JPH11331449A - Image output device and image output network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To receive image data without interrupting a copying operation even in the case that the residual capacity of a temporary storage memory becomes small at the time of receiving the image data from a line during the copying operation. SOLUTION: When an incoming call (S11) from an external communication equipment is present, shifting to S12 is performed, and after the transmission/reception of pre-procedure control signals, the image data are received and stored in a page memory (S13). Whether or not reception is ended is judged in S14 and shifting to S15 is performed in the case that it is not. In this case, when the capacity of the page memory is more than prescribed, returning to S12 is performed and the next image data are received. When the residual capacity of the memory is less than a prescribed value, shifting to S16 is performed and which one of facsimile equipments connected to a LAN transfer is to be performed to is selected and decided by a data transfer processing. In the case of the reception completion of the image data in S14 or the end of the data transfer processing of S16, shifting to S17 is performed and the above-mentioned operations are repeated until the continuously performed copying operation is ended. When it is ended, shifting to S18 is performed and an output processing is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus for transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external communication device via a line and printing the received image data, and which can also perform a copy operation. And an image output network system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a facsimile apparatus as an image output apparatus is connected to an external communication apparatus via a public line, and transmits image data read by an image reading section to another facsimile apparatus, and transmits the image data to another facsimile apparatus. The image data received from the facsimile machine is printed by the image output unit. In such a facsimile apparatus, a copy function can be realized by printing a document using the image reading unit and the image output unit. In a facsimile apparatus having a copy function, if image data is communicated from another facsimile apparatus via a line during execution of a copy operation, an incoming call may be interrupted.

In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
In Japanese Patent No. 328090, communication data storage means for storing received communication data, a copy page memory for temporarily storing first image data from an image reading unit, and data obtained by decoding data stored in the communication data storage means. A page memory for a received document for temporarily storing the received second image data;
An image output unit for outputting data of one of a copy page memory and a received document page memory, detecting a storage data amount of the communication data storage unit, detecting the data amount, and setting the data amount to a predetermined value; Is greater than
There has been proposed a device having a configuration for switching the output to the image recording unit from the page memory for copying to the page memory for received documents.

In such a facsimile apparatus, when image data is transmitted from another facsimile apparatus during output from the copy page memory to the image output unit, the image data is received by so-called alternate reception, and the received data is received. The stored image data is stored in the communication data storage unit. At this time, when the remaining capacity of the communication data storage means becomes smaller than a predetermined value as the received image data amount increases, the execution of the copy operation is temporarily stopped, and the output to the image output unit is received from the copy page memory. The page data is switched to the document page memory and the received image data is output. When all the image data stored in the communication data storage unit is output, the output to the image output unit is returned to the copy page memory, and the copy operation is restarted.

[0005]

In such a facsimile apparatus, image data received via a line is output to an image output unit, and after all printing processes are performed, a copying operation is performed. Therefore, it involves a problem that the time during which the copy operation is made to wait halfway is long.
Further, there is a problem that two page memories for copying and a received document are required as temporary storage means for image data, and the manufacturing cost is increased.

An object of the present invention is to provide a copy operation even when the remaining capacity of an image memory for temporarily storing received image data is reduced when image data is received via a line during a copy operation. The present invention provides an image output apparatus that can receive image data without interrupting the image data. Another object of the present invention is to enable, in an image output network system in which a plurality of image output devices are connected to each other, each image output device to receive image data from outside without interrupting a copying operation. An image output network system is provided.

[0007]

An image output apparatus according to the present invention transmits and receives image data to and from an external communication device via a first line, and has an image memory capable of storing image data. An image output device connected to the image output device via a second line, comprising: an image reading unit, an image output unit, a facsimile function unit, a copy unit, an image memory, a memory capacity monitoring unit, It has an image transfer means and a received image output means. The image reading unit reads a document image. The image output unit prints the image data. The facsimile function unit is connected to an external communication device via the first line, transmits and receives image data, and outputs the received received image data to the image output unit. The copying unit outputs the image data read by the image reading unit to the image output unit. The image memory temporarily stores the received image data received by the facsimile function unit during the operation of the copying means. The memory capacity monitoring means monitors the free capacity of the image memory. The image transfer means transfers a part or all of the received image data stored in the image memory to the second line when the free space of the image memory detected by the memory capacity monitoring means becomes smaller than a predetermined value. To the other image output device via the PC and stored in the image memory of the other image output device. The received image output unit outputs the received image data stored in the memory to the image output unit after the operation of the copy unit ends, and, if there is received image data transmitted to another image output device, the image memory When the free space of the image output device becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the received image data stored in the image memory of another image output device is received via the second line and temporarily stored in the image memory, and Output to

