JP2002142088A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recorder that records an image in image recording modes by a single page memory. SOLUTION: The image recorder is characterized in that the image recorder is provided with image data entry means respectively corresponding to the image recording modes and with a mode switching setting means that sets one of the image recording modes to the image recording modes, uses the page memory in common in the image recording modes, and an image recording means prints out recording object image data obtained from the image data entry means corresponding to the mode set by the mode switching setting means among the image recording modes.

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 such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a so-called digital multifunction peripheral, and more particularly to developing image data to be recorded in a page memory and developing the image data in the page memory. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that records and outputs data by an image recording unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image recording apparatus records and outputs image data to be recorded by an image recording means such as a plotter. A page memory is indispensable in a recording type image recording apparatus in which a toner image corresponding to an image of one page developed in a page memory is formed on a photoconductor and transferred to recording paper.

On the other hand, there is an image recording apparatus provided with a plurality of image input means for obtaining image data to be recorded.

More specifically, a facsimile apparatus including image reading means such as a scanner as an image input means and image receiving means for receiving image data by facsimile using a G3 facsimile modem or the like, and a personal computer in the configuration of the facsimile apparatus Interface with computer devices (parallel interface, LAN, etc.)
And the like, so that the image recording means can be used as a printer for the computer device.

As described above, there are a plurality of input paths for image data to be recorded, and different image recording modes exist for each of the plurality of input paths.

Specifically, for example, if the input path of the image data to be recorded is through the image reading means, the image recording is in the copy mode, and if the input path is through the image receiving means, the image data is facsimile. If the image recording is in the receiving mode and is performed via the image transfer means, the image recording is in the printer mode.

[0007]

As described above, in an image recording apparatus having a plurality of image recording modes, a page memory for each mode is required as it is, thereby increasing the apparatus cost. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that can perform image recording in a plurality of image recording modes using a single page memory.

[0009]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus which develops image data to be recorded in a page memory, and records and outputs the image data developed in the page memory by the image recording means. In the device,
A plurality of image data input units respectively corresponding to a plurality of image recording modes; and a mode switching setting unit for setting any one of the plurality of image recording modes to the image recording mode, and Recording by the image recording unit of image data to be recorded obtained from the image data input unit corresponding to the mode set by the mode switching setting unit among the plurality of image recording modes in common with the image recording mode The output is performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect, an image recording operation in an image recording mode set by the mode switching setting means among the image recording modes. After the image recording by the image recording unit is interrupted during the switching to another image recording mode by the mode switching setting unit,
A page memory release control means for releasing the page memory and enabling the use of the page memory in the other image recording mode is further provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect, an image recording operation in an image recording mode set by the mode switching setting means among the image recording modes. When a predetermined page memory release setting time elapses after the image recording by the image recording unit is interrupted during the recording, the page memory is released and the page memory can be used in another image recording mode. It is characterized by further comprising a page memory release control means.

An image recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect,
Further comprising a page memory release permission / non-permission setting means for setting whether or not to permit release of the page memory in accordance with an operation input, wherein the page memory release control means comprises: The image recording by the image recording unit is interrupted during the image recording operation in the image recording mode set by the mode switching unit among the image recording modes only when the setting to permit the release of the memory is set. And releasing the page memory after the completion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus of the third aspect, the image recording apparatus further comprises a set time setting means for arbitrarily setting the page memory release set time in accordance with an operation input. It is characterized by.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus of the fourth aspect, a list including at least contents of a setting state of the page memory release permission / non-permission setting means is created and visually output. The apparatus further comprises a setting state list output means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, a list including at least the page memory release set time set by the set time setting means is created. It is characterized by further comprising a release setting time list output means for visually outputting.

An image recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh aspects. One of the features is that an image reading means for reading the document to obtain the recording target image data is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth aspects, the plurality of image data input means are provided. As one of them, there is provided an image receiving means for obtaining the recording target image data by receiving the image data from a partner apparatus via a communication network.

An image recording apparatus according to a tenth aspect is the image recording apparatus according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth aspects. As one of the means, an image transfer means for obtaining the recording target image data by transfer from a computer device via an interface is provided.

[0019]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a facsimile apparatus 1 as an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a facsimile apparatus 1 includes a system control unit 2, a ROM 3, a RAM 4, a scanner 5, a plotter 6, a page memory 7, an EEPROM 8, an operation display unit 9, a PC interface 10, a CGROM 11, an encoding / decoding unit 12. , A network control unit 13, a communication control unit 14, and a system bus 15.

