GB2234879A

GB2234879A - Facsimile with user-selectable display language

Info

Publication number: GB2234879A
Application number: GB9013140A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masaharu Iida
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 1989-06-12
Filing date: 1990-06-12
Publication date: 1991-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-12
Also published as: DE4018699A1; JPH0313163A; GB9013140D0; JP2768979B2; GB2234879B; DE4018699C2

Abstract

A facsimile (or other image processing) machine having an operating panel (8, fig 1) with a display (8e) for giving user guidance and showing machine status displays information in one of a plurality of languages selected by the user. Information messages to be displayed are stored in ROM and RAM (3, 4) in the plurality of languages available. <IMAGE>

Description

1 1 p 1 is - -1 17- ',:1: --,'7 '-3 "IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS" The present

invention generally relates to image forming apparatuses, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus with facilitated language processing which is used for display and/or recording of various information.

In facsimile machines, for example, a display or a recording is made to help the user so that a smooth operation is ensured and to indicate the contents of the processing when making a facsimile communication. For example, a guidance for the operator is displayed on a display part. On the other hand, results of communications, information related to the destination and source facsimile machines and the like are recorded on a recording paper. The various information must be displayed or recorded with a language easily understood by the operator. However, the facsimile machines are set up in various countries where different languages are used. For this reason, the language which is used to display or record the various information must be the language used in the region where the facsimile machine is set up.

Conventionally, the various information is 1 2.

stored in a memory of the facsimile machine in a language which is used in the region where the facsimile is set up. Hence, it is possible to display or record the various information in the language appropriate for the region where the facsimile machine is set up.

However, each facsimile machine must be installed with a memory which stores the various information in the language which is used in the region where the facsimile machine is set up. For this reason, the facsimile machines must be produced for each of the regions where the facsimile machines are set up. In addition, the same information must be prepared in many different languages and stored in the memories which are respectively designed for use in the facsimile machines to be set up in various regions where different languages are used. As a result, there are problems in that it is both troublesome and time consuming to prepare the same information in different languages, the control of production becomes complex and the facsimile machines become expensive.

on the other hand, when the various information is stored in the memory of the facsimile machine in one language, the facsimile machine can 3.

1 can only display or record the various information in this one language. Therefore, the conventional facsimile machine is not user-friendly. That is, when the operator who is used to operating a facsimile machine set up in a first region attempts to use a facsimile machine set up in a second region where the language used is different from that used in the first region, the operator cannot understand the display or recording output from the facsimile machine unless the operator understands the language used in the second region and the operator may make an erroneous operation on the facsimile machine.

The above described problems also occur in the case of other types of image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a printer.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful image forming apparatus in which the problems described above are eliminated.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising input means for inputting a selection data which selects an arbitrary one of a plurality of languages, memory means for storing output data which are written in the plurality of f 4.

1 is languages and the selection data which is input from said input means, said output data including at least one of guidance information which provides guidance for operating the image forming apparatus and control information for reporting a state of the image forming apparatus, output means including display means for displaying data and recording means for recording data on a recording paper, and control means coupled to said input means, said memory means and said output means for controlling operation timings of the image forming apparatus, said control means controlling said output means to output the output data which is stored in said memory means and is written in one of the plurality of languages selected by the selection data which is stored in said memory means using at least one of said display means and said recording means. According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the same image forming apparatus can be set up and used in different regions where different languages are used because the necessary display or recording can be made in the language which is appropriate for the region where the image forming apparatus is set up. As a result, it is possible to produce image forming apparatuses which are user-friendly. Further, the x 0 5.

1 control of production is simple and the image forming apparatus can be produced at a low cost.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having first and second modes comprising input means including means for inputting a first selection data which selects an arbitrary one of a plurality of languages and means for inputting a second selection data which selects an arbitrary one of the plurality of languages different from that selected by the first selection data, memory means for storing output data which are written in the plurality of languages and the first and second selection data which are input from said input means, said output data including at least one of guidance information which provides guidance for operating the image forming apparatus and control information for reporting a state of the image forming apparatus, output means including display means for displaying data and recording means for recording data on a recording paper, and control means coupled to said input means, said memory means and said output means for controlling operation timings of an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus and for automatically setting a mode of the image forming 6.

