JP3110859B2 - Image recording method and apparatus and communication apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device such as a facsimile device, an image recording device as an output terminal, and a recording method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in a facsimile apparatus, a recording paper is moved by rotating a paper feed motor such as a stepping motor, and the position of the recording head is changed while changing the relative position of the recording head with the heating resistor. The image is recorded on the recording paper by transmitting the strobe pulse. However, when the recording paper is moved by the rotation drive of a stepping motor or the like, vibration occurs in the recording paper transport drive system,
This causes a problem that the positional relationship between the recording paper and the heating resistor moves to a place where it should not be, and the image quality is significantly degraded.

[0003] In particular, a reception buffer for temporarily storing received image data is provided. In the case of ECM reception or the like, when the amount of received image data stored in the reception buffer reaches a predetermined data amount (when the amount of data reaches one block). In the facsimile apparatus which collectively records the received data of one block, the vibration when stopping the conveyance of the recording paper after recording the last line of one block was the most intense. Therefore, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, after the transmission of the strobe signal to the heating resistor for recording the last line of one block is completed, the recording paper transport motor continues to vibrate, so that the recording paper advances too much. However, there has been a problem that a white streak occurs in the recorded image of that portion.

[0004]

In order to solve such a problem, in the case of receiving an ECM or the like, the number of strobe pulses output to the heating resistor of the thermal head is increased or the time is increased. A countermeasure to do so is being considered. However, in such a case, heat is applied to the recording paper and the heating resistor too much, so that the recording density becomes too high, and a fine image or the like is blackened. In addition, since the vibration of the recording paper differs depending on the size of the recording paper used, for example, even if the maximum value of the number of times of applying the strobe pulse is set to a value corresponding to the recording paper of the B4 size, the maximum value is set to the A4 size Is not always the optimum value for the recording paper.

Further, in the printing time interval between the blocks, the temperature of the heating resistor is excessively lowered by continuously applying a small pulse to the heating resistor to such an extent that the recording paper does not develop color. Had been prevented. However, even with the above-mentioned method, since the temperature drop of the heating resistor between the blocks cannot be completely prevented, the white streaks in the printed image have not been completely eliminated. In particular, white streaks are very conspicuous in a halftone image or the like, which causes a deterioration in image quality in a printed image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example. When the time interval of the recording start instruction is long, the recording head is driven to prevent the temperature from dropping, and the driving energizing energy at the time of driving is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording method and apparatus which prevents deterioration of the quality of a recorded image by setting an optimum value according to the size of a recording medium used for recording, and a communication apparatus having the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of white stripes or the like at the head of image data of a block when image data of one block is collectively recorded on a recording medium, and to detect a recording head in the middle of a block. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording method and apparatus which prevent deterioration of the quality of a recorded image by preventing the drive control of a recording head based on temperature, and a communication apparatus having the apparatus.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.
That is, an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head to generate heat in accordance with image data, and instructing a start of recording by preparing a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded. A drive signal output unit that outputs a print head drive signal for recording the predetermined amount of image data in response to the instruction from the instruction unit; and a recording medium in response to the instruction from the instruction unit. Transport means for transporting a distance corresponding to the predetermined unit amount, and driving means for driving the recording head to generate heat in order to prevent a temperature decrease of the recording head when a time interval of the instruction from the instruction means is longer than a predetermined time. And setting means for setting the drive energizing energy by the driving means according to the size of the recording medium.

In order to achieve the above object, the image recording method of the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, an image recording method for driving a recording head to generate heat according to image data and recording an image on a recording medium, wherein an instruction step of instructing a start of recording by preparing a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded A recording step of driving the recording head to generate heat in response to the instruction and recording the predetermined amount of image data, and transporting a recording medium by a distance corresponding to the predetermined amount of unit; A driving step of driving the recording head to generate heat in order to prevent the temperature of the recording head from lowering when the recording head has been idle for a predetermined time or more, and the drive energizing energy to the recording head in the driving step is determined according to the size of the recording medium. It is different.

[0010] To achieve the above object, a communication apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it has a receiving means for receiving image data, and a storage means for storing the received image data. When the storage means stores one block of image data, the recording head is driven to generate heat, and
A communication device for collectively recording image data for blocks on a recording medium, wherein instruction means for instructing recording start by preparing a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded, and A drive signal output unit for outputting a printhead drive signal for recording the predetermined unit amount of image data in accordance with an instruction; and a distance corresponding to the predetermined unit amount in accordance with the instruction from the instruction unit. Transport means for transporting, when the time interval of the instruction from the instruction means is longer than a predetermined time, driving means for driving the recording head to generate heat in order to prevent the temperature of the recording head from lowering, and controlling the temperature of the recording head. Detecting means for detecting the temperature of the recording head detected by the detecting means when recording the predetermined unit amount of image data at the head of the block; After controlling the drive means so that the temperature range, the block to start recording the image data of the predetermined unit quantity of the top at the time of recording of the image data of the predetermined unit amount in the middle of the block,
Control means for starting recording of the predetermined amount of image data without controlling the driving means based on the temperature detected by the detecting means.

