JP2000355148A - Multifunction terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunction terminal capable of obtaining a usage environment with the excellent handling convenience in the case a printer function is shared by a plurality of external devices. SOLUTION: A control circuit controls a facsimile function and a printer function. For the control, when a printing command is received from a PC 28 or PCs 30-40 on a network 27, the number of sheets to be recorded by a recording circuit 16 with respect to the reserved jobs including the currently executed job is calculated. According to the calculated number of sheets to be recorded, whether or not a plurality of sets can be outputted by the recording circuit 16 is changed, and whether or not the plurality of sets can be outputted apparently is advised to the PC that has outputted the command.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a plurality of functions including a printer function for recording information on paper and a printer function for receiving print information transmitted from an external device and recording the information by the recording means. The present invention relates to a multifunctional terminal having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multifunction devices have been developed, and multifunction devices capable of executing a plurality of functions have appeared. As one of the multifunction devices, there is a multifunction terminal that realizes a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a facsimile reception function, and a copy function that can be executed in a network environment by using one printer mechanism. In particular, in order to realize a printer function, a multi-function terminal configured to execute a mode capable of outputting a plurality of copies using a printer mechanism has been proposed and realized.

[0003]

When the above-mentioned conventional multi-function terminal is connected to a network and used as a shared printer by a personal computer (hereinafter, a personal computer) on the network, each personal computer issues a print request to the multi-function terminal. By outputting the information, the information transmitted from each of the personal computers can be recorded on paper and output by the multi-function terminal.

For example, when there is a request for output of a plurality of copies from one of a plurality of personal computers, the multi-function terminal receives the information transmitted from one personal computer, temporarily stores the information in a memory or the like, and stores the information from the memory. Read and output multiple copies. Here, if the output of a plurality of copies is requested from another personal computer while the job requested by the one personal computer is being executed, the multi-function terminal receives the information from the other personal computer and stores it in the memory. The output of multiple copies of information from this other personal computer is not actually started until the output of the multiple copies currently being executed is completed, but is not performed until another computer issues a request until the output of the multiple copies is completed. The time gets longer. As a result, users of other personal computers have to wait for a long time until the output is completed, and it is necessary to repeatedly check whether the requested number of copies have been output during the waiting time. There is very inconvenient.

As described above, in a multi-function terminal that realizes a plurality of functions by using one printer mechanism, when shared by a plurality of external devices such as a personal computer, an excellent use environment can be obtained. Can not.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function terminal capable of obtaining a convenient use environment when a printer function is shared by a plurality of external devices.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In addition to installing recording means to record information on paper,
In a multi-function terminal having a plurality of functions including a printer function of receiving print information transmitted from an external device and recording the information by the recording means, when a print request is received from the external device, a reservation including a job currently being executed is performed. A recording amount calculation unit for calculating a recording amount performed by the recording unit for a completed job, and an executable mode of the recording unit being apparently changed according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit to issue the request. And a notifying means for notifying the external device that the information has been sent.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the multi-function terminal according to the first aspect, wherein a connection means for connecting directly to the external device or via a network, and whether the external device is directly connected to the network. Detection means for detecting whether or not the connection is established via the external device, and when the print request is received from the external device, the notification means determines whether the calculated recording amount of the recording means and the detection result of the detection means The executable mode of the recording means is apparently changed accordingly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function terminal according to the second aspect, the executable mode of the recording means is a multiple copy output mode, and the notifying means is directly connected to the external device. In the case, it is notified that the multi-copy output mode of the recording unit can be executed ignoring the calculated recording amount of the recording unit, and when the external device is connected via a network, the calculated According to a feature of the present invention, it is characterized in that apparent execution or non-permission of the recording means in the multiple copy output mode is notified according to the recording amount of the recording means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the multi-function terminal according to the first aspect, further comprising a facsimile receiving function of receiving facsimile information transmitted from the other party facsimile apparatus and recording the information by the recording means, When there is a facsimile reception request from the apparatus, the recording amount calculating unit calculates the recording amount to be performed by the recording unit for a reserved job including the currently executing job, and the notifying unit calculates the calculated recording amount. The executable mode of the recording means is apparently changed according to the recording amount of the means, and the facsimile apparatus is notified of the change.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function terminal according to the fourth aspect, a registration unit for registering information for determining whether to permit an apparent change in the executable mode of the recording unit. The notifying unit, when there is a request for facsimile reception from the other party facsimile machine, executable of the recording unit according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit and the information registered in the registration unit It is characterized in that it is notified that the mode is apparently executable.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction terminal according to the fifth aspect, the notifying means apparently cannot execute the executable mode of the recording means according to the calculated recording amount of the recording means. In this case, according to the information registered in the registration means, the executable mode of the recording means is reported as apparently not executable or the executable mode of the recording means is reported as executable without changing the executable mode. Is determined.

