Facsimile apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

0001The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus miniaturized with its carrier path used in common for an original sheet and a recording sheet.

Related Background Art

0002Recently, the facsimile apparatus has occupied an important position in the field of the electronic office equipment, and there has been a demand for its miniaturization and cost reduction as well.

0003In a conventional facsimile apparatus, the carrier paths for the original sheet and recording sheet are formed as shown in U.S. Patent 4768100.

0004This carrier path for the original sheet as well as for the recording sheet is extracted and shown in Fig. 11. Now, the description will be made of the carrier path 2 for the original sheet 1 and the carrier path 4 for the recording sheet 3 shown in Fig. 11.

0005The original sheet 1 is inserted into the carrier path 2 for the original sheet 1 in the direction indicated by arrow M, and when a detecting sensor S₁ detects the presence of the original sheet 1, driving rollers 5, 6, and 7 are driven together with the free rollers 5₁ and 7₁ in the rotational directions indicated by arrows, respectively. Then, when the leading end of the original sheet 1 is conveyed to the position of a registration sensor S₂ to be detected by the sensor S₂, the driving circuit of a read sensor R is actuated after a predetermined period of time for the original sheet 1 to arrive at the reading position of the sensor R. Then, the reading operation begins. When the reading by the read sensor R is terminated, the original sheet 1 is exhausted by carrier rollers 7 and 7₁.

0006Usually, when the transmission has been completed subsequent to the termination of the reading of the original sheet 1, its communication report is outputted. This communication report output data including the telephone number of the party who has received the communication, the time to start the communication, the communication time, and the communication sheet numbers. This communication report is recorded on a rolled recording sheet 3 by a thermal head F, and this rolled recording sheet 3 is conveyed in the carrier path 4 by a carrier roller 8 which also functions as a platen.

0007However, since the communication report is recorded on the rolled recording sheet 3, it is necessary to use the rolled recording sheet 3 for each transmission. Therefore, while the cost becomes high, the rolled recording sheet 3 must always be kept in the facsimile apparatus thus making the size thereof inevitably large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0008An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a facsimile apparatus which does not require any recording sheet for recording the communication report.

0009Another object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus miniaturized with its carrier path used in common for the original sheet and the recording sheet.

0010Further objects of the present invention will be clear from the specific embodiments set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0011<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>Fig. 1 is a view showing the outer appearance of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing the structure of the carrier path of the facsimile apparatus shown in Fig. 1;</li><li>Fig. 3 is a detailed view showing the read sensor shown in Fig. 2;</li><li>Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the printer head shown in Fig. 2;</li><li>Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing the recording unit shown in Fig. 2;</li><li>Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the electric circuit of the facsimile apparatus provided with the carrier unit shown in Fig. 2;</li><li>Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric circuit shown in Fig. 6;</li><li>Fig. 8 is a timing chart for the electric circuit shown in Fig. 6;</li><li>Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the communication report printed on the original sheet shown in Fig. 2;</li><li>Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric circuit shown in Fig. 6 at the time of receiving communication; and</li><li>Fig. 11 is a view showing the carrier unit of a conventional facsimile apparatus.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0012Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings.

0013Fig. 1 shows a facsimile apparatus having carrier path used dually for the original sheet and recording sheet, in which either an original sheet or a recording sheet is inserted following the arrow Q. Then, either the original sheet or recording sheet is exhausted in the direction indicated by arrow W subsequent to a reading operation or a recording operation.

0014The carrier unit of the facsimile apparatus, which serves to function as its original carrier path and recording sheet path dually, is shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, a reference numeral 11 designates a carrier path for conveying an original sheet 12 (or a recording sheet which is not shown; hereinafter, only the original sheet is described), and in the vicinity of the insertion opening for the sheet 12 of this carrier path 11, a detecting sensor S₁₁ is positioned. When this detecting sensor S₁₁ detects the presence of the original sheet 12, the driving rollers 13, 14, and 15 which are provided on the carrier path 2 are allowed to rotate together with its free rollers 13₁ and 15₁ in the directions indicated by arrows. A reference numeral S₁₂ is a registration sensor for detecting the leading end of the original sheet 12, and when this sensor S₁₂ is actuated, the driving circuit of a read sensor R₁ is actuated after a predetermined period of time for the leading end of the original sheet 12 to arrive at the reading position of the read sensor R₁, thus starting the reading operation.

0015The read sensor R₁ reads the original sheet 12 which is in contact with the reading surface under pressure, and this sensor R₁ is structured as shown in Fig. 3. In other words, a reference numeral 16 designates an image sensor array linearly arranged in the width direction of the original sheet for reading through a condensing rod lens array 18 the image information on the original sheet irradiated by an illumination LED array 17. A reference numeral 19 designates a transparent glass plate.

0016Reference numerals 20a and 20b designate respectively a lower guide and an upper guide provided to form a carrier path for the original sheet 12.