The system control unit 2 is a microcomputer that controls each unit of the apparatus according to a control program written in the ROM 3 while using the RAM 4 as a work area.

As described above, the ROM 3 is a read-only memory in which a control program for the system control unit 2 to control each unit of the apparatus is stored.

The RAM 4 is a random access memory used as a work area of the system control unit 2 as described above.

The scanner 5 as an image reading means is for reading an original and obtaining image data.

The plotter 6 as an image recording means is for recording and outputting image data developed in page units in a page memory 7 described later.

The page memory 7 is for developing and holding image data to be recorded, which is to be recorded and output by the plotter 6 from the scanner 5, the communication control unit 14, or the PC interface 10 described later, in page units. It is.

The EEPROM 8 is an electrically rewritable read-only memory for holding various parameters required for the operation of the apparatus even when the apparatus is turned off.

The operation display unit 9 is provided with a numeric keypad, a start key, a one-touch dial key, and other various keys for designating a destination facsimile number, and has a display such as a liquid crystal display device. It displays the operating state of the device to be notified and various messages.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the arrangement of the operation display unit 9.

In the figure, a ten key 9a is used for inputting a number. [Yes] key 9b and [No] key 9c are keys for allowing the user to make various selections of determination or cancellation. [Stop] key 9d
Is for instructing forcible stop of various operations. The [Start] key 9e is for instructing the start of a facsimile transmission operation or the start of a copy operation. The [Function] key 9f is used for a time-designated transmission, a department code-designated transmission, other than the one-touch dial registration function, the speed dial registration function, the user parameter setting function, and the function of the facsimile apparatus 1 as a standard facsimile apparatus. This function is for calling an extended function such as confidential transmission. Pressing this [function] key 9f and inputting a number corresponding to each function with the numeric keypad 9a calls up and executes each function. Can be.

The cursor key group 9g includes a [down arrow] key 9
gd, [left arrow] key 9gl, [right arrow] key 9gr,
And an [up arrow] key 9gu.
The [Down Arrow] key 9gd and the [Up Arrow] key 9gu are used to change the display content of the display 9h or to scroll the display content up and down in accordance with the depression of each key. In addition, the [left arrow] key 9gl and the [right arrow] key 9
gr selects an item, a function, or the like displayed on the display 8h in accordance with the depression of each key. The display 9h is
It displays the operating state of the device to be notified to the user and various messages.

The [copy] key 9i is a key for setting the image recording mode to the [copy] mode. The indicator lamp 9ii is turned on when set to the [copy] mode. The [Fax] key 9j is
This key is used to set the image recording mode to the [fax] mode. The indicator lamp 9ji is lit when the mode is set to the [FAX] mode.
[Printer] key 9k is a key for setting the image recording mode to the [Printer] mode. The indicator lamp 9ki turns on when the printer mode is set.

Returning to FIG. 1, a PC as an image transfer means
The interface 10 is for receiving transfer of image data from a personal computer (PC) as a computer device.

CG (character generator) ROM1
Reference numeral 1 denotes output of font data corresponding to designated character code data. The encoding / decoding unit 10 encodes and compresses the transmission image data using a predetermined encoding method such as an MH encoding method, an MR encoding method, or an MMR encoding method that conforms to G3 facsimile, while To M
This is for obtaining original image data by decoding and decompressing with a predetermined decoding method corresponding to the H coding method, the MR coding method, the MMR coding method, and the like.

The network control unit 13 is connected to a public network, and closes / releases a DC loop of a line, detects line reversal, detects line release, detects a dial tone, and outputs a tone signal such as a busy tone. It controls connection with a line, such as detection and detection of a call signal, and generates dial pulses.

The communication control unit 13 as an image receiving means includes:
It controls facsimile communication based on the G3 facsimile protocol, has a G3 facsimile modem function, modulates transmission data to the public network via the network control unit 13, and receives data from the public network via the network control unit 13. It demodulates the signal. Further, the communication control unit 14 also transmits a DTMF signal corresponding to the input dial number. The system bus 15 is a signal line for exchanging data between the above-described units.

As shown in FIG. 3, the facsimile apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration stores a page memory release permission flag Fk, a page memory release flag in each of the storage areas 8a, 8b, and 8c as shown in FIG. The set time Tk and the page memory release flag Fp are stored, respectively.

