JP2001113789A - Image-forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-forming apparatus which can correctly resume a process also after an interruption is released. SOLUTION: A main control part 11 makes a recording part 16 record images stored in an image memory 21 in a predetermined priority order for every kind. When an interruption key 14 of an operation part 13 is manipulated to receive an interruption command during the recording, the recording is suspended to carry out an interruption process. When the interruption is released thereafter, the recording suspended at the interruption is resumed independently of the priority order. The recording after the interruption is released can be correctly carried out accordingly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an interrupt processing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the advancement of functions of an image forming apparatus, a plurality of processes can be performed in parallel. For example, a copy function that records an image read by a reading unit that reads an image on a document in a recording unit,
There is a print function for recording data provided from an external computer in a recording unit, or a reception function for recording in a recording unit an image received by a communication unit that performs facsimile communication via a public line. Of course, in addition to these, various functions such as a transmission function and a scanner function have been mounted.

The above-described copy function, print function, and reception function all require recording processing for recording and outputting an image using a recording unit. When each function is executed independently, an image memory may not be required.However, when each function is executed in parallel, an image to be recorded is temporarily stored in an image memory or the like, and is sequentially stored in a recording unit. Will be recorded and output. The order of recording and outputting at this time depends on the type of the image stored in the image memory, that is, the image stored by the copy function (copy image), the image stored by the print function (print image), or the storage by the reception function. It is determined based on a predetermined priority order depending on whether the image is a received image (received image). For example, the copy function may be set at a higher priority because the user may be waiting near the device, and the reception function may be set at a lower priority since output is not so problematic when output. Priorities are determined. Of course, priorities other than this example may be set.

On the other hand, many image forming apparatuses have an interrupt function. For example, if another copy is to be performed while a large amount of copy is being performed, an interrupt is instructed. As a result, the process shifts to the interrupt process, and another copy process can be performed. After performing another copy process, an instruction to cancel the interrupt is issued and the interrupt process is terminated.

Since the functions can be executed in parallel as described above, for example, when a received image is recorded in the recording unit, the image of the document can be read by the reading unit by the copy function. While such processing is being performed, an interrupt instruction can also be issued. In this case, the recording process of the received image is interrupted, the reading process in the reading unit in the copy function is also interrupted, and the process shifts to an interrupt process. Then, various functions can be executed in the interrupt processing.

When the instruction to cancel the interrupt is issued after the interrupt processing is completed, the interrupt processing is completed. Then, the reading process and the recording process that have been executed when the process shifts to the interrupt process are restarted.
When the recording process is restarted, the conventional image forming apparatus
The images in the image memory are checked again according to the above-mentioned priorities, and the recording unit records and outputs the images of the type having the higher priority. For this reason, there is a problem in that the recording output of the copy image is started after the interruption is canceled even though the process shifts to the interruption processing during the recording of the received image. As described above, the conventional image forming apparatus has a problem that the processing cannot be correctly resumed after the interruption is released.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of correctly restarting processing even after an interrupt is released.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image memory capable of storing a plurality of types of images;
Recording means for recording an image; operating means capable of instructing an interrupt; and recording the image in the image memory in the recording means for each type in a predetermined priority order, and issuing an instruction for an interrupt during recording. Receiving means for interrupting the recording, interrupting the recording, and releasing the interrupted recording after the interruption is released, independently of the priority.
As described above, according to the present invention, after the interruption is released, the recording interrupted by the interruption is resumed independently of the priority order, so that the recording can be correctly resumed after the interruption is released.

