JP2001036677A - Facsimile terminal, control method for the facsimile terminal, and computer-readable recording medium storing control program for the facsimile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a receiver side to decide presence/absence of a plural print output function and a maximum output prints available in one communication, to inform a transmitter about it and to recognize whether or not a user of a transmitter side can make output of a plurality of prints desired by the user in the case of communication, especially in a stage before image transmission. SOLUTION: A recording available number detection circuit 28 detects the current recordable number of shuts used by a recording circuit 16 at reception. A plural print output control information storage circuit 30 registers the detected recordable number of sheets and control conditions for a plurality of print outputs on the basis thereof to control output of a plurality of prints. The presence/absence of a plurality of output functions noticed to the transmitter or the maximum output prints permitted in this case are decided and the transmitter receives the information on the basis of the recordable prints detected by the recording available number detection circuit 28 according to the registered information in the plural print output control information storage circuit 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, a method for controlling a facsimile apparatus, and a method for controlling a facsimile apparatus, in which a plurality of sets of images are recorded from received image data by an image recording means of a receiver. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium storing a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of recording devices such as office printers capable of outputting a plurality of copies of an image are known. However, even a facsimile apparatus has such a plurality of (multi) copies of an image. A facsimile apparatus capable of performing output has been proposed.

In such a facsimile apparatus capable of outputting multiple copies, for example, one copy of a document image is received, and
It is possible to obtain a record output of many copies having the same contents.

For example, conventionally, when a receiver receives a signal from a specific destination, it outputs the number of copies registered corresponding to the destination, or when a receiver receives a specific sub-address signal, a memory corresponding to the sub-address signal. A configuration in which only the number of copies registered in the box is output has been considered.

[0005]

Various modes are conceivable for controlling whether or not a receiver outputs a plurality of copies, and for controlling the number of outputs when outputting a plurality of copies.

For example, there has been proposed a configuration in which negotiation is performed between a transmitter and a receiver using a facsimile procedure signal or the like with respect to a function of outputting a plurality of copies.

However, according to the prior art, the receiver only determines whether or not to permit output of a plurality of copies based on a user setting made in advance, so that the state of the receiver, for example, the current reception of the receiver is determined. It was not possible to dynamically determine whether to permit the output of a plurality of copies based on the state of resources available to the user.

For this reason, for example, if a plurality of copies are selected from the transmitter even though the remaining amount of the recording paper is small, there is a possibility that the specified number of copies of the received information cannot be output.

Further, in the conventional configuration, the result of whether or not the output of the designated plurality of copies has been executed cannot be determined unless the image is actually transmitted and the recording process is executed. There is a problem that the user on the transmitter side cannot know in advance the result of the multiple-part output before the start of transmission, and cannot recognize on the receiver side whether or not the multiple-part output was successful.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to use a simple and inexpensive configuration to determine whether or not a receiver has a multi-unit output function based on the status of resources available for current reception of the receiver, Determines the maximum number of output copies that can be made in one communication, informs the transmitter of the maximum number of copies, and determines whether or not the transmitting side user can output a desired number of copies at the time of communication, especially before image transmission. In order to be able to recognize it.

[0011]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a facsimile apparatus for outputting a plurality of copies of a plurality of copies from received image data by an image recording means of a receiver, A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus and a computer-readable recording medium storing a control program for the facsimile apparatus, wherein a plurality of parts are output from the receiver to the transmitter based on the state of resources currently available for reception by the receiver. A configuration to notify the presence or absence of the function is adopted.

[0012] Alternatively, the resource available for current reception of the receiver is the current recordable number of the receiver, and when the recordable number is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the receiver outputs a plurality of copies to the transmitter. The configuration is adopted in which the function is notified, and when the recordable number is less than the predetermined number, the receiver notifies the transmitter that there is no multi-unit output function.

Alternatively, the receiver notifies the transmitter of the maximum number of output units possible in one communication, and the receiver notifies the transmitter of the maximum number of output units based on the current state of resources available for reception. A configuration that changes the number of output copies is adopted.

Alternatively, a configuration is adopted in which the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver to the transmitter is changed in a plurality of stages based on the status of resources available for current reception by the receiver.

Alternatively, the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver to the transmitter is increased as the number of recordable images increases.