The page memory release permission flag Fk indicates whether release of the page memory is permitted (value 1) or not (value 0).
Is set. Page memory release setting time T
k is a set time until the page memory is released.
The page memory release flag Fp stores a state of whether the page memory is released (value 1) or not (value 0).

The value of the page memory release permission flag Fk,
The page memory release setting time Tk is set according to the procedure shown in FIGS.

First, in FIG. 4, [Function]
It is monitored whether the mode of setting related to page memory release is activated by a combination operation of pressing the key 9f and inputting the number “50” using the numeric keypad 9a (No in decision 101).
Loop).

When the judgment 101 becomes Yes, the display 9h
A display D01 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed to urge the user to set whether to permit the page memory release or to not permit the page memory release (process 102). ]
Each time the key 9gl or the [→] key 9gr is pressed, the cursor (underline) is changed to the character string “permit”.
Or the process of moving the cursor position to either “not permitted” and storing the current cursor position (process 10
3) Until the [Yes] key 9b is pressed.

When the [Yes] key 9b is pressed (Yes in decision 104), if the current cursor position is "not permitted", the page memory release permission flag F
The value of k is reset to 0 (process 106), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the current cursor position is “permitted”, the value of the page memory release permission flag Fk is set to 1 (process 107), and the process of FIG. 5 is further performed.

In FIG. 5, a display D02 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 9h to prompt the user to set a waiting time until the page memory is released (process 102). An input process for monitoring the input in minutes and displaying the input set time (process 20)
2) Repeat until the [Yes] key 9b is pressed.

When the [Yes] key 9b is depressed (Yes in decision 204), the page memory release set time Tk is updated at the time input in the process 202 (process 204).

As a result, permission for releasing the page memory /
The set time until release when not allowed and when allowed,
It can be set as desired by the user.

The setting state of the page memory release permission flag Fk and the setting state of the page memory release setting time Tk set by the processing procedures of FIGS. 4 and 5 are confirmed by list output by the processing procedure shown in FIG. be able to.

In FIG. 7, [Function] key 9
It is monitored whether or not the combination of the pressing of f and the input of the number “51” by the numeric keypad 9a activates the page output release-related list output mode (No in decision 301).
Loop).

When the judgment 301 becomes Yes, the EEPRO
List image information is created based on the settings of the page memory release permission flag Fk and the page memory release set time Tk stored in M8 (process 302), and the plotter 6 records and outputs the list image information so that it can be visually output (step 302). Process 303). It should be noted that the visible output of the list in the process 303 may be performed by displaying the list image information on the display 9h.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a setting list created by the process 303 and output by the process 303.

In the figure, when the value of the page memory release permission flag Fk is 1, the character string “do” of the item “page memory release” is marked with “*”, and the page memory release permission flag Fk Is "0", the character string "No" of the item "Page memory release" is marked with "*". The set value of the page memory release setting time Tk is:
It is described in minutes in the item of “page memory release setting time”.

By visually outputting such a list, it is possible to confirm settings related to page memory release as necessary.

Next, the [copy] mode, the [fax] mode, and the [printer] mode in the facsimile machine 1
The image recording process in each image recording mode will be described.

In the image recording in each of these modes, as schematically shown in FIG. 9, a [printer] mode in which the PC interface 10 is used as image input means, and the encoding / decoding section 1
In the [Fax] mode in which the communication control unit 14 via the communication unit 2 is used as an image input unit, and in the [Copy] mode in which the scanner 5 is used as an image input unit, an image is recorded on the plotter 6 by sharing a page memory. .

Thus, a separate page memory is not required for each mode.

However, when the page memory 7 is shared among the image recording modes of the [copy] mode, the [fax] mode and the [printer] mode, it is necessary to control the release of the page memory 7 between the modes. .

Therefore, the facsimile machine 1 operates in the [copy] mode, the [fax] mode, and the [printer] mode.
Each process described below is performed as an image recording process in each image recording mode of the mode.

First, an image recording processing procedure in the [copy] mode will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, first, it is determined whether the value of the page memory release flag Fp is 1, that is, whether the page memory 7 is in use in another image recording mode, ie, [Fax] mode or [Printer] mode. If the value of the flag Fp is 0 (No in the judgment 401), the page memory 7 is being used in another image recording mode,
The process ends.