0017A reference numeral 22 designates an ink jet printing unit having a printing width in the width direction of the recording sheet arranged between the carrier paths for the original sheet (recording sheet) facing the read sensor R₁.

0018This ink jet printer 22 is structured as shown in Fig. 4. In other words, an ink jet cartridge 22₁, which can be freely mounted, is integrally structured with an ink jet head 22₂ together with an ink supply tank 22₃. This ink jet cartridge 22₁ is configurated so that the leading portion of the ink jet head 22₂ is slightly projected from the front face of the ink tank 22₃. This ink jet cartridge 22₁ is of disposable type which can be attached to or detached from the carriage which will be described later.

0019The ink jet type recording head has the element which generates a thermal energy enabling ink to generate film boiling as an energy utilized for ink discharging.

0020The ink tank 22₃ for storing ink to be supplied to the ink jet head 22₂ comprises an ink absorbent, a container in which this ink absorbent is inserted, and a covering member (non of them is shown). In this ink tank 22₃, ink is filled and is supplied to the ink jet head side sequentially as ink is discharged.

0021This ink jet printing unit 22 is mounted on the carriage 23 as shown in Fig. 5, and the head 22₂ is caused to discharge ink onto the recording surface of a sheet which has been fed onto the platen 21. In Fig. 5, the carriage 23 is coupled to a part of a driving belt 25 for transmitting the driving power of a driving motor 24 and is provided slidably along the two guide shafts 26a and 26b which are arranged in parallel to each other. Hence, the recording head 22₂ is allowed to shuttle over the entire width of the recording sheet.

0022A reference numeral 27 designates a head recovery unit and is provided at one end of the traveling pass of the recording head 22₂ such as a location facing its home position.

0023The head recovery unit 27 is driven by the driving power of a motor 28 to perform the capping of the recording head 22₂. In conjunction with the capping of the recording head 22₂ by the capping portion 27a of this head recovery unit 27, the ink absorption by an appropriate suction means (a suction pump, for example) provided in the head recovery unit 27 or the pressurized ink supply by an appropriate pressuring means provided in the ink supply pass to the recording head 22₂ is performed thereby to discharge ink forcibly for the execution of the discharging recovery process such as the removal of excessively viscous ink in the discharging port, and the like. Also, the recording head is protected by the capping which is executed when the recording is terminated or some other time as required.

0024A reference numeral 29 designates a blade formed by silicon rubber, which serves as a wiping member, arranged on the side face of the head recovery unit 27. The blade 29 is supported by a blade supporting member 29a in a cantilever fashion, and as in the case of the head recovery unit 27, the wiping member is driven by the motor 28 to be in contact with the discharging surface of the recording head 22₂. In this way, on the basis of an appropriate timing with respect to the recording operation of the recording head 22₂ or subsequent to the discharging recovery process using the head recovery unit 27, the blade 29 is projected into the traveling path of the recording head 22₂ to wipe off the dewing, wetting, dust particles and the like on the discharging surface of the head 22₂ following the movement of the head 22.

0025Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the electric circuit of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and each of the output signals from a read instruction switch 33, original detecting sensor S₁, registration sensor S₂, and pulse counter 34 is transmitted to a control circuit 35 formed by a computer.

0026The control circuit 35 controls the motor drive circuit 36, read sensor drive circuit 38, and printer drive circuit 39 to drive a driving pulse motor 37, read sensor R₁, and printer 22, respectively.

0027Here, in conjunction with a flowchart shown in Fig. 7, the description will be made of the operation of the facsimile apparatus shown in Fig. 1 which is provided with the circuit shown in Fig. 6. Further, Fig. 8 is a timing chart of the circuit shown in Fig. 6, in which a reference mark l₁ represents the distance for the original sheet to travel from the registration sensor S₁₂ to the reading surface of the read sensor R₁; l₂, the distance for the original sheet to travel from the reading surface of the read sensor R₁ to the printing surface of the printer 22; and l₃, the distance for the original sheet to travel from the reading surface of the read sensor R₁ to the driving roller 15.

