JP2002251107A - Recording device and communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device capable of interrupting a recording output by a certain function and preceding a recording output by a higher priority function in the execution when the recording output by the higher priority function than the former one is requested while executing the recording output by the former function. SOLUTION: As functions for using a recording part 15, the recording device includes a copying function for recording a picture read by a reading part 14, a picture receiving function for recording the picture received through a facsimile using an NCU 17 and a modem 18, a printer function for recording the information received via a LAN interface 16, or the like, and each function is prioritized beforehand. When the recording part 15 is performing a recording output by a certain function but is requested to perform the recording output by a higher priority function, the device interrupts the recording output in execution, and precedes a recording output by means of a higher priority function in execution. Then, the device is arranged to use a paper form in a different direction, so as to discriminate it from the overlapped paper forms.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device capable of executing a plurality of functions and a communication terminal device including the recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device, particularly a communication terminal device such as a multifunction peripheral equipped with the recording device, has various functions for recording and outputting information from the recording device. For example, a copy function for recording and outputting an image read from an attached image reading device, a facsimile receiving function for recording and outputting an image received by facsimile via a telephone line, and a printer for recording and outputting information sent from an external computer It is equipped with functions. Requests for recording and outputting in these various functions are random, and when recording and outputting are performed in a certain function, a request for recording and outputting may be generated by another function.

Conventionally, when a recording output is requested by another function while a recording output is being performed in a certain function as described above, after a series of recording output is completed for a function that is performing the recording output, In the meantime, for a function for which a recording output request has occurred, control has been performed so as to execute recording output of any of the functions. However, considering the copy function, for example, copy output cannot be performed during recording output by another function. In the copy function, it is assumed that the user is near the apparatus and is waiting for an output. In such a case, if the recording output by another function continues for a long time, the user cannot be satisfied.

[0004] If only the copy function is used, it is possible to interrupt by operating an interrupt key or the like before execution. However, for example, it is assumed that the currently executed recording will end soon, and the interrupt key is not used. As for the image read by the user, the recording output of the copy function does not start until a series of recording output is completed. In addition, there is no function for interrupting recording and output in functions other than the copy function, and if a series of recording and output during execution is not completed, the recording and output of the next function will not start and the user of that function will have to wait for a long time Had occurred.

Further, a technique has been developed in which the priority of a print job is determined at the time of starting print output, and scheduling of print output is performed. However, in such a technique, during a series of print output, the print output is not stopped, and even a print job with a high priority has to wait until the series of print output ends.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and while a recording output is being performed by a certain function, there is a request for a recording output by a function having a higher priority than that function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device and a communication terminal device capable of interrupting recording output and giving priority to recording output of a function with a higher priority.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising recording means for recording information, and control means for causing the recording means to record information. The first function can be executed when a request for information recording of a second function having a higher priority than the first function occurs while the information of the first function is being recorded by the recording means. And recording the information of the second function. by this,
Even during the information recording of the first function having the lower priority, the information recording is interrupted and the second information recording having the higher priority is executed, so that the information of the second function having the higher priority is executed. The recording does not have to wait until the end of the information recording of the first function having the lower priority.

In the case where the recording process of the first function is interrupted and the information recording of the second function is performed as described above, when the recording means is loaded with the papers which are rotated by 90 degrees from each other, the second recording is performed. As the paper used for recording the information of the function, it can be controlled to use a paper rotated 90 degrees from the direction of the paper used for recording the information of the first function.
This makes it possible to easily determine the paper recorded and output for each function based on the direction of the recorded paper.

Further, the present invention provides a communication terminal device,
The above-described recording apparatus, image reading means for reading an image, communication means capable of communicating via a telephone line, and interface means capable of communicating with an external computer and the like, a plurality of Functions include a copying function for recording the image read by the image reading means on the recording means, a facsimile receiving function for recording the image received by the communication means on the recording means, and recording of information received from an external computer by the interface means on the recording means. It is characterized by including a printer function for causing the printer to function. Priorities for recording are set for the copying function, facsimile receiving function, and printer function, and when a recording request for another function having a higher priority occurs during recording processing of a certain function, the function being executed is executed. It is possible to control so as to interrupt the recording process and execute recording of another function having a higher priority. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the recording process of the function having the higher priority has to wait for a long time until the recording process of the function having the lower priority has been completed.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication terminal apparatus of the present invention including an embodiment of a recording apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a main control unit, 12 is a display unit,
13 is an operation unit, 14 is a reading unit, 15 is a recording unit, and 16 is L
AN interface, 17 is NCU, 18 modem, 19
Denotes an image memory, 20 denotes a RAM, 21 denotes a ROM, 22 denotes a bus, 31 denotes a computer, and 32 denotes a LAN.

