Communication apparatus

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus, particularly capable of dual side recording and dual side reading.

2. Related Background Art

As an example of a conventional communication apparatus, there will be explained a facsimile apparatus.

A conventional facsimile apparatus capable of dual side recording records received information in succession on front and back sides of recording sheets, such as recording the first page of the received information on the front side of the recording sheet of first page, the second page of the received information on the back side of the recording sheet of first page, the third page of the received information on the front side of the recording sheet of second page and the fourth page of the received information oh the back side of the recording of second page.

Also the conventional facsimile apparatus capable of dual side reading simultaneously reads front and back sides of original information at one time in case the dual side reading is selected, and, in case a receiving partner station is capable of dual side recording, a transmitting station transmits the original information by designating the front and back sides and a receiving station reproduces the same images as those in the original information.

However, in case a long-sized original is received in such conventional facsimile apparatus capable of dual side recording, such original is divided and is recorded on the front side of the recording sheet of the first page and the back side thereof. In such case, if the divided portion of the long-sized original contains a table or the like, the information in such portion is dividedly recorded on the front side of the first page and the back side thereof and a user at the receiving station cannot read the information as connected, so that the received information becomes extremely inconvenient for observation by the user.

Also in the conventional facsimile apparatus capable of dual side reading, in case the original information at the transmitting station is long-sized, it is easy in the transmitting station to transmit such long-sized original by designating the front side and the back side of the original. However, since the receiving station, receiving such designated front and back sides of the original, often uses cut recording sheets, it is suffered from the following trouble. The receiving station may record the divided front side of the long-sized original on the front and back sides of the recording sheet of first page and record the divided back side of the long-sized original on the front and back sides of the recording sheet of second page, or may record the divided front side of the long-sized original on the front side of the recording sheets of first and second pages and records the divided back side of the long-sized original on the back side of the recording sheets of first and second pages. But, in either case the recorded information is quite inconvenient for observation for the user at the receiving station.

Also in the conventional facsimile apparatus capable of dual side recording, the received information is always recorded on two sides in case the dual side recording for the received information is selected at the receiving station. Such operation mode is based on an assumption that the received information during one communication is of one size only.

In the conventional facsimile apparatus, however, the original size at the transmitting station is not unique but may mixedly include A 4 , B 4 , A 3 sizes and even a long-sized original.

The receiving station does not contemplate proper control for receiving and recording such originals but executes dual side recording in unique manner so that the received information may not be recorded in appropriate manner.

In consideration of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus capable of minimizing division and single side recording for dual side long-sized original, thereby providing the user at the receiving station with easily observable received original.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus capable of proper recording operation in case the received information contains different sizes during one communication.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 and 8 are flow charts showing the function of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10, 11 , 12 and 13 are flow charts showing the function of the second embodiment; and

FIGS. 14 and 15 are flow charts showing the function of a third embodiment.

[First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus constituting a first embodiment of the present invention.

An NCU (network control unit) 2 is connected to a terminal connected to a line of a telephone network to execute connection control on a switched telephone network, perform switching to a data communication path, and maintain a loop, thereby utilizing the telephone network for data communication. The NCU 2 connects a telephone line 2 a to a telephone set 4 or a facsimile apparatus according as the signal level on a signal line 20 a from a control circuit 20 is “0” or “1”. In the normal state, the telephone line 2 a is connected to the telephone set 4 .

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

A modem 8 executes modulation and demodulation based on the ITU-T recommendations V.8, V.21, V.27ter, V.29, V.17 and V.34, and each transmission mode is designated by a signal line 20 c . The modem 8 receives a signal outputted on a signal line 20 b and outputs modulated data to a signal line 8 a , and also receives a reception signal outputted on the signal line 6 a and outputs demodulated data to a signal line 8 b.

An ANSam transmission circuit 10 , for transmitting an ANSam signal, transmits the ANSam signal or none to a signal line 10 a according as the signal on a signal line 20 d is at a level “1” or “0”.

The adder circuit 12 receives the signals of 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 front side or back side of the original according as the signal on a signal line 20 i is at a level “0” or “1”, and sends the read image data to a signal line 14 a.

A recording circuit 16 records, line by line, the information outputted on a signal line 20 e . The recording circuit 16 has a function of dual side recording on a recording sheet of a fixed size (fixed-size recording sheet of A4 is contemplated in the following description), and executes recording on the front side or back side of the recording sheet according as a signal of a level “0” or “1” is supplied on a signal line 20 f . Also the recording of one page is terminated when a recording end pulse is generated on the signal line 20 f.

