JP2002158843A - Communication equipment and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile apparatus in which a memory can be used effectively by adjusting the order of output, when a plurality of received data are outputted one by one in accordance with an agency output function. SOLUTION: As to the agency output function, a plurality of received data are stored in a RAM 12 until output preparation is ready. After the output preparation is ready, the received data are read from the RAM 12, and print output is performed. In the facsimile apparatus provided with the agency output function, a CPU 10 makes a printing part print the received data stored in the RAM 12, in accordance with the agency output function, in the order that a data size is large. For example, monochromatic image data are printed next color image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus having a proxy output function for storing received data in a memory when there is no paper and outputting the received data to a paper after preparation for output is completed. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a facsimile apparatus having a proxy output function of storing received data in a memory when there is no paper, and outputting the received data to a paper after preparation for output is completed. Generally, the reception data stored in the memory according to the proxy output function is read out from the memory in the order of reception and output on the paper after the paper is replenished and the output preparation is completed.

Some recent facsimile machines have a function of receiving and outputting not only monochrome data but also color data. In order to support various mounted functions other than the color data reception output and proxy output functions, it is desirable that the memory should have as much free space as possible.

[0004]

However, when monochrome data and color data are output according to the proxy output function, they are generally output in the order of reception. In some cases, monochrome data having a small size is output first, and output of color data is postponed. If the replenished paper becomes insufficient again, color data having a large data size is left in the memory, and in such a case, the memory can be used efficiently without increasing the free space of the memory much. Did not.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and when receiving data is output according to a proxy output function, it is possible to efficiently use a memory by adjusting the output order. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device capable of performing the above-described operation and a storage medium storing a program for controlling the communication device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention stores a plurality of received data in a memory until output preparation is completed, and the output preparation is completed. A communication device having a proxy output function for reading and outputting the received data from the memory, and when executing the proxy output function, a plurality of the received data stored in the memory, Output control means for sequentially outputting the data based on the size of the data and for sequentially clearing the storage area of the memory corresponding to the received data output.

[0007] According to such a communication device, when executing the proxy output function, when the received data stored in the memory is output, the received data is sequentially output based on the data size of the plurality of received data and the output is performed. Since the storage area of the memory corresponding to the received data is cleared, the free space of the memory can be appropriately and efficiently controlled based on the data size of the received data.

A communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the first aspect, wherein the output control means determines an output order of the plurality of pieces of received data for each received data. It is characterized by including output order determining means for determining the data order in descending order of data size.

According to such a communication device, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to the first aspect, when the received data stored in the memory is output according to the proxy output function, the reception is performed in the order of the data size. Since data is output,
Even if the data cannot be output during such output and some of the received data is left in the memory, the received data remaining in the memory is assumed to be as small in data size as possible. The free space of the memory can be expanded and the memory can be used efficiently.

A communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the output control means is configured to receive at least one of the plurality of received data. When the data includes a plurality of pages, an output order determining means for determining an output order of the received data based on a size of data of each received data per page is included.

According to such a communication device, when the proxy output function is executed, if at least one of the plurality of received data includes a plurality of pages, the data size per page of each received data is reduced. The output order of the received data is determined based on the size, and the storage area corresponding to the received data is sequentially cleared, so that in addition to the effect of the communication device according to claim 1 or 2, a plurality of pages are output. Even in the case of including the received data, the free space of the memory can be effectively and efficiently controlled more appropriately and accurately according to the data size of each received data per page.

Further, in the communication apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of received data are stored in a memory until output preparation is completed, and after the output preparation is completed, the received data is read out from the memory and output. A communication device having a proxy output function, wherein when performing the proxy output function, the color data is preferentially output among monochrome data and color data as received data stored in the memory, and the output is performed. Output control means for sequentially clearing the storage area of the memory corresponding to the received data.

According to such a communication apparatus, when monochrome data and color data as received data stored in the memory are output in accordance with the proxy output function, generally, color data having a large data size is output first. Therefore, even if data cannot be output during such output and some received data is left in the memory, the data remaining in the memory is often monochrome data with a small data size. Thus, the free space of the memory can be expanded and the memory can be used efficiently.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the communication apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the output control means arranges each of the color data and the monochrome data in ascending order of data size. It is output.