In such an image forming apparatus,
Reading means for reading the image of the document, the control means can execute a copy function of recording the image read by the reading means in the recording means, in the copy function of the reading means and the recording means After performing the interrupt processing during the operation, the interrupt is released, and the recording in the copy function is resumed, and when the recording is completed or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time, the reading of the image by the reading unit is still resumed. If not, the image in the image memory is recorded on the recording means based on the priority order. In the case where a reading unit is used in the interrupt processing, for example, when returning from the interrupt processing, it is necessary to set the original which was being read anew.
For example, the user can be prompted to set a document by notifying a resumption page, but it may take time to resume reading. In such a case, recording is performed for another image stored in the image memory without leaving the recording unit open. Thereby, the recording means can be used efficiently.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, the control means may resume reading of the image by the reading means when a predetermined time has elapsed since the interruption was canceled or a predetermined time thereafter. If not, the reading process by the reading means is terminated. For example, the reading process may not be restarted for a long time after the cancellation of the interrupt because no user has executed the previous copy function during the interrupt process. In such a case, the reading process itself interrupted by the interrupt process is terminated. As a result, for example, the execution of the copy function is terminated, the image read so far is recorded, and it is possible to prepare for the execution of another function.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a communication terminal device 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 an interrupt key, 15 is a reading unit, 16 is a recording unit, 17 is a timer, 18
Is a PC interface, 19 is an NCU, 20 is a modem,
21 is an image memory, 22 is a RAM, 23 is a ROM, 24
Is a bus, and 31 is a computer.

The main control unit 11 controls the entire apparatus and operates each unit to realize an image transmission / reception function, a copy function, a print function, a scanner function, and the like. In the image transmission function, the image read by the reading unit 15 is
It transmits to the communication partner using U19. In the image receiving function, an image sent from a communication partner is transmitted to the NCU 19.
, Received via the modem 20, and recorded and output by the recording unit 16. In the copy function, the image read by the reading unit 15 is recorded and output by the recording unit 16. In the print function, the recording unit 16 records an image according to data received from the computer 31 via the PC interface 18. In the scanner function, the image read by the reading unit 15 is sent to the computer 31 via the PC interface 18.

In each of these functions, an image (received image) received via the modem 20 and the NCU 19, an image (copied image, transmitted image, scanner image) read by the reading unit 15, and a received image via the PC interface 18 are provided. The image (print image) can be temporarily stored in the image memory 21. A plurality of these functions can be operated in parallel, and a plurality of types of images are stored in the image memory 21 by executing the plurality of functions. When recording the images stored in the image memory 21 by the recording unit 16, the type of each image, that is, the copy image, the received image, and the print image are recorded according to a predetermined priority.

When receiving an interrupt instruction from the operation unit 13, the main control unit 11 performs a transmission operation and a reception operation using the NCU 19 and the modem 20 and a PC interface 18.
Except for the transmission and reception of data with the computer 31 via
The running operation is stopped, and the process proceeds to the interrupt processing. At this time, for example, the number of pages for which reading by the reading unit 15 has been stopped, the image for which recording and output have been stopped by the recording unit 16, the number of pages, and the like are stored. The interrupt processing includes various functions such as a copy function, an image transmission function (only transmission image reading processing during transmission), a scanner function, recording processing of images and management information in an image memory, and various settings. Processing can be performed.

Further, upon receiving an instruction to release the interrupt from the operation unit 13, the apparatus returns from the interrupt state to a normal state.
At this time, in the recording process, the recording of the image recorded at the time of shifting to the interrupt process is restarted from the next page, independent of the priority order. After that, the recording unit 16 is caused to perform recording according to the priority order. In the reading process, the reading of the document that was being read when the process was shifted to the interrupt process is restarted from the next page. However, for example, when the reading unit 15 is used in the interrupt processing, the original set before the interrupt processing may be removed. Therefore, for example, the number of pages of the next document to be read is displayed on the display unit 12 to urge the user to set the document, and the reading process is restarted according to the user's instruction.
At this time, the user may not set a document for a long time. For example, if an interrupt process is performed when the copy function is used and the user leaves as it is, a subsequent document is not set after the interrupt is released. In such a case, when the recording process resumed by canceling the interrupt ends,
Alternatively, the recording process of the image in the image memory 21 is started when a predetermined time has elapsed from that time. Alternatively, the reading process may be terminated at the time when the interrupt is released or at a time when a predetermined time has elapsed therefrom, and the copy function may be terminated. If the reading process by the copy function has been started before the end of the recording process resumed by the release of the interrupt, the recording process by the copy function starts when the recording process resumed by the release of the interrupt is completed.