Alternatively, when the output of a plurality of units cannot be designated to the receiver, a notice is given to the user of the transmitter to that effect.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. <Basic Hardware Configuration> FIG. 1 shows a basic hardware configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an NCU (Network Control Unit) which is used to connect a telephone network to a terminal of the line in order to use the telephone network for data communication and the like, to control connection of a telephone exchange network, and to perform data communication. This is for switching to a road or maintaining a loop. The NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2a to the telephone 4 when the signal level (signal line 20a) from the control circuit 20 is "0", and connects the telephone line 2a to the facsimile apparatus when the signal level is "1". To the side.
In a normal state, the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a hybrid circuit which separates a transmission system signal and a reception system signal, transmits a transmission signal from the addition circuit 12 to the telephone line 2a via the NCU 2, and transmits a signal from the other party via the NCU 2 And sends it to the modem 8 via the signal line 6a.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a modulator / demodulator. 8, V. 21, V.I. 27ter, V.A. 29, V.S.
17, V. The modulation and demodulation are performed based on the signal line 34, and each transmission mode is designated by the signal line 20c.
The modem 8 receives the signal output on the signal line 20b, outputs modulated data on the signal line 8a, receives the received signal output on the signal line 6a, and outputs the demodulated data on the signal line 8a.
b.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an ANSam signal (ITU-T
A communication procedure signal compliant with Recommendation V8).
When the signal of signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20d, the ANSam signal is sent out to the signal line 10a. When the signal of signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20d, the signal is sent to the signal line 10a. Operate so that no signal is output.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an addition circuit for adding transmission signals, which inputs information on the signal lines 8a and 10a, and outputs a result of the addition to the signal line 12a.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a circuit for reading image data.
It is composed of a document transport system, an optical reading element and the like. The reading circuit 14 outputs read data read from a document to a signal line 14a.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a recording circuit for recording image data, which is formed by various recording methods such as a heat-sensitive method, an electrophotographic method, and an ink-jet method, and sequentially outputs information output from a control circuit 20 to a signal line 20e. Record for each line. The recording circuit 16 is used for recording one copy (one page for each page) of an image when recording a received image or recording an image read by the reading circuit 14 (copy operation). It is assumed that multi-copy output can be performed.

In this specification, the recording circuit 1 is used consistently.
"Recording paper" refers to the medium to be recorded by 6.
However, it is needless to say that the material of the "recording paper" is not necessarily literally "paper" but may be another material such as a plastic sheet.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a memory circuit, which includes ROM, R,
It is composed of an arbitrary storage device such as an AM or a hard disk, and is used for storing various data. In particular,
Regarding storage of image information, the memory circuit 18 is used to store raw information of read image data or encoded image information, and also stores raw received image information or decoded image information. Is done. In the case of the present embodiment, the memory circuit 18 corresponds to the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an operation unit, which includes a one-touch dial, abbreviated dial, a numeric keypad, a * / # key, a start key, a stop key, a set key, a registration key for a multiple unit output control information storage circuit 30 described later, and others. Key information corresponding to a key pressed by the operation unit 22 is output to the signal line 22a.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a multi-part output selection button.
The multi-part output selection button 24 is pressed when the operator on the transmitter side desires to output a plurality of parts on the receiver side. When the multiple part output designation button 24 is pressed, a pressing pulse is generated on the signal line 24a.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a display circuit for displaying an error or the like in accordance with information output from the control circuit 20 to the signal line 20f. For example, in the present embodiment, in the transmission processing in which the output of a plurality of copies is designated, for example, "the output designation of 5 copies is selected, but the receiver does not have a function of outputting a plurality of copies. Or a message such as "The output designation of 10 copies has been selected, but the output of 6 copies is the maximum at the receiver, so it has been transmitted as the output designation of 1 copy".

Reference numeral 28 denotes a recordable number detection circuit.
The recordable number detection circuit 28 detects the remaining number (remaining amount) of recording paper loaded in the recording circuit 16, that is, how many more sheets can be recorded, and outputs it to a signal line 28a.
The recordable number detection circuit 28 is constituted by an optical sensor or the like for measuring the number of recording papers loaded in the recording paper cassette or the like of the recording circuit 16 or, more simply, loaded in a preset recording paper cassette or the like. A down-counter circuit or the like that subtracts from the information on the number of sheets of recording paper for each page recording may be used.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a multi-unit output control information storage circuit for storing control information relating to the multi-unit output.
The registered contents are input by the control circuit 20 via the signal line 30a. In a first embodiment to be described later, the threshold of the recordable number detected by the recordable number detection circuit 28 is registered. This threshold is used to determine the presence or absence of a multi-unit output function that notifies the transmitter in a communication procedure when operating as a receiver. That is, if the recordable number detected by the recordable number detection circuit 28 is equal to or larger than the threshold value registered in the multiple unit output control information storage circuit 30, the transmitter is notified that the multiple unit output function is present, and If it is less than the threshold value registered in the output control information storage circuit 30, it notifies the transmitter that there is no multi-function output function. In the first embodiment, the multiple unit output control information storage circuit 30
The threshold value registered in is set to 100 sheets.