According to such a communication device, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to the fourth aspect, of the color data and the monochrome data, the respective data are output in the order of the data size. be able to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the output control means outputs the color data and the monochrome data in the order of reception. It is characterized by.

According to such a communication device, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to output data in the order of reception among color data and monochrome data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the communication apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the output control means has no paper for outputting the received data. At this time, the reception data is stored in the memory in accordance with the proxy output function, and the reception data stored in the memory is output after the output preparation is completed by replenishing the paper.

According to such a communication device, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the proxy output function operates according to the situation where there is no paper, and the output is prepared by replenishing the paper. Then, the received data stored in the memory can be sequentially output based on the data size.

The communication device according to the invention of claim 8 is the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the memory transmits the received data together with the memory. Function, timer transmission function, polling function, fax transmission function, broadcast transmission function, copy function, automatic reduction function, communication management report output function, call recording function,
An area is provided according to at least one of an answering machine function, a redial function, and a called number display function.

According to such a communication device, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the free space of the memory generated by the proxy output function is reduced.
It can be allocated as a work area or a data storage area by a function other than the proxy output function, and the memory can be used efficiently.

Further, in the storage medium according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of received data are accumulated in a memory until output preparation is completed, and after the output preparation is completed, the received data is read out from the memory and output. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication device having a proxy output function, wherein, when the proxy output function is executed, a plurality of pieces of received data stored in the memory are converted into data of each received data. While outputting in order based on the size of the size,
A program including an output control program for sequentially clearing a storage area of the memory corresponding to the output received data is stored.

According to such a storage medium, by operating the CPU based on the stored program,
The operation of the communication device according to claim 1 can be realized.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a facsimile apparatus as one embodiment of a communication apparatus according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes a CPU 10, an NCU 11, a RAM 12, and a modem 1.
3, ROM 14, EEPROM 15, gate array 1
6, a codec 17, a DMAC 18, a reading unit 21, a printing unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and the like. CPU10, NCU11, RAM1
2, modem 13, ROM 14, EEPROM 15, gate array 16, codec 17, and DMAC 18
Are connected to each other by a bus line 27. Bus line 2
7 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. The reading unit 21, the printing unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the display unit 24 are connected to the gate array 16. A public telephone line 28 is connected to the NCU 11.

The CPU 10 controls the operation of the entire facsimile machine. The NCU 11 is connected to the public telephone line 28 and performs network control. The RAM 12 as a memory provides a work area for the CPU 10 and a storage area for various data (hereinafter, these areas are collectively referred to as a “storage area”) according to various functions. The modem 13 modulates and demodulates facsimile data. The ROM 14 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 10 and data such as set values. The EEPROM 15 stores various flags, setting data, and the like. The gate array 16 functions as an interface between the CPU 10 and each of the units 21 to 24. The codec 17 performs encoding and decoding of facsimile data. The DMAC 18 mainly writes and reads data to and from the RAM 12.

The reading section 21 includes an image sensor and a light source, and reads an image such as a character or a figure from a document. The printing unit 22 performs monochrome printing of images such as characters and figures, as well as color printing, using, for example, an inkjet method, an electrophotographic method, a sublimation method using an ink ribbon, or a thermal transfer method. The printing unit 22 is provided with a paper sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of a paper, and a sensor signal from the paper sensor is transmitted to the CPU 10. The operation unit 23
A key switch group such as a numeric keypad is provided, and a command corresponding to a user's key operation is transmitted to the CPU 10. The display unit 24
It is provided with a display such as an LCD, and displays an operation state, operation guidance and the like.

In summary, the facsimile apparatus stores facsimile image data received when there is no paper in the printing unit 22 in the RAM 12 and prepares for output in accordance with paper replenishment. It has a proxy output function of reading data and printing it out on paper. In addition, this facsimile machine uses JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts G).
It is also possible to perform color printing by receiving color image data that has been image-compressed by a roup) method or the like. In addition to the basic facsimile transmission / reception function, this facsimile machine has a copy function, polling function, automatic reduction function, broadcast transmission function, memory transmission function, fax transmission function, timer transmission function, communication management report output function, Various functions for effectively using the RAM 12, such as a call recording function, an answering machine function, a redial function, and a called number display function, are provided.