[0013] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6.
In the multifunctional terminal according to any one of the above, the mode in which the recording means can be executed is a multiple copy output mode.

[0014] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 7.
In the multi-function terminal according to any one of the above, the recording amount is the number of recordings of the recording unit.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the multifunction terminal according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function terminal has a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function and a printer function. In a configuration for implementing the facsimile function, a network connected to the telephone line 2a is used. A control device (hereinafter, referred to as NCU) 2 is provided.

The NCU 2 controls connection of a telephone switching network such as connection to a line terminal for use in data communication with the telephone network, and switches to a data communication path, and connects the telephone line 2a and the telephone 4 with each other. The connection and the connection between the telephone line 2a and the hybrid circuit 6 are selectively switched. NCU2
The telephone 4 is connected to the telephone 4 by a signal line 2b, and the NCU 2 and the hybrid circuit 6 are connected by a signal line 2c. NC
The switching operation of U2 is controlled by a control circuit 20 described later.
When the control signal given from the control circuit 20 via the signal line 20a is "0", the connection between the telephone line 2a and the telephone 4 is established. On the other hand, when the control signal is "1", the connection between the telephone line 2a and the hybrid circuit 6 is established. In the normal state, the telephone line 2a and the telephone 4
Connection with is selected.

The hybrid circuit 6 includes a transmission signal transmitted from the facsimile transmission system via the telephone line 2a,
It separates the signal from the facsimile receiving system received via the telephone line 2a.

The facsimile transmission system has a reading circuit 14, which reads document information and outputs the read data to a control circuit 20 via a signal line 14a. In the control circuit 20, the data fetched via the signal line 14a is temporarily stored in the memory circuit 18 and then encoded, and the encoded data is output to the modem 8 via the signal line 20b. The memory circuit 18 and the control circuit 20 are connected via a signal line 18a.

The modem 8 is connected to the control circuit 20 via the signal line 2.
0b to generate a modulated signal by performing a modulation process on the coded data provided through the hybrid circuit 6 and generate a demodulated data by performing a demodulation process on the received signal fetched from the hybrid circuit 6 via the signal line 6a. I do. This modulation processing and demodulation processing are performed according to ITU-T Recommendation V. 8, V. 21,
V. 27ter, V.A. 29, V.S. 17, V. 34. The contents of the modulation and demodulation processing by the modulator / demodulator 8 are specified by a signal supplied from the control circuit 20 via the signal line 20c, and the transmission mode is determined by the specified modulation and demodulation processing. From the control circuit 20 to the signal line 2
The signal provided to the modem 8 via 0c is a signal for instructing a transmission mode, a reception mode, a transmission speed, and the like.

The modulated signal generated by the modulator / demodulator 8 is output to the addition circuit 12 via the signal line 8a.
Is the modulation signal from the modem 8 and the ANSam transmission circuit 1
0 is added to the signal input via the signal line 10a and output to the hybrid circuit 6 via the signal line 12a.
The ANSam sending circuit 10 receives the signal line 2 from the control circuit 20.
An ANSam signal is output in response to a signal input via 0d. Specifically, the control circuit 20 sends the signal line 20d
Is "1" when the signal input through the
The Sam signal is output to the signal line 10a, and when the signal input from the control circuit 20 via the signal line 20d is "0", the ANSam signal is not output. The hybrid circuit 6 sends the added signal from the adding circuit 12 as a transmission signal to the telephone line 2a via the NCU 2.

On the other hand, in the facsimile receiving system, a signal received from the partner device via the NCU 2 is output from the hybrid circuit 6 to the modem 8 via the signal line 6a. As described above, the modulator / demodulator 8 performs demodulation processing on the received signal fetched via the signal line 6a, and generates demodulated data. Demodulated data generated by the modem 8 is
The signal is supplied to control circuit 20 via signal line 8b. The control circuit 20 performs processing such as decoding on the demodulated data,
The decoded data is sent to the memory circuit 18 via a signal line 18.
a, or output to the recording circuit 16 via the signal line 20e. The recording circuit 16 sequentially records the data fetched via the signal line 20e line by line.