In a second embodiment to be described later, the range of the recordable number in a plurality of stages divided by a plurality of thresholds,
Alternatively, the number of possible output copies to be notified to the transmitter according to each range is registered. For example, in a second embodiment to be described later, if the recordable number is 100 or more, the maximum output number is notified to the transmitter as 10 copies, and if the recordable number is 80 or more and less than 100, the maximum output number is set. The transmitter is notified that the number of copies is 8 and the recordable number is 60.
If the number is more than 80 and less than 80, the transmitter is notified that the maximum number of copies is 6 and the number of recordable images is less than 60.
It is assumed that these threshold values or the number of output units to be notified to the transmitter can be registered in order to perform control such as notifying one unit and the transmitter as the maximum number of output units.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a control circuit including a microprocessor, a memory, and the like, which controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The control circuit 20 controls the operation of the entire apparatus based on a program described later stored in a memory such as an internal ROM or a ROM section of the memory circuit 18.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit 2
0 indicates communication control as a normal facsimile machine,
In accordance with the recordable number of sheets detected by the recordable number detection circuit 28, a communication function declaration to be transmitted to the transmitter for the multiple copy output function is controlled.

In a first embodiment described later, the control circuit 20
Changes the presence / absence of the multi-unit output function for notifying the transmitter from the receiver according to the recordable number detected by the recordable number detection circuit 28. Here, when the recordable number is equal to or more than a predetermined number (for example, the threshold value 100 registered in the multiple-unit output control information storage circuit 30), the receiver notifies the transmitter that the multiple-unit output function is available. If the number is less than the predetermined number (for example, 100 thresholds registered in the multiple unit output control information storage circuit 30), the receiver notifies the transmitter that there is no multiple unit output function.

In the second embodiment, the transmitter output control information storage circuit 30 should be notified to the transmitter in accordance with the range of the number of recordable sheets in a plurality of stages divided by a plurality of thresholds, or further according to each range. Register the maximum possible number of output units, change the presence / absence of a multiple-unit output function that notifies the transmitter from the receiver, and change the value of the maximum possible number of output units.

<First Embodiment> FIGS. 2 to 5 show control examples in which the presence / absence of a multi-unit output function for notifying a transmitter from a receiver is changed in accordance with the number of recordable sheets detected by a recordable sheet number detection circuit 28. Is shown. The illustrated procedure is stored as a program of the control circuit 20 in the ROM portion of the memory circuit 18 or the like. 2 to 4 are continuous at each position.

In FIG. 2, step S0 represents the start of a process started by turning on the power or performing a predetermined reset operation.

Step S2 indicates that the multi-unit output control information storage circuit 30 is initialized via the signal line 30a. Specifically, if the number of recordable sheets is 500 or more, it is registered to notify that there is a multi-unit output function.

In step S4, the display is stopped by the display circuit 26 via the signal line 20f so as not to perform any of the various warning displays.

In step S6, a signal of signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20a, the CML relay of the NCU 2 is turned off, and the line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.

In step S8, a signal of signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20d, and the ANSam signal transmission circuit 10
Is controlled not to transmit the ANSam signal.

In step S10, the information of the signal line 22a is input, and it is determined whether or not the registration processing to the multiple unit output control information storage circuit 30 has been selected. When the registration processing to the multiple unit output control information storage circuit 30 is selected, step S1 is performed.
The process proceeds to step S2, and if not selected, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S12, if the recordable number is 100 or more via the signal line 30a, it is notified that there is a multi-unit output function, and if less than 100, it is notified that there is no multi-unit output function. Perform Here, only the threshold value of 100 may be registered, but the action to be performed on the transmitter may be registered in a range defined by the threshold value.