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

A dual side recording selection button 22 is to be used by the user for selecting the dual side recording of the received information, and, generates a depression pulse on a signal line 22 a when depressed.

A dual side recording display circuit 24 , for displaying the selection of the dual side recording, assumes a state of “no display of dual side recording” upon generation of a clear pulse on a signal line 20 h , and thereafter repeats states of “display of dual side recording” and “no display of dual side recording” in response to depression pulses generated on the signal line 22 a . The display circuit 24 outputs a signal of a level “1” or “0” on a signal line 24 a according as it is in the “display of dual side recording” or “no display of dual side recording” state.

A dual side reading selection button 26 is to be used by the user for selecting the dual side reading of the transmission information, and, generates a depression pulse on a signal line 26 a when depressed.

A dual side reading display circuit 28 , for displaying the selection of the dual side reading, assumes a state of “no display of dual side reading” upon generation of a clear pulse on a signal line 20 i , and thereafter repeats states of “display of dual side reading” and “no display of dual side reading” in response to depression pulses generated on a signal line 28 a . The display circuit 28 outputs a signal of a level “1” or “0” on the signal line 28 a according as it is in the “display of dual side reading” or “no display of dual side reading” state.

The control circuit 20 controls the entire facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, and is provided, particularly in the present embodiment, with a function of detecting the designation of dual side recording from the transmitting partner station, a function of arbitrarily varying the magnification of the received information, and a function of discriminating whether the received information is information of a fixed size.

In case the dual side recording is designated from the transmitting partner station or selected by the dual side recording selection button 22 , there is executed dual side recording in the fixed size by reducing the size of the detected received information even if it is of non-fixed size.

More specifically, in case one side recording is designated, a long-sized original is reduced up to a size reduction ratio of 90% to discriminate whether it is the fixed size, and, in case dual side recording is designated, a long-sized original is reduced up to a size reduction ratio of 25% to discriminate whether it is the fixed size.

FIGS. 2 to 8 are flow charts showing the control sequence of the control circuit 20 of the present embodiment.

At first a step SO starts the sequence, then a step S 1 generates a clear pulse on the signal line 20 i to set the dual side reading display circuit 28 in the non-display state, and a step S 2 generates a clear pulse on the signal line 20 h to set the dual side recording display circuit 24 in the non-display state.

A step S 4 outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 a to turn off the CML, and a step S 6 outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 d not to transmit the ANSam signal.

A step S 8 discriminates whether the reception is selected, and, if selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 12 , but, if not selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 10 for executing another process and then to a step S 11 . A step S 11 discriminates whether the transmission is selected, and, the sequence proceeds to a step S 104 or the step S 4 according as the transmission is selected or not.

A step S 12 outputs a signal of a level “1” on the signal line 20 a for turning on the CML. A step S 14 executes a pre-procedure, thereby informing the presence of the dual side recording function and memorizing the presence or absence of designation for the dual side recording from the transmitting partner station. The sequence thereafter proceeds to a step S 34 .

The step S 34 sets “1” in a page counter. A step S 36 executes memory reception of the image signal, counting the reception line numbers corresponding to the content of the page counter.

A step S 38 discriminates whether the reception of a page has been completed, and, if not, the sequence proceeds to the step S 36 , but, if completed, the sequence proceeds to a step S 40 for executing an intermediate procedure.

A step S 42 discriminates whether the information of a next page is present, and, if present, the sequence proceeds to a step S 44 for increasing the value of the page counter by one and then to a step S 36 . On the other hand, if the next page is absent, the sequence proceeds to a step S 46 for executing a post-procedure. Then a step S 48 outputs a signal of a level “0” to the signal line 20 a to turn off the CML.

A step S 49 - 1 discriminates whether the dual side recording is designated from the transmitting station, based on the information of the pre-procedure of the step S 14 , and, the sequence proceeds to a step S 50 or S 49 - 2 according as the dual side recording is designated or not.

A step S 49 - 2 enters the information of the signal line 24 a to discriminate whether the dual side recording is selected, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 50 or S 90 according as the dual side recording is selected or not.

Then the step S 50 discriminates, based on the received line number corresponding to the page counter, whether all the received information can be reduced to the fixed size by a reduction ratio of 25%, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 52 or S 78 according as the received can be reduced to the fixed size or not.

The step S 52 sets the length of the longest page information in the sub scanning direction among the received information as l mm, and a step S 54 sets 2 mm as the non-printing length at each of the upper and lower ends, thereby setting the recording with a magnification (297−2−2)/l. If the magnification exceeds l, the magnification is set at 1. A step S 56 sets “1” in a recording page counter.