In the configuration of the printer function provided with the facsimile function, a PC (personal computer) 28
Are provided directly via a signal line 28a, and a network card 26 for connecting to a network 27 is provided. A plurality of PCs 30 to 40 are connected to the network 27, and the network card 26 is connected to the control circuit 20 via a signal line 26a. This printer function
The PDL description data, which is executed under the control of the control circuit 20 and transmitted from the PC 28, is input to the control circuit 20 via the signal line 28a. The PDL description data transmitted from each of the PCs 30 to 40 on the network 27 is input to the control circuit 20 via the network card 26 and the signal line 26a. The control circuit 20 transmits the PDL description data input from the PC 28 or the PCs 30 to 40 on the network 27 to the PDL circuit 25 via a signal line 20f.
To enter through. The PDL conversion circuit 25 expands the input PDL description data and converts it into bitmap information, and inputs the bitmap data to the control circuit 20 via the signal line 25a. The control circuit 20 inputs the bitmap data to the recording circuit 16 via the signal line 20e, and the recording circuit 16 records the input data sequentially line by line.

Here, the PC 28 or the network 27
The data input from the above PCs 30 to 40 is temporarily stored in the memory circuit 18, and the data is repeatedly read out from the memory circuit 18 and output to the recording circuit 16 while being expanded by the PDL conversion circuit 25, thereby obtaining the input data. Can be output.

The control circuit 20 controls the facsimile function and the printer function. In this control, the PC 28 or the PCs 30 to 4 on the network 27
When there is a print request from 0, the number of recordings to be performed by the recording circuit 16 for a reserved job including the currently executing job is calculated, and the multi-copy output by the recording circuit 16 is output according to the calculated number of recordings. The execution permission / inhibition is changed, and the apparent execution permission / inhibition for the multi-copy output is notified to the PC that issued the request. Specifically, the control circuit 2
0 indicates that the print request is for the PC 28 or the network 27
It is determined whether the request is from any of the above PCs 30 to 40, and if the print request is a request from the PC 28,
The PC 28 is notified that multi-copy output can be executed ignoring the calculated number of recordings. Further, when the print request is a request from the PCs 30 to 40 on the network 27, it is notified whether or not the execution of the multi-copy output is apparently executable according to the number of recordings. Here, if the calculated number of recorded sheets is 100 or more, the multi-copy output is notified as executable, and the calculated number of recorded sheets is 10
If the number is less than 0, the multi-copy output is notified as not executable.

When a facsimile reception request is received from the partner device, the control circuit 20 calculates the number of recordings by the recording circuit 16 for the reserved job including the currently executing job, and according to the calculated number of recordings. Change the appearance of multi-copy output. Here, when the calculated number of recordings is less than 100, the multi-copy output is notified to the partner apparatus as executable. On the other hand, when the number of recorded images is 100 or more, the multi-copy output is determined by referring to the information registered in the control multi-copy registration circuit 24 and notified to the partner apparatus. That is, when the information registered in the control multi-copy registration circuit 24 indicates that the execution of the multi-copy output is permitted, the multi-copy output is notified to the partner apparatus, and the information prohibits the execution of the multi-copy output. When indicating that
Notify the partner device that multi-copy output is not possible.

Here, the control multi-copies registration circuit 24
This is a circuit for registering information indicating whether or not multi-copy output can be executed at the time of facsimile reception. Registration and reading of this information is performed via a signal line 24a. The input of the information to be registered is performed via the operation unit 22.
The operation unit 22 includes a function setting key, a one-touch key, a speed dial key, a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, and the like.
4 has a registration key for registering the information, and when these keys are operated, the corresponding information is input to the control circuit 20 via the signal line 22a.