In steps S14 and S16, it is determined whether the reception processing or the transmission processing has been selected. The reception is performed by receiving a call signal from the exchange via the line 2a. The transmission is performed according to a predetermined operation by the operation unit 22, a timer clock (in the case of time designation communication, and the like), and the like. If transmission is selected, the process proceeds to step S46 (FIG. 4). If reception is selected, the process proceeds to step S20 (FIG. 3). If neither transmission nor reception is selected, the process proceeds to step S18. Process.

When reception is selected, step S2 in FIG.
At 0, a signal of signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a, the CML relay is turned on, and the line 2a is connected to the facsimile apparatus side (hybrid circuit 6 side).

In steps S22 and S24, the presence / absence of the multiple unit output function is determined according to the registration information in the multiple unit output control information storage circuit 30 and the recordable number detected by the recordable number detection circuit 28. Here, as described above, the recordable number detected by the recordable number detection circuit 28 is 10
If the number is 0 or more, it is determined that there is a multi-unit output function.

That is, in step S24, the signal line 2
8a, the detection information of the recordable number detection circuit 28 is input, for example, it is determined whether or not the recordable number is 100 or more. If the recordable number is 100 or more, the process proceeds to step S28. If the recordable number is less than 100, the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, a pre-facsimile communication procedure is executed to notify the transmitter that there is no multi-function output function. Declaration on multi-part output function is G3 procedure, D
What is necessary is just to perform using a procedure signal, such as an IS signal.

On the other hand, in step S28, a pre-facsimile communication procedure is executed to notify the transmitter of the presence of the multi-unit output function.

In step S30, the procedure signal transmitted from the transmitter is analyzed, and it is determined whether or not output of a plurality of units is designated by the transmitter. If the output of a plurality of units is designated from the transmitter, the process proceeds to step S32, and if not, the process proceeds to step S42 (FIG. 4).

In step S32, the remaining pre-facsimile communication procedure is executed, and the number of output copies specified by the transmitter is stored.

In step S34, the image signal is received in the memory, and in step S36, the procedure after facsimile communication is executed. Of course, here, each page is transmitted and received by the normal transmission processing and stored in the image memory area of the memory circuit 18.

Thereafter, in step S38 of FIG.
A signal of a signal level “0” is output to the signal line 20a, and NC
The CML of U2 is turned off, and the line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.

In step S40, each page is sequentially recorded and output by the recording circuit 16 for the number of copies specified by the transmitter, and the process returns to step S6 in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is declared that there is no multiple copy output function, image signals are received and one copy is recorded in step S42 following step S26, and a procedure after facsimile communication is performed in step S44. It returns to step S6 of No. 2.

When transmission is selected in step S14 of FIG. 2, the signal line 22 is transmitted in step S46.
The operation information of the operation unit 22 and the multi-unit output selection button 24 is input via the input terminals a and 24a. If the user selects the multi-unit output, the number of output units is input and stored in a predetermined area of the memory circuit 18.

In step S48, a signal of signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a, the CML of the NCU 2 is turned on, the line 2a is connected to the facsimile machine, and in step S50, a call is made to the designated destination. The process proceeds to step S52 in FIG.

In step S52 of FIG. 5, step S4
It is determined whether or not the user has selected the output of a plurality of copies based on the processing in step 6. If the output of the plurality of copies has been selected, the process proceeds to step S56 to execute the pre-facsimile communication procedure, and the output of the plurality of copies has not been selected. For example, the process proceeds to step S54 to execute a pre-facsimile communication procedure.

In step S58, it is determined whether or not the receiver has a multiple-unit output function. If the receiver has a multiple-unit output function, the flow advances to step S60;
Proceed to.

At step S60, the remaining pre-facsimile communication procedure is executed. Here, the output of a plurality of copies is specified based on the user's specification, and the number of copies is specified. A DCS signal or the like is used as the procedure signal.

In step S62, the image signal is read by the reading circuit 14, encoded according to a known procedure, and transmitted. In step S64, a post-facsimile communication procedure is executed.

On the other hand, if the receiver does not have the function of outputting a plurality of copies, the output circuit 5 displays “5 copies are output to the display circuit 26 via the signal line 20f in step S66, but outputs a plurality of copies to the receiver. Since there is no function, the specified transmission was performed for one copy. " This display is deleted by any key operation (appropriate operation indicating the user's consent).

In step S68, the remaining pre-facsimile communication procedure is executed. At this time, the output of a plurality of units is not specified for reception.