Normally, when printing facsimile image data in accordance with the proxy output function, the facsimile image data is output in the order of reception.
The PU 10 outputs color image data having a relatively large data size per reception first. For example,
If monochrome image data and color image data are mixedly stored in the RAM 12 by the proxy output function,
In general, the PU 10 outputs monochrome image data having a small data size later and color image data having a larger data size first. As a result, the storage area of the RAM 12 is remarkably and promptly released at the initial stage of printing according to the substitute output, as compared with the conventional method of outputting in the order of reception.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for conceptually explaining the output order of facsimile image data according to the proxy output function. Although FIG. 3 conceptually shows the entire storage area of the RAM 12, each data may be in a fragmented state without being continuous. Each data area shown in the figure is merely an example for making the data size easy to understand, and it is assumed that one data is output on one sheet regardless of monochrome or color.

As shown in FIG. 2 as an example, monochrome image data 1, monochrome image data 2, color image data 1, monochrome image data 3, and color image data 2 are sequentially received and stored in the storage area of the RAM 12. In this case, the CPU 10 first outputs the color image data 1 and 2, and then outputs the monochrome image data 1, 2, and 3. Here, if the paper is exhausted when the color image data 1 and 2 have been output on two sheets,
Monochrome image data 1 to 3 for three sheets remain in the storage area of the RAM 12. Even in such a case, RAM
12, the color image data 1 and 2 having a relatively large data size are read out, and a sufficient free space is secured. Therefore, the free space is effectively used to perform various functions other than the proxy output function. Can be assigned a free space. On the other hand, in the conventional method, when the image data 1 to 5 are output in the same reception order as described above, if the paper runs out at the time when the output is completed on the two sheets, the storage area of the RAM 12
Color image data 1 and 2 having a large data size and monochrome image data 3 also remain. As a result, there may be a case where the free area of the RAM 12 cannot be sufficiently secured, and depending on other functions, the size of the free area may be larger than the free area and cannot be executed.

That is, the CPU 10 realizes an output control means for outputting the received data stored in the memory in accordance with the proxy output function in the order of the data size.
Further, the CPU 10 realizes output control means for giving priority to color data with respect to monochrome data among monochrome data and color data as received data stored in the memory according to the proxy output function and outputting the data.

The ROM 14 stores the received data in a memory until the output preparation is completed, and after the output preparation is completed, reads out the reception data from the memory and outputs a program for controlling a communication device having a proxy output function. A storage medium that stores a program including an output control program for outputting received data stored in a memory in accordance with a proxy output function in order of data size is realized. Further, the ROM 14 stores a program for controlling a communication device having a proxy output function of reading received data from the memory and outputting the received data from the memory after the received data is stored in the memory until the output preparation is completed. An output control program for, among monochrome data and color data as received data stored in the memory according to the proxy output function, outputting the monochrome data later and outputting the color data first. A storage medium storing a program is realized.

Next, a control operation according to the proxy output function will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a data processing procedure associated with the proxy output function.
Determines whether facsimile image data has been received based on a predetermined communication control protocol (S1). In the operation based on the communication control protocol, a communication path is established, a communication partner is checked, and the like, and information such as whether the image data sent from the partner is monochrome or color is also exchanged. That is, the facsimile image data is received as monochrome image data or color image data.

When facsimile image data is received (S1: YES), the CPU 10 determines whether there is no paper in the printing unit 22 based on a sensor signal from a paper sensor of the printing unit 22 (S2). . Such a paper sensor is provided in a stack unit for preparing sheets for paper feeding to some extent, and may be replaced with a sensor normally provided on a paper transport path for detecting a paper feeding error. .

When there is no paper in the printing unit 22 (S2: YE
S), the CPU 10 stores the received facsimile image data in the RAM 12 (S3). That is, the facsimile image data received when there is no paper is
It will be stored in M12. Thus, R
Each facsimile image data stored in AM12 includes:
Information such as monochrome or color, data size, and attribute information indicating reception date and time are associated with each other. This attribute information is also stored in the RAM 12. If the facsimile image data obtained by one reception includes monochrome image data and color image data, the CPU 10 handles the data for one reception as color image data.