Next, control by the control circuit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7
3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a control circuit of the multi-function terminal in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, first, in step S2, the control multi-copy registration circuit 24 is initialized. In this initialization, information indicating prohibition of execution of multi-copy output is registered as initial information. In the following step S4, the signal line 2
A signal of "0" is output via 0a to turn off the CML,
In step S6, a signal of level "0" is output to the signal line 20d so that the ANSam signal is not transmitted.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S8, wherein the signal line 22
a control multi-copies registration circuit 2 based on the information input to
4 is determined. When registration in the control multi-copy registration circuit 24 is selected, step S
In accordance with the key operation of the operation unit 22, information indicating whether to permit or prohibit the execution of the multi-copy output at the time of receiving the operation unit facsimile is input to the control multi-copy registration circuit 24 via the signal line 24a. After registering, the process proceeds to step S12 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if registration in the control multi-copy registration circuit 24 is not selected, step S10 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S12 shown in FIG.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not there is a print request from the PCs 30 to 40 on the network 27. If there is a print request, the flow advances to step S14 to set the currently executed job as the amount to be recorded in the future. The number of recordings for the reserved job including the job is calculated, and in the following step S16, it is determined whether or not the calculated number of recordings is 100 or more. The calculated number of recordings is 100
If not, the process proceeds to step S18 to notify the PC on the network 27 that issued the print request that multi-copy output is possible using the SNMP protocol.
The PC that has received this notification notifies that multi-copy output is possible, and therefore, this PC specifies one or more copies as the number of recording copies. In the following step S22,
The designated print job is received from the PC that has received the notification, and stored in the memory circuit 18 to manage the job. In this job management, registering that a job number received this time is assigned a job number and the designated number of copies is recorded. Then, the process returns to step S4.

If the calculated number of prints is 100 or more, the flow advances to step S20 to notify the PC on the network 27 that has issued the print request that multi-copy output is impossible using the SNMP protocol. Since the PC receiving this notification notifies that the multi-copy output is not possible, this PC designates 1 copy as the number of recording copies. In a succeeding step S22, the designated print job is received from the PC having received the notification, and the memory circuit 18
And manages this job. In this job management, a job number is assigned to a job
Register to record a copy. Then, the process returns to step S4.

If there is no print request from the PCs 30 to 40 on the network 27 in the above step S12, the flow advances to step S24 shown in FIG. 4 to determine whether there is a print request from the directly connected PC 28,
If there is a print request from the PC 28, a step S2
Proceed to 6 to determine whether there is a network connection.
If there is a network connection, the flow advances to step S28 to calculate the number of recordings for the reserved job including the currently executing job, and in a succeeding step S30, it is determined whether or not the calculated number of recordings is 100 or more. I do.

If the calculated number of prints is 100 or more, the flow advances to step S34 to notify the PC 28, which has issued the print request, that multi-copy output is impossible using the SNMP protocol. PC 28 that received this notification
In this case, since it is notified that multi-copy output is impossible, one copy is designated as the number of recording copies. Then step S
In step 36, the designated print job is received from the PC 28 which has received the notification, stored in the memory circuit 18, and the job is managed. In this job management, it is registered that a job number received this time is assigned a job number and one copy is recorded. Then, the process returns to step S4. If the calculated number of printed sheets is not 100 or more, the process proceeds to step S32, and the PC 28 that has issued the print request is notified using the SNMP protocol that multi-copy output is possible. When the PC 28 receives the notification, the multi-copy output permission is notified, so that one or more copies are designated as the number of recording copies. In a succeeding step S36, the designated print job is received from the PC having received the notification and stored in the memory circuit 18, and the job is managed. In this job management, registering that a job number received this time is assigned a job number and the designated number of copies is recorded.
Then, the process returns to step S4.

If there is no network connection in step S26, the process proceeds to step S32, where the PC 28
Is notified that multi-copies can be output, and the subsequent step S3
At 6, the designated print job is received from the PC 28 and stored in the memory circuit 18, and the job is managed.
Then, the process returns to step S4.

If there is no print request from the directly connected PC 28 in the step S24, the process shown in FIG.
Proceeds to step S38, and determines whether facsimile reception is selected. If facsimile reception is selected, proceeds to step S40, outputs a signal of "1" via the signal line 20a, and turns on the CML. I do.

Next, the process proceeds to step S42, in which the number of recordings for the reserved job including the currently executing job is calculated, and in the following step S44, it is determined whether or not the calculated number of recordings is 100 or more. .

If the calculated number of recordings is 100 or more, the flow advances to step S46 to determine whether or not information indicating execution prohibition of multi-copy output is registered in the control multi-copy registration circuit 24. If the information indicating the prohibition of the output has been registered, step S5
Then, the process proceeds to step 0, and the pre-procedure is executed. The pre-procedure notifies the partner device (transmission source) that multi-copy output is impossible. In a succeeding step S56, the facsimile information transmitted from the partner apparatus is received and stored in the memory circuit 18, and the job is managed. In this job management, it is registered that a job number received this time is assigned a job number and one copy is recorded. Then, the process proceeds to step S58 shown in FIG. 6, executes a post-procedure, and returns to step S4.