The main control section 11 controls the entire apparatus and operates the respective sections to realize an image transmission / reception function, a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and the like. In particular, the recording unit 15
In the image receiving function, copy function, printer function, etc., the information such as images is recorded and output on paper, and various information and messages from the device are recorded and output. Control for recording and outputting information. Although the respective functions can operate in parallel, the recording output by the recording unit 15 is performed sequentially.

A priority order for recording and outputting is set for each function. Then, when a request to record and output information in another function occurs while a series of information is being recorded and output in a certain function, if the function in which the request has occurred has a higher priority, execution is performed. The recording output in the middle is temporarily interrupted at a predetermined timing, and the recording output of the information of the function having the higher priority is executed with priority. As a result, the recording and outputting of the information in the function with the higher priority does not have to wait until the end of the recording and outputting of the information in the function with the lower priority.

When interrupting the recording and output of information in a function with a low priority and performing the recording and output of information in a function with a high priority, sheets discharged before the interruption in the discharge tray may be accumulated. There is. For this reason, when the recording unit 15 is loaded with sheets rotated in the directions rotated by 90 degrees from each other, the recording unit 15 shifts from the direction used for the interrupted recording output by 9 degrees.
It is preferable to record and output information in a function having a higher priority using a sheet rotated in the direction of 0 degrees. As a result, the bundle of discharged sheets can be easily distinguished. Of course, the function may be used as long as the paper recorded by each function can be discharged separately, for example, when the recording unit 15 has a plurality of paper discharge trays.

The display unit 12 can display various information such as a message to the user, a message indicating the state of the apparatus, and operation guidance. Operation unit 13
Is used when the user makes various settings and instructions. The operation unit 13 may be provided with an interrupt key or the like for executing a function by an interrupt.

The reading section 14 reads an image on a document during an image transmission function, a copy function, and a scanner function. The reading unit 14 can be configured by various image input devices such as an image scanner and a digital camera.

The recording section 15 can record various kinds of information on a sheet under the control of the main control section 11. For example, an image received by facsimile by the image receiving function, an image read by the reading unit 14 in the copy function, recorded information sent from the external computer 31 via the LAN interface 16 in the printer function, and a message from the apparatus. And setting information can be recorded. As a recording method, for example, an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, a heat-sensitive or thermal transfer method,
Various schemes can be employed. It is preferable that a plurality of paper trays be provided in the recording unit 15 so that the main control unit 11 can select the paper tray. For example, by loading sheets of the same size in a direction rotated by 90 degrees with respect to each other, the user uses sheets in different directions when performing recording in different functions. The function makes it possible to easily distinguish the discharged sheets.

The LAN interface 16 is a LAN 32
The recording unit 15 receives recording information to be recorded by the recording unit 15 and transmission information to be transmitted to another device via the modem 18 and the NCU 17 from, for example, an external computer 31 connected to the LAN 32. The received data can be temporarily stored in the image memory 19, for example. Further, for example, a received image or an image read by the reading unit 14 can be transmitted to the external computer 31. The LAN interface 16 can be replaced by various interfaces connected to the computer 31. In addition, these interfaces need not be provided unless the external computer 31 is connected.

The NCU 17 controls a line to communicate with an external device. The modem 18 modulates and demodulates image data to be transmitted and received.

The image memory 19 stores image data to be transmitted and received, image data read by the reading unit 14, information to be recorded by the recording unit 15, and other various information being processed. When storing an image in the image memory 19, the image can be compressed and stored.

The RAM 20 is used when it is necessary to store data in the processing of the main control unit 11 and other units.
Note that the record information may be temporarily stored. RO
M21 stores a program that defines the operation of the main control unit 11, fixed data, and the like.