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. For example, when the interruption is released and the reading process interrupted at the time of the interruption is restarted, the number of pages of the document to be read at the time of the restart is displayed, and the user is prompted to set the document.

The 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. In particular, an interrupt key 14 for instructing an interrupt process during execution of various functions is provided. An operator can operate the interrupt key 14 to instruct an interrupt process. Also, when returning from the interrupt processing, the interrupt key 14 may also be operated. Of course, another key may be used to instruct the interruption instruction and the return from the interruption. In the operation unit 13, various other inputs and settings can be made.

The reading unit 15 reads an image on a document to be transmitted or copied to an external device or a computer under the control of the main control unit 11. As the reading unit 15, various image reading devices such as an image scanner and a digital camera can be applied. The recording unit 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes an image received from an external device or a computer, an image read by the reading unit 15, and the like.
Record on paper according to the control of. As a recording method,
For example, various systems such as an electrophotographic system and an inkjet system can be adopted.

The timer 17 is used to measure time. For example, a predetermined time is set, and a notification is made when the set time elapses, or the time is always ticked, so that it can be referred to at any time. In this example, if the reading process in the copy function is not resumed when the interrupting process is canceled and the resumed recording process ends, the time until the recording of the image in the image memory 21 starts, the reading process It is used when measuring the time until it ends.

The PC interface 18 is connected to, for example, an external computer 31 and receives, for example, data to be recorded by the recording unit 16 and data to be transmitted to another device via the modem 20 and the NCU 19 from the external computer 31. . The received data is stored in, for example, the image memory 2.
1 can be stored once. Further, for example, a received image or an image read by the reading unit 15 can be transmitted to the external computer 31. The PC interface 18 may be configured in accordance with a connection method with the computer 31 to be connected. For example, the PC interface 18 is configured with a LAN interface or the like, and is configured to be connectable to a plurality of computers and other devices via the LAN. You may. Of course, it may be directly connected to the computer 31 via a predetermined interface.

The NCU 19 controls a line to communicate with an external device. The modem 20 modulates and demodulates image data to be transmitted and received.

The image memory 21 stores image data transmitted and received via the NCU 19 and the modem 20, an image read by the reading unit 15, data transmitted from the computer 31 via the PC interface 18, and the like. , An image to be transmitted, and other images and data being processed. Information on the type of each function is added to the images and data stored in the image memory 21. The type information is stored in the image memory 21 or the RAM 22, for example. When storing an image, the image may be stored as it is,
It may be stored in a compressed state.

The RAM 22 is used when it is necessary to store data in the processing of the main controller 11 and other units.
This RAM stores additional information about images and data stored in the image memory 21, for example, type information.
22. The ROM 23 stores a program that defines the operation of the main control unit 11, fixed data, and the like.

The bus 24 includes a main control unit 11, a display unit 12,
Operation unit 13, reading unit 15, recording unit 16, timer 17, P
The C interface 18, the NCU 19, the modem 20, the image memory 21, the RAM 22, the ROM 23, 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 24.

Next, an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, a plurality of functions such as an image transmission / reception function, a copy function, a print function, and a scanner function can be used in parallel. Accordingly, transmission / reception processing using the NCU 19 and the modem 20, reading processing using the reading unit 15, recording unit 1
6, the necessary processing of the input / output processing with the computer 31 using the PC interface 18 operates in parallel. Here, in particular,
The recording processing and the reading processing affected by the interruption processing will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording process in an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. When the function using the recording process is operating alone, it is possible to directly receive the image to be recorded in the function, but here each function is to temporarily store the image to be recorded in the image memory 21. It will be described as.

When an image is stored in the image memory 21, a recording process shown in FIG. 2 is started. In S41, the type of the image stored in the image memory 21 is determined according to the priority. Here, the image type is copy image,
It is assumed that print images, received images, and the like are included, and priorities are assigned in this order.