As described above, in the receiver, the recordable number is detected by the recordable number detecting circuit 28, and if the recordable number is equal to or larger than the threshold value registered in the multiple-unit output control information storage circuit 30, in the pre-communication procedure. Notifying the transmitter that there is a multiple copy output function, and notifying the transmitter that there is no multiple copy output function if the recordable number is less than the threshold value registered in the multiple copy output control information storage circuit 30, The transmitter can determine whether or not to specify the multiple copy output according to the notification from the receiver.

Therefore, it is possible to avoid a problem that the number of output copies specified by the transmitter exceeds the number of copies actually output by the receiver, and the number of copies specified by the transmitter cannot be output by the receiver.

Further, in the case where the designation of output of a plurality of copies is canceled based on the number of recordable sheets notified to the transmitter, the fact can be displayed to the user on the transmission side. Can be clearly recognized at the time of communication, particularly at the stage before image transmission, when the output of a plurality of copies cannot be specified.

Also, in this embodiment, the receiver notifies the transmitter of the presence / absence of the multi-unit output function based on the status of resources available for current reception on the receiver side. There is no need to perform special control on the transmitter side, and the presence or absence of the multi-unit output function can be transmitted using only a known communication procedure signal format, and there is no need to use a special in-house procedure .

In the above description, when the output of a plurality of parts cannot be designated on the transmitter side, the reason is displayed. However, a similar message may be recorded and outputted by the recording circuit 16. . Whether or not to perform the notification / warning process for the transmitting user is arbitrarily determined. In the present embodiment, even if the transmitter performs a known process, the communication itself is possible. Not even.

<Second Embodiment> In the control of the first embodiment, the number of records that can be recorded in the multiple output control information storage circuit 30 is divided by one threshold value, and the function of simply outputting the multiple copies to notify the transmitter is provided. The presence / absence is determined, but in the following, the maximum number of printable copies to be notified to the transmitter according to the range of the number of recordable sheets in a plurality of stages or each range is further registered, and the receiver notifies the transmitter. An example in which the presence / absence of a multiple-unit output function and the value of the maximum possible number of output units are changed will be described. The hardware configuration is assumed to be the same as that of the first embodiment, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show only the changed parts necessary for the control of FIGS.

In the present embodiment, the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver to the transmitter is changed in three or more steps, and the maximum number of output units permitted to the transmitter is increased as the number of recordable images of the receiver is larger.

In FIG. 6, step S70 corresponds to Yes in step S10 in FIG. 2, and step S74 corresponds to step S14. That is, step S72 is inserted instead of step S12.

In step S72, the multi-unit output control information storage circuit 30 is connected to the multi-unit output control information storage circuit 30 via the signal line 30a. Register information. Here, for example, as described above, the recordable number is 10
If the number is 0 or more, the maximum output copy number is notified to the transmitter and if the recordable number is 80 or more and less than 100, the maximum output number is notified to the transmitter and the copy number is 8 if the recordable number is less than 100. If the number is 60 or more and less than 80, the transmitter is notified that the maximum number of copies is 6 and the transmitter is notified. If the recordable number is less than 60, the maximum output number is 1 and the transmitter is notified. In order to do so, these thresholds or the number of output copies to be notified to the transmitter are registered.

Step S76 corresponds to step S20 in FIG.
Step S80 corresponds to step S30 in FIG. That is, step S78 replaces the part of the pre-facsimile notification procedure of steps S22, S24, and S28 in FIG.

Here, the multi-unit output control information storage circuit 3
The maximum number of output copies is determined based on the registration information of 0 and the number of recordable sheets detected by the recordable sheet number detection circuit 28, and notifies the transmitter. That is, the number of recordable images is 10 in accordance with the registered contents of the multiple unit output control information storage circuit 30 described above.
In each case of 0 or more, 80 or more and less than 100, 60 or more and less than 80, and 60 or less, the maximum number of output units notified to the transmitter is 10, 8, and 6, respectively.
Notify that one copy. This notification of the maximum number of output
This can be performed using a facsimile information field such as an S signal.

Step S82 in FIG. 7 corresponds to step S82 in FIG.
56, step S86 corresponds to step S60, and step S90 corresponds to step S68. That is, steps S84 and S88 are executed instead of steps S58 and S66.

