JPH11122412A - Information processor and information processing system, and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To communicate the use situation of a memory shared by plural functions to the operator of an external device. SOLUTION: A communicating device is provided with an interface part 108 for operating communication with a computer 112 and a communicating part 104 for operating facsimile communication. Also, a picture memory 106 is shared by those two communicating functions, and picture data received through the interface part 108 and picture data for communication through the communicating part 104 are stored. A main controlling part 101 detects the storage situation of the picture data in the picture memory 106 in response to a prescribed command received from the computer 112 through the interface part 108, generates information indicating the storage situation, and transmits it through the interface part 108 to the computer 112.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having an interface with an external information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a communication device typified by a facsimile device or the like having an interface with a computer. According to this type of communication device, a function of printing document data created by a computer by a recording unit of the communication device (hereinafter, a print function), and transmitting a document created by the computer to a remote location using a transmission unit of the communication device. Function (hereinafter referred to as FAX transmission function), a function for taking in document information received using a receiving unit of the communication device as electronic information on a computer (hereinafter referred to as FAX reception function), and reading document information read using a reading unit of the communication device to a computer A function (hereinafter referred to as a scanner function) for taking in electronic information thereon is realized.

[0003] The communication device as described above is a single multi-function device, which was originally a separate computer peripheral device such as a modem device, a printer device, and a scanner device. For this reason, the communication device is sometimes called a multifunction device. A communication device, especially a facsimile device has elements that can be a computer peripheral device, that is, a communication function, a reading function, and a recording function, and if this is provided with an interface with a computer, a multifunction device can be easily realized. can do.

[0004] An example of realizing the above-mentioned communication function, reading function, recording function, and computer interface will be described below.

The communication function includes an NCU for connecting / disconnecting a call to / from a communication network, a modem for modulating / demodulating transmission data / reception data, and the like. In addition, the reading function
This is realized by scanning a sheet-shaped document line by line using a CCD image sensor or the like and reading it as pixel data. Further, the recording function is constituted by an ink jet printer, a laser beam printer, or the like. Note that the ink jet printer is a printer of a method of printing by discharging ink droplets from a nozzle by a heater or the like. The laser beam printer is a so-called electrophotographic printer using laser exposure.

[0006] The computer interface is
A serial interface like RS-232C,
A parallel interface such as the IEEE-P1284 specification is used. The interface can realize bidirectional data transfer, that is, data transfer from “computer to communication device” and “communication device to computer device”. Also, here, there is an appropriately programmed control program for performing the data transfer on the computer side and the communication device side.

The communication device functioning as the multifunction device has a buffer memory for temporarily storing data exchanged with a computer. This depends on the data transfer rate on the interface,
This is to buffer differences in reading speed, recording speed, and communication speed. Such a buffer memory is used for each function.
That is, a print buffer memory, a scanner buffer memory, a transmission buffer memory for each of the print function, the scanner function, the facsimile transmission function, and the facsimile reception function.
Exists as a receive buffer memory.

In addition, the communication apparatus as described above has a function that is instructed from an operation panel of the communication apparatus, not from the computer, and operates independently of the communication apparatus, in addition to the function related to the computer. For example, there is a case where transmission is performed by instructing from a computer and a case where transmission is performed by designating a destination from an operation panel of a communication device (corresponding to normal facsimile transmission in a facsimile device). Hereinafter, the former is called PC transmission, and the latter is called local transmission.

In local transmission, a transmission memory is required to temporarily store transmission image data. For example, if you are redialing when the other party is busy and not connected,
In the case of timer transmission, transmission image data must be held in the transmission memory until transmission is completed or until a predetermined time. Also, in the case of broadcast transmission, the transmission image data must be held in the transmission memory until transmission to all designated destinations is completed.

[0010] Regarding the reception function, there are a case where the received image is downloaded to the computer without printing and a case where the received image is printed by the recording unit as it is. Hereinafter, the former is called PC reception, and the latter is called local reception.

In local reception, a reception memory is used to temporarily store received image data. If the recording unit becomes unusable due to a failure such as a recording paper shortage or a recording paper jam, the received image data must be retained until the failure is recovered and the received image data is normally printed. It is. Also, when the received image rubber is received as a confidential document, the received image data must be held until the recipient of the received image inputs a predetermined password and prints the received image. The receiving memory is indispensable for the application.