In S42, it is determined whether or not a copy image having a higher priority exists in the image memory 21. If a copy image exists, the recording process of the copy image from S45 is performed. If there is no copy image, S4
At 3, it is determined whether or not the print image with the next highest priority exists in the image memory 21. If there is a print image, the print image recording process of S49 and thereafter is performed. If there is no print image, it is further determined in S44 whether or not a received image with a low priority exists in the image memory 21. If a received image exists, S
The recording process of the received image of 53 or less is performed. If the image stored in the image memory 21 is not any of the copy image, the print image, and the received image, it is determined that there is no image to be recorded by the recording process, and the recording process ends.

If a copy image exists in the image memory 21, one of the copy images is taken out and S
At 45, the recording unit 16 records one page. In S46, it is determined whether or not an instruction for interruption has been issued. If there is no instruction for interruption, it is determined in S48 whether or not there is a next page. Is repeated for each recording.

For example, when an interrupt instruction is given by operating the interrupt key 14 of the operation unit 13 or the like, S
At 46, the recording of the copy image up to now is interrupted,
In S47, an interruption process is performed. After the interrupt processing, if an instruction to cancel the interrupt is issued by, for example, operating the interrupt key 14 of the operation unit 13 again, without performing the type determination again as in the related art, the process proceeds to S48. And the recording of the copy image performed at the time of the interruption is restarted.

The print image and the received image are stored in the image memory 21.
The same applies to the case of the copy image, and the processes of S49 to S52 and S53 to S56 are performed corresponding to the processes of S45 to S48 for the copy image. In particular, since the type determination is not performed again when returning from the interrupt processing as in the related art, even if the copy image is stored in the image memory 21 after the recording processing of the print image or the received image is started, the interrupt is not performed. It is possible to correctly return to the print image or received image recording process that was being performed at the time of printing.

When the recording process of a series of copy images, print images, or received images is completed, in S57,
It is determined whether or not an interruption process has been performed during the recording process. If the interrupt processing has not been performed, S63
In step S41, it is determined whether another image is stored in the image memory 21. If another image is stored, the process proceeds to step S41.
To perform the processing for those images.

If the interruption process has been performed during the recording process, it is determined in S58 whether or not the copy function is operating. This means that if the user uses the copy function,
The user may be waiting beside the apparatus and waiting for recording and output, and this is for making the recording unit 16 stand by for the copy function. In particular, when the interruption process is performed during the execution of the copy function and the reading unit 15 is used in the interruption process, the original read by the original copy function after the interruption is released must be set on the reading unit 15 again. So it takes time. The recording process is to be put on standby in anticipation of the time for setting the document. However, after the interrupt processing, it is unclear whether the user actually restarts the copy function, for example, the original user disappears due to the interrupt processing. Therefore, in this example, the timer 17 is started in S59, the elapse of a predetermined time is monitored in S62, and the reading unit 15 waits for resumption of reading in S60. Alternatively, the process waits for the end of the reading process in S61.

If the restart of the reading process in the copy function is detected in S60 during the predetermined time, the process proceeds to S45 assuming that the copy function is continued, and the recording unit 16 is provided for the copy function. If, for example, a reading process to be described later is forcibly terminated during the predetermined time, or if the user terminates the reading process, this is detected in S61, and the process proceeds to S6.
Proceeding to 3, the recording of another image stored in the image memory 21 is started. Also, when a predetermined time has elapsed, S6
Proceeding to 3, the recording of another image stored in the image memory 21 is started. Thus, the recording unit 16 is effectively used.

In this example, after all pages have been recorded in the recording process resumed after the interruption is released, the reading unit 15 waits for a predetermined time to resume the reading process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when all pages have been recorded in the recording process resumed after the interruption is released, the resumption of the reading process may be checked, and if not, the process may be shifted to the recording process of another image.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a reading process in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. When a document is set on the reading unit 15 and, for example, a start key or the like is operated, the reading process in FIG. 3 is started. In S71, an image for one page of the document is read, and in S72, the read image is stored in the image memory 21.
To be stored. At this time, the type information is added to the image according to the function that has activated the reading process. For example, information of a type indicating a copy image is added to an image obtained by reading a document in the copy function.