If the value of the flag Fp is 1, (decision 401)
Yes), the value of the flag Fp is reset to 0 to prohibit the use of the page memory 7 in another image recording mode (process 402), and the document set on the scanner 5 is read (process 403). Expand to page memory 7 (Process 4
03), recording and output by the plotter 6 (process 40)
5) The copy process is repeated until the copy process is completed (No in decision 406, loop in No in decision 407) while monitoring for occurrence of a copy process interruption factor (decision 406).

If the copy processing is completed without occurrence of the copy processing interruption factor (Yes in decision 407), the value of the flag Fp is set to 1 and the use of the page memory 7 in another image recording mode is permitted. (Step 408)
The process ends. Thus, after image recording in the [copy] mode is completed, the page memory 7 stores the [copy] mode itself, the [fax] mode, or the [printer] mode.
It can be used in other image recording modes.

If a copy process interruption factor occurs before the copy process is completed (Yes in decision 406), the page memory 7 is occupied without completing the copy process, and the page memory 7 is not used in other image recording modes. Since image recording cannot be performed, page memory release processing is performed (processing 409). The occurrence of a copy process interruption factor is a factor that must be interrupted in the copy process, such as a document jam in the scanner 5, an out of toner in the plotter 6, an out of paper, an occurrence of a paper jam, or a cover being opened. Is an occurrence.

A specific processing procedure of the page memory release processing of the processing 409 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, first, it is determined whether or not the value of the page memory release permission flag Fk is 1, that is, whether or not the setting for permitting the page memory release is set (decision 50).
1) If the value of the flag Fk is 0 and the page memory release is not permitted (No in the judgment 501), the process returns to the judgment 407 in FIG. Wait for the copy process to resume. In other words, in the case of the page memory release non-permission setting, the page memory 7 is not released even if a copy processing interruption factor occurs.

In the judgment 501, the value of the flag Fk is 1
If the page memory release permission is set (Yes in determination 501), the page memory release setting time T
After starting the counting of the timer with k as a time constant (process 502), whether the occurred copy processing interruption factor has been recovered, another image recording mode key has been pressed, or the timer Tk has timed out (No in decision 503, No in decision 504, loop of No in decision 505).

If the interruption factor has been recovered before the timer Tk times out (Ye of the decision 503)
s) Returning to the determination 407 in FIG. 10, the process waits until the copy processing interruption factor does not occur and the copy processing is restarted. As a result, if the interruption factor is restored before the timer Tk times out, the contents stored in the page memory 7 are not lost, and the copy process can be continued.

On the other hand, when another mode key ([Fax] key 9j or [Printer] key 9k) is pressed (Yes in decision 504), the page memory release flag Fp
Is set to 1 to release the page memory 7 from the copy process (process 506). As a result, the page memory 7 can be used for image recording in the pressed mode.

When the timer Tk times out (Yes in decision 505), the page memory release flag Fp is set to 1 and the page memory 7 is released from the copy process (process 506). Thus, the page memory 7 can be used for image recording in another mode.

Next, an image recording processing procedure in the [fax] mode will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, first, it is determined whether the value of the page memory release flag Fp is 1, that is, whether the page memory 7 is being used in another image recording mode, that is, the [copy] mode or the [printer] mode. If the value of the flag Fp is 0 (No in the judgment 601), the process ends because the page memory 7 is being used in another image recording mode.

When the value of the flag Fp is 1, (decision 601)
Yes), the value of the flag Fp is reset to 0 to prohibit the use of the page memory 7 in another image recording mode (process 602), and the encoded image data is transmitted via the communication control unit 14. The received image data is decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 12 and returned to the original image data (process 603), developed in the page memory 7 (process 603), recorded and output by the plotter 6 (process 605), and the facsimile reception process is performed. While monitoring for the occurrence of a reception processing interruption factor (determination 60
6) Repeat until the facsimile reception process is completed (No in decision 606, loop in No in decision 607).

If the facsimile reception process is completed without any interruption factor of the facsimile reception process (Yes in decision 607), the value of the flag Fp is set to 1 to use the page memory 7 in another image recording mode. Is permitted (process 608), and the process ends. This allows
After the image recording in the [Fax] mode is completed, the page memory 7 can be used in the [Fax] mode itself, or in another image recording mode in the [Copy] mode or the [Printer] mode.

If the cause of the interruption of the facsimile reception processing occurs before the completion of the facsimile reception processing (Yes in decision 606), the page memory 7 is occupied without completing the facsimile reception processing, and other image recording is performed. Since image recording in the mode cannot be performed, page memory release processing is performed (processing 609). The occurrence of the cause of the interruption of the facsimile reception process refers to the occurrence of a factor that must be interrupted in the facsimile reception process, such as running out of toner in the plotter 6, running out of paper, causing a paper jam, and opening the cover.