1 apparatus to the second mode when the second selection data is input from said input means, said control means controlling said output means to output the output data which is stored in said memory means and is written in one of the plurality of languages selected by the first selection data which is stored in said memory means using at least one of said display means and said recording means in the first mode, said control means controlling said output means to output the output data which is stored in said memory means and is written in one of the plurality of languages selected by the second selection data which is stored in said memory means using at least one of said display means and said recording means in the second mode and automatically returning the mode to the first mode after one image forming operation of the image forming apparatus ends.

Other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1 is a system block diagram showing a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention; FIG.2 shows memory areas of a ROM of the p 1 1 first embodiment; FIGS.3A and 3B respectively show a region code area within a RAM of the first embodiment and a region code which is set in the region code area; FIG.4 shows an embodiment of an operation panel of the first embodiment; FIG.5 is a flow chart for explaining a language process of a CPU of the first embodiment; FIGS.6A and 6B show displays made on a display part of the operation panel of the first embodiment; FIG.7 shows memory areas of a RAM of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention; FIGS.8A and 8B respectively show a language selection code area within the RAM of the second embodiment and a language selection code which is set in the language selection code area; FIG.9 shows an embodiment of an operation panel of the second embodiment; FIG.10 is a flow chart for explaining a language process of a CPU of the second embodiment; and FIG.11 shows memory areas of a ROM of a modification of the second embodiment of the image 8.

forming apparatus according to the present invention.

First, a description will be given of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, by referring to FIGS.1 through 6. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine.

FIG.1 generally shows the first embodiment. A facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG.1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 2, a read only memory (ROM) 3, a random access memory (RAM) 4, a scanner unit 5, a data compression and reconstruction (DCR) unit 6, a plotter unit 7, an operation panel 8, an image memory 9, an input/output port 10, a network control unit (NCU) 11 and a modem 12 which are connected as shown.

The CPU 2 controls the operation timings of each part of the facsimile machine 1 to enable a facsimile communication.

As shown in FIG.2, the ROM 3 is sectioned into a program area PA and a display data area group DA. Basis programs for carrying out basic operations of the facsimile machine 1 and a language processing program which forms an essential part of this embodiment are stored in the program area PA. The display data area group DA is divided into a X 9.

1 plurality of display data areas for each of the regions where the facsimile machine 1 may be set up. In this embodiment, four display data areas for four regions R1 through R4 make up the display data area group DA. Each display data area stores display data which are written in a language which is used in a corresponding region Ri, where i = 1,..., 4 in this case. The display data stored in each display data area includes all data which are displayed on a display part of the operation panel 8. For example, the display data includes guidance information for guiding the operator when making a facsimile transmission, guidance information for guiding the operator when making a facsimile reception and the like. Accordingly, the display data area group DA of the ROM 3 constitutes a memory means which stores various information which are written in a plurality of languages (four in this case) which are used in the regions where the facsimile machine 1 is set up.

The RAM 4 forms a work area, and a region code area CA shown in FIG.3A is formed in the RAM 4. Regions codes for the four regions R1 through R4 shown in FIG.3B are set in the region code area CA. The region code is used as selection information for selecting the display data from the display data area 10.

1 DA of the ROM 3 in conformance with the region Ri where the facsimile machine 1 is set up. Hence, the RAM 4 constitutes a selection memory means for storing the selection information (region codes) for selecting the region (set-up region).

The scanner unit 5 is made up of an image sensor unit using charged coupled devices (CCDs), for example. The scanner unit 5 scans a document image and outputs image data which describes the read document image.

The DCR unit 6 compresses and reconstructs the image data in conformance with a predetermined coding/decoding system.

The plotter unit 7 is made up of a thermal plotter unit using thermal elements, for example. The plotter unit 7 may record information directly on a thermally sensitive recording paper or indirectly on a plain recording paper via an ink sheet. Alternatively, the plotter unit 7 may be made up of a known laser printing unit which uses a laser beam to make a print.