A step S 58 outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 f , thereby designating recording on the “front side”. A step S 60 executes recording of the page information of a page in the recording page counter, and a step S 62 outputs a page recording end pulse on the signal line 20 g.

Then a step S 64 discriminates whether the value of the recording page counter is same as that of the page counter, and the sequence proceeds to the step S 4 or S 66 according as these values are same or not.

The step S 66 increases the value of the recording page counter by one. A step S 68 outputs a signal of a level “1” to the signal line 20 f , thereby designating recording on the “back side”. A step S 70 records the page information of a page of the recording page counter, and a step S 72 outputs a page recording end pulse on the signal line 20 g.

Then a step S 74 discriminates whether the value of the recording page counter is same as that of the page counter, and, if same, the sequence proceeds to the step S 4 , but, if not same, the sequence proceeds to a step S 76 for increasing the value of the recording page counter by one and then to the step S 58 . The step S 78 in FIG. 6 sets “1” in the recording page counter. A step S 80 outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 f , thereby designating recording on the “front side”.

A step S 82 recording the page information of the recording page counter in the original size. When the recording of a physical page on the recording sheet is completed, a recording end pulse is generated on the signal line 20 g , and the next physical page is recorded on the recording sheet. (Thus the page information exceeding the length of the recording sheet is recorded in divided manner.) A step S 84 generates a page recording end pulse on the signal line 20 g.

Then a step S 86 discriminates whether the value of the recording page counter is same as that of the page counter, and, if same, the sequence proceeds to the step S 4 , but, if not same, the sequence proceeds to a step S 88 for increasing the value of the recording page counter by one and then to the step S 82 .

A step S 90 in FIG. 7, in the same manner as the steps S 56 and S 58 , sets “1” in the recording page counter and outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 f thereby designating recording on the “front side”.

A step S 92 discriminates whether the received information of the page number of the recording page counter can be reduced to the fixed size with a reduction ratio of 90%, and, if reducible to the fixed size, the sequence proceeds to a step S 96 , but, if not, the sequence proceeds to a step S 94 for executing processes same as those of the steps S 82 and S 84 , namely recording the page information of the recording page counter with the original size and generating the recording end pulse.

The step S 96 sets the length of the page number of the recording page counter as lmm. A step S 98 executes processes same as those in the steps S 54 , S 60 and S 62 , namely setting 2 mm as the non-printing length at each of the upper and lower ends, thereby setting the recording with a magnification (297−2−2)/l, recording the page information of a page in the recording page counter and generating a page recording end pulse.

A step S 100 discriminates whether the value of the recording page counter is same as that of the page counter, and, if same, the sequence proceeds to the step S 4 , but, if not same, the sequence proceeds to a step S 102 for executing a process same as that of the step S 76 , namely for increasing the value of the recording page counter by one, and then to the step S 92 .

A step S 104 in FIG. 8 outputs a signal of a level “1” on the signal line 20 a , thereby turning on the CML, and a step S 106 executes a pre-procedure. Then a step S 108 enters the information of the signal line 28 a for discriminating whether the dual side reading is selected, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 110 or S 120 according as the dual side reading is selected or not.

A step S 110 discriminates whether the dual side recording function is available in the partner station, and, if available, the sequence proceeds to a step S 114 for executing a remaining pre-procedure for designating the dual side recording, but, if not available, the sequence proceeds to a step S 112 for executing a remaining pre-procedure for not designating the dual side recording. Thereafter a step S 116 executes dual side reading/transmission of the image signal, then a step S 118 executes a post-procedure, and the sequence proceeds to the step S 4 .

A step S 120 executes a remaining pre-procedure for not designating the dual side recording, then a step S 122 executes one side reading/transmission of the image signal, a step S 124 executes a post-procedure and the sequence proceeds to the step S 4 .

In the foregoing explanation, the functions of the control circuit are executed by a CPU therein based on a program stored in a ROM or a RAM therein, but the present invention may 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 by an exclusive reading device and executing it by the CPU in the control unit.

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

As explained in the foregoing, the present invention provides an apparatus capable, in the execution of dual side recording, of securely recording the received information of a page in the recording sheet of the fixed size, thereby providing easily observable information and enabling effective utilization of the recording sheets though the recorded image may appear somewhat smaller.

Also, if the original to be dual side recorded is divided because of a larger length and is one side recorded, the resulting image becomes inconvenient for observation. The present invention therefore allows to increase the maximum reduction ratio in order to reduce the size of the information thereby enabling dual side recording and avoiding the divided recording as far as possible, whereby the recording is executed in such a manner as to avoid inconvenience resulting from the division of the received information as far as possible.