The specific processing procedure of the page memory release processing of the processing 609 is the processing procedure of FIG. 11 which has already been described as the specific processing procedure of the processing 409 in the copy processing procedure of FIG. However, in that case, the process 50 of FIG.
The interruption factor for determining the recovery in 3 is the above-described interruption factor of the facsimile reception process. As a result, even if the facsimile reception process is interrupted, the page memory 7 is not left unreleased.
When another mode key is pressed, the page memory 7 is released, and it can be used in another image recording mode.

Next, an image recording processing procedure in the [print] mode will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, first, it is determined whether the value of the page memory release flag Fp is 1, that is, whether the page memory 7 is being used in another image recording mode, that is, the [copy] mode or the [fax] mode. If the value of the flag Fp is 0 (No in the judgment 701), the process ends because the page memory 7 is being used in another image recording mode.

If the value of the flag Fp is 1, (decision 701)
Yes), the value of the flag Fp is reset to 0 to prohibit the use of the page memory 7 in another image recording mode (process 702), and then the P
Image data transferred from C20 is received (Process 7).
03), the data is developed in the page memory 7 (process 703), recorded and output by the plotter 6 (process 705), and the copy process is completed while monitoring the print process for occurrence of a print process interruption factor (judgment 706). (No of judgment 706, loop of No of judgment 707).

If the print processing is completed without any print processing interruption factor (Yes in decision 707)
s), the value of the flag Fp is set to 1 and the use of the page memory 7 in another image recording mode is permitted (processing 7).
08), end the processing. Thus, after the image recording in the [printer] mode is completed, the page memory 7
It can be used in the [Printer] mode itself, or in another image recording mode other than the [Copy] mode or the [Fax] mode.

If a print processing interruption factor occurs before the print processing is completed (Yes in decision 706), the page memory 7 is left as it is without the print processing being completed.
Is occupied, and it becomes impossible to perform image recording in another image recording mode. Therefore, page memory release processing is performed (processing 709). Note that the occurrence of a print processing interruption factor is a factor that has to interrupt the print processing, such as running out of toner, paper running out, paper jam, or opening the cover in the plotter 6.

The specific processing procedure of the page memory release processing of the processing 709 is the processing procedure of FIG. 11 already described as the specific processing procedure of the processing 409 in the copy processing procedure of FIG. However, in that case, the process 50 of FIG.
The interruption factor for determining the restoration in 3 is the above-described print processing interruption factor. As a result, even if the printing process is interrupted, the page memory 7 is not left unreleased, and if a certain time elapses after the interruption or another mode key is pressed, the page memory 7 is not released. Is released, and use in other image recording modes becomes possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus which is one of the image recording apparatuses. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An image recording apparatus having the same can be similarly applied. Further, the receiving form of the image data is not limited to facsimile reception via a communication network, but may be other forms such as reception of an electronic mail as an attached file. Further, it goes without saying that various interfaces such as a parallel interface and a local area network (LAN) can be applied as a transfer interface when receiving image data.

[0082]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when a plurality of image recording modes are provided by providing a plurality of types of the image data input means for obtaining the recording target image data, each of the image recording modes is provided. Since the page memory can be shared in the image recording, it is not necessary to provide a separate page memory for each image recording mode, and the effect that the apparatus cost can be reduced correspondingly is obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an image is recorded using the page memory in a certain image recording mode, the image recording is interrupted due to a failure of the image recording means or the like. When there is a switch to another image recording mode, the right to use the page memory is
Since the image recording mode in which image recording is currently interrupted is transferred to the image recording mode that has been switched,
There is an effect that the page memory is not occupied by a specific image recording mode, and it is possible to prevent an image recording in another image recording mode from being disturbed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when an image is recorded using the page memory in a certain image recording mode, the image recording is interrupted due to a failure of the image recording means or the like. Sometimes, instead of immediately releasing the page memory, the page memory is released after waiting for a certain period of time, so that the page memory is not occupied by a specific image recording mode, and other image recording modes are not used. In addition to the effect that it is possible to prevent the image recording from being hindered,
If the suspended image recording is resumed, the effect that the image recording can be resumed is obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set whether or not to release the page memory according to the usage pattern of the user, so that it is possible to improve the usability of the user. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the time until the page memory is released can be set according to the usage pattern of the user, so that the usability of the user can be improved. The effect is obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the setting of whether or not to release the page memory can be confirmed from a list that is visually output, so that the service maintenance can be improved. can get.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the current setting of the time until the page memory is released can be confirmed in the list, so that the effect of improving service maintenance can be obtained. .