FIG.4 shows an embodiment of the operation panel 8. The operation panel 8 includes a ten-key 8a, a start key 8b, a stop key 8c, a copy key 8d, a display part 8e and the like. The start key 9b is -11 "C,> 11.

1 used to instruct the start of a facsimile transmission, the start of a facsimile reception in a manual reception mode, and the start of a copying operation. The stop key 8c is used to instruct the stopping of various operations. The copy key 8d is used to select a copy mode in which a copy print is made using the scanner unit 5 and the plotter unit 5. The display part 8e displays guidance information such as the operating instructions for making facsimile transmission and reception and contents of instructions entered. In other words, the display part 8e displays the display data within the ROM 3 in the language which is selected by the region code area CA of the RAM 4.

The image memory 9 has a predetermined memory capacity for storing image data which are transmitted and received.

The NCU 11 is connected to a line L and makes an automatic calling process and an automatic answering process. In addition, the NCU 11 exchanges facsimile control signals with another facsimile machine to carry out a facsimile control procedure.

The modem 12 modulates a signal which is to be transmitted on the line L and demodulates a signal which is received from the line L.

12.

1 is In a facsimile transmission mode, the facsimile -machine 1 reads the document which is set on a document setting part (not shown) by the scanner unit 5. The image data output from the scanner unit 5 is coded in the DCR unit 6 and the coded image data is modulated in the modem 12. The modulated data is transmitted on the line L via the NCU 11.

on the other hand, in a facsimile reception mode, the facsimile machine 1 demodulates the modulated image data which is received from the line L in the modem 12. The demodulated image data is decoded in the DCR unit 6. The decoded image data is supplied to the plotter unit 7 and recorded on a recording paper.

Next, a description will be given of a language processing which is carried out in the CPU 2 when displaying or recording various information in an arbitrary language. FIG.5 is a flow chart showing the language processing of the CPU 2.

The facsimile machine 1 displays various guidance information on the display part 8e of the operation panel 8 in a standby mode, a facsimile transmission mode and a facsimile reception mode. The guidance information should be displayed in the language the operator can understand.

1 -e 13.

In this embodiment, the display data are written in languages which may be used in the region where the facsimile machine 1 is set up, and the display data in the different languages are prestored in the display data area group DA within the ROM 3. When the facsimile machine 1 is set up, the serviceman or the operator sets the region code in the region code area CA within the RAM 4 by manipulating appropriate keys of the operation panel 8, for example. The display data which are written in the different languages and independently stored in the respective display data areas within the ROM 3 are read out depending on the region code which is set in the region code area CA within the RAM 4, and the display data in the language appropriate for the region is displayed on the display part 8e.

That is, the display data for the regions Rl through R4 are stored in the display data area group DA within the ROM 3 and one of the region codes corresponding to the regions R1 through R4 and shown in FIG.3B is set as the region code. When displaying the display data on the display part 8e, the CPU 2 of the facsimile machine 1 starts the process shown in FIG.5.

A step S1 shown in FIG.5 reads the region 1 14.

1 code from the region code area CA of the RAM 4. A step S2 discriminates whether or not the read region code indicates the region R1. When the discrimination result in the step S2 is NO, a step S3 discriminates whether or not the read region code indicates the region R2. When the discrimination result in the step S3 is NO, a step S4 discriminates whether or not the read region code indicates the region R3. Hence, the steps S2 through S4 check the region which is indicated by the read region code.

When the discrimination result in the step S2 is YES, a step SS reads from the display data area group DA within the ROM 3 the display data corresponding to the read region code, that is, the region R1, and displays the read out display data on the display part 8e. When the discrimination result in the step S3 is YES, a step S6 reads from the display data area group DA within the ROM 3 the display data corresponding to the read region code, that is, the region R2, and displays the read out display data on the display part 8e. In addition, when the discrimination result in the step S4 is YES, a step S7 reads from the display data area group DA within the ROM 3 the display data corresponding to the read region code, that is, the region R3, and 9 Ili I 15.

1 displays the read out display data on the display part 8e. On the other hand, when the discrimination result in the step S4 is NO, a step S8 reads from the display data area group DA within the ROM 3 the display data corresponding to the read region code, that is, the region R4, and displays the read out display data on the display part 8e.