In the image output apparatus of the present invention as described above, image data is transmitted and received by the facsimile function unit via the first line, and a copy operation is performed by the copy means. If the facsimile function unit receives the transmission of the image data during the operation of the copy unit, the received image data is temporarily stored in the image memory. Is configured to transfer the received image data to the image memory of the image output device via the second line. As a result, the image data transmitted by facsimile can be received without interrupting the copying operation by the copying means, and the working efficiency can be improved. In addition, when the copy operation by the copy unit is completed, the received image data transferred to another image output device is collected and output to the image output unit. It can be output to its own image output unit.

Here, the received image data can be divided into unit image data of a predetermined capacity, each unit image data is given an identification mark and transmitted to another image output device. Image data for one page. Further, a configuration further includes a transfer data storage unit that stores the identification mark of each unit image data and the identification number of the destination image output device when transmitting the received image data to another image output device by the image transfer unit. It can be. In this case, when transferring the received image data to another image output device, it is possible to easily identify which device has transferred which data, and to easily and easily collect the received image data when the copy operation is completed. It can be done reliably.

An image output network system according to the present invention is an image output network system in which a plurality of image output devices for transmitting and receiving image data to and from an external communication device via a first line are respectively connected via a second line. It is a network system. Each of the image output devices included in the image output network system includes an image reading unit, an image output unit, a facsimile function unit, a copy unit, an image memory, a memory capacity monitoring unit, an image transfer unit, and a reception unit. An image output unit and a received image data receiving unit are provided.
The image reading unit reads a document image. The image output unit prints the image data. The facsimile function unit is connected to an external communication device via the first line, transmits and receives image data, and outputs the received received image data to the image output unit. The copying unit outputs the image data read by the image reading unit to the image output unit. The image memory temporarily stores the received image data received by the facsimile function unit during the operation of the copying means. The memory capacity monitoring means monitors the free capacity of the image memory. The image transfer means makes a storage request for the received image data to another image output device when the free space of the image memory detected by the memory capacity monitoring means becomes smaller than a predetermined value, and the storage request is accepted. Then, part or all of the received image data stored in the image memory is transmitted to another image output device via the second line, and stored in the image memory of the other image output device. The received image output unit outputs the received image data stored in the memory to the image output unit after the operation of the copy unit ends, and, if there is received image data transmitted to another image output device, the image memory When the free space of the image output device becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the received image data stored in the image memory of another image output device is received via the second line and temporarily stored in the image memory, and Output to The received image data receiving unit is configured to, when a storage request for the received image data is received from another image output device and the free space of the image memory detected by the memory capacity monitoring unit is equal to or more than a predetermined value, be transmitted to another image output device. The received image data transmitted from the device is received and stored in the image memory.

In the image output network system according to the present invention as described above, when each image output device connected to the network receives image data from the outside during the copying operation, the received image data is temporarily stored. When the free space of the image memory becomes smaller than a predetermined value, a request for storing received image data is made to another image output device, and when the storage request is accepted, the received image data is stored in the image memory. The received image data is transmitted to the image output device and stored in the image memory. Thus, each image output device can receive image data without interrupting the copy operation.

Here, the received image data can be divided into unit image data of a predetermined capacity, each unit image data is provided with an identification mark and transmitted to another image output device. Image data for one page. Further, a configuration further includes a transfer data storage unit that stores the identification mark of each unit image data and the identification number of the destination image output device when transmitting the received image data to another image output device by the image transfer unit. It can be. In this case, the transfer destination of the received image data can be easily grasped, and the received image data can be reliably collected and output to the image output unit after the copy operation is completed.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a facsimile apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. On an upper surface of the facsimile machine 1, a document table 2 on which a document is placed, an operation panel 3 having various keys and a display unit, and a handset 4
Etc. are arranged. The operation panel 3 includes setting keys for various modes, ten-keys for specifying a destination, one-touch keys for registering a destination number, abbreviated dial setting keys, a display unit including a liquid crystal display panel, and the like.