[0011]

According to the image recording method and apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the start of recording is instructed by preparing a predetermined amount of image data to be recorded, and the time interval of the instruction is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. When the recording head becomes empty, the recording head is driven to generate heat in order to prevent the temperature of the recording head from lowering, and an operation is performed so as to set the drive energizing energy by the driving unit that generates heat according to the size of the recording medium.
Further, according to the communication device of the present invention, the recording start is instructed by preparing a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded based on the received data, and when the time interval of the instruction is longer than a predetermined time, the recording head The recording head is driven to generate heat in order to prevent the temperature of the recording head from dropping, and during the recording of the first predetermined amount of image data in the block, the heat generation drive by the driving unit is controlled so that the detected temperature of the recording head is within the predetermined temperature range. The recording of the image data of the predetermined unit amount at the head of the block is started, and the recording of the image data of the predetermined unit amount in the middle of the block is performed without controlling the driving means based on the detected temperature. To start recording.

Further, according to the communication apparatus of the present invention, when the image signal stored in the storage means for storing the received image signal reaches a predetermined amount, the recording is started, and the energization driving condition is set according to the size of the recording medium. When the recording time interval is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the recording head is energized and driven according to the driving conditions.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Before describing the present embodiment, the outline of the present embodiment will be briefly described. When a time interval for recording image data is long, the temperature of the heating resistor for the purpose of recording an image is determined. Is performed, so-called multi-scan (hereinafter, or sub-scan) is performed to increase the number of strobe pulses. The number or maximum value of the sub-scans and whether or not to perform the sub-scans are determined by the recording paper size A.
4 or B4. Thereby, even if the size of the recording paper is changed, the parameters of the multi-scan are optimized. That is, it is possible to optimize the multi-scan in consideration of the influence of the size of the recording paper on the vibration of the recording paper.

In another embodiment, a reception buffer for temporarily storing a reception image signal is provided.
When the amount of received image signal data stored in the receiving buffer reaches a set data amount (hereinafter, one block), a facsimile apparatus that prints received images for one block of data collectively is one block. Until the printing process ends and the printing process of the next block starts,
A strobe signal consisting of a minute pulse is continuously sent to the heating resistor of the recording head, and the heating resistor is kept at a certain temperature. When printing the first line of the next block, the heating resistor is driven to generate heat for a predetermined time so that printing or printing is not performed by the data of the last line of the previous block. Then, by rotating a motor for moving the recording paper as a recording medium (hereinafter, a paper feed motor) and sequentially printing the next block, when printing the first line of the next block, the heating resistor Prevents excessive temperature drop and white streaks.

Further, the print head temperature data detected when printing each line of the previous block is held, and the print head is pre-heated to the heating resistor during the non-printing time between blocks. Is detected and compared with the stored temperature data. When the difference between these temperature data reaches a certain range, the preheating process is stopped, and by shifting to the printing process of the next block, unnecessary application of energy of the heating resistor is performed. To prevent black streaks from occurring between blocks.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a document to be transmitted,
Document reading unit that outputs image data. Reference numeral 2 denotes a recording unit for recording a received image received by facsimile via a line, image data read by the document reading unit 1, and a report of a communication result. The document reading unit 1 and the recording unit 2 are controlled by the sub CPU 201 shown in FIG. . Reference numeral 3 denotes a network control unit (NCU) which executes a communication procedure with a telephone line to transmit and receive a facsimile image. Reference numeral 4 denotes a modulation / demodulation device (modem) for communication, and reference numeral 5 denotes a modem control unit for controlling the modem 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation panel, which includes a display 7 for displaying the status of the facsimile to the user, an operation key 8 for operating the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, and various operations.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a sensor which detects the state of the facsimile and outputs a detection signal to the central control unit 20. Reference numeral 10 denotes a memory, which stores received image data, original read image data, and the like, and also functions as a buffer for temporarily storing the received image data at the time of ECM reception or the like. In addition, a system RAM (or system memory) storing various data in a nonvolatile manner, a control program of the central control unit 20, a table 13a storing a number of times of multi-scanning according to a recording sheet size described later, and the like are stored. ROM 13 and the like. Reference numeral 20 denotes a central control unit which controls the above-described units.

In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, the received image data is temporarily stored in a reception buffer during ECM reception or the like, and when the received image data reaches a set data amount (one block), the received image data is collectively stored. Although a printing mode is provided, this receiving buffer is included in the image memory 11.