For example, when displaying the guidance information (display data) in the standby mode, a guidance in English is displayed on the display part 8e as shown in FIG.6A when the region code indicates England. On the other hand, a guidance in German is displayed on the display part 8e as shown in FIG.6B when the region code indicates Germany. Accordingly, it is possible to display the display data in the language appropriate for the region where the facsimile machine 1 is set up by merely setting the region code in the region code area CA within the RAM 4. There is no need to produce the facsimile machines 1 exclusively for the different regions. As a result, the design and production can be controlled with ease, thereby improving the production efficiency and reducing the cost of the facsimile machines 1.

Next, a description will be given of a d 1 16.

second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, by referring to FIGS.7 through 11. In this embodiment, the present invention is also applied-to a facsimile machine which has a structure identical to that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.1, and a description of the block system will be omitted. In this embodiment, the serviceman fixedly sets the language for the region where the facsimile machine is set up, and the operator can designate an arbitrary language. When the sequence of facsimile processes are completed in the language which is designated by the operator, the language is automatically returned to the language which is fixedly set by the serviceman. Of course, the operator may fixedly set the language for the region where the facsimile machine is set up in place of the serviceman.

In this embodiment, the basic programs of the facsimile machine 1 and the language processing program are stored in the program area PA of the ROM 3, and the display data written in the languages appropriate for the regions where the facsimile machine 1 is set up are stored in the display data area group DA of the ROM 3 as described in conjunction with FIG.2.

1 17.

on the other hand, the region code area CA is formed in a serviceman area SA of the RAM 4 and a language selection code area LA is formed in a user area UA of the RAM as shown in FIG.7. Similarly as in the case of the first embodiment, when setting up the facsimile machine 1, the serviceman sets in the region code area CA the region code which is in accordance with the region where the facsimile machine 1 is set up. Normally, the CPU 2 sets in the language selection code area LA a language selection code the content of which is identical to that of the region code set in the region code area CA. But when the operator selects an arbitrary language from the key of the operation panel 8 when operating the facsimile machine 1, a language selection code (language instruction information) corresponding to the selected arbitrary language is set in the language selection code area LA.

As shown in FIG.8A, the language selection area LA has 8 bits, similarly to the region code area CA. In addition, the language selection code which. is set in the language selection code area LA is given a code which corresponds to one region as shown in FIG.8B. For example, language selection codes LANG1 through LANG4 respectively correspond to the -i 18.

regions R1 through R4. Accordingly, the language selection code area LA forms a language instruction memory which stores the language instruction information for arbitrarily selecting the output language.

FIG.9 shows an embodiment of the operation panel 8 of the second embodiment. In FIG.9, those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG.4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG.9, a language selection key 8f is provided in addition to the keys 8a through 8d and the display part 8e. The language selection key 8f is manipulated when selecting a language selection mode.

For the sake of convenience, it is assumed that display data for the four regions Rl through r$ are stored in the display data area group DA of the ROM 3, and one of the four region codes shown in FIG.3B and corresponding to the region where the facsimile machine 1 is set up is set in the region code area CA of the RAM 4 by the serviceman. When the region code is set by the serviceman, the CPU 2 sets in the language selection code area LA a language selection code the content of which is - 4 1 is 0 19.

identical to that of the region code set in the region code area CA.

Next, a description will be given of the operation of the CPU 2 in this embodiment, by referring to FIG.10. In FIG.10, those steps which are the same as those corresponding steps in FIG.5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. When displaying guidance information on the display part Se of the facsimile machine 1, a step P1 discriminates whether or not the content of the language selection code area LA is unchanged. In other words, the step Pi discriminates whether or not the content of the language selection code area LA is the same as the content of the region code area CA. When the language selection code and the region code are the same and the discrimination result in the step P1 is YES, a step P2 resets a communication end flag CEF and turns OFF a language switch flag LSF. A step P3 reads the content of the region code area CA and stores the read content into the language selection. code area LA. The communication end flag CEF is stored in a predetermined region of the RAM 4 and is set every time one communication ends. In addition, the language switch flag LSF is similarly stored in a

A 1 20.

predetermined region of the RAM 4. The language switch flag LSF is set when the language selection code in the language selection code area LA is switched to a code different from the region code in the region code area CA.