When it is determined in step S44 that the calculated number of prints is not 100 or more, or in step S46, the control multi-copy registration circuit 24
If it is determined that the information indicating the prohibition of the execution of the multi-copy output is not registered in step S48, the process proceeds to step S48, where the pre-procedure is executed, and the multi-copy output is notified to the partner apparatus (transmission source) by the pre-procedure. Then, in a succeeding step S52, it is determined whether or not the multi-copy output has been designated by the partner apparatus.
When the multi-copy output is designated by the partner device, the process proceeds to step S54, where the facsimile information transmitted from the partner device is received and stored in the memory circuit 18, and the job is managed. In this job management, registering that a job number received this time is assigned a job number and the designated number of copies is recorded. Then, the process proceeds to step S58 shown in FIG.
The post-procedure is executed, and the process returns to step S4.

If it is determined in step S52 that multi-copy output has not been designated by the partner device,
In step S56, the facsimile information transmitted from the partner device is received and stored in the memory circuit 18, and the job is managed. Then, the process proceeds to step S58 shown in FIG. 6, executes a post-procedure, and returns to step S4.

If reception is not selected in step S38, the flow advances to step S60 shown in FIG. 7 to determine whether there is an unrecorded print job or facsimile reception job. If not, step S62
Then, the other processes are executed, and the process returns to step S4. If there is an unrecorded print job or facsimile reception job, the flow advances to step S64 to record the designated number of copies of the unrecorded print job or facsimile reception job in the order of the job numbers. Here, as for the unrecorded print job, the unrecorded print job is read out from the memory circuit 18 and P
The data is developed by the DL conversion circuit 25, and the bit map data is output to the recording circuit 16 to record the designated number of copies. For unrecorded facsimile reception jobs, the memory circuit 18
, The unrecorded facsimile reception job is read out and decoded, and the decoded data is output to the recording circuit 16 to record the designated number of copies. Then, the process returns to step S4.

Although the printer function and the facsimile reception function have been described here, the facsimile transmission function is performed according to normal control, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the PC 28
Alternatively, when there is a print request from the PCs 30 to 40 on the network 27, the number of recordings to be performed by the recording circuit 16 for a reserved job including the currently executing job is calculated,
According to the calculated number of recordings, whether or not the execution of the multi-copy output by the recording circuit 16 is changed is changed, and a request is issued as to whether or not the multi-copy output is apparently executable.
Since the notification is made to C, exclusive use by one PC or the like can be prevented beforehand, and a convenient use environment can be obtained.

At the time of facsimile reception, similarly, a recording circuit 1 for a reserved job including a job currently being executed.
6, the number of recordings is calculated, and whether to execute multi-copy output is apparently changed according to the calculated number of recordings. Therefore, a convenient use environment can be obtained for facsimile reception. If the output of the multi-copy is permitted according to the calculated number of recordings, the notification indicating that the output of the multi-copy is not permitted is changed according to the information registered in the control multi-register registration circuit 24 again. With this configuration, the user using the facsimile function can obtain a more convenient use environment.

In this embodiment, a multi-function terminal having a facsimile function and a printer function has been described.
It goes without saying that the principles of the present invention can be applied to an apparatus equipped with another function such as a scanner function.

[0047]

As described above, according to the multi-function terminal according to the first aspect, when a print request is received from an external device, recording performed by a recording unit on a reserved job including a job currently being executed. Recording amount calculating means for calculating the amount,
Notifying means for apparently changing the executable mode of the recording means in accordance with the calculated recording amount of the recording means and notifying the external apparatus which has issued the request, so that it is exclusively used by one external apparatus. Can be prevented beforehand,
When the printer function is shared by a plurality of external devices, an excellent use environment can be obtained.

According to the multi-function terminal of the second aspect,
A connection unit for connecting directly to the external device or via a network, and a detecting unit for detecting whether the external unit is directly connected or connected via the network, and when a print request is issued from the external device The notifying means apparently changes the executable mode of the recording means according to the calculated recording amount of the recording means and the detection result of the detecting means, so that even when used in a network environment, Exclusive use by an external device can be prevented beforehand, and a convenient use environment can be obtained.

According to the multi-function terminal of the third aspect,
The execution mode of the recording unit is a multiple copy output mode, and the notifying unit is configured such that when an external device is directly connected,
Informs that the multiple output mode of the recording unit can be executed ignoring the calculated recording amount of the recording unit, and when the external device is connected via the network, the calculated recording amount of the recording unit is reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to configure so as to notify whether or not the recording means can be apparently executed in the multiple copy output mode.