FIG. 2 shows a sub CPU for controlling the original reading section 1 and the recording section 2 of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration around 201.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a read motor which belongs to the document reading section 1 and moves a transmission document to a reading position by a CCD. Reference numeral 12 denotes a current driver, which supplies a current necessary for driving the read motor 11 to rotate. Reference numeral 21 denotes a paper feed motor for conveying the recording paper.
It belongs to the recording unit 2 and relatively moves the positional relationship between the recording paper for recording an image and the heating resistor of the thermal head 202. Reference numeral 22 denotes a current driver that supplies a current necessary for driving the paper feed motor 21 to rotate. Reference numeral 23 denotes a cutter driving motor which drives the cutter to cut a roll of recording paper in accordance with the length of the recorded image. 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes a current driver that supplies a current necessary for driving the cutter driving motor 23 to rotate.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a sub CPU, which operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 210.
2 controls the energization of the heating resistor and controls the various motors described above. The ROM 210 stores a table 211 that stores the pulse width of a strobe signal applied to the thermal head 202 according to the temperature of the thermal head 202 and the size of the recording paper. Numeral 203 denotes a smoothing IC for improving the quality of a recorded image by interpolating between lines of image data to be recorded. Reference numeral 204 denotes an encoding / decoding device which decodes the encoded data sent from the other party's facsimile transmitter to create the original image data, and also converts the image data read and output by the document reading section 1. An encoding / decoding device (CODEC) that is encoding. Reference numeral 205 denotes the main CPU of the central control unit 20, the address decoder as its peripheral circuit, and other circuit configurations.

FIG. 3 shows a central control unit 2 for recording a received image in the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
0 is an operation flowchart showing the process 0, and the control program for executing this process is stored in the ROM 13.

The process of FIG. 3 is started by performing facsimile reception. First, in step S1, the image memory 11
Is determined to be a memory print for printing the image data stored in. If it is a memory print, the process proceeds to step S2, where data is sequentially read from the image memory 11 and printed. In this case, it is possible to print at a constant speed without increasing the time interval between the lines during image recording.

If it is determined in step S1 that the print is not a memory print, the flow advances to step S3 to check whether the print is a reception print in the normal G3 mode. If it is a reception print in the G3 mode, the process proceeds to step S4 to perform a G3 reception recording process for recording image data received in the G3 mode.

If the reception is not in the G3 mode, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S5 and further to step S6, and it is determined whether the size of the recording paper is A4 size or B4 size. If the recording paper is of A4 size, the process proceeds to step S7, and multi-scan parameters such as the maximum value of the number (or time) of multi-scans are set to values corresponding to A4 size. This value is stored, for example, in the table 13a of the ROM 13. Next, the process proceeds to step S8 to inform the sub CPU 201 that the recording paper is A4 size and the next image to be recorded is ECM original reception data. As a result, the temperature of the thermal head 202 is checked, and the pulse width applied to the thermal head 202 corresponding to the temperature and the recording paper size A4 is set in the table 21.
1 is determined.

On the other hand, when the size of the recording paper is B4, the process proceeds to step S10, and the multi-scan parameters such as the maximum value of the number (or time) of multi-scan are set to B4.
Set to a value corresponding to the size. This value is, for example, RO
It is stored in the table 13a of M13. Next, the process proceeds to step S11 to inform the sub CPU 201 that the recording paper is B4 size and the image data to be recorded next is ECM reception data. Accordingly, the sub CPU 201 checks the temperature of the thermal head 202, and determines the pulse width to be applied to the thermal head 202 with reference to the table 211 in accordance with the temperature and the recording paper size B4.

Thus, the process proceeds to step S9, and printing of the ECM received data is started.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sub CPU 201 when recording a received image in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. This processing is performed by the central control unit 20.
Is started by inputting a print instruction from
First, in step S21, a sub-scan for energizing the heating resistor of the thermal head 202 is started. Next, step S
The process proceeds to step S22, where the temperature of the thermal head 202 is detected. In step S23, the energizing pulse width in the main scan and the sub-scan according to the temperature of the thermal head 202 and the recording paper size is determined with reference to the table 211. Then, the process proceeds to step S24, and the thermal head 202 is driven to generate heat according to the image data in accordance with the determined energizing pulse width, thereby performing one-line recording.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S25, at which the encoding / decoding unit 20 confirms that the recording data of the next line is ready.
A check is made with the PRDY signal from No. 4, and if the PRDY signal is on, the flow returns to step S24 to execute the above-described image recording processing.