In this case, the receiver notifies the maximum output number in a plurality of stages as described above.
In 4, the number of output units specified by the user (of the transmitter) is compared with the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver, and it is determined whether the former is less than or equal to the latter. If this step is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S60, a plurality of copies are designated in the remaining pre-procedure, and transmission is continued, and if denied, the process proceeds to step S88.

In step S88, for example, "10 copies of output are specified on the display circuit 26 via the signal line 20f, but since the maximum output number of the receiver is 6, 1 copy is specified and transmitted. Is displayed, the process proceeds to step S68, and the transmission process is continued without specifying a plurality of copies. The display in step S88 is erased by any key operation (appropriate operation indicating the user's consent).

As described above, the range of the recordable number of prints in a plurality of stages, or the maximum possible number of output copies to be notified to the transmitter according to each range, is registered, and the plurality of copies to be notified from the receiver to the transmitter are registered. The presence or absence of the output function and the value of the maximum possible number of output copies can be changed. That is, by controlling the value of the maximum number of output copies that can be notified to the transmitter in a plurality of stages according to the number of recordable sheets in the plurality of stages, the output of the plurality of copies is designated from the transmitter. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the output of a plurality of units cannot be performed, and it is possible to more reliably execute the output of the plurality of units by the receiver.

In the present embodiment, the transmitter needs to have a function of interpreting the value of the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver. However, the notification of the maximum number of output units itself is performed by a known facsimile procedure signal such as a DIS signal. And the hardware / software changes required on the transmitter side are minimized.

In each of the above embodiments, the configuration of the facsimile dedicated machine is shown. However, the present invention can be applied not only to the facsimile dedicated machine but also to a communication apparatus using any other communication protocol. Not even. For example, the present invention can be implemented in a configuration in which a general-purpose terminal such as a personal computer is externally / built-in with a (FAX) modem or a terminal adapter, and performs communication using a predetermined communication protocol under software control. it can. In that case, the technique of the present invention can be used to specify a specific communication mode used in an arbitrary communication protocol at the time of relay processing. Also,
The control program of the present invention can be stored and supplied not only in the memory circuit 18 described above but also in any computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a memory card. it can.

[0082]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a facsimile apparatus and a control of a facsimile apparatus for outputting a plurality of copies of a plurality of copies of images from received image data by an image recording means of a receiver. A method and a computer readable recording medium storing a control program for a facsimile apparatus, wherein the receiver determines whether or not the transmitter has a multi-unit output function based on the state of resources currently available for reception by the receiver. Since the configuration for notification is adopted, the receiver side determines the presence or absence of the multi-unit output function based on the status of the resources available for current reception by the receiver, and uses the simple and inexpensive configuration to send it to the transmitter. An excellent effect is provided that notification can be made and the output of a plurality of units can be controlled based on the state of resources available for current reception by the receiver.

Alternatively, the resource available for the current reception of the receiver is the current recordable number of the receiver. If the recordable number is equal to or more than the predetermined number, the receiver outputs a plurality of copies to the transmitter. If the function is notified and the number of recordable images is less than a predetermined number, the receiver notifies the transmitter that there is no multi-unit output function. Thus, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the multi-unit output function, notify the transmitter of the function, and control the multi-unit output according to the current recordable number of sheets in the receiver.

Alternatively, a simple and inexpensive configuration can be achieved by adopting a configuration in which the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver to the transmitter is changed in a plurality of stages based on the state of resources available for current reception by the receiver. Can determine the maximum number of output copies that can be made in one communication on the receiver side based on the state of resources available for current reception by the receiver, notify the transmitter of it, and use it for the current reception of the receiver There is an excellent effect that the output of a plurality of units can be controlled based on the state of the resource.

Alternatively, further, the receiver transmits one
Notify the maximum number of output units that can be used for communication,
Based on the status of the resources available for the receiver's current reception,
A configuration in which the maximum output number notified from the receiver to the transmitter is changed, and the maximum output number notified from the receiver to the transmitter is changed in a plurality of stages based on the status of resources available for current reception of the receiver. If the configuration or the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver to the transmitter is used together with the configuration that increases as the number of recordable images increases, the output of the multiple units was specified from the transmitter, but the There is an excellent effect that it is possible to reduce the possibility that the output cannot be performed, and it is possible to more reliably execute the output of a plurality of units by the receiver.