The bus 22 includes a main control unit 11, a display unit 12,
Operation unit 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, LAN interface 16, NCU 17, modem 18, image memory 1
9, RAM20, ROM21, etc. are interconnected,
Data transfer between them is enabled. of course,
In addition to these, various devices such as an external storage device are connected to the bus 2.
2 may be connected.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording operation in an example of the communication terminal device of the present invention including an embodiment of the recording device of the present invention. In S41, it is determined whether there is information to be recorded, and the process waits until information to be recorded is generated. When information needs to be recorded,
In S42, recording output of information to be recorded is performed. In the recording output performed in S42, recording processing can be performed in a predetermined unit, for example, for one page or one job. In the printer function or the like, there is a case where an instruction is given to execute a plurality of print jobs in succession. In such a case, the unit of print output in S42 can be one job. The predetermined unit for performing the recording may be set for each function. After the recording output of the predetermined unit is executed, the direction of the sheet used at that time is changed to S4.
Stored in 3

At S44, it is determined whether or not there is information to be recorded in a function having a higher priority than the function currently executing the recording process. If there is information to be recorded for a function with a higher priority, S
If the information to be recorded does not exist in the function having the higher priority, the process proceeds to S45 to determine whether or not the interrupt key provided on the operation unit 13 has been operated. judge. If the interrupt key has been operated, the process proceeds to the interrupt recording process from S46 onward, and if the interrupt key has not been operated, the process returns to S41. As a result, if there is no information to be recorded in a function having a higher priority than the function currently executing the recording process, and if the interrupt key is not operated, the ongoing recording process can be continuously performed. it can.

If it is determined in S44 that there is information to be recorded of a function having a higher priority than the function whose recording process is being executed, or if the operation of the interrupt key is detected in S45, The recording process by interruption after S46 is performed. S4
After notifying the recording unit 15 of the start of the interrupt processing in 6,
In S47, it is determined whether or not a sheet in a direction rotated by 90 degrees from the direction of the sheet stored in S43 is loaded in the recording unit 15. If the recording section 15 is loaded with a sheet rotated in the direction of 90 degrees from the direction of the sheet stored in S43, in S48, information to be recorded by interruption using the sheet rotated in the direction of 90 degrees is used. Record output. In this case, the information to be recorded is also rotated by 90 degrees (or 270 degrees) according to the direction of the sheet. After the recording output is completed, the recording unit 15 is notified of the termination of the interruption process in S49, and the process returns to S41 to resume the recording output before the interruption.

Further, the direction of the sheet stored in S43 and 90
If the paper in the direction rotated by degrees is not loaded in the recording unit 15, in S50, the information to be recorded is output by interruption using the normal paper. After the recording output is completed, the recording unit 15 is notified of the termination of the interruption process in S51, and the process returns to S41 to resume the recording output before the interruption.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a state of stacking of sheets discharged in the recording section. As a specific example, it is assumed that, for example, the image receiving function has a higher priority than the printer function, and a request for recording output by the image receiving function has occurred during the recording processing by the printer function. Also, it is assumed that the size of the paper selected in both functions is the same.

In this case, first, the recording output is performed by the printer function, and the paper on which the information received from the external computer 31 or the like is recorded is discharged as shown in FIG. If a request for facsimile reception and recording output by the image receiving function occurs during recording output by such a printer function, recording output by the printer function is interrupted because the image receiving function has a higher priority. Then, the recording output by the image receiving function is executed by the interruption. In the printer function, for example, it is sometimes instructed to execute a plurality of jobs of several pages continuously.
In the case of this example, when there is a request for recording output by the image receiving function, the recording output is temporarily interrupted at the break of the job of the printer function, and the recording output by the image receiving function is performed.

At the time of recording output by the image receiving function, if there is a sheet in a direction rotated by 90 degrees from the sheet used for recording output by the printer function which has been performed so far,
Record and output using the paper. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet is ejected, and sheets in different directions are stacked on the sheet recorded and output by the printer function. Therefore, the paper recorded and output by the image receiving function and the paper recorded and output by the printer function can be easily distinguished.

After the recording output by the image receiving function is completed, the recording output by the printer function is restarted again. In this case, since the paper in the original direction is used, as shown in FIG. The information is recorded and ejected using a sheet of paper. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper recorded and output by the printer function overlaps the paper recorded and output by the image receiving function again. Even in this case, the paper recorded and output by each function can be easily distinguished.

If a print output request by the same printer function occurs during a print output by the printer function, or a print output request by a function having a lower priority than the printer function occurs, in that case, the number of print requests is reduced. No recording output is performed.

Although the above specific example has been described using the image receiving function and the printer function, the same applies to other functions. For example, the copy function has a higher priority than the image reception function, and when a recording output request by the copy function occurs during the recording output by the image reception function, the recording output by the image reception function is temporarily interrupted, and the copy is stopped. The recording output by the function is executed with priority by interruption. Of course, the priorities of these functions can be arbitrarily set.