1, a document discharge tray 5 for discharging the document after the image is read, a paper discharge tray 6 for discharging the sheet on which the received image data is recorded, and an internal portion of the apparatus. A detachable paper cassette 7 and the like for supplying paper to the arranged developing section are arranged.
As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 is connected to a public line 8 and can transmit and receive image data to and from an external facsimile apparatus and other communication devices. Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 is capable of transmitting and receiving image data separately from a modem port connected to the public line 8.
The I / O port enables connection to another facsimile machine 1 in a local area (for example, a company) via a local area network (LAN) 9.

As shown in FIG. 3, a control unit 10 is provided inside the facsimile machine 1. The control unit 10
It is configured by a microcomputer system including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, various drivers, and the like. Control unit 10
Is connected to an operation panel 3 as shown in FIG. The operation panel 3 includes an input key unit including ten keys and other command keys, a display unit including a liquid crystal display element, an LED, and the like.

The control unit 10 further includes an image reading unit 11
Is connected. The image reading unit 11 includes a light source such as an LED or a fluorescent lamp that irradiates the document conveyed from the document table 2 with light of a constant brightness, a CCD image sensor that scans light reflected from the document and reads a monochrome pattern, and the like. It includes a photoelectric conversion element and an image processing unit for processing a monochrome pattern read by the photoelectric conversion element as two-dimensional image data.

The control unit 10 temporarily stores therein image data read by the image reading unit 11 and image data received through the public line 8 and the like, in which the processing program and various fixed parameters are stored. RAM 14
Is connected. The RAM 14 includes a page memory for storing image data. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, areas Q 'and Q () for storing image data P', P (1) to P (j) are stored. 1) to Q (j) are included.

The control section 10 is further connected to an encoding / decoding means 15. This encoding / decoding means 15
Compresses image data into code data, and decodes the compressed and transmitted code data as image data. In the encoding / decoding means 15, as a method of compressing image data, an MH encoding method of a one-dimensional encoding method, an MR encoding method of a two-dimensional encoding method, an MMR encoding method, or the like can be adopted.

The encoding / decoding means 15 includes a modem 16
Is connected. The modem 16 performs modulation for putting data to be transmitted on a telephone line, and demodulates data received via the line. A network controller (hereinafter, referred to as an NCU) 17 is connected to the modem 16. The NCU 17 performs dialing to a communication destination, executes line connection, and transmits and receives data.

Further, the control unit 10 includes a LAN I / O
Port 18 is connected. The LAN I / O port 18 is connected to the LAN 9 and transmits and receives data to and from other facsimile machines in the network. Further, an image output unit 12 is connected to the control unit 10. The image output unit 12 outputs the image data received via the line or the image data read by the image reading unit 11 to a sheet. For example, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface. Photoreceptor drum, developing device for visualizing an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum with toner, paper transporting means for transporting paper from paper feed cassette 7 to the photoreceptor drum, and transferring toner image on the photoreceptor drum to paper And a fixing device that heats and fixes the toner image on the sheet, a sheet discharging unit that discharges the sheet to the sheet discharging tray 6, and the like.

The operation of the above embodiment will be described. When the power of the facsimile machine 1 is turned on, initial settings such as initialization of various parameters are performed in step S1 shown in FIG. In step S2, it is determined whether an operation for performing a transmission operation has been performed. Here, for example, when a document is placed on the document table 2 or when a key operation for performing a transmission operation on the operation panel is performed, it is determined that the operation for performing the transmission operation is performed, and step S3 is performed.
Move to In step S3, the image of the document placed on the document table 2 is read by the image reading unit 11, and line connection is performed via the public line 8 based on data such as the telephone number of the destination input from the operation panel 3. Is performed, the image data is encoded by the encoding / decoding means 15, and the encoded image data is transmitted via the modem 16 and the NCU 17.