The various functions described above occur irregularly as independent events, and use the respective buffer memories, transmission memories, and reception memories. Therefore, it is ideal that a separate memory is prepared for each functional operation. However, usually, all the functional operations do not occur at the same time, and therefore, a buffer memory is allocated to each function when necessary and used. That is, one image memory is shared by each buffer memory, transmission buffer memory, reception buffer memory, and the like, thereby achieving efficient use of the memory.

Here, consider the case where the recording unit provided in the communication device is a laser beam printer. 2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic printer such as a laser beam printer, toner is adhered to the surface of a cylindrical member called a photosensitive drum so as to form an image. Then, the photosensitive drum is configured to fix the toner on the recording paper while rotating the photosensitive drum at a constant speed and to perform printing. Therefore, once the printing of one page is started, the printing process of the one page cannot be stopped halfway.

For example, if the transfer of print data from the computer cannot be made in time, the print page will not be printed normally. For this reason, a method is employed in which after printing data for one page has been transferred from the computer to the print buffer memory of the communication device, printing of the page is started. Alternatively, a method may be used in which a predetermined amount of print data is transferred from a computer to a print buffer memory of a communication device and then printing of the page is started. Therefore, when printing, it is necessary to secure a considerable amount of print buffer memory in the communication device.

In the case of printing a plurality of pages, the printing throughput of the next page can be improved by receiving the print data of the next page from the computer during the printing of one page. When using, it is necessary to secure an additional amount of print buffer memory.

[0016]

However, as described above, if a reception buffer memory, a transmission buffer memory, a print buffer memory, etc. are realized by one image memory, the following problems occur.

For example, when a local received image or a local transmitted image is stored in an image memory in a communication apparatus, a state may occur in which a sufficient print buffer memory cannot be secured when printing data from a computer. If printing is forcibly started in such a state, transfer of print data from the computer may not be in time for the printing process, and a normal printed image may not be obtained.

In such a case, the operator who has performed printing from the computer does not know the reason why the printing failed. This is because no message indicating the special cause is displayed on the computer screen, and the operator cannot at all grasp the state in the image memory of the communication device. In particular, when the communication device is installed in the center of an office and used by many people, there is a case where an image of a person who does not know the operator is stagnant, and it is even more difficult to deal with the image. .

In the future, since higher quality printing is required, it is expected that the printing resolution will increase. This means that more memory is required to store one page, and the above problems tend to be more pronounced. Therefore, an immediate countermeasure is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and a control thereof that enable an operator of an external apparatus to be notified of a use state of a memory shared by a plurality of functions. The aim is to provide a method.

[0021]

An information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement. That is, first and second communication means for performing communication with an external device, and data communicated via the first communication means and data communicated via the second communication means. A storage unit for storing data in a memory shared by the first and second communication units, a generation unit for detecting a storage status of data in the memory and generating memory information indicating the storage status, and an external device. And transmitting means for transmitting the memory information generated by the generating means to the external device in response to the received predetermined command.

An information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration. That is, an information processing device capable of communicating with an external device,
Generating means for generating print data to be transmitted to the external device; requesting means for requesting the external device to notify the available image memory capacity; and responding to the request from the external device. Determining means for determining whether to transmit the print data to the external device based on the available image memory capacity and the print data capacity generated by the generating means; and And transmitting means for transmitting the print data to the external device when it is determined that the data is to be transmitted.

Further, an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
That is, an information processing system including a host device and a peripheral device, wherein first communication means for communicating image data between the host device and the peripheral device, and facsimile communication is performed in the peripheral device A second communication unit that shares the image data communicated via the first communication unit and the image data communicated via the second communication unit with the first and second communication units; Storage means for storing the image data in the memory, generating means for detecting the storage state of the image data in the memory, and generating memory information indicating the storage state in the peripheral device; Prior to transmitting data, requesting means for issuing a predetermined command for requesting a notification of the use status of the memory to the peripheral device; Transmitting means for transmitting the memory information generated by the generating means to the host device in response to a predetermined command; and transmitting the memory information from the host device to the peripheral device based on the memory information transmitted by the transmitting means. Determining means for determining whether to transmit the image data.