On the other hand, if there is no print data for the next line in step S25, the process proceeds to step S26, and the process proceeds to step S2.
In accordance with the conditions determined in step 3, a sub-scan is performed in which power is applied to maintain the temperature of the heating resistor of the thermal head 202. Then, in step S27, print data for the next line is prepared in the same manner as in step S25. See what was done. Next, when recording data is not prepared, step S
The process proceeds to step S28, where it is determined whether or not the sub-scan has been executed the number of times determined in step S23. If not, the process returns to step S26, and the above-described processing is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining a main scan and a sub-scan performed by the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment.

In the figure, a PRDY (printer ready) signal is sent from the encoder / decoder 204 of FIG.
This signal is output to 1 when it is at a high level, indicating that there is image data for recording the next line. In addition, the XPOE signal is a sub CPU with respect to the PRDY signal.
This is a response signal output from the 201 to the encoder / decoder 204, which permits the encoder / decoder 204 to transfer the recording data to the smoothing IC 203. Also, the encoder / decoder 204 is a smoothing IC.
When the recording data is transferred to the
Although the Y signal is turned off, the sub CP
It also has a function of transmitting the information from the U201 to the encoder / decoder 204.

The motor trigger signal is included in a control signal sent from the sub CPU 201 to the current driver 22, and the excitation state of the paper feed motor 21 is changed by the motor trigger signal. The recording paper is conveyed according to the recording width by the motor 21 performing a stepping operation. The strobe signal is a pulse signal (energization signal) sent from the sub CPU 201 to the thermal head 202. The strobe signal causes the thermal head 202 to generate heat, and the strobe signal is applied to recording paper such as thermal paper that is in contact with the thermal head 202. Images can be recorded. Also,
During the sub-scan, this strobe signal is applied as a pulse signal for keeping the temperature of the thermal head 202 constant.

The main scan portion (501, 503, 504) of the strobe signal is a strobe signal for actually driving the heating resistor based on the image data sent to the thermal head 202 and actually recording an image. is there. Also, a sub-scan (multi-scan) portion 5
02, when the image data is not continuously sent to the thermal head 202, that is, when the image data transfer interval is long, the image data is recorded only within a certain time, which is a surplus time. For transmitting the strobe signal continuously. This makes it possible to increase the recording density of the image data.

As is clear from FIG. 5, after the main scan (image recording of one line) 501, there is a time interval until the next line recording 503, so that the temperature of the thermal head 202 is prevented from lowering. Therefore, a sub-scan indicated by 502 is performed. On the other hand, since there is almost no time interval between the main scans 503 and 504, the next main scan 5 is performed without performing the sub-scan.
04 is subsequently executed.

The temperature detection timing is determined by setting the pulse widths of the main scan and the sub scan to the thermal head 202.
4 shows the timing for detecting the temperature of the heating resistor of the thermal head 202 in order to optimize the temperature in accordance with the temperature of the heating resistor. The table for determining the energizing pulse width according to the temperature of the heating resistor is a ROM.
210 are stored in a table 211.

The smoothing IC 203 creates interpolation data between the image data sent from the encoder / decoder 204 and transfers the interpolation data to the thermal head 202, whereby the thermal head 202 Are driven to perform recording. FIG. 5 shows the timing when such interpolation is not performed, for the sake of simplicity.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing operation timing in the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, the PRDY signal (ready signal) is transmitted to the encoder / decoder 204 shown in FIG.
Is transmitted to the sub CPU 201, and when it is at the high level, it indicates that the encoder / decoder 204 has data to be printed. The XPOE signal is the sub CPU
A response signal output from the 201 to the encoder / decoder 204 is output as a signal responsive to the PRDY signal, thereby permitting the encoder / decoder 204 to transfer the print data to the smoothing IC 203. When the encoder / decoder 204 finishes transferring the print data to the smoothing IC 203, the PRDY signal goes low, but the fact that the sub CPU 201 has confirmed it is transmitted to the encoder / decoder 204. It also has work.

The motor trigger signal is included in the control signal sent from the sub CPU 201 to the driver 22 of the paper feed motor 21. The motor trigger signal changes the excitation state of the paper feed motor 21. As a result, the paper feed motor 21 performs a stepping operation. The preheat command is sent to the main CPU 205
Are included in the control signal sent to the sub CPU 201 from the sub CPU 201, and are sent to the sub CPU 201 when the main CPU 205 determines that the line to be printed next is the head line of the block.

The strobe signal is a pulse signal sent from the sub CPU 201 to the thermal head (TPH) 202. The strobe signal causes the thermal head 202 to generate heat, and an image is formed on a recording paper such as a thermal paper which comes into contact with the thermal head 202. Can be printed. In addition, the temperature of the thermal head 202 can be kept constant. In FIG. 6, reference numerals 30 and 33 denote main heat pulses when printing is actually performed, 31 and 35 denote sub-heat pulses, and 32 and 33 denote pre-scan heat pulses. Lastly, the temperature detection timing indicates the timing at which the temperature of the thermal head 202 is detected. The sub CPU 201 determines the optimal pulse width of the strobe signal based on the temperature data detected thereby. ing.