When a series of processing of S1 to S3 is completed, the CP
U10 is a public telephone line 28 according to the communication control protocol.
Releases the connection state with and moves to the standby state.
PU10, based on the sensor signal from the paper sensor,
It is determined whether the user has completed the paper supply (S4). When a sensor for detecting a paper feed error is substituted for a paper sensor, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the user has pressed the print start key according to a key operation signal from the operation unit 23. .

When the paper is replenished (S4: YES),
The CPU 10 first reads and prints the color image data stored in the RAM 12, and sequentially clears the storage area of the memory corresponding to the color image data every time the printing is completed (S5). Thereby, the color image data stored in the storage area is cleared and the storage area is opened. In this case, since the color image data is usually larger in data size than the monochrome image data, the output control means (S5 and S6) including the output order determining means for determining the output order so that the color image data is output with priority. ) Is predetermined. At this time, it is desirable that the CPU 10 print the color image data in order from the one having the largest data size. However, the CPU 10 may print the data with the oldest reception first according to the reception date and time. If the paper runs out during the printing of the color image data, the color image data and the monochrome image data that have not been output are left in the RAM 12 and the process returns to the same state as before S4: YES. That is, when the paper is replenished, at least one sheet of color image data is output, the memory area corresponding to the color image data is sequentially cleared, and the storage area of the RAM 12 is released correspondingly. The vacant area enlarged accordingly can be allocated as a work area or a data storage area by another function.

When the printing of all the color image data is completed after replenishing the paper, the CPU 10 subsequently reads out the monochrome image data stored in the RAM 12 one by one and causes it to be printed. Each time the printing is completed, the CPU 10 corresponds to the monochrome image data. The storage area of the memory is sequentially cleared (S
6), printing of all of the monochrome image data is completed, and this process ends. Thereby, the monochrome image data stored in the storage area is cleared and the storage area is opened. At this time, it is desirable that the CPU 10 print the monochrome image data in the order of larger data size. However, the CPU 10 may print the older data first according to the reception date and time. If the paper runs out during the printing of the monochrome image data, the monochrome image data that has not been output is left in the RAM 12, and the process returns to the same state as before S4: YES. That is,
When paper is replenished, generally, color image data having a large data size is output in preference to monochrome image data, and accordingly, the storage area of the RAM 12 is rapidly and promptly released. The resulting sufficient free space can be allocated as a work area or a data storage area for other functions.

In S4, when the paper is not replenished (S4: NO), the CPU 10 ends this processing with the image data which has not been output in the RAM 12. afterwards,
When the paper is supplied, the CPU 10 starts the processing after S4: YES.

In S2, when there is a sheet in the printing section 22 (S2: NO), the CPU 10 executes the printing process of the received facsimile image data (S7), and when the printing process is completed, the CPU 10 executes the communication control. The connection state with the public telephone line 28 is released according to the protocol, and the entire processing is completed. If the paper runs out during the facsimile image data printing process in S7, the CPU
A RAM 12 stores unoutput facsimile image data.
The process proceeds to S3 in order to store the information in

Therefore, according to the facsimile apparatus, when printing monochrome image data or color image data stored in the RAM 12 in accordance with the proxy output function, color image data having a larger data size is printed first. At the same time, each time the printing is completed, the storage area of the memory corresponding to the color image data is sequentially cleared. , RA
The image data remaining in the M12 is monochrome image data having a data size as small as possible. As a result, the free space of the RAM 12 is promptly expanded, and the free space of the RAM 12 is used as a work area and a data storage area for other functions. Can be assigned.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the output order is determined based on the data size of the received data. Even if it is not, for example, grouping into three stages of large, medium, and small according to the difference of the operation result, and the output order is determined for each of those groups. It goes without saying that even if the output of the received data is performed in a different order from the magnitude relationship, there is no difference in the substantial effect.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the fourth embodiment
Details will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of determining the order of proxy output of facsimile image data when a part of the received image data among a plurality of received image data includes a plurality of pages. As shown by way of example in FIG.
The storage area 12 stores monochrome image data 11 for one page 11, monochrome image data 12 for four pages, color image data 13 for one page, and monochrome image data 1 for one page in the order of reception.
Four or two pages of color image data 15 are stored.