[0024]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication device according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, each block will be described. A main control unit 101 controls the entire communication device. The main control unit 101 includes the MPU 101
a, a ROM 101b storing a control program for realizing the present embodiment, a RAM 101c storing variables used in the program, and the like. Also, D
It also has requirements for peripheral devices, such as an MA function, an interrupt function, and a timer function, necessary for configuring a microprocessor system.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a system bus connecting the main control unit 101 and each block. A system bus 102 for transmitting and receiving data between the blocks;
It consists of an address path that specifies each block. A reading unit 103 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. 104 communication unit for connecting and disconnecting calls,
And modulates transmission data and demodulates received data,
Exchanges data with the partner station via the line. 105
Denotes an operation unit, which includes operation buttons, a display, and the like. 10
Reference numeral 6 denotes an image memory, which comprises a DRAM or the like. An image memory 106 is an image memory for temporarily storing a received image, a transmitted image, and the like, a communication buffer for temporarily storing image data received from the interface 108 and transmitted to the communication unit 104, and an external information device. It is also used as an interface buffer for temporarily storing data to be transferred and data transferred from an external information device.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a recording unit, which comprises, for example, a laser beam printer or the like. Reference numeral 108 denotes an interface unit, which is an interface conforming to a half-duplex bidirectional interface such as the IEEE-P1284 specification. In this example, the interface unit 108
Data is exchanged with an external information device such as a computer via the PC.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a decoding unit for decoding the encoded image data. Reference numeral 110 denotes an encoding unit for encoding image data. Reference numeral 111 denotes an interface signal line that connects a computer, which is an external information processing device, to a communication device, and is realized by, for example, an interface such as the IEEE-P1284 specification, as described above. A computer 112 is connected to the communication device via the interface signal line 111.

The computer 112 is realized by, for example, a well-known personal computer or the like. That is, MP
U and a controller such as a main storage device, a display device such as a CRT, an operation device such as a keyboard and a mouse, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk device, etc., and are managed and controlled by basic software such as an operating system. As is well known, application software such as word processing software and spreadsheet software can be operated on the operating system. Further, the interface signal line 11
1 also includes a driver program capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication device via the communication device 1. This driver program cooperates with the application software to print the document created by the application software by a communication device, send it by facsimile, or incorporate the document information read by the communication device into the document created by the application software. And so on.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a management format when the received image is stored in the image memory 106. In FIG. 2A, reference numerals 201 and 203 denote image management tables for managing image data, which are created for each image.

In the image management tables 201 and 203,
An image ID for identifying each image memory, mode information (discrimination between reception and transmission, etc.), and destination information (telephone number, destination abbreviation, etc.).
It is stored in the TSI signal and the NSF signal according to the standard-recommendation T30. ), Information of each page, etc. are recorded. Also, in the case where there are a plurality of images, each image management table is configured to be able to store the address information of the next image management table.

In the example of FIG. 2A, the image management table 201 is linked to the image management table 203 by the next image address information. Therefore, by following the image management table 201, all image management tables can be accessed.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a memory block management table for managing storage positions of image data in the image memory. The image memory is divided into blocks of a certain size and managed. Hereinafter, this block is referred to as a memory block. Each memory block is assigned a serial number, and each area of the memory block management table stores the number information of the next memory block.

In the memory block, image data is stored in ascending address order.

Since the page information in the image management table stores the number information of the first memory block, the image can be obtained by following the memory block management table starting from the first block number information. Data can be easily accessed. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the image data of the first page is memory block 0,
First, the image data of the second page is stored in the memory block 3,
Nos. 4 and 5 are stored.

Reference numeral 204 denotes an actual image memory. In this embodiment, since the size of each memory block is a fixed length, if the start address of the image memory is known, the start address of each memory block can be easily calculated from the memory block number information.

In FIG. 2B, reference numeral 205 denotes a confidential reception management table for managing confidential reception documents.
Each time a confidential document is received, 01, 02, 03. . . , The management information is sequentially stored in the area. 206 is a diagram showing the format of each unit of the confidential reception management table. In the confidential reception management table 206, the image ID
Is stored to specify a desired image from the image management table. The confidential BOX number is a number for specifying a recipient of the confidential document. The name of the recipient of the confidential document and the like are stored in advance by the operation unit 105 in association with each BOX number. Further, the operator is forced to input the password when printing the received confidential document. This is to check whether the operator is the recipient of the confidential document.

In the case of local transmission, the reading unit 103
The document information read by is converted by the encoding unit 110 in a predetermined code mode. Then, the image memory 106
2 and stored in the image memory 106 until the transmission time. When the transmission time comes, the transmission image in the image memory 106 is once converted into pixel data by the decoding unit 109, then converted into the code mode on the transmission path by the encoding unit 110, and transmitted to the receiving station by the communication unit 104. Sent to

In the case of local reception, an image received from a partner transmitting station is once converted into pixel data by a decoding unit 109 via a communication unit 104, and then is converted to a predetermined code mode by an encoding unit 110. The data is converted and stored in the image memory 106 in the format described with reference to FIG.
If the recording unit 107 becomes unable to record due to lack of recording paper, or if it is received as a parent or exhibition document, the recording unit 10
7 stays in the image memory 106 until it is printed. When the received image is printed, the image memory 10
The received image in 6 is once converted into pixel data by the decoding unit 109 and printed by the recording unit 107.