Alternatively, if the output of a plurality of units cannot be designated for the receiver, a notification to that effect is sent to the user of the transmitter, so that the user on the transmitting side can output the desired plurality of units. This is an excellent effect that it is possible to recognize whether or not the communication is performed, particularly at a stage before image transmission.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a facsimile apparatus employing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of communication control in the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of communication control in the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of communication control in the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of communication control in the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the communication control in the configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the communication control in the configuration of 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 18 Memory circuit 20 Control circuit 22 Operation unit 24 Multiple unit output selection button 26 Display circuit 28 Recordable number detection circuit 30 Multiple units Output control information storage circuit

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus that outputs a plurality of copies of a plurality of copies of received image data by image recording means of a receiver, based on the status of resources currently available for reception by the receiver.
A facsimile apparatus comprising a notifying unit for notifying a transmitter of the presence / absence of a multi-unit output function from a receiver. 2. The resource that can be used by the receiver for current reception is the current recordable number of the receiver, and when the recordable number is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the notification means sends the signal from the receiver to the transmitter. 2. The multi-part output function is notified, and if the recordable number is less than a predetermined number, the notification unit notifies the transmitter to the transmitter that there is no multi-part output function by the notifying means. Facsimile machine. 3. The notifying unit notifies the transmitter of the maximum number of output units possible in one communication from the receiver to the transmitter, and the receiver transmits the maximum number of copies based on the status of resources available for current reception by the receiver. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum number of output copies to be notified is changed. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver to the transmitter is changed in a plurality of stages based on the status of resources available for current reception of the receiver. Facsimile machine. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the maximum number of output copies notified from the receiver to the transmitter increases as the number of recordable images increases. 6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying a user of the transmitter when the output of a plurality of units cannot be designated for the receiver. 7. A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus for outputting a plurality of copies of a plurality of copies of image data from received image data by an image recording means of the receiver, the status of resources currently available for reception by the receiver. Based on
A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus, comprising a notifying step of notifying a transmitter of the presence / absence of a multi-unit output function from a receiver. 8. The resource available for current reception of the receiver is the current recordable number of the receiver, and when the recordable number is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the receiver notifies the transmitter by the notification step. 8. The multi-part output function is notified, and if the recordable number is less than a predetermined number, the receiver notifies the transmitter that there is no multi-part output function in the notifying step. Facsimile machine control method. 9. In the notification step, the maximum number of output units that can be transmitted in one communication is notified from the receiver to the transmitter, and the receiver transmits to the transmitter based on the current state of resources available for reception. The method of controlling a facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the maximum number of output copies to be notified is changed. 10. The maximum number of output units notified from the receiver to the transmitter is changed in a plurality of steps based on the status of resources available for current reception of the receiver.
3. The method for controlling a facsimile apparatus according to claim 1. 11. The control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the maximum number of output copies notified from the receiver to the transmitter increases as the recordable number increases. 12. The control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a step of notifying a user of the transmitter when the output of a plurality of units cannot be designated to the receiver. . 13. A computer-readable recording medium storing a control program of a facsimile apparatus for outputting a plurality of copies of a plurality of copies from received image data by an image recording means of the receiver, comprising: Based on the status of the resources available for receiving
A computer-readable recording medium storing a control program for a facsimile machine, wherein a notification step of notifying a transmitter of the presence / absence of a multi-unit output function is stored from a receiver to a transmitter. 14. The current available recording resources of the receiver are the current recordable number of the receiver, and if the recordable number is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the receiver notifies the transmitter of the recordable number. A control procedure for notifying that the multi-unit output function is present and for storing the multi-set output function from the receiver to the transmitter in the notification step when the recordable number is less than the predetermined number is stored. Claim 13
A computer-readable recording medium storing a control program for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 1. 15. The notifying step notifies the transmitter of the maximum number of output units that can be performed in one communication from the receiver, and the receiver transmits the maximum number of output copies based on the current state of resources available for reception by the receiver. 14. A computer-readable recording medium storing a control program for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a control procedure for changing the maximum number of output copies to be notified is stored. 16. A control procedure for changing the maximum number of output units notified from the receiver to the transmitter in a plurality of stages based on the state of resources available for current reception of the receiver. A computer-readable recording medium storing the control program for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 15. 17. The control method according to claim 15, wherein a control procedure for increasing the maximum number of output copies notified from the receiver to the transmitter as the recordable number increases is stored.
A computer-readable recording medium storing the control program for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 6. 18. A control program for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a step of notifying the user of the transmitter when the output of a plurality of units cannot be designated to the receiver. A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer.