JP2001094745A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recorder that can record and output the same image even during recording output of an image or even after the recording output. SOLUTION: An image memory 20 stores an image read by a read section 14, an image received or sent through an NCU 18 and a modem 19 and an image or the like received via a PC interface 17. When the image memory 20 has a margin capacity, the images are not deleted even after a recording section 15 prints out or they are transmitted. Thus, when an operation section 13 instructs 2nd output, the recording section 15 prints out the instructed image in the image memory 20. For example, increase in number of recorded images and a recording output of the transmitted image or the like are possible. In the case that the idle capacity of the image memory 20 is less, the image whose storage period is expired is deleted according to the priority set in response to the image type.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording and outputting an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image recording apparatus basically records and outputs a specified number of copies of a received image. For example, in a copying apparatus, an image read by an image reading apparatus is transferred to an image recording apparatus, and a specified number of copies are recorded and output. The image read by the image reading device is not stored until after recording and outputting. In recent years, digital copying apparatuses have become mainstream. In this digital copying apparatus, an image read by an image reading apparatus is temporarily stored in a memory, and then recorded and output by an image recording apparatus. However, when a series of recording output ends, the image read by the image reading device is erased from the memory. For this reason, for example, when the user notices that the number of copies is insufficient after the copy is completed, and wants to perform some similar recording output, the user has to start the reading again by the image reading device.

In a facsimile machine, for example, an image received by a communication device is transferred to an image recording device, and usually only one copy is recorded and output. There is also a device that temporarily stores a received image in a memory and then records and outputs the image. However, if we wanted more of the same recorded output, we had to make another copy.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image recording apparatus capable of recording and outputting the same image even during or after recording and outputting the image. It is intended for.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in an image recording apparatus, a storage means for storing an image, an operation means capable of instructing recording, a recording means for recording an image, and a storage means for storing the image. And a control unit for controlling the recording unit to perform recording again when the recording instruction is given by the operation unit during or after the recording of the image. Things.

As described above, according to the present invention, after the image stored in the storage means is recorded by the recording means, the processing of deleting the image from the storage means is not performed. Therefore, even during or after recording, it is possible to record and output again by the recording unit by giving a recording instruction with the operation unit.

When the function of the image recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device, for example, a recording instruction is given to the image being transmitted or transmitted by the operation means, and the recording means is used. It is possible to record and output. Conversely, it is also possible to transmit an image during or after recording output via a communication line such as a telephone line or a LAN. Of course, it is also possible to transmit the image being transmitted or transmitted to the same destination or another destination.

[0008] If the image thus recorded is kept stored in the storage means, the free space of the storage means gradually decreases. The control unit may be configured to delete the image from the storage unit based on the priority order corresponding to the type of the image when the free space of the storage unit is less than the predetermined amount. Thus, the image stored in the storage unit can be managed according to the type of the image. Alternatively, the storage period may be set according to the type of image, and the image stored in the storage unit may be deleted according to the storage period set for each type of image. This makes it possible to control the free space of the storage unit by erasing, for example, the storage period has expired for each type of image.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a main control unit, 12 is a display unit,
13 is an operation unit, 14 is a reading unit, 15 is a recording unit, 16 is a timer, 17 is a PC interface, 18 is an NCU, 19
Is a modem, 20 is an image memory, 21 is RAM, 22 is R
OM and 23 are buses.

The main control section 11 controls the entire apparatus and operates the respective sections to realize an image transmitting / receiving function, a copying function, a printing function of an image sent from an external device, and the like. In the image transmission function, an image read by the reading unit 14 or an image transmitted through the PC interface 17 is transmitted to the modem 19.
And using the NCU 18 to transmit to the communication partner. In the image receiving function, the image sent from the communication
The data is received via the CU 18 and the modem 19, recorded and output by the recording unit 15, or transferred via the PC interface 17. In the copy function, the image read by the reading unit 14 is recorded and output by the recording unit 15. The printing function records and outputs the image sent via the PC interface 17 in the recording unit 15.

When the main control unit 11 executes these functions, an image received by the image reception function, an image transmitted by the image transmission function, and a reading unit 14 by the copy function
And the image received by the printing function are stored in the image memory 20, and the images stored in the image memory 20 are managed. In the present invention, the image in the image memory 20 is stored as it is even after executing these functions. As image management, for example, when it is detected that the free space of the image memory 20 is less than a predetermined amount, based on the type of the image, for example, the priority in a received image, a transmitted image, a copy image, a print image, and the like, The image is deleted from the storage means. In addition, expiration date management based on the storage expiration date set for each type of image,
For example, older images can be deleted for each type of image.

Further, the main control unit 11 causes the recording unit 15 to record and output the image stored in the image memory 20. For example, only one copy of the received image is recorded and output at the time of reception. Further, the copy image and the print image are, for example,
3 or the number of copies specified from the outside is output. In the present invention, during these recording output, after recording output,
Alternatively, in the transmission image, a function of recording and outputting the image stored in the image memory 20 from the recording unit 15 according to an instruction from the operation unit 13 during or after transmission is provided. In addition, control is performed to allow the user to select a desired image from the images stored in the image memory 20.

The display unit 12 can display various information such as a message to the user, a message indicating the state of the apparatus, and operation guidance. Operation unit 13
Is used when the user makes various settings and instructions. For example, a selection key for selecting a transmission function or a copy function, a start key for instructing execution of the selected function, and the like are provided. Further, it is possible to issue a recording output instruction for an image stored in the image memory 20. This recording output instruction is performed by operating the recall button in the following description, but the instruction form is arbitrary. When the recording output instruction is issued, an image to be recorded and output is selected in cooperation with the display unit 12,
Various settings at the time of recording, such as an instruction for the number of copies, can be made. Of course, various other inputs and settings can be made.

The reading section 14 reads an image on a document to be transmitted or copied by a reading element under the control of the main control section 11. The reading unit 14 is stationary while the document is being conveyed by a flat-bed scanner, an ADF (auto document feeder), or the like, on which the document is placed on a mounting table and the reading element moves and reads. An image reading device of various configurations such as a scanner for reading an image on a document on which a reading element moves, or a camera for two-dimensionally reading both images in a stationary state can be applied.

The recording unit 15 records the received image, the image read by the reading unit 14, the image sent via the PC interface 17, etc. on the recording paper under the control of the main control unit 11. Further, it records and outputs the image stored in the image memory 20 under the control of the main control unit 11. As a recording method, various methods such as an electrophotographic method and an ink jet method can be adopted.

The timer 16 keeps track of the date and time, and returns the date and time in response to a request. For example, when an image is stored in the image memory 20, date and time data is read and added. Further, for management of the storage period of the images stored in the image memory 20, for example, date data can be used.

The PC interface 17 is connected to, for example, an external computer, and receives, for example, an image to be recorded by the recording unit 15 and an image to be transmitted to another device via the modem 19 and the NCU 18 from the external computer.
Further, for example, the received image or the image read by the reading unit 14 can be transmitted to an external computer. The PC interface 17 may be configured according to the connection method with a computer to be connected.
It may be configured with an interface or the like, and configured to be connectable to devices such as a plurality of computers via a LAN.

The NCU 18 controls a line to communicate with an external device. The modem 19 modulates and demodulates image data to be transmitted and received.

The image memory 20 stores image data to be transmitted and received, images read by the reading unit 14, images received via the PC interface 17, and the like.
When storing an image, the image may be stored as it is or may be stored in a compressed state. Further, information (directory information) related to the stored images may be stored. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of directory information.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, similarly to the directory information used in a normal file system, an identifier, a start address,
In addition to holding information such as the amount of data, it also holds information such as the number and size of images. Further, since image management is performed for each image type, for example, transmission, reception, copy,
It holds the type of image such as printing. Further, it has other management information such as a destination, a user, and a department. Of course, the directory information is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

The RAM 21 is used when it is necessary to store data in the processing of the main controller 11 and other units.
Further, information on an image stored in the image memory 20 may be stored in the RAM 21. Further, the main control unit 11 may store a management information table including management information for each image type for managing images stored in the image memory 20. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the management information table. In the example shown in FIG. 3, it is shown that priorities are assigned to the image types, and erasing is performed in ascending order of the priorities. Here, the type of each image is further subdivided according to other information such as a destination, a department, and a user, and a storage period can be set for each subdivided image. Of course, other information for subdivision is not limited to the illustrated items, and can be set arbitrarily. Alternatively, the storage period may be set for each type of image without subdividing it. Note that this management information table may also be stored in a part of the image memory 20. Further, the image memory 20 and the RAM 21 may be configured by the same storage element.

The ROM 22 stores a program that defines the operation of the main controller 11, fixed data, and the like. If the above-mentioned management information table is fixedly set, it may be arranged in the ROM 22. In this case, the management information table may be arranged in a rewritable ROM area such as an EEPROM.

The bus 23 includes a main control unit 11, a display unit 12,
Operation unit 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, timer 16, P
The C interface 17, the NCU 18, the modem 19, the image memory 20, the RAM 21, the ROM 22, and the like are interconnected to enable data transfer between them. Of course, in addition to these, various devices such as an external storage device may be connected to the bus 23.

Next, an example of the operation of an example of a facsimile apparatus including the above-described embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described. The main control unit 11 is an image memory 20
In order to manage the images stored in the management information table, it is necessary to set the management information table in advance. Here, it is assumed that the management information table is as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of setting a management information table in an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.
Here, various types of management information are set for each image type. First, in S31, management information when the type of image is copy, that is, priority, and a storage period for each type or subdivision thereof are set. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the priority “2” is input as the management information, “section 1”, “section 2”, and the like are set as the sections, and “section 1” is stored as the corresponding storage period. Period 1 day, "2
The section has a storage period of 2 days, and the others have a storage period of 1 day.

Next, in S32, management information when the type of image is transmission, that is, priority, and a storage period for each type or its subdivision are set. In the example shown in FIG.
Enter priority "1" as management information,
Set “075-123-xxxxxx” and others as the destination, and set “075-21-2” as the corresponding storage period.
“3-XXX” indicates that the storage period is two days, and the others indicate that the storage period is one day.

In step S33, management information when the type of image is received, that is, priority, and a storage period for each type or subdivision thereof are set. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the priority order “4” is input as the management information, and “06-5432- と” and “03-98” are
76-xxxx "and others are set, and as the corresponding storage period," 06-5432- △△△△ "has a storage period of 3 days and" 03-9876-xxxx "has a storage period of 5 days. ,
In other cases, the storage period is one day.

Further, in S34, management information when the type of image is printing, that is, a priority order, and a storage period for each type or subdivision thereof are set. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a priority “3” is input as the management information, “A” and others are set as the user, and the user “A” has a storage period of one day as the corresponding storage period. Others have input a storage period of 0 days (that is, indicate that they may be deleted at any time).

In this way, a management information table as shown in FIG. 3 is created and stored in, for example, the RAM 21 or the like. As described later, the main control unit 11 manages the images stored in the image memory 20 according to the management information table set as described above.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. In a normal operation, in S41 to S44, a copy operation, a transmission operation,
It is determined whether the operation is a receiving operation or a printing operation, and each process is performed. That is, when a copy operation is performed in S41, in S45, for example, the operation unit 13
After inputting the number of copies and setting various types of copies, the user is instructed to start copying. In S46,
The reading unit 14 reads an image of a document, and in this example, stores the read image in the image memory 20 in S47.
The image to be copied is stored in the image memory 20. Note that S
The storage operation in the image memory 20 at 47 will be described later. When the image to be copied is stored in the image memory 20, the recording unit 15 starts recording and outputting the image in S48.

When transmitting an image, the processing from S42 to S
The process proceeds to 49, where the transmission destination is designated by, for example, the operation unit 13 and various transmission settings are made, and then transmission start is instructed. In S50, the image of the original to be transmitted is read by the reading unit 14, and in this example, the read image is read in S51.
In, the image to be transmitted is stored in the image memory 20, and the image to be transmitted is stored in the image memory 20. The storage operation in the image memory 20 in S51 will be described later. When the image to be transmitted is stored in the image memory 20, in S52,
The NCU 18 calls a destination by, for example, an automatic dial function. After the line is connected, communication is established in a predetermined procedure, and transmission of an image in the image memory 20 via the modem 19 is started.

When an incoming call is detected from the outside, the process proceeds from S43 to S53, where a line is connected by the NCU 18 and communication is established in a predetermined procedure. In the process, the destination (such as the telephone number) is specified by, for example, a TSI signal or the like sent from the destination. Thereafter, in S54, an image sent from the other party is received via the NCU 18 and the modem 19, the received image is stored in the image memory 20 in S55, and the received image is stored in the image memory 20. The storage operation in the image memory 20 in S55 will be described later. When all the images have been received and stored in the image memory 20, the number of copies for recording and outputting the received image is set to 1 in S56, and the recording and output of the received image by the recording unit 15 is started in S57.

When the PC interface 17 detects a print instruction from an external computer or the like, it proceeds from S44 to S5.
Proceed to 8 to identify the user who instructed printing. In a configuration in which information for identifying the user is not sent from an external computer, the process of S58 may not be performed. Further, in S59, the number of copies and various settings for printing are received from an external computer or the like, and these settings are made. Thereafter, when an image or data to be printed is sent from an external computer or the like, this is sent to S6.
0, the received image is received via the PC interface 17, the received image is stored in the image memory 20 in S61, and the received image is stored in the image memory 20. Note that S6
The storage operation in the image memory 20 in 1 will be described later. When all the images have been received and stored in the image memory 20, the recording unit 15 starts recording and outputting the received images in S62.

When the recording output by the recording unit 15 or the transmission by the modem 19 and the NCU 18 is started, the recall button for instructing the recording output for the image stored in the image memory 20 is pressed in S63. It is determined whether or not the operation has been performed. If this button is not operated, the process returns to S41, where a new copy, transmission,
The operation detection of each process of reception and printing is repeated. If none of the functions is executed, S41 to S44 and S6
3 is repeatedly executed, and the recall button is determined.

The operations of the copy, transmission, reception, and printing functions described above can be performed in parallel. For example, copying or printing can be performed during transmission. In addition, the same function can be executed in parallel as long as no duplicate operation is performed. For example, in the copy function, an image of a document to be copied next can be read and stored in the image memory 20 during printing. The same applies to other functions and combinations of functions.

If the recall button is operated in S63, it is determined in S64 whether the recording is being performed by the recording unit 15 or is being transmitted by the NCU 18 and the modem 19. If not during recording output or transmission, the images stored in the image memory 20 are displayed as a list on the display unit 12 in S65. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a list display of images stored in the image memory 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the information of the images stored in the image memory 20 can be displayed in a list by classifying the information by image type. In this example, the image type,
Information such as the storage date and time, the destination and the user, the number of pages, and the size are displayed. Of course, the display screen is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7, and various modifications are possible. For example, the image stored in the image memory 20 or the first page thereof may be reduced (thumbnail display).

When the images stored in the image memory 20 are displayed in a list on the display unit 12 in S65, the image to be recorded and output is selected from the list in S66. Further, in S67, after setting the number of recording copies and other settings at the time of recording, a recording output is instructed. Thereby, S68
In, recording output of the designated image by the recording unit 15 starts. Thereafter, the flow returns to S41 to wait for the operation of each function and the operation of the recall button.

In this way, for example, when one or several new copies are needed after copying, the recall button is operated to select and record and output a desired image. Also, for example, when a plurality of received images are required, the user can operate the recall button to select and record a desired image without re-copying. Further, operations such as transmitting the copied image as it is, and recording and outputting the transmitted image are also possible.

If it is determined in S64 that the operation of the recall button is being performed during recording output or transmission, it is determined in S69 whether the operation is a recording output instruction for an image being executed, that is, during recording output or transmission, or other images. The display unit 12 displays a screen for inquiring whether the instruction is a recording output instruction for an image stored in the memory 20 and asks the operator for an instruction. The instruction issued by the operator is determined in S70. If the instruction is a recording output instruction for an image other than the one being recorded or output, the process proceeds to S65, and the images stored in the image memory 20 are listed as described above. Then, recording and output of the selected image are started. If the recall button is operated during the recording output, the recording output in S68 may be started after the recording output ends.

If it is determined in step S70 that the instruction is a recording output instruction for an image being recorded or transmitted, it is further determined in step S71 whether or not there is one recording output or transmitting job. In one case, since the image being recorded or being transmitted or being transmitted can be specified, the process proceeds to S74. If a plurality of jobs are operating in parallel, a list of images in the job being executed is displayed on the display unit 12 in S72. The display form may be the same as, for example, the list display shown in FIG. Then, in S73, the operation unit 13 selects an image to be recorded and output from the list display. In order to confirm the recording output, the configuration may be such that the list display in S72 and the selection operation in S73 are always performed without performing the determination in S70.

When the image to be recorded and output is specified, S74
In, after the number of copies to be recorded and the other settings for recording and output are set by the operation unit 13, the start of recording and output is instructed.

In S75, it is determined whether or not the specified image to be recorded and output is that of the currently executed transmission job. If the job is not a transmission job, it indicates that additional recording output has been instructed for the image currently being recorded and output. In this case, in S76, the number of copies set in S74 is added to the number of copies of the image currently being printed and output, and the print output is continued as it is.

Thus, it is possible to increase the number of copies during recording output. For example, the copy function was executed with the number of copies set to 5, and the recording output was started.
When the sixth copy is required, the user operates the recall button during recording and output to start recording and outputting with the number of copies set to one, and then, for the image currently being recorded and output, 5 + 1 copies are recorded and output. Will be.

If it is determined in S75 that the specified image to be recorded and output is that of the currently executed transmission job, the specified number of images are recorded in the recording unit 15 in S77. Output.

The image specified after the operation of the recall button is recorded and output by the recording unit 15, transmitted by a transmission function by designating a destination, or transmitted from a PC interface to an external computer or the like. May be sent.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of storing data in the image memory 20. The accumulation operation shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to steps S47 and S5 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
1, S55, and S61. When storing an image in the image memory 20, if the storage capacity of the image memory 20 has room, the image may be stored as it is. However, when the image memory 20 runs out of room, it is necessary to delete the previously stored image in order to store a new image. In the accumulation operation shown in FIG.
The management of the storage capacity of the image memory 20 is also performed.

In step S81, the free space of the image memory 20 is checked.
Proceed to. If the free space of the image memory 20 is less than the predetermined amount, in S82, the priority is reset to 1, and an image which can be deleted from the one with the lowest priority is searched.

In S83, it is determined whether or not there is an image whose storage period has elapsed among the images of the image type of the priority order. The priorities are registered in the management information table for each image type by the operation shown in FIG. 4, for example. The determination as to whether the storage period has elapsed is made based on, for example, the storage period set in the management information table as shown in FIG. 3, the storage date and time stored in the directory information of the image, and the timer 16. It can be determined from the obtained current date and time. That is, the storage period is added to the accumulation date and time, and if the obtained date and time is earlier than the current date and time, it can be determined that the storage period has elapsed. Note that the determination of the elapse of the storage period is not limited to this. For example, the determination can be made according to an arbitrary determination criterion, such as determining only the number of days without considering time.

If there is an image for which the storage period has elapsed, S
At 87, those images are deleted. The image may be deleted by, for example, deleting the image itself from the image memory 20 or opening the area where the image existed. For example, the image may be deleted from the directory information of the image as shown in FIG. 2, and the area where the image existed may be set as a free area.

If there is no image whose storage period has passed among the images of the image type of the corresponding priority, it is determined in S84 whether or not the current priority is the last priority. If it is not the final priority, 1 is added to the priority in S85, and S is added to the next priority.
The determination at 83 is performed. By changing the priority,
If an image whose storage period has elapsed is found, the image is deleted in S87.

If no image whose storage period has passed is found in the final priority order, the image type whose storage period is the closest to the end of all image types is selected in S86. Then, the selected image is deleted in S87.

Through the processing of S82 to S87, when there is not enough free space in the image memory 20, the stored image can be deleted to secure the free space.

After a sufficient free space exists in the image memory 20 or the free space is secured by deleting the image, in S88, for example, the image memory 20 is newly added to the directory information of the image as shown in FIG. For example, the information of the image to be stored in the storage device, such as the type of the image, the storage date and time, the number of sheets, the size, and other information (the destination, the department, the user, etc.) are registered.

At S89, the image is stored in the image memory 20 one page at a time. Each time one page is stored, the free space after storing the image in S90 is checked. If the free space remains for storing one page or more, it is further determined in S91 whether or not the storage of the image of all pages is completed. If it is determined that there is a page that has not been stored, the process returns to S89, and the image of the next page is stored in the image memory 20.

In the process of accumulating images one page at a time, the free space of the image memory 20 may not be sufficient to store one page. In such a case, the processing of S92 to S97 is performed to secure free space. The processing of S92 to S97 is the same as the processing of S82 to S87. That is, the image whose storage period has elapsed is deleted according to the priority order, and when there is no image whose storage period has elapsed, the image whose storage period has expired is deleted to secure the free space of the image memory 20.

When the last page has been stored, the process of storing the image in the image memory 20 ends. The registration in the directory of the image memory in S88 may be performed, for example, after the image is accumulated in the image memory 20 up to the last page.

As described above, when the image memory 20 becomes full, the images whose storage period has elapsed can be sequentially deleted according to the type of the image.
Further, even when the storage period has not elapsed, by deleting from the images near the expiration of the storage period, it is possible to gradually delete the images that need less storage.

It should be noted that the above-described criterion for deletion is merely an example, and various methods can be applied, such as, for example, deleting data in chronological order. Further, for example, a configuration may be made so that, for example, protection setting can be performed for an image that is not desired to be deleted, and an image for which protection setting has been made may be excluded from deletion targets.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another example including an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. Figure 1 above
In the example described above, an example is shown in which the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus having an image transmission / reception function, a copy function, and a print function. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be configured as a copy machine having no communication function without providing the NCU 18 and the modem 19. Alternatively, it can be configured without the PC interface 17. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus may be configured as an apparatus having only an image recording function. The present invention can be applied to various configurations other than the above.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, an image or the like is input from an externally connected computer, for example, via the PC interface 17 and stored in the image memory 20.
By operating the recall button during or after the recording of the image by the recording unit 15, it is possible to change the number of copies of the image being recorded or to record and output the already recorded image again. These processes can be realized by a part of the operations shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG.

[0060]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the images handled in each function are stored in the image memory without being erased, so that the images being recorded or transmitted are newly deleted. It is possible to record and output a desired number of copies without setting and reading the original again and without transmitting it again. Further, the storage in the image memory reduces the free space in the image memory, and the image needs to be deleted. For example, since the image is deleted according to the type of the image, the image is deleted according to the necessity of storing the image. be able to. In addition, the storage period can be set according to the type, whereby the validity of deletion can be determined for each image, and there is an effect that images can be deleted in ascending order of necessity of storage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of directory information.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a management information table.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of setting a management information table in an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in an example of a facsimile apparatus including the embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart (continuation) illustrating an example of an operation in an example of a facsimile apparatus including the embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a list display of images stored in an image memory 20. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of storing data in an image memory.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another example including an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: Main control unit, 12: Display unit, 13: Operation unit, 14 ...
Reading unit, 15 recording unit, 16 timer, 17 PC interface, 18 NCU, 19 modem, 20 image memory, 21 RAM, 22 ROM, 23 bus.

Claims (3)

[Claims] A storage means for storing an image; an operation means capable of instructing recording; a recording means for recording an image; and an image stored in the storage means, An image recording apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling the recording means to perform recording again when recording is instructed by the operation means even during or after recording. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit deletes the image from the storage unit based on a priority order corresponding to a type of the image when the free space of the storage unit is less than a predetermined amount. Item 2. The image recording apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes the image stored in the storage unit according to a storage period set for each type of the image. Image recording device.