[Second Embodiment]

In the second embodiment, components same as those in the first embodiment will be represented by same numbers and will not be explained further.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus constituting a second embodiment of the present invention.

An operation unit 122 is provided with a one-touch dial, a contacted number dial, numeral keys, “*” and “#” keys, a start key, a set key, a stop key, and other function keys, and outputs the information of a depressed key to a signal line 22 a . A display circuit 124 enters and displays the information outputted on a signal line 20 k.

A first dual side recording selection button 126 is to be depressed in case of selecting the dual side recording, and, upon depression, generates a depression pulse on a signal line 126 a.

A first dual side recording display circuit 128 assumes a state of “no display” upon generation of a clear pulse on a signal line 20 m , and thereafter repeats states of “display” and “no display” in response to depression pulses generated on the signal line 126 a . The display circuit 128 outputs a signal of a level “1” or “0” on a signal line 128 a according as it is in the “display” or “no display” state.

A second dual side recording selection button 130 is to be depressed in case the dual side recording is selected and the dual side recording is selected for different reception sizes, and, upon depression, generates a depression pulse on a signal line 130 a.

A second dual side recording display circuit 132 , for displaying the selection of the dual side recording for different reception sizes in case the dual side recording is selected, assumes a state of “no display” upon generation of a clear pulse on a signal line 20 n, and thereafter repeats states of “display” and “no display” in response to depression pulses generated on the signal line 130 a . The display circuit 132 outputs a signal of a level “1” or “0” on a signal line 128 a according as it is in the “display” or “no display” state.

In the present embodiment, the control circuit 20 executes memory reception of the reception information of a communication when the dual side recording is selected by the first and second dual side recording selection buttons 126 , 130 , and controls the recording of the received information according to the preset conditions.

In case there is selected to execute the dual side recording for the received information of different sizes, the dual side recording is executed by suitably varying the magnification of the received information of different sizes into the information of a same size, but, in case there is selected not to execute the dual side recording for the received information of different sizes, there is executed one side recording in which each received original is recorded on the recording sheet of an appropriate size. Also in case the dual side recording is not executed despite of selection of the dual side recording by the first dual side recording selection button 126 , there is also executed control for displaying the reason therefor by the display circuit 124 .

FIGS. 10 to 13 are flow charts showing the control sequence of the control circuit 20 of the present second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, a step S 200 starts the sequence, and a step S 202 generates a clear pulse on the signal line 20 m , thereby setting the first dual side recording display circuit 128 in the no-display state. A step S 204 generates a clear pulse on the signal line 20 n , thereby setting the second dual side recording display circuit 132 in the no-display state. A step S 206 sets the display circuit 124 , through the signal line 20 k , in the no-display state.

A step S 208 outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 a , thereby turning off the CML. A step S 210 outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 d , thereby not transmitting the ANSam signal. A step S 212 outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 f , thereby setting the front side recording in the recording circuit 16 .

Then a step S 214 enters the information of the signal line 128 a for discriminating whether the dual side recording display circuit 128 is in the display state, and, if in the display state, the sequence proceeds to a step S 218 , but, if not, the sequence proceeds to a step S 216 for generating a clear pulse on the signal line 20 n thereby setting the second dual side recording display circuit 132 in the no-display state. Then the sequence proceeds to a step S 218 . The step S 218 discriminates whether the reception is selected, and, if selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 222 , but, if not selected, the sequence proceeds to a step S 220 for executing another process.

A step S 222 outputs a signal of a level “1” on the signal line 20 a for turning on the CML, and a step S 224 execute a pre-procedure. In this step there is declared the receiving ability for A4 and B4 sizes in the main scanning direction.

Then a step S 226 enters the information of the signal line 128 a for discriminating whether the dual side recording is selected, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 240 or S 228 according as the dual side recording is selected or not.

A step S 228 discriminates the size of transmission, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 230 or S 232 according as the transmission is A4 size or B4 size in the main scanning direction.

The step S 230 records the received information on the front side of a recording sheet of A4 size. Also the step S 232 records the received information on the front side of a recording sheet of B4 size.

Then a step S 234 executes an intermediate procedure. A step S 236 discriminates whether a next page is present, and, if present, the sequence proceeds to the step S 228 , but, if absent, the sequence proceeds to a step S 238 for executing a post-procedure and then to the step S 208 .