Note that the smoothing IC 203 creates interpolation data between the image data sent from the encoder / decoder 204 and transfers the interpolation data to the thermal head 202. The thermal head 202 can perform an operation of printing it. In this embodiment, for simplification of the description, the timing is shown without performing such interpolation processing.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the sub CPU 20 of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
1 will be described. A control program for executing this process is stored in the ROM 210. In FIG. 7, the main scan is performed by a thermal head (TPH) 20.
A strobe signal for printing the image data sent to the sub-scan 2 or a sub-scan (also called multi-scan) is used when the image data is not continuously sent to the thermal head 202, that is, the image data transfer interval is long. When the error occurs, a strobe signal for printing image data is continuously transmitted within a certain period of time in a surplus time. By doing so, the image print density can be increased.

In the facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment,
A mode is provided in which received image data is temporarily stored in a reception buffer such as ECM reception, and when the received image data reaches a preset data amount (one block), printing is performed collectively. In this mode, while printing of one block of data is completed and the next encoded image data is received and stored in the reception buffer, the main CPU 205 sends a sub-heat command at the timing shown in FIG. Send it to CPU 201.

Hereinafter, the operation of the sub CPU 201 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, step S31
Input the temperature data of the thermal head 202 and store the temperature data in the RAM 212 (step S3).
2). Next, the process proceeds to step S33, and the pulse width of the main scan and sub scan pulses according to the temperature of the thermal head 202 is determined with reference to the table 211 of the ROM 210. In step S34, the paper feed motor 2 is synchronized with the PRDY signal from the encoder / decoder 204.
1 and outputs a main scan pulse to the thermal head 202 for printing. Next, proceeding to step S35, the PRD from the encoder / decoder 204
It is checked whether the Y signal has been input, that is, whether there is print data for the next line. If so, the flow advances to step S36 to print the next line.

If there is no print data for the next line, the flow advances to step S37 to output a strobe signal for sub-scan to the thermal head 202. Next, step S3
The process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined whether a preheat command has been input from the central control unit 20 (main CPU). If the preheat command has not been input, the process proceeds to step S39 to determine whether print data for the next line has been prepared. If there is print data for the next line, the printing is performed in step S40. If there is no print data, the flow returns to step S38 to wait for a preheat command from the main CPU to be input.

When the preheat command is received in step S38, the process proceeds to step S41, where the thermal head 202
In order to keep the temperature of the heating resistor at a constant temperature, an operation of continuously sending out the minute pulse to the heating resistor is started (pre-scan 1 (32) in FIG. 6). The temperature held by the heating resistor by the prescan 1 is sufficiently lower than the temperature at which the heating resistor is sufficient for printing. Then, in step S42, the encoder / decoder 204
When the DY signal is input and it is informed that there is data to print the next line, the process proceeds to step S43, and the P
It is determined whether the image data signal corresponding to the RDY signal is the head line data of one block. If it is not the head data, the process proceeds to step S47, and the line data is printed immediately. The determination as to whether or not the data is the head data is made based on a signal or a command given from the central control unit 20.

If it is the head data of one block, the flow advances to step S44 to output a strobe pulse signal of the printer scan 2 indicated by 33 in FIG. This is done before the start of the regular scan (main scan or main scan and sub-scan)
This is performed to increase the temperature of the heating resistor of the thermal head 202. During the printer scan 2, the temperature of the heating resistor of the thermal head 202 is detected (step S45), and in step S46, the difference between the temperature value and the temperature value stored in step S2 is within a certain range. Check if there is. Steps S44 to S46 are repeatedly executed until the temperature difference falls within a certain range, and the temperature of the heating resistor of the thermal head 202 is raised to a certain value. Then, the process proceeds to step S47,
While rotating the paper feed motor 21 to move the recording paper, the next line data is printed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the pulse width of the strobe signal to be applied to the thermal head 202 in the main scan or the sub-scan is set to the same value as that of the thermal head 202 immediately before the start of the scan.
The operation of optimizing according to the temperature of the heating resistor is performed. The pulse width table 211 for the temperature required for that purpose is stored in the RO
It is stored in M210.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 shows a sub CPU 2 in the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a temperature detection timing executed by No. 01, and may correspond to temperature detection 1 in FIG. Here, other signal timings with respect to the temperature detection timing are shown in FIG.
Same as

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the operation of the sub CPU 201 in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the temperature of the thermal head 202 is detected even at the time of the pre-scan 1 as shown in FIG.
Then, the pulse width of prescan 1 is controlled using the data.