In the case of receiving a confidential document, the flow of image data is the same as in the case of local reception described above.
However, in the receiving procedure, the confidential BOX number information specified by the SUB signal (ITU-T T30) from the partner transmitting station, the password information specified by the PWD signal (ITU-T T30), and the image ID are confidential. It is stored in the confidential reception management table 205 as document management data.

When the received confidential document is printed out by the operator, when a confidential BOX number is designated by a key operation of the operation unit 106, the confidential reception management table 20 is displayed.
5, the management data is specified, and when the correct password is input next, the image is specified by the image ID. Subsequent print output is the same as in the case of local reception described above.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a command interface between the computer and the communication device. As shown in FIG. 3A, communication is performed by a method in which a communication device returns a response to a command from a computer. That is, in the communication mode of the present embodiment, the command and the response form a pair. A parameter may be added after the command as needed.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the format of commands and parameters from the computer. In the command 502, the operation code as the first data is information for determining the type of the command. The parameter length of the second data indicates the size of the following parameter. Here, if the value of the parameter length is zero, it means that no parameter follows the command, and the communication device can switch the data transfer direction as appropriate. Reference numeral 503 denotes a parameter associated with the command, which is used to transfer information of a size that cannot be contained in the command.

FIGS. 3C and 3D are diagrams showing a response format returned from the communication device to the computer in response to the command. Reference numeral 504 denotes a response to a command from the computer for confirming the free space in the image memory. The first data is information on the data size of the response. The second data is information on the free memory capacity which is the substance of the response to the computer.

Reference numeral 505 denotes a response to a command from the computer for confirming the use status of the image memory. The first data is information on the data size of the response. Following this response length, the image memory 10
Usage information (transmission memory, timer transmission memory, confidential document memory, etc.) for the image data existing in 6
And use destination information (destination abbreviation, confidential BOX) for specifying a person (destination, user, etc.) related to each image data
Abbreviated name).

Here, the use application information and the use destination information may be set by a code such as a shift JIS code so as to be directly displayed on the computer, or may be set in advance between the computer and the communication device. It may be set by the internal code determined in the above. Also,
The response data is terminated by the end code shown. Therefore, the computer may sequentially analyze the contents of the response data and determine the end when the end code is reached. If an end code comes immediately after the response length data, the image memory 106
Means that no image data exists.

In the case of print data, in FIG. 3B, an operation code representing the print data and a parameter length are set in the command 502, and the substance of the print data is set in the parameter 503.

The operation of the communication apparatus having the above-described configuration according to the present embodiment and the computer system will be described below. First, as an operation of the communication device, a processing procedure when a command for confirming the stored contents in the image memory and a processing procedure when a command for confirming the free space of the image memory are received will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for checking the usage of the image memory in response to a command for confirming the contents stored in the image memory 106 on the communication device side.

From the computer 112 to the image memory 106
When a command for confirming the contents stored in the memory is received, FIG.
Is started. In this case, the command is configured as shown in FIG. 3B, but does not include the parameter 503 (the parameter length = 0). First, step S3
01, the image management table (20
1, 203) and the confidential reception management table 205 to check whether image data exists in the image memory 106. If no image data exists, in step S302, response data including only the end code described above is created.

If image data exists, step S
The process advances from step 301 to step S303 to collect information related to image data from the image management table, and create response data as described with reference to FIG. And
In step S304, the response data created in step S302 or S303 is transferred to the computer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the case where the communication device checks the free memory in response to a command for confirming the free space of the image memory. When the command 502 received from the computer 112 is a command for confirming the free space of the image memory, the processing in FIG. 5 is started. First, in step S401,
Unused memory blocks are counted from the memory block management table, the data size is obtained therefrom, and response data is created. In step S402, the created response data is transferred to the computer.

Next, a computer 112 suitable for performing a printing process using the communication apparatus of the present embodiment as described above.
Will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for performing data printing that operates on the computer 112.