After the step P3, the process is the same as in the first embodiment as described in conjunction with FIG.5. In other words, the steps S2 through S4 checks which one of the regions Rl through R4 is indicated by the region code. In addition, the steps S5 through S8 read the display data for the region indicated by the region code and displays the read display data on the display part 8e.

on the other hand, when the discrimination result in the step P1 is NO, a step P11 discriminates whether or not the communication end flag CEF is set. When one communication is ended and the discrimination result in the step P11 is YES, a step P12 discriminates whether or not the language switch flag LSF is set, that is, whether or not the language is switched by the operator. When the discrimination result in the step P12 is YES, the display is made in the language selected by the operator and it is discriminated that the facsimile communication in accordance with the display in the selected language v A 21.

is completed, and the process advances to the step P2. The step P2 resets the communication end flag CEF and turns OFF the language switch flag LSF to return the facsimile machine 1 to the initial state. Accordingly, the region code stored in the region code area CA is stored in the language selection code area LA, and the display part 8e displays the display data which is in the language appropriate for one of the regions Rl through R4 selected by the region code. on the other hand, when the discrimination result in the step P11 or P12 is NO, it is discriminated that the communication process in the language selected by the operator is not completed or one communication process is completed but a language selection is made again. In this case, a step P13 turns ON the language switch flag LSF and resets the communication end flag CEF. Then, a step P14 discriminates whether or not the language selection code in the language selection code area LA corresponds to the region code of the region R1. When the discrimination result in the step P14 is NO, a step P15 discriminates whether or not the language selection code in the language selection code area LA corresponds to the region code of the region R2. When the discrimination result in the step P15 is NO, 1 4 1 22.

a step P16 discriminates whether or not the language selection code in the language selection code area LA corresponds to the region code of the region R3. In other words, the steps P14 through P16 check which one of region codes of the regions R1 through R4 the language selection code in the language selection code area LA corresponds.

The process advances to the step SS when the discrimination result in the step P14 is YES. The process advances to the step S6 when the discrimination result in the step P15 is YES. The process advances to the step S7 when the discrimination result in the step P16 is YES. On the other hand, the process advances to the step S8 when the discrimination result in the step P16 is NO. As a result, the display data which is written in the language appropriate for the region which corresponds to the language selection code in the language selection code area LA is read from the ROM 3 and displayed on the display part 8e.

Accordingly, even when the operator goes to a region where the language used is different from the mother tongue of the operator and the operator operates the facsimile machine 1, the operator can select the language the operator is able to - 4 23.

understand and receive the necessary guidance which is displayed on the display part 8e in the selected language. For this reason, the facsimile machine 1 is extremely user-friendly.

In addition, when the series of communication processes are completed in the language which is selected by the operator, the facsimile machine 1 is automatically returned to the initial state so that the display data is thereafter displayed on the display part 8e in the language which is set by the serviceman and is appropriate for the region where the facsimile machine 1 is set. Hence, there is no need to manually return the facsimile machine I to the initial state so that the display data is thereafter displayed on the display part Se in the language which is appropriate for the region where the facsimile machine 1 is set. Therefore, the facsimile machine 1 is very easy to operate because the operator can select the desired language in which the guidance is to be displayed on the display part 8e.

In the described embodiments, the present invention is applied to the facsimile machine. However, the present invention is similarly applicable to any types of image forming apparatuses 24.

such as a copying machine and a printer.

The information which is output from the facsimile machine 1 in the selected language need not necessarily be displayed on the display part 8e, and may be output in a desired form. In addition, the information which is output in the selected language is not limited to the guidance information which provides guidance for operating the facsimile machine 1. For example, the information which is output in the selected language mayinclude control information for reporting the state of the facsimile machine 1 such as results of transmissions and receptions, information related to the destination and source facsimile machines and the like. Such information may be recorded on the plotter unit 7 instead of being displayed on the display part 8e.