When the function using the reading process is operating alone, the image read by the reading unit 15 is transmitted to the computer 31 without passing through the image memory 21.
To the recording process to the recording unit 16. In that case, the read image may be transferred to the processing corresponding to each function in S72.

In S73, it is determined whether or not an instruction for interruption has been issued. If there is no instruction for interruption, it is determined whether or not reading has been completed in S74. Then, the reading for each page is repeated. When the reading of all the originals is completed, the reading process ends.

For example, when an interrupt instruction is given by operating the interrupt key 14 of the operation unit 13 or the like, S7
This is detected in 3 and reading of the document is interrupted. S
After saving the number of pages read so far at 75, an interruption process is performed at S76. After the interrupt processing, if an instruction to cancel the interrupt is issued by, for example, operating the interrupt key 14 of the operation unit 13 again, the reading processing performed at the time of the interrupt is restarted. However, when the reading unit 15 is used in the interruption processing, the original before the interruption processing is not always set in the reading unit 15. for that reason,
In S77, the number of pages at which the reading process is restarted is displayed on the display unit 12, for example, and the user is prompted to set the document on the reading unit 15 from that page. The user sets the document on the reading unit 15 according to the display, and instructs to resume reading. This is detected in S79, and the process returns to S74 to resume reading.

However, it is conceivable that the user who performed the original reading process disappears during the interrupting process. In such a case, if the reading process is left for a long time without being restarted, it is not preferable for the next user, for example. Further, even if there is an image stored in the image memory 21 without being recorded in the reading process, the image is left as it is, and the image memory 21 cannot be used effectively. Therefore, in this example, S7
In step 8, the timer 17 is started, and in step S80, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the reading restart instruction is not issued even after the lapse of the predetermined time, it is determined that there is no user, and the reading process is forcibly terminated. As a result, the recording process as described above can be started for the image stored in the image memory 21 up to that time. For example, even when the recording process cannot be performed unless the reading process is completed, such as an electronic sort in the copy function, the recording process can be started.

Of course, it is also possible to configure so that the reading process is not forcibly terminated after the lapse of the predetermined time.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the recording process and the reading process after the interrupt release are described separately. For example, the determination of the elapse of the predetermined time by the timer can be performed separately for each of the above-described processes. For example, the timing of the end of the recording process restarted after the interruption is canceled and the timing of the forced termination of the reading process can be linked. For example, it is possible to perform processing such as forcibly terminating the reading processing at the end of the recording processing resumed after the interruption is canceled or after a lapse of a predetermined time from that point.

As a specific example using the above-described recording processing and reading processing, consider a case where, for example, a receiving function and a copying function are executed in parallel. Although the operation differs depending on which function uses the recording unit 16 first, it is assumed here that the reception processing is completed in the reception function, and the reading processing by the copy function is started after the recording processing is started. In this case, when the recording process is started in the reception function, the priority of the received image is low, but if there is no image with a higher priority, the recording of the received image is started. Thereafter, when the reading process by the copy function is started, the image read by the reading unit 15 is stored in the image memory 21.

As described above, while the recording process of the received image and the reading process in the copy function are being performed in parallel,
For example, it is assumed that the interrupt key 14 of the operation unit 13 is operated to instruct an interrupt. Then, the recording process of the received image and the reading process in the copy function are interrupted, and the process shifts to an interrupt process. After the interruption processing is performed, for example, when the interruption key 14 of the operation unit 13 is operated again and an instruction to cancel the interruption is issued, the recording processing is interrupted without determining the priority as in the related art. The recording of the received image that has been performed is restarted. In this way, even if the interrupt processing is performed, the interrupted processing can be correctly resumed.

In the reading process, when the canceling of the interrupt is instructed and the interrupting process is completed, for example, the number of pages to be restarted to be read is displayed on the display unit 12, and the user is instructed to reset the original. The user sets the document on the reading unit 15 again, and instructs to resume reading.