In FIG. 2 described above, only the priority between certain two functions is considered, but a request for recording output is made for a function having a higher priority during execution of recording output by, for example, an interrupt. It may occur. In order to cope with such a case, the determination of S44 or S45 in FIG. 2 can be performed even while the recording output is performed by the interruption, and the recording output of the function having a higher priority can be preferentially performed. It can also be configured as follows.

Also, in the above description, it has been described that, when recording output in a function having a higher priority is given priority, if there is a sheet rotated by 90 degrees, that sheet is used. If the size of the paper used in the above is different from the size of the paper used for the original recording output, the direction does not need to be changed. For example, in the case where the printout being performed uses A4 paper and the printout is performed using the B4 paper in the priority function, the printout may be performed in the same paper direction.

Further, for example, when an interrupt key is operated to execute a copy function or the like, the copy function is given the highest priority, but it is conceivable that the recording output is not performed for a long time. In such a case, the recording output in the original function may be restarted. Also,
The function to be interrupted and used by the interrupt key is the recording unit 15.
When a function that does not use the function, for example, when an image transmission function is used, the recording output of the original function may be restarted regardless of the operation of the interrupt key. These allow the recording unit 15 to operate effectively.

In the above description, an example in which the present invention is applied to a communication terminal device having an image receiving function, a copy function, and a printer function as the communication terminal device of the present invention has been described. However, the communication terminal device of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, L
It is also possible to configure a communication terminal device having only the copy function and the image transmission / reception function, or only the image transmission / reception function without providing the AN interface 16. For example, even in the case of a communication terminal device having only an image transmission / reception function, the above-described functions of the present invention can be used as long as the communication terminal device has a plurality of functions such as an image reception function and various information output functions from the device. It is.

Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to a communication terminal apparatus as described above, and is also provided as a copier with a printer function or a single-function copier without a communication function without providing an NCU 17 and a modem 18. Can be configured. Further, it can be configured as a single printer. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example including an embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 23 is an interface. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the function of acquiring, recording, and outputting information sent from an external computer via the LAN by the LAN interface 16 and the function of acquiring information from an externally connected computer, for example, via the interface 23 are provided. And has a function of recording and outputting. By setting priorities for the respective functions, it is possible to use the functions of the recording apparatus of the present invention as described above. Of course, various forms are possible such as having other various interfaces, or an externally connected image reading device, and the executable functions are not limited.

[0037]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the first function is executed during the recording output by the first function.
When a request for recording output by the second function having a higher priority than the function is issued, the recording output by the first function is interrupted and the recording output by the second function is executed with priority. The record output by the second function having the higher priority is
There is an effect that the user does not have to wait until the recording output by the first function having the lower priority is completed.

When the recording output by the second function is executed with priority, the recording means is loaded with a sheet rotated in the direction of 90 degrees from the direction of the sheet used at the time of the recording output by the first function. In such a case, recording output is performed using the paper rotated in the direction rotated by 90 degrees. As a result, even if the sheets recorded and output by the different functions overlap, there is an effect that each can be easily distinguished.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a communication terminal device of the present invention including an embodiment of a recording device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a recording operation in an example of the communication terminal device of the present invention including an embodiment of the recording device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state of stacking sheets discharged in a recording unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example including an embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: Main control unit, 12: Display unit, 13: Operation unit, 14 ...
Reading unit, 15: recording unit, 16: LAN interface,
17 ... NCU, 18 modem, 19 ... Image memory, 20 ...
RAM, 21 ROM, 22 bus, 23 interface, 31 computer, 32 LAN.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 1/00 108 H04N 1/00 108L

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A recording device for recording information, and a control device for recording the information on the recording device, wherein the control device is capable of executing a plurality of functions of which priorities are set.
If a request for information recording of a second function having a higher priority than the first function is issued while the information of the function is being recorded by the recording means, the recording process of the first function is interrupted, and 2
A recording device for recording information of the function of (1). 2. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is loaded with sheets of paper rotated in a direction rotated by 90 degrees from each other, and said control means records information of said first function when recording said information of said second function. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is controlled to use a sheet in a direction rotated by 90 degrees from the direction of the sheet used in the recording. 3. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit reads an image, a communication unit communicable through a telephone line, and an interface communicable with an external computer or the like. Means, a copy function of recording the image read by the image reading means in the recording means, as the plurality of functions performed by the control means,
A communication terminal device, comprising: a facsimile receiving function for recording an image received by the communication means on the recording means; and a printer function for recording information received from the external computer by the interface means on the recording means.