In FIG. 9, steps S51 to S60 correspond to steps S31 to S40 in FIG.
The description is omitted here.

When a preheat command is input from the main CPU in step S58, the flow advances to step S61 (FIG. 10), and prescan 1 is started. This prescan 1
During the period, the temperature of the thermal head 202 is detected, and step S
It is checked whether the difference from the temperature value stored in 52 is equal to or more than the upper limit value. When the difference is equal to or larger than the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S64,
By increasing the pulse width of the strobe signal in the prescan 1, the energy applied to the thermal head 202 is increased. On the other hand, when the temperature difference is not equal to or larger than the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S65, and it is determined whether the temperature difference is equal to or smaller than the lower limit. If it is equal to or less than the lower limit, the process proceeds to step S66, in which the pulse width of the prescan is reduced or the prescan is stopped. Thus, step S67
To see if the print data for the next line has been prepared. If the print data for the next line has not been prepared, the process returns to step S61, and the above-described processing is repeatedly executed. The timing of the temperature detection in FIG. 8 indicates the timing when the temperature detection is repeatedly performed in the prescan 1.

When the print data for the next line is prepared in step S67, the flow advances to step S68 to check whether the data to be printed next is the head data of one block. If it is not the head data, the process proceeds to step S72, and the printing process of the next line is immediately started.
Proceed to 9 to start prescan 2. As a result, the same processing as in steps S44 to S47 in FIG. 7 is executed, and the prescan 2 is repeatedly executed until the temperature of the thermal head 202 enters a predetermined temperature range.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, even in the pre-scan 1, the thermal head 202
Is detected and the temperature is set within a predetermined range, so that more accurate temperature control of the heating resistor can be performed. Then, unnecessary energy is prevented from being applied to the thermal head 202, and the possibility of occurrence of black streaks between blocks is reduced, and at the same time, required for preheating 2 when printing the next block head line. Time can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to a facsimile apparatus having an ECM receiving function, but is also applicable to an image output apparatus having a buffer capable of storing image data and printing the image data stored in the buffer collectively. Applicable.
In particular, when recording is performed by energizing a heating resistor such as a thermal print head or an ink jet head, when one page of image data does not fit in the buffer at one time, or prints image data stored in the buffer. Sometimes
This is effective when the time interval is long. The effect of performing such control is particularly prominent when the image data to be printed is halftone.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As is clear from FIG. 11 and FIG. 6 of the second embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, there is a time when image data is transferred, and
When the time interval for recording the image data becomes longer, a pre-scan (pre-heat 33) is performed immediately before the main scan 33 for recording the head of the image data of the next block to reduce the temperature of the heating resistor of the thermal head 202. The temperature is raised to a predetermined temperature. That is, in the first embodiment described above, the strobe signal of a plurality of minute pulses is applied in this time interval (prescan 32 in FIG. 6), and the prescan is performed immediately before the head of the next block is recorded. Is performed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of this process. As is clear from the flowchart and the flowchart in FIG. 7, the flowchart in FIG. 12 is exactly the same as the flowchart in FIG. 7 except that steps S41 and S42 are omitted. That is, when the pre-heat command is received in step S88, the process proceeds to step S91, and waits for reception of print data of the next line without performing the pre-scan 32 shown in FIG. (Step S9)
2) If it is not the head of the block, the process proceeds to printing of the next line in step S95.

On the other hand, at the beginning of the next block, step S
In steps S93 to S95, the pre-scan is executed until the temperature of the heating resistor of the thermal head 202 reaches a predetermined temperature, and thereafter, the process proceeds to the printing processing of the next line. The pulse width of the strobe signal in the pre-scan or main scan is determined by the thermal head 20 detected by the sensor 9.
2 is determined with reference to the table 211 of the ROM according to the temperature.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the number of pre-scans for driving the thermal head to generate heat can be reduced, so that the energy consumption of the thermal head can be reduced and the life of the thermal head can be extended. it can.

In this embodiment, the case of a facsimile apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a recording apparatus such as a printer connected to a document processing apparatus or various image processing apparatuses may be used. The present invention is also applicable to devices and recording units of various data communication devices.