Assuming that the data size of each image data is 1.0 for one page of monochrome image data and 4.0 for one page of color image data, as shown on the right side of FIG. The size of the data size of each received image data is 1.0, 3.6, 4.0, 1.0, 6..
0, and the data size (average value) per page of each received image data is a value obtained by dividing them by the number of pages.
0, 0.9, 4.0, 1.0, and 3.0. here,
The reason why the data size of the fourth page of the monochrome image data 12 is 0.6 or the data size of the second page of the color image data 12 is 2 is that image data is only partially contained in those pages. This indicates that the image data does not exist, the image data itself is simple, the data size is small, or the image data has many blank portions.

Next, based on the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, as described above, in the state where a plurality of pieces of received image data of a plurality of pages are stored in the RAM 12,
Step 4 for checking whether or not paper supply has been completed
The following describes the control operation in which the proxy output is executed. Steps 1 to 3 and step 7 are the same operations as those in the flowchart of FIG.
The description is omitted.

First, as described above, when paper supply is performed in a state where five pieces of image data are stored in the RAM 12 (S4: YES), the CPU 10 returns all the images of the respective image data stored in the RAM 12 By dividing the total image data size by the number of pages from the data size and the number of pages, the data size per each page (average value)
Is calculated (S11).

As a result, the order of reception of the five received image data stored in the RAM 12 is 1.0, 0.9, 4.0,.
1.0 and 3.0 are required. Next, from the calculation results (in the above example, the order of reception of the five received image data stored in the RAM 12 is 1.0, 0.9, 4.0, 1....
0 and 3.0), the output order is determined so that proxy output is performed in descending order of the value (S12).

Based on the determination, in the above example,
As shown on the right side of FIG. 4, the order of the data size per page of the received image data is large, that is, the color image data 11 (data size per page = 4.
0), color image data 12 (data size per page = 3.0), monochrome image data 11 and monochrome image data 13 (both data size per page = 1.
0), the proxy output is sequentially performed in the order of the monochrome image data 12 (data size per page = 0.9), and each time the proxy output of each received image data is completed, the area where the image data is accumulated is sequentially changed. The area is cleared and becomes an empty area (S13). As a result, the image data of the alternately output page of the image data stored in the storage area is cleared, the storage area of the page is released, and the memory of the area can be used for other purposes. .

Therefore, for example, when it is assumed that a problem such as the absence of paper occurs again at the time of completion of the proxy output for five pages, the conventional method of performing the proxy output in the order of reception gives a monochrome image. Data 11 (1 page),
12 (4 pages) can be output only by proxy, and the available memory areas are 1.0 and 3.
6 only in a total of 4.6 areas, but when the proxy output is performed in the descending order of the data size per page of each received data as in the above embodiment, the color image 13
(1 page), 14 (2 pages), monochrome image 11 (1 page),
14 (1 page) can be output, and as a result, the storage areas 4.0, 6.0, 1.0, and 1.0 corresponding to them can be output.
The area corresponding to 2.0 can be cleared, and the memory can be used effectively and efficiently.

As described above, even when the received data includes a plurality of pages, it is possible to appropriately, accurately and promptly control the free space of the memory based on the data size per page.

In the above-described embodiment, the output order is determined based on the magnitude of the data size calculation result per page. However, when the difference between the calculation results is smaller than a predetermined value, the calculation result is not necessarily required. Regardless of the size, the grouping may be performed in three stages, for example, large, medium, and small, according to the difference between the calculation results, and the order may be determined for each of those groups. In that case, the order is reversed in the group, unlike the calculation result, and there is a case where the data with the smaller data size is output first. It is needless to say that there is no difference in the effect.

In the above embodiment, the data size per page is reduced based on the premise that the time required for the printing section 22 for printing one page of data is substantially the same for both color and monochrome printing. The output order of the proxy output is determined on the basis of the printing time. However, when a printing device that requires a different time for printing per page in monochrome printing / color printing is employed, the time required for the printing process is used as a coefficient. For example, in monochrome / color printing where the printing time per page is 1: 2 (printing speed is 1: 0.5), the data size per page of the color image data is multiplied by a factor of 0.5. Needless to say, the output order may be determined from the magnitude relation of the two.