A step S 240 executes memory reception of the image signal. A step S 242 executes an intermediate procedure, and a step S 244 discriminates whether a next page is present, and, if present, the sequence proceeds to the step S 240 , but, if absent, the sequence proceeds to a step S 246 for executing a post-procedure and then to a step S 248 .

The step S 248 outputs a signal of a level “0” on the signal line 20 a for turning off the CML. A step S 250 discriminates whether all the received pages are same in size in the main scanning direction, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 252 or S 258 according as the pages are same or not in the size.

The step S 252 discriminates whether the received size is A4 in the main scanning direction, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 254 or S 256 according as the received size is A4 or B4.

The step 254 executes dual side recording of the received information on a recording sheet of A4 size, under the control by the signal line 20 f , and then the sequence proceeds to the step S 208 . The step S 256 executes dual side recording of the received information on a recording sheet of B4 size, under the control by the signal line 20 f , and then the sequence proceeds to the step S 208 .

A step S 258 enters the information of the signal line 132 a for discriminating whether the dual side recording is selected for different reception sizes, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 260 or S 262 according as such dual side recording is selected or not.

The step S 260 reduces the received information B4 size into the information of A4 size and executes dual side recording on a recording sheet of A4 size under the control of the signal line 20 f . Thereafter the sequence proceeds to the step S 208 .

A step S 262 executes recording of the received information of A4 size on a recording sheet of A4 size and the received information of B4 size on a recording sheet of B4 size, on the front side only.

A step S 264 causes the display circuit 124 , through the signal line 20 k , to display that the one side recording is executed because the received information includes A4 and B4 sizes. This display is erased by any key operation of the operator.

As explained in the foregoing, the received information is one side or dual side recorded according to the setting by the first and second selection button 126 , 130 .

[Third Embodiment]

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

The third embodiment is, in a facsimile apparatus capable of dual side recording, to detect the length of the received information in the sub scanning direction, and to execute one side recording even if the dual side recording is selected, in case the sub scanning length exceeds a predetermined value.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are flow charts showing, among the functions of the control circuit 20 of the present third embodiment, portions different from the control sequence of the foregoing second embodiment (shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 ). The configuration of the apparatus of the present embodiment is assumed same as that shown in FIG. 9 .

At first the aforementioned step S 240 counts the sub scanning length of the received information. In FIG. 14, a step S 270 corresponds to the YES branch of the step S 252 . Then a step S 272 discriminates whether there is present the received information of a sub scanning length exceeding 350 mm, and, if the result is affirmative, the sequence proceeds to a step S 276 for recording the received information on the front side only of a recording sheet of A4 size, but, if negative result, the sequence proceeds to a step S 274 (S 254 ).

A step S 278 corresponds to the NO branch of the step S 252 . Then a step S 280 discriminates whether there is present the received information of a sub scanning length exceeding 420 mm, and, if the result is negative, the sequence proceeds to a step S 282 (S 256 ).

On the other hand, if the result is affirmative, the sequence proceeds to a step S 284 for recording the received information on the front side only of a recording sheet of B4 size, and then a step S 286 causes the display circuit 124 , through the signal line 20 k , to display that the one side recording is executed because the long-sized original is received. This display is erased by any key operation of the operator.

Referring to FIG. 15, a step S 288 corresponds to the YES branch of the step S 258 . A step S 290 discriminates whether there is present the received information having a main scanning length of A4 size and a sub scanning length exceeding 350 mm or the received information having a main scanning length of B4 size and a sub scanning length exceeding 420 mm, and the sequence proceeds to a step S 294 (S 262 ) or S 292 (S 260 ) according as the result is affirmative or negative.

In the foregoing explanation, the functions of the control circuit are executed by a CPU therein based on a program stored in a ROM or a RAM therein, but the present invention may 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 by an exclusive reading device and executing it by the CPU in the control unit.

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

As explained in the foregoing, in case the information received within a communication includes different sizes when the dual side recording is selected, the present invention executes recording the received information according to the preset condition, thereby avoiding inappropriate recording resulting from uniform dual side recording. More specifically, the user is allowed to select either to appropriately reduce the size of the received information of different sizes and to execute the dual-size recording in a matched size, or to execute the one side recording of the received information in the original size, thereby being enabled to obtain the reception with the recording operation matching the desire of the user.

Also according to the present invention, in case the execution of the dual side recording is selected and if any long-sized original is contained in the received information, there is executed the one side recording whereby the user can be given the reception easy for observation by the user.

Also according to the present invention, in case the operator selects the dual side recording of the facsimile received information and if such dual side recording is not possible, the operator can recognize the reason therefor, so that the apparatus is extremely easy to use for the operator.