First, in step S601, one page of print data is created. Here, the print data is
It is generated in a predetermined code mode so that it can be decoded by the decoding unit 109 and sent to the recording unit 107 as it is for printing. Next, in step S602, the free space of the image memory on the communication device side is checked. As described above, the free space of the image memory 106 on the communication device side is determined by sending a command for confirming the free space of the image memory 106 to the communication device via the interface unit 108 and responding to the command from the communication device. Les Bons (Fig. 2
(C), which is generated by the procedure of the flowchart of FIG. 5).

Next, in step S603, step S603
By comparing the size of the print data for one page created in 601 with the size of the free space in the image memory of the communication device obtained in step S602, the print data for one page is stored in the image memory 106. Check if it fits. If the print data can be stored in the image memory 106, the process advances to step S604 to print the data of the one page.

On the other hand, if the print data does not fit in the image memory, the process proceeds from step S603 to step S605. In step S605, the contents of the image memory 106 of the communication device are confirmed. As described above, this is a response to the command for confirming the memory contents in the image memory 106 (response 5 in FIG. 2D).
05, generated by the procedure of the flowchart in FIG. 4). In step S606, the status of use of the image memory 106 in the communication device obtained in step S605 is displayed, and a message indicating that the print data is not in a printable state at present is displayed on the display.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the display of the computer in this embodiment.

Reference numeral 701 denotes an embodiment of a message indicating that a printing operation cannot be performed because a transmission document is staying in the image memory 106 of the communication device. Here, the character strings “sent document” and “XXX” are stored in step S60.
In step 5, it is set based on information obtained by a response from the communication device. That is, in the response from the communication device side as shown in FIG. 3D, the “transmission memory” and “the abbreviation of the destination (XX in this example)
X) ", the display is as shown in 701.

In the response as shown in FIG. 3D, “confidential document memory” and “confidential box abbreviation” are included, and the confidential box abbreviation is “XXX”.
If so, the result is as shown at 702 in FIG. That is, a message is displayed indicating that the printing operation cannot be performed because the confidential document stays in the image memory of the communication device.

When a plurality of types of image data exist in the communication device, all of them may be listed or only a part of them may be displayed.

After the message is displayed, a prompt is displayed for prompting the operator whether to start printing. Here, if the operator performs an operation to stop printing on the computer, the printing operation is terminated as it is. When the operator performs an operation for starting printing, the created print data is transferred to the communication device and printing is performed. This is because printing does not always fail because the buffer memory for one page is not secured. Also, when there are a plurality of pages to be printed, it is clear that the process of the flowchart should be executed for the number of pages.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
If a local reception image or a local transmission image on the communication device side stays in the image memory in the communication device and a sufficient print buffer memory cannot be secured when printing data from the computer, the local reception image is displayed on the computer screen. And information relating to the local transmission image are displayed. Therefore, the operator can take appropriate measures regarding the printing of the print data.

In the above embodiment, the computer 1
Although the case where print data is transmitted from the printer 12 has been described, it is apparent that the same processing can be applied to the case where image data for facsimile transmission is transmitted to a communication device in PC transmission by the computer 112.

In this specification, data printed by the recording unit 107 is called print data.
It goes without saying that the print data includes not only characters but also data to be printed, such as figures and photographic images.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine) composed of one device Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The use status of the memory shared by the plurality of functions can be notified to the operator of the external device, and the operability of the information processing device having multiple functions is improved.

[0072]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a management format when a received image is stored in an image memory.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a command interface between a computer and a communication device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for checking the usage of the image memory in response to a command for confirming the storage contents in the image memory 106 on the communication device side.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart in a case where the communication device checks the free memory in response to a command for checking the free space of the image memory.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for performing data printing operating on a computer 112;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on a display of a computer according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 main control unit 102 system bus 103 reading unit 104 communication unit 105 operation unit 106 image memory 107 recording unit 108 interface unit 109 decoding unit 110 encoding unit 111 interface signal line 112 computer