That is, in order to output the received data stored in the memory per unit time as soon as possible and clear the corresponding memory area to quickly secure the free space, the data amount per page is large. And the output speed per page (printing speed) needs to be fast,
In other words, there is a relationship that the speed of creating the memory free space per unit time is proportional to the data size per page and the output speed (print speed) per page. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment in which the output speed per page (printing speed) is constant, it is sufficient to output data in order from the one having the largest data size per page.
When the output speed (printing speed) per page is different (as described above, when the color printing speed is 0.5 times the monochrome printing speed), the substantial speed for securing the free space of the memory is reduced. Since it becomes 0.5 times, a correction coefficient of 0.
It is necessary to determine the output order from the magnitude relation of the data size multiplied by 5 per page.

In the above embodiment, the size of the received image data is simplified (one page of monochrome image data corresponds to 1.
0, one page of color image data is described as 4.0). However, since the data size of the actual received image is compressed, it simply takes a value proportional to the number of pages of the image data. It is rare that the data size has various values in many cases even when the number of pages is the same, depending on not only the size (area) of the image data but also the shape and the number of colors of the image data. . Therefore, in the above embodiment, the output order is determined based on the magnitude relationship of the actual data size per page. For example, even when monochrome data or color data is data for one page, Accurately and appropriately, the earliest free memory space can be secured, and even when received data including a plurality of pages is included, the free memory space can be accurately and appropriately secured.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

As an example of the print output order based on the proxy output function, data that uses a large amount of color material such as color ink may be printed first. In such a case, running out of ink during printing is avoided as much as possible. be able to.

In the above embodiment, when calculating the data size per page, the data size of each page is obtained, and then the sum of them is calculated to obtain the data size of the received data. If the data size is known in advance, the data size may be used as it is.

In each of the above embodiments, a RAM area (not shown) built in the printing unit 22 separately from the RAM 12 is used as a printing buffer necessary for executing printing in the printing unit 22. In this example, the data is used as a data expansion area when printing.However, in recent years, for the purpose of cost reduction, one memory has a print buffer area and a storage area for received data. There is also a case where a shared memory is used.In such a case, when the free area of the shared memory is small and the print buffer area cannot be sufficiently secured, printing is performed from a large data size, Printing is performed in a printing order different from the printing order shown in each of the above-described embodiments, such as printing from the largest data size per page. If you were to run there is efficient use can case the memory. That is, when printing received data having a large data size, especially in the case of color data, a developing area for four colors of C, M, Y, and K is required as a buffer for expanding the received data as compared with monochrome data, which is large. If you want to print the data,
In some cases, the print buffer area cannot be sufficiently secured, and an overhead for securing an area for developing the print data occurs, and the time required for actual printing may be abnormally long. In such a case, for example, when color and monochrome reception data are mixed in the storage area, monochrome reception data is printed out before color reception data, or only color reception data is stored in the storage area. When it is stored, it is possible to print out the smaller color data among the color received data,
When only monochrome reception data is stored in the storage area, it is better to print out the smaller of the monochrome reception data. Smaller received data is less susceptible to print buffer shortage and can execute printing quickly, and the capacity of the memory that is released each time printing is completed is small, but the released area can be used as a print buffer area sequentially. Therefore, when large received data is subsequently printed, the shortage of the print buffer area can be resolved, so printing from smaller received data rather than printing from larger received data will substantially speed up memory release. The memory area that has been released quickly can be used for other purposes, and the memory can be used efficiently.

Further, the facsimile apparatus may be connected to a personal computer and used as a printer, and data sent from the personal computer may be handled in the same procedure as in the above embodiment.

[0062]

As described above, according to the communication device of the first aspect of the present invention, when the received data stored in the memory is output according to the proxy output function, the data size is determined based on the data size. Since the received data is output in order, the size of the free space in the memory can be appropriately controlled based on the data size of each of the plurality of received data.

According to the communication apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, when the reception data stored in the memory is output according to the proxy output function,
Since the received data is output in the order of the data size, even if the data cannot be output during such output and some of the received data is left in the memory, the received data remaining in the memory should be as small as possible. The data size is small, and as a result, the free space of the memory can be promptly expanded and the memory can be used efficiently.

