the predetermined number is not exceeded, the sequence proceeds to the step S 82 , but, if the predetermined number is exceeded, the sequence proceeds to a step S 86 .

The step S 86 sets “2” as k. A step S 88 enters the information of a signal line (24+2k)a, and discriminates whether the recorded sheets are present in the bin k, and, if present, the sequence proceeds to a step S 92 . If absent, the sequence proceeds to a step S 90 for recording the sheets of memory reception and then to the step S 60 .

A step S 92 discriminates whether k is “5”, and, if not, the sequence proceeds to a step S 94 for increase the value of k by “1”, but, if it is “5”, the sequence proceeds to a step S 96 for displaying, on an unrepresented display unit, a message that the output of the memory reception should be designated after the received sheets are removed from the bins 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 . Then the sequence proceeds to the step S 6 .

A step S 98 enters the information of the signal lines 28 a , 30 a , 32 a and 34 a and discriminates whether the recorded sheets are present in all the bins 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 , and, if present, the sequence proceeds to the step S 6 , but, if not, the sequence proceeds to a step S 100 .

The step S 100 outputs a signal of a level “0” to the signal line 20 i for causing the display circuit 24 to display the absence of available bins, and the sequence then proceeds to the step S 6 .

In the following there will be explained a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this second embodiment, utilizing the registration circuits 38 , 40 , the control circuit 20 executes control in such a manner that the received sheets for each communication are stapled and outputted to a predetermined bin A in case the number of the received sheets in a communication does not exceed a predetermined number A but at least equal to a predetermined number B, that the received sheet of each communication are outputted to a predetermined bin B without stapling if the number of the received sheets in a communication is less than the predetermined number B, and that the sheets of each communication are not stapled and the output bin is changed for each communication if the number of the received sheets in a communication exceeds the predetermined number A.

In such control, the received sheets of which number in a communication exceeds the predetermined number A are not stapled for each communication and the output bin is changed for each communication among the bins other than the predetermined bins A and B.

FIGS. 8 to 10 are flow charts of the operation sequence of this second embodiment, only showing parts different from those in the first embodiment (shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 ). In the present second embodiment, the second registration circuit 36 is not used.

Referring to FIG. 8, a step S 110 corresponds to the step S 8 . A step S 112 enters the information of the signal line 22 a and discriminates whether the registration to the registration circuit 38 is selected, and, if selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 114 for registering the maximum number of the received sheets to be stapled, for example 25 sheets, in the registration circuit 38 through a signal line 38 a , and then proceeds to a step S 116 . If the registration circuit 38 is not selected, the sequence directly proceeds to the step S 116 .

The step S 116 enters the information of the signal line 22 a and discriminates whether the registration to the registration circuit 40 is selected, and, if selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 118 for registering the minimum number of the received sheets to be stapled, for example 2 sheets, in the registration circuit 40 through a signal line 40 a , and then proceeds to a step S 120 (S 14 ). If the registration circuit 40 is not selected, the sequence directly proceeds to the step S 120 (S 14 ).

A step S 122 corresponds to the step S 38 . A step S 124 enters the information on the signal line 38 a and discriminates whether the number of the received sheets does not exceed the predetermined number A (for example 25 sheets) registered in the registration circuit 38 , and, if the predetermined number A is not exceeded, the sequence proceeds to a step S 128 , but, if the predetermined number A is exceeded, the sequence proceeds to a step S 126 for setting “3” as k and further proceeds from a step S 127 to the step S 52 .

A step S 128 enters the information of the signal line 40 a and discriminates whether the number of the received sheets is at least equal to the predetermined number B (for example 2 sheets) registered in the registration circuit 40 , and, if so, the sequence proceeds to a step S 134 (S 44 ). On the other hand, if not, the sequence proceeds to a step S 130 for outputting “2” to the signal line 20 h thereby designating the output of the recorded sheets to the bin 2 . Then the sequence proceeds from a step S 132 to the step S 48 .

A step S 136 corresponds to the step S 78 . A step S 138 enters the information on the signal line 38 a and discriminates whether the number of the received sheets does not exceed the predetermined number A (for example 25 sheets) registered in the registration circuit 38 , and, if the predetermined number A is not exceeded, the sequence proceeds to a step S 142 for recording the sheets of memory reception, and further proceeds to the step S 128 . If the predetermined number A is exceeded, the sequence proceeds to the step S 140 (S 6 ).

A step S 144 corresponds to the YES branch of the step S 18 . A step S 146 enters the information on the signal line 38 a and discriminates whether the number of the memory reception sheets to be discharged does not exceed the predetermined number A (for example 25 sheets) registered in the registration circuit 38 , and, if the predetermined number A is not exceeded, the sequence proceeds to the step S 142 , but, if the predetermined number A is exceeded, the sequence proceeds to a step S 148 for setting “3” as k and further proceeds from a step S 150 to the step S 88 .

A step S 152 corresponds to the step S 22 . The step S 154 enters the information on the signal lines 30 a , 32 a and 34 a and discriminates whether the recorded sheets are present in all the bins 3 , 4 and 5 , and, if present, the sequence proceeds to a step S 158 (S 62 ), but, if the predetermined number A is exceeded, the sequence proceeds to a step S 156 (S 26 ).

A step S 160 corresponds to the NO branch of the step S 18 . A step S 162 enters the information on the signal lines 30 a , 32 a and 34 a and discriminates whether the recorded sheets are present in all the bins 3 , 4 and 5 , and, if present, the sequence proceeds to a step S 166 (S 6 ), but, if the predetermined number A is exceeded, the sequence proceeds to a step S 164 (S 100 ).

A step S 168 corresponds to the YES branch of the step S 92 . A step S 170 displays, on an unrepresented display unit, a message that the output of the memory reception should be designated after the received sheets are removed from the bins 3 , 4 and 5 . Then the sequence proceeds from a step S 172 to the step S 6 .

In the foregoing explanation, the above-described functions of the control circuit are executed by the CPU therein according to a program stored in a ROM or a RAM in the control circuit, but the present invention can also be attained by storing such program in an external memory medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM or a memory card, fetching such program into the control circuit through an exclusive reading device and executing the program by the CPU provided in the control circuit.

Also the foregoing embodiments have been explained by a facsimile apparatus of stand-alone type, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and is generally applicable to data communication control in a comprehensive data processing system, in which the copying function, electronic filing function and data processing function are combined with the communicating function.

As explained in the foregoing, the embodiments of the present invention allow to adequately sort the received sheets even with a limited number of output bins for the received sheets since the frequency of facsimile communications with a large number of received sheets per communication is relatively low, whereby an apparatus convenient for the users can be provided.