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is obtained an effect that the present invention can be applied when the image reading means is provided as the image data input means.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the effect that the present invention can be applied when the image receiving means is provided as the image data input means is obtained.

According to the tenth aspect, there is obtained an effect that the present invention can be applied when the image transfer means is provided as the image data input means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a facsimile apparatus as an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement configuration of an operation display unit of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing storage contents of an EEPROM of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a page memory release-related setting processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart together with FIG. 4 showing a page memory release-related setting processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example in the processing procedures of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a setting list output processing procedure related to page memory release in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting list output according to the processing procedure of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an input path of recording target image data to a page memory in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a copy processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a specific processing procedure of a page memory release processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a facsimile reception processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus 2 System control part 3 ROM 4 RAM 5 Scanner 6 Plotter 7 Page memory 8 EEPROM 8a Storage area for page memory release permission flag Fk 8b Storage area for page memory release setting time Tk 8c Page memory release flag Fp Storage area 9 Operation display unit 9a Numeric keypad 9b [Yes] key 9c [No] key 9d [Stop] key 9e [Start] key 9f [Function] key 9g Cursor key group 9gd [Down arrow] key 9gl [Left arrow] ] Key 9gr [right arrow] key 9gu [up arrow] key 9i [copy] key 9j [fax] key 9k [printer] key 9ii, 9ji, 9ki indicator light 10 PC interface 11 CGROM 12 encoding / decoding section 13 network control Control unit 14 Communication control unit 15 System bus 20 PC

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C087 AA03 AB01 AC08 BA03 BB10 BC01 BC04 BC07 BD40 CB17 DA01 DA02 2C187 AC07 AD03 AE01 CD15 5B021 AA01 AA05 AA19 DD03 5C062 AA05 AB42 AB46 AC04 AC22 BA02 5C073 AA02 CB01 CC01

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus which develops image data to be recorded in a page memory and records and outputs the image data developed in the page memory by image recording means, wherein a plurality of images respectively corresponding to a plurality of image recording modes are provided. Data input means, and mode switching setting means for setting any one of the plurality of image recording modes to the image recording mode, wherein the page memory is shared by the plurality of image recording modes, An image recording apparatus, wherein the image recording device performs recording output of image data to be recorded obtained from image data input means corresponding to a mode set by the mode switching setting means among the recording modes. 2. After the image recording by the image recording unit is interrupted during the image recording operation in the image recording mode set by the mode switching setting unit among the image recording modes, the mode switching setting unit It is further provided with a page memory release control means for releasing the page memory when there is a switch to another image recording mode and enabling the use of the page memory in the other image recording mode. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A predetermined page memory release setting after image recording by the image recording means is interrupted during an image recording operation in the image recording mode set by the mode switching setting means of the image recording modes. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a page memory release control unit that releases the page memory when time elapses and enables the page memory to be used in another image recording mode. Image recording device. 4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a page memory release permission / non-permission setting unit for setting whether or not to permit release of the page memory in accordance with an operation input, wherein said page memory release control means is configured to prohibit said page memory release permission. By setting means,
Only when the setting for permitting the release of the page memory is set, the image recording by the image recording unit during the image recording operation in the image recording mode set by the mode switching unit among the image recording modes is performed. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the page memory after the interruption is released. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a set time setting unit that arbitrarily sets the page memory release set time according to an operation input. 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a setting state list output unit that creates a list including at least the setting state of the page memory release permission / non-permission setting unit as contents and visually outputs the list. Image recording device. 7. A release setting time list output means for generating a list including at least the page memory release setting time set by the setting time setting means as contents and visually outputting the list. 6. The image recording device according to 5. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image reading unit that reads an original to obtain the recording target image data, as one of the plurality of image data input units. 8. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 5, 6, and 7. 9. An image receiving means for obtaining the image data to be recorded by receiving image data from a destination device via a communication network as one of the plurality of image data input means. Claims 1 and 2,
The image recording apparatus according to any one of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image transfer unit that obtains the image data to be recorded by transfer from a computer device via an interface, as one of the plurality of image data input units. 2,
The image recording apparatus according to any one of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.