Further, according to the communication device of the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, when receiving data stored in the memory according to the proxy output function, each receiving device Since the output order of the received data is determined based on the size of the data size per page of data, even in the case of including the received data of a plurality of pages,
It is possible to effectively and efficiently control the free space of the memory more appropriately and accurately according to the data size of each received data per page.

According to the communication device of the present invention, when outputting monochrome data and color data as received data stored in the memory according to the proxy output function, color data having a large data size is generally used. Since the data is output with priority, even if such data cannot be output during the output and some of the received data is left in the memory, the received data that remains in the memory is monochrome data with a small data size. In many cases, as a result, the free space of the memory can be quickly expanded and the memory can be used efficiently.

Further, according to the communication device of the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the communication device described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the color data and the monochrome data, the data size of the color data and the monochrome data are arranged in descending order of data size. Can be output, and the storage area of the corresponding wide memory can be released immediately.

According to the communication apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the communication apparatus of the fourth aspect, the data is output in the order of reception among the color data and the monochrome data. be able to.

Further, according to the communication device of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the proxy output function operates according to the situation where there is no paper. After the output preparation is completed by replenishing the paper, the memory area corresponding to the data size of the received data stored in the memory can be efficiently opened based on the size of the data.

According to the communication apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the communication apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, the free space of the memory generated by the proxy output function is provided. Can be assigned as a work area or a data storage area by a function other than the proxy output function, and the memory can be used efficiently.

According to the storage medium of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the operation of the communication device according to the first aspect can be realized by operating the CPU based on the stored program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a facsimile apparatus as one embodiment of a communication apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for conceptually explaining the output order of facsimile image data according to a proxy output function.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing procedure associated with a proxy output function.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for conceptually explaining the output order of facsimile image data according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a proxy output function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 CPU 11 NCU 12 RAM 13 Modem 14 ROM 15 EEPROM 16 Gate array 17 Codec 18 DMAC 21 Reading unit 22 Printing unit 23 Operation unit 24 Display unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A communication device having a proxy output function of accumulating a plurality of received data in a memory until output preparation is completed, and reading and outputting the received data from the memory after the output preparation is completed. At the time of executing the proxy output function, a plurality of received data stored in the memory are sequentially output based on the data size of each received data, and the received data of the memory corresponding to the output received data is output. A communication device comprising output control means for sequentially clearing a storage area. 2. The output control unit includes an output order determination unit that determines an output order of the plurality of reception data in order of a data size of each reception data.
The communication device according to claim 1. 3. When at least one of the plurality of received data includes a plurality of pages, the output control means determines the received data based on the size of each received data per page. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an output order determining unit that determines an output order of the communication device. 4. A communication device having a proxy output function of accumulating a plurality of reception data in a memory until output preparation is completed, and reading and outputting the reception data from the memory after the output preparation is completed. At the time of executing the proxy output function, the monochrome data and the color data as the received data stored in the memory are output with priority given to the color data, and a storage area of the memory corresponding to the output received data. A communication device comprising output control means for sequentially clearing the data. 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein said output control means outputs each of said color data and said monochrome data in descending order of data size. 6. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein said output control means causes each of said color data and said monochrome data to be output in a receiving order. 7. When there is no paper for outputting the received data, the output control means stores the received data in the memory at the time of performing the proxy output, and prepares for output by replenishing the paper. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, after the preparation, the received data stored in the memory is output. 8. The memory according to claim 1, further comprising a memory transmission function, a timer transmission function, a polling function, a facsimile transmission function, a broadcast transmission function, a copy function, an automatic reduction function, and a communication management report output, in addition to storing the received data. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an area is provided according to at least one of a function, a call recording function, an answering machine function, a redial function, and a called number display function. 9. A communication device having a proxy output function for storing a plurality of reception data in a memory until output preparation is completed, and reading and outputting reception data from the memory after the output preparation is completed. A storage medium storing the program, when executing the proxy output function, a plurality of received data stored in the memory, and sequentially output based on the size of the data size of each received data, A storage medium storing a program including an output control program for sequentially clearing a storage area of the memory corresponding to the output received data.