According to the multi-function terminal of the fourth aspect,
It has a facsimile reception function of receiving facsimile information transmitted from the other party's facsimile apparatus and recording it by the recording means, and when there is a facsimile reception request from the other party's facsimile apparatus, the recording amount calculation means Since the recording amount performed by the recording unit for the completed job is calculated, and the notifying unit apparently changes the executable mode of the recording unit according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit and notifies the other party facsimile apparatus, A user-friendly usage environment can be provided to a user who uses the facsimile reception function.

According to the multi-function terminal of the fifth aspect,
A registration unit for registering information for determining whether or not to permit an apparent change in the executable mode of the recording unit, wherein the notifying unit is configured to calculate when there is a facsimile reception request from the partner facsimile machine. Since the apparent possibility of execution of the executable mode of the recording means is notified according to the recording amount of the recording means and the information registered in the registration means, the user using the facsimile receiving function is more user-friendly. An excellent use environment can be provided.

According to the multi-function terminal according to the sixth aspect,
The notifying unit, when apparently unable to execute the executable mode of the recording unit according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit,
According to the information registered in the registration means, it is configured to determine whether the executable mode of the recording means is notified as apparently unexecutable or the executable mode of the recording means is notified as being executable without changing the executable mode. be able to.

According to the multi-function terminal according to the seventh aspect,
Since the mode in which the recording unit can be executed is the multiple copy output mode, the usability of the multiple copy output mode can be improved.

According to the multi-function terminal according to the eighth aspect,
The recording amount can be the number of recordings of the recording unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a multifunction terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a control circuit of the multifunction terminal in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure by a control circuit of the multi-function terminal in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure by a control circuit of the multi-function terminal in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a control circuit of the multi-function terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure by a control circuit of the multi-function terminal in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure by a control circuit of the multi-function terminal in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 NCU 4 Telephone 6 Hybrid circuit 8 Modulator / demodulator 10 ANSam transmission circuit 12 Addition circuit 14 Reading circuit 16 Recording circuit 20 Control circuit 24 Control multi copy number registration circuit 26 Network card 27 Network 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 PC

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A multifunction terminal having a recording function for recording information on paper and having a plurality of functions including a printer function for receiving print information transmitted from an external device and recording the information by the recording means. When a print request is received from the external device, a recording amount calculating unit that calculates a recording amount performed by the recording unit for a reserved job including a currently executing job, and a recording amount of the calculated recording unit. And a notifying means for notifying the external device which issued the request by apparently changing the executable mode of the recording means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: connection means for connecting to the external device directly or via a network; and detection means for detecting whether the external device is directly connected or connected via the network. When the print request is received from an external device, the notifying unit apparently changes the executable mode of the recording unit according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit and the detection result of the detection unit. The multi-function terminal according to claim 1, wherein 3. An executable mode of the recording unit is a multiple copy output mode, and the notifying unit ignores the calculated recording amount of the recording unit when the external device is directly connected. Notifying that the multiple copy output mode of the recording unit can be executed, and when the external device is connected via a network, the multiple copy output mode of the recording unit according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit. 3. The multi-function terminal according to claim 2, wherein the terminal notifies the user of an apparent possibility of execution. 4. A facsimile receiving function of receiving facsimile information transmitted from a partner facsimile apparatus and recording the received facsimile information by the recording means, wherein when a facsimile reception request is received from the partner facsimile apparatus, the recording amount calculating means A recording amount performed by the recording unit for a reserved job including a currently executing job is calculated, and the notifying unit determines an executable mode of the recording unit according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit. 2. The multi-function terminal according to claim 1, wherein the change is made to notify the other party facsimile apparatus. 5. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a registration unit for registering information for determining whether to permit an apparent change in an executable mode of the recording unit; When there is a request, according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit and the information registered in the registration unit, it is notified that the recording unit is apparently not executable in the executable mode. The multi-function terminal according to claim 4. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit determines that the executable mode of the recording unit is apparently unexecutable according to the calculated recording amount of the recording unit. 6. The multi-function terminal according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether the executable mode of the recording unit is notified as apparently not executable or the executable unit is notified as executable without changing the executable mode. . 7. The multifunction terminal according to claim 51, wherein the executable mode of the recording unit is a multiple copy output mode. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording amount is the number of recordings of the recording unit.
The multi-function terminal described in one.