0028The original read instruction switch 33 is depressed by an operator, and when this turning on of the switch 33 is detected at the step S₁ and the presence of the original sheet is detected by the original detecting sensor S₁₁ at the step S₂, the pulse motor 37 is driven at the step S₃. Thus, the driving rollers 13, 14, and 15 are caused to rotate in the directions indicated by arrows together with the free rollers 13₁ and 15₁ to convey the original 12, and at the step S₄, when the leading end of the original is detected by the registration sensor S₁₂, the counter 34 is actuated at the step S₅ to count the time required for the leading end of the original sheet 12 to travel the distance l₁ from the registration sensor S₁₂ to the reading position of the read sensor R₁. Then, at the step S₆, with the detection of this counting having been executed, the counter 34 is reset at the step S₇, and at the step S₈, the read sensor drive circuit 38 is driven to enable the read sensor R₁ to start reading. When the trailing end of the original sheet 12 is detected by the registration sensor S₁₂ at the step S₉ subsequent to the reading of this read sensor R₁, the counter 34 is actuated at the step S₁₀ to count the time required for the trailing end of the original sheet 12 to travel the distance l₁ from the registration sensor S₁₂ to the reading position of the read sensor R₁. Then, when this counting is detected at the step S₁₁, the counter 34 is reset at the step S₁₂ to stop the driving of the read sensor drive circuit 38 at the step S₁₃. Hence, the operation of the read sensor R₁ is suspended. Subsequent to the termination of this reading operation, the transmitting operation of the original image thus read is performed at the step S₁₄. Then, after the termination of this transmitting operation, the counter 34 is caused to start counting at the step S₁₅ and at the same time, the printer drive circuit 39 is driven at the step S₁₆ to enable the ink jet printer 22 to print the communication report such as shown in Fig. 9 on the reverse side of the trailing end of the original sheet 12. Then, at the step S₁₇, when it is detected that the counter 34 has counted the time required for the trailing end of the original sheet 12 to travel the distance l₂ from the reading position of the read sensor R₁ to the printing surface of the printer 22, the driving of the printer drive circuit 39 is suspended at the step S₁₈ to terminate the printing of the communication report. Then, at the step S₁₉ when it is detected that the counter 34 has counted the time required for the trailing end of the original sheet 12 to travel the distance l₃ from the reading position of the read sensor R₁ to the contacting face between driving roller 15 and free roller 15₁, the counter 34 is reset at the step S₂₀. Then, when the original sheet 12 is exhausted sufficiently, the driving of the motor drive circuit 36 is suspended at the step S₂₁ to stop the pulse motor 37, thus terminating the series of the operation.

0029In the above-mentioned embodiment, although an ink jet printer is used as a printer for outputting an image, the printer is not limited thereto, and a printing apparatus for papers such as a thermal transfer printer may be used, for example.

0030Also, in the aforesaid embodiment, a counter is employed to perform the pulse counting of a driving motor for detecting the amount of the original sheet conveyance for subscanning, but the amount of the conveyance for subscanning may be detected using a timer with a predetermined speed at which the original sheet is conveyed.

0031So far the operation of sending out information on the original sheet has been described. Now, in conjunction with the flowchart shown in Fig. 10, the description will be made of the operational flow of receiving the information which is being transmitted.

0032In a state of the receiving mode which is obtainable when the operator has released the on-state of the switch 33, the receiving signal is detected at the step S'₁, the presence of the recording sheet is detected by the detecting sensor S₁₁ at the step S'₂, and the pulse motor 37 is driven at the step S'₃. Thus, the driving rollers 13, 14, and 15 are caused to rotate in the directions indicated by arrow together with the free rollers 13₁ and 15₁ to convey the recording sheet 12, and at the step S'₄, when the leading end of the recording sheet 12 is detected by the registration sensor S₁₂, the counter 34 is actuated at the step S'₅ to count the time required for the leading end of the recording sheet 12 to travel the distance l₁ + l₂ from the registration sensor S₁₂ to the printing surface of the printing head. Then, at the step S'₆, with the detection of this counting having been executed, the counter 34 is reset at the step S'₇, and at the step S'₈, the printer drive circuit 39 is driven to enable the ink jet head printer 22 to start printing. When the trailing end of the recording sheet 12 is detected by the registration sensor S₁₂ at the step S'₉ subsequent to the recording by this printer, the counter 34 is actuated at the step S'₁₀ to count the time required for the trailing end of the recording sheet 12 to travel the distance l₁ + l₂ from the registration sensor S₁₂ to the printing surface of the printing head. Then, when this counting by the counter 34 is detected at the step S'₁₁, the driving of the printer drive circuit 39 is suspended at the step S'₁₈ to terminate printing. Then, at the step S'₁₉, when it is detected that the counter 34 has counted the time required for the trailing end of the recording sheet 12 to travel the distance l₁ + l₃ from the registration sensor S₁₂ to the contacting face between driving roller 15 and free roller 15₁, the counter 34 is reset at the step S'₂₀. Then, when the recording sheet 12 is exhausted sufficiently, the driving of the motor drive circuit 36 is suspended at the step S'₂₁ to stop the pulse motor 37, thus terminating the series of the operation.

0033According to the present invention as set forth above in detail, its structure is arranged so as to use the carrier pass in common for the original sheet and recording sheet and at the same time, a reading unit is arranged on the sheet insertion side of the aforesaid sheet carrier pass while a recording unit is arranged on the sheet exhaust side of the aforesaid sheet carrier path. Then, the aforesaid sheet reading unit and sheet recording unit are arranged on the side facing each other with the aforesaid sheet carrier path sandwiched between them. Subsequent to having read the original sheet by the aforesaid reading unit, the communication report is printed on the reverse side of the aforesaid original sheet by the aforesaid recording unit. Therefore, there is no need of any recording paper dedicated for the purpose thereby to reduce the communication cost. It is also unnecessary to store any recording paper for the communication report in the facsimile apparatus to make the miniaturization possible for the apparatus as a whole.