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. first and second communication means for communicating with an external device; and data communicated via the first communication means and communicated via the second communication means. Storage means for storing data in a memory shared by the first and second communication means; generating means for detecting a storage state of data in the memory and generating memory information indicating the storage state; An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits memory information generated by the generation unit to the external device in response to a predetermined command received from the external device. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data communicated by said first and second communication means is image data. 3. The first communication means communicates with a host computer to receive image data, and the second communication means
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication unit transmits and receives the image data by facsimile communication. 4. The storage unit stores image data in units of blocks of a predetermined size, and the generation unit counts the number of blocks in use to generate memory information indicating a storage state of the image data in the memory. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the generation unit generates memory information indicating a remaining amount of the memory based on the number of used blocks. 6. The storage unit stores destination information indicating a destination of facsimile communication with respect to image data related to the second communication unit, and the generation unit stores a storage state of the image data in the memory. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein memory information indicating a destination of the image data stored in the memory is generated. 7. The memory information generated by said generating means includes information indicating a facsimile communication mode of said second communication means for each image data stored in said memory. 4. The information processing device according to 3. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the memory information via the first communication unit. 9. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device, comprising: a generating unit configured to generate print data to be transmitted to the external device; and a capacity of an image memory usable for the external device. Request means for requesting notification of the request, and the printing to the external device based on the capacity of available image memory responded to the request from the external device and the capacity of print data generated by the generating means. A determination unit for determining whether to transmit data; and a transmission unit for transmitting the print data to the external device when the determination unit determines to transmit the print data. Information processing device. 10. A second requesting unit for requesting the external device for information relating to the content of image data stored in an image memory when the determination unit determines not to transmit the print data; 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: display means for displaying the image memory usage status based on a response to the second request means. 11. An information processing system comprising a host device and a peripheral device, wherein: first communication means for communicating image data between the host device and the peripheral device; and a facsimile in the peripheral device. A second communication unit for performing communication, image data communicated via the first communication unit and image data communicated via the second communication unit,
Storing means for storing in a memory shared by the first and second communication means; and generating means for detecting, in the peripheral device, a storage state of image data in the memory and generating memory information indicating the storage state. Prior to the host device transmitting image data to the peripheral device, requesting means for issuing to the peripheral device a predetermined command requesting a notification of the use status of the memory; and A transmitting unit that transmits the memory information generated by the generating unit to the host device in response to a predetermined command; and, from the host device to the peripheral device based on the memory information transmitted by the transmitting unit. An information processing system comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether to transmit the image data. 12. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus having first and second communication means for performing communication with an external device, wherein the method comprises the steps of: communicating data communicated via the first communication means; Storing the data communicated through the second communication means in a memory shared by the first and second communication means; detecting a storage state of the data in the memory; And a transmitting step of transmitting the memory information generated by the generating means to the external device in response to a predetermined command received from the external device. Processing method. 13. A method for controlling an information processing device capable of communicating with an external device, comprising: a generating step of generating print data to be transmitted to the external device; and an image usable for the external device. A requesting step of requesting a notification of a memory capacity; and an external device based on a capacity of available image memory responded to the request from the external device and a capacity of print data generated by the generating unit. A determination step of determining whether to transmit the print data to the external device, and a transmission step of transmitting the print data to the external device when the determination step determines that the print data is to be transmitted. An information processing method characterized by the following. 14. A host device and a peripheral device,
A control method for an information processing system, comprising: a first communication unit that performs communication of image data between the host device and a peripheral device; and a second communication unit that performs facsimile communication in the peripheral device. Image data communicated via the first communication means and image data communicated via the second communication means,
A storing step of storing the image data in a memory shared by the first and second communication means; and a generating step of detecting, in the peripheral device, a storage state of the image data in the memory and generating memory information indicating the storage state. Prior to the host device transmitting the image data to the peripheral device, a requesting step of issuing to the peripheral device a predetermined command requesting a notification of the use status of the memory; and A transmitting step of transmitting the memory information generated by the generating means to the host device in response to a predetermined command; and, based on the memory information transmitted in the transmitting step, the host device transmits the memory information to the peripheral device. A determining step of determining whether to transmit the image data. 15. A storage medium for storing a control program for an information processing device having first and second communication means for performing communication with an external device, wherein the control program stores the control program. A code for a storage step of storing data communicated via the first communication means and data communicated via the second communication means in a memory shared by the first and second communication means; A code for a generation step of detecting a storage state of data in the memory and generating memory information indicating the storage state; and, in response to a predetermined command received from an external device, the memory information generated by the generation unit. A transmission process code for transmitting to the external device. 16. A storage medium for storing a control program for an information processing device capable of communicating with an external device, wherein the control program generates print data to be transmitted to the external device. A code of a requesting step of requesting the external device to notify the capacity of the available image memory; a capacity of the available image memory responded to the request from the external device; Based on the capacity of the print data generated by the means, a code of a determination step of determining whether to transmit the print data to the external device, when it is determined to transmit the print data in the determination step, A transmission process code for transmitting the print data to the external device.