In a modification of the second embodiment, a report data area group RA is provided in the ROM 3 in addition to the program area PA and the display data area group DA as shown in FIG.11. A report such as the results of transmissions and receptions is written in a desired language and stored in a corresponding report data area of the report data area group RA as a report data. The report data in the report data area of the ROM 3 is read and p 25.

recorded on the recording paper by the plotter unit 7.

In the described embodiments, it is of course possible to use a single memory means and use two independent memory locations thereof as the first and second memory means. That is, a single memory device may be used as the ROM 3 and the RAM 4.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but various variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

26.

1

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: input means for inputting a selection data which selects an arbitrary one of a plurality of languages; memory means for storing output data which are written in the plurality of languages and the selection data which is input from said input means, said output data including at least one of guidance information which provides guidance for operating the image forming apparatus and control information for reporting a state of the image forming apparatus; output means including display means for displaying data and recording means for recording data on a recording paper; and control means-coupled to said input means, said memory means and said output means for controlling operation timings of the image forming apparatus, said control means controlling said output means to output the output data which is stored in said memory means and is written in one of the plurality of languages selected by the selection data which is 2 7.

1 stored in said memory means using at least one of said display means and said recording means.

2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said memory means includes a read only memory for storing the output data and programs for controlling the operation timings of the image forming apparatus.

3. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said memory means includes a random access memory for storing the selection data which is input from said input means.

4. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output data include display 28.

1 data which are related to the guidance information and are written in the plurality of languages, and said control means controls said output means to display the display data on said display means in one of the plurality of languages selected by the selection data which is stored in said memory means.

5. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output data include report data which are related to the control information and are written in the plurality of languages, and said control means controls said output means to record the report data on the recording paper by said recording means in one of the plurality of languages selected by the selection data which is stored in said memory means.

6. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises means coupled to 1 1 29.

said control means for carrying out a facsimile communication, so that the image forming apparatus is usable as a facsimile machine.

7. An image forming apparatus having first and second modes comprising: input means including means for inputting a first selection data which selects an arbitrary one of a plurality of languages and means for inputting a second selection data which selects an arbitrary one of the plurality of languages different from that selected by the first selection data; memory means for storing output data which are written in the plurality of languages and the first and second selection data which are input from said input means, said output data including at least one of guidance information which provides guidance for operating the image forming apparatus and control information for reporting a state of the image forming apparatus; output means including display means for displaying data and recording means for recording is 30.

data on a recording paper; and control means coupled to said input means, said memory means and said output means for controlling operation timings of an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus and for automatically setting a-mode of the image forming apparatus to the second mode when the second selection data is input from said input neans, said control means controlling said output means to output the output data which is stored in said memory means and is written in one of the plurality of languages selected by the first selection data which is stored in said memory means using at least one of said display means and said recording means in the first mode, said control means controlling said output means to output the output data which is stored in said memory means and is written in one of the plurality of languages selected by the second selection data which is stored in said memory means using at least one of said display means and said recording means in the second mode and automatically returning the mode to the first mode after one image forming operation of the image forming apparatus ends.

k 1 p p 1 31.

8. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said memory means includes a read only memory for storing the output data and programs for controlling the operation timings of the image forming apparatus.

9. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said memory means includes a random access memory for storing the first and second selection data which are input from said input means.

10. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said output data include display data which are related to the guidance information and are written in the plurality of languages, and said control means controls said output means to display the display data on said display means in one of the plurality of languages selected by the first selection data which is stored in said memory means 1 32.

in the first mode and selected by the second selection data which is stored in said memory means in the second mode.

11. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said output data include report data which are related to the control information and are written in the plurality of languages, and said control means controls said output means to record the report data on the recording paper by said recording means in one of the plurality of languages selected by the first selection data which is stored in said memory means in the first mode and selected by the second selection data which is stored in said memory means in the second mode.

12. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7 which further comprises means coupled to said control means for carrying out a facsimile 1 ' 33.

communication, so that the image forming apparatus usable as a facsimile machine.

is

13. An image forming apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 Cho 1 1- pmerll Offire, C - Sfate House. 66/71 High Holborn. London WC I R 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from Ibe Patent Office.