Although the recording head of the recording unit of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is a thermal head, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, electric energy is converted into heat energy and the heat energy is converted. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a recording unit having an ink jet recording head for discharging ink by utilizing the same.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When the time interval for recording the image data is empty,
When performing sub-scanning to increase the number of strobe pulses to the heating resistor and keep the temperature of the heating resistor constant, the number of sub-scans or the maximum value of the number of sub-scans, depending on the size of recording paper used for recording, Or, various setting values such as not performing multi-scan are changed. Accordingly, the sub-scan parameters are optimized even if the size of the recording paper is changed, and an optimal sub-scan can be performed in consideration of the influence of the size of the recording paper used for recording on the vibration of the recording paper. (2) In the ECM mode or the like, it is possible to improve the recording quality affected by the vibration of the recording paper immediately after recording the last line of the block. (3) When the decoding processing time fluctuates due to the received signal of the facsimile, the vibration of the recording system including the recording paper also increases. Therefore, the deterioration of the recording quality can be prevented by performing such a sub-scan. (4) Even if the number (or time) of sub-scans is increased to eliminate white streaks due to the influence of vibration immediately after the last line recording of ECM reception, the resulting recording density does not become excessively high.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recording head is driven to prevent the temperature from dropping when the time interval of the recording start instruction is long, and the driving energizing energy during the driving is recorded. By setting the value to an optimum value according to the size of the recording medium to be used, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the quality of the recorded image. According to the present invention, when image data for one block is collectively recorded on a recording medium, the occurrence of white streaks or the like at the head of the image data of the block is prevented, and the midpoint of the block is based on the detected temperature of the recording head. By not controlling the driving of the recording head, there is an effect that deterioration of the quality of the recorded image can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing connections between peripheral circuits of a sub CPU of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment and respective units.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process by a central control unit of the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control process by a sub CPU of the facsimile apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing timings of various signals input / output by a sub CPU of the facsimile apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing output timings of various signals in the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a sub CPU according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing temperature detection timing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation by a sub CPU according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation by a sub CPU according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing output timings of various signals in a facsimile apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a sub CPU according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Document reading part 2 Recording part 6 Operation panel 11 Image memory 13,210 ROM 13a, 211 Table 20 Central control part 21 Paper feed motor 201 Sub CPU 202 Thermal head 203 Smoothing IC 204 Encoding / decoding device 205 Main CPU and Address decoder 210 ROM

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-249471 (JP, A) JP-A-57-151378 (JP, A) JP-A-62-3969 (JP, A) JP-A-62-60360 (JP, A) , A) Japanese Utility Model Application No. 2-117148 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application No. 1-166537 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application No. 2-36440 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB Name) B41J 2/36-2/365 B41J 2/38