When the recording of the received image interrupted by the interruption is completed, the timer 17 is set and the reading unit 15 waits for restart of the reading process because the copy function is being executed in this example. If reading has resumed by this point,
The processing shifts to recording processing in the copy function. In the recording process in the copy function, for example, if an extended function that does not start recording until all reading of the original document is completed, for example, a function such as an electronic copy, is set, the recording is waited until the reading is completed before recording. Will start.

If the reading process by the reading unit 15 has not been resumed at the time when the recording of the received image interrupted by the interruption is completed, the reading process is waited for a predetermined time from that time. When the reading process is restarted, the process proceeds to the recording process in the copy function. If the reading process is not restarted even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the recording process for another image in the image memory 21 is started. Thereby, the recording unit 16 can be used effectively. In addition, it is possible to prevent an image to be recorded from being accumulated in the image memory 21 to prevent the memory from being over.

Even if the recording process of another image is started,
The reading process may be waiting for reading to resume. If the reading process is restarted after the recording process of another image is started, the read image is stored in the image memory 21 and the end of the currently performed recording process is waited. In addition, when the reading restart is not instructed even after the lapse of a predetermined time from the interruption release,
The reading process is forcibly terminated. As a result, the image read by the copy function up to that point can be recorded, and is recorded and output in accordance with the priority order after the current recording process is completed.

Even if the end of the reading process is instructed within a predetermined time after the recording of the received image is completed, or the reading process is forcibly terminated, the image read by the copy function up to that time can be recorded. Become. According to the priority, the recordable copy image is recorded and output first.

In the above-described specific example, an example is described in which the interrupt processing is performed during the execution of the copy function during the recording of the received image. However, the same applies to the case where the copy function is executed during the recording of the print image. It is.

In the configuration shown in FIG.
Although an example is shown in which a PC interface 18 for inputting and outputting data to and from the PC is provided, a configuration without the PC interface 18 is also possible. Further, the configuration may be such that the NCU 19 and the modem 20 are not provided.

[0052]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, after the interruption is canceled, the recording interrupted at the time of the interruption is resumed independently of the priority of recording. There is an effect that recording is performed correctly. Also, if an interrupt process is performed during the copy function, it may take time to set a document in the reading unit. In such a case, recording of another image can be performed. It is possible to use. Furthermore, in response to the case where the reading unit is left as it is after the interruption is released, the reading unit is provided to the subsequent user, and the image memory can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a communication terminal device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a recording process according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reading process according to the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: Main control unit, 12: Display unit, 13: Operation unit, 14 ...
Interrupt key, 15: reading unit, 16: recording unit, 17: timer, 18: PC interface, 19: NCU, 20 ...
Modem, 21 ... Image memory, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... RO
M, 24 ... bus, 31 ... computer.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 BB10 HJ06 HK02 HK04 HK11 HN05 HQ17 2C087 AA03 AB06 BC03 BD01 BD46 CB02 CB05 DA03 2H027 EJ11 EJ13 EJ15 FA10 FA35 ZA07 5C073 AA001 BB03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image memory capable of storing a plurality of types of images, a recording unit for recording images, an operating unit capable of instructing an interrupt, and an image in the image memory classified by a predetermined priority. Control for causing the recording means to record each time, interrupting the recording upon receiving an interrupt instruction during the recording, performing an interrupt process, and resuming the interrupted recording independently of the priority after the interrupt is released. An image forming apparatus comprising: And a reading means for reading an image of the document.
The control means is capable of executing a copy function of recording an image read by the reading means by the recording means. In the copy function, after performing an interruption process during operation of the reading means and the recording means, When the recording in the copy function is resumed and the recording is resumed and the recording is completed or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time, and the reading of the image by the reading means has not been resumed yet, based on the priority order, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image in the image memory is recorded on the recording unit by means of the recording device. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the interrupt was released or a predetermined time after that, if the reading of the image by the reading device has not been restarted, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading unit terminates the reading process.