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head to generate heat in accordance with image data, wherein a predetermined amount of image data to be recorded is prepared. To
Instruction means for instructing the start of recording, and the predetermined unit amount in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
Outputs recording head drive signal for recording image data
Drive signal output means for performing the operation and the recording medium in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
A transport unit that transports a distance according to a fixed unit amount, and a time interval of the instruction from the instruction unit is a predetermined time or more.
When empty, to prevent the temperature of the recording head from dropping,
Drive means for heating drives the recording head, the driving by the driving means in accordance with the size of the recording medium
An image recording apparatus, comprising: setting means for setting energization energy . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means has means for detecting a temperature of said recording head, and sets a drive energizing energy by said driving means in further consideration of a temperature of said recording head. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. A storage means for storing input image data.
And the storage means stores one block of image data.
The recording head is driven to generate heat and
Image data to be recorded on a recording medium
An image recording apparatus, wherein a predetermined amount of image data to be recorded is prepared.
Instruction means for instructing the start of recording, and the predetermined unit amount in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
Outputs recording head drive signal for recording image data
Drive signal output means for performing the operation and the recording medium in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
A transport unit that transports a distance according to a fixed unit amount, and a time interval of the instruction from the instruction unit is a predetermined time or more.
When empty, to prevent the temperature of the recording head from dropping,
Driving means for driving the recording head to generate heat, and driving by the driving means according to the size of the recording medium
An image recording apparatus comprising: setting means for setting energization energy . 4. An image recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by driving a recording head to generate heat according to image data, wherein a predetermined amount of image data to be recorded is prepared. To
An instruction step of instructing a start of recording, and driving the recording head to generate heat in accordance with the instruction.
While recording a fixed amount of image data,
A recording step of transporting a distance according to the predetermined unit amount, and when the time interval of the instruction is longer than a predetermined time, the recording is performed.
The recording head is driven by heat to prevent the temperature of the head from dropping.
And a driving step for driving the recording head in the driving step.
An image recording method, wherein energy varies depending on the size of the recording medium . 5. A storage means for storing input image data.
And the storage means stores one block of image data.
The recording head is driven to generate heat and
An image recording apparatus that collectively records image data for each block on a recording medium, wherein a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded is prepared.
Instruction means for instructing the start of recording, and the predetermined unit amount in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
Outputs recording head drive signal for recording image data
Drive signal output means for performing the operation and the recording medium in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
A transport unit that transports a distance according to a fixed unit amount, and a time interval of the instruction from the instruction unit is a predetermined time or more.
When empty, to prevent the temperature of the recording head from dropping,
Driving means for driving the recording head to generate heat, detecting means for detecting the temperature of the recording head, and image data of the predetermined unit amount at the head of the block.
When recording the data, the recording
Drive so that the recording head temperature is within a predetermined temperature range.
After controlling the moving means,
Start recording a predetermined amount of image data, and
At the time of recording the predetermined unit amount of image data in the middle of
The driving means based on the temperature detected by the detecting means.
The predetermined unit amount of image data without controlling the stage
An image recording apparatus , comprising: a control unit that starts recording of an image. 6. A receiving means for receiving image data;
Storage means for storing image data obtained by
When one block of image data is stored in a row,
The recording head is driven to generate heat, and one block of image data is
A communication device that collectively records data on a recording medium, wherein a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded is prepared.
Instruction means for instructing the start of recording, and the predetermined unit amount in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
Outputs recording head drive signal for recording image data
Drive signal output means for performing the operation and the recording medium in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
A transport unit that transports a distance according to a fixed unit amount, and a time interval of the instruction from the instruction unit is a predetermined time or more.
When empty, to prevent the temperature of the recording head from dropping,
Driving means for driving the recording head to generate heat, detecting means for detecting the temperature of the recording head, and image data of the predetermined unit amount at the head of the block.
When recording the data, the recording
The drive is performed so that the recording head temperature is within a predetermined temperature range.
After controlling the means, the head of the block
Start recording a fixed amount of image data, and
At the time of recording the predetermined unit amount of image data in the middle of
The driving means based on the temperature detected by the detecting means
Of the predetermined unit amount of image data without controlling the
A communication device comprising: control means for starting recording . 7. A storage means for storing input image data.
The image data for one block is stored in
Drives the recording head to generate heat and prints one block of image data.
An image recording method for collectively recording images on a recording medium, wherein a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded is prepared.
An instruction step that instructs more recording start, the plant generates heat driving the recording head in response to the instruction
While recording a fixed amount of image data,
A recording step of transporting a distance according to the predetermined unit amount, and when the time interval of the instruction is longer than a predetermined time, the recording is performed.
The recording head is driven by heat to prevent the temperature of the head from dropping.
And a driving step of moving the image data of the predetermined unit amount at the beginning of the block.
When recording data, the driving step detects the recording head.
The recording head is controlled so that the output temperature is within a predetermined temperature range.
Control the heat generation drive, and then
The recording of the predetermined amount of image data is started, and the
Recording of the predetermined unit amount of image data during locking
During recording, heat generated by the recording head based on the detected temperature
The image data of the predetermined unit amount can be obtained without controlling the driving.
An image recording method characterized by starting recording of data. 8. A storage means for storing input image data.
And the storage means stores one block of image data.
The recording head is driven to generate heat and
An image recording apparatus that collectively records image data for each block on a recording medium, wherein a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded is prepared.
Instruction means for instructing the start of recording, and the predetermined unit amount in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
Outputs recording head drive signal for recording image data
Drive signal output means for performing the operation and the recording medium in response to the instruction from the instruction means.
Conveying means for conveying a distance according to a fixed unit amount, and the recording head for preventing a temperature decrease of the recording head
Driving means for generating heat, detecting means for detecting the temperature of the recording head, and image data of the predetermined unit amount at the head of the block.
When recording the data, the recording
The drive is performed so that the recording head temperature is within a predetermined temperature range.
After controlling the means, the head of the block
Start recording a fixed amount of image data, and
At the time of recording the predetermined unit amount of image data in the middle of
The driving means based on the temperature detected by the detecting means
Of the predetermined unit amount of image data without controlling the
An image recording apparatus , comprising: control means for starting recording. 9. A storage means for storing input image data.
The image data for one block is stored in
Drives the recording head to generate heat and prints one block of image data.
An image recording method for collectively recording images on a recording medium, wherein a predetermined unit amount of image data to be recorded is prepared.
An instruction step of instructing a start of recording, and driving the recording head to generate heat in accordance with the instruction.
While recording a fixed amount of image data,
A recording step of transporting a distance according to the predetermined unit amount, and the recording head for preventing a temperature decrease of the recording head.
And a driving step of driving the image data by heating the image data of the predetermined unit amount at the beginning of the block.
When recording data, the driving step detects the recording head.
The recording head is controlled so that the output temperature is within a predetermined temperature range.
Control the heat generation drive, and then
The recording of the predetermined amount of image data is started, and the
Recording of the predetermined unit amount of image data during locking
During recording, heat generated by the recording head based on the detected temperature
The image data of the predetermined unit amount can be obtained without controlling the driving.
An image recording method characterized by starting recording of data.