In step S4, it is determined whether a call has been received from another facsimile machine or a fax modem via the public line 8. When a call is received from another device, the process shifts to step S5 to execute a receiving process. In step S5, a predetermined reception control procedure is executed, the code data transmitted via the public line 8 is demodulated by the modem 16, and is decoded into image data by the coding / decoding means 15, and the image output unit 12 is output.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not an operation for performing a copy operation has been performed. Here, for example, when a predetermined key operation on the operation panel 3 is performed,
It is determined that an operation for performing a copy operation has been performed, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the image of the document placed on the document table 2 is read by the image reading unit 11, and this image data is output to the image output unit 12. In step S8, other processing is performed.

The public line 8 during the copy operation in step S7
When a call is received from an external communication device via the
14 is temporarily stored in the page memory. The operation in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S
In 11, when there is an incoming call from an external communication device,
Move to step S12. In step S12, transmission / reception of a pre-procedure control signal is performed with the communication device on the transmission side,
The reception of the transmitted image data is started. In step S13, the received image data is stored in the page memory of the RAM. Here, for example, image data is stored in order from the area Q 'of the page memory shown in FIG.

In step S14, it is determined whether the reception of the image data has been completed. If there is more image data to be transmitted from the currently connected external device, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity of the page memory has become smaller than a predetermined value. If the remaining capacity of the page memory is larger than the predetermined value, the process shifts to step S12 to receive the next image data. If it is determined in step S15 that the remaining capacity of the page memory has become smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S16 to perform a data transfer process.

The data transfer process follows the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S21, data P (j) (j = 1, 2,... J, temporarily stored in the page memory)
J is the number of pages of image data to be transferred)
9 selects and determines which one of the facsimile machines 1 and 1 connected to the facsimile machine to transfer. In this case, of the page memory, the image data P ′ stored in the area Q ′ shown in FIG. 4 is left in the memory of the own apparatus, and the image data P ′ stored in the areas Q (1) to Q (10) is stored. Assuming that data P (1) to P (10) are to be transferred to another facsimile machine, the value of J in this case is 10.

In step S21, the image data P
The transfer destination selected as the facsimile device to which (j) is transferred is k (i) (i = 1, 2,..., I is the number of devices capable of transferring image data). In step S22, the transfer destination k (i) selected in step S21 is called using the LAN 9. In step S23, predetermined data is transmitted and received to and from the transfer destination k (i) called in step S22, and it is determined whether the remaining capacity of the memory provided in the transfer destination k (i) is smaller than a predetermined value. I do. If it is determined that the memory capacity of the transfer destination k (i) is larger than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, an identification mark is given to the image data P (j) to be transferred. The identification mark indicates which image data P (j) to be transferred is image data transmitted from the outside, which facsimile apparatus has received the data, and the data number of the data. For identification, a sign that is encoded in accordance with a predetermined rule, including at least the line number of the facsimile machine of the transmission source, is given.

In step S25, the image data P (j)
To the transfer destination k (i) is stored in its own memory. In step S26, the image data P (j)
To the transfer destination k (i). In step S27, the value of the variable j is incremented by one. Step S28
Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable j has become J + 1. J
Is the number of pages in which data to be transferred is stored, excluding image data to be left in the own device, out of the image data stored in the page memory of the own device. Until the value of J is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S23, and the steps up to step S28 are repeated.

In step S23, the transfer destination k (i)
If the remaining capacity of the memory is smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S29. In step S29, the variable i
Increments the value of. In step S30, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable i has become I + 1. The value of I is
This is equivalent to the number of facsimile apparatuses connected by the LAN 9 and having a memory capable of storing image data, excluding the facsimile apparatus. If it is determined in step S30 that the value of the variable i does not exceed the value of the number of connections I, the process proceeds to step S21.

In step S28, when the value of the variable j exceeds the value of the last transfer page J, and in step S3
At 0, when the value of the variable i exceeds the value of the number of connections I, the data transfer process ends, and the process proceeds to step S17 in FIG. If it is determined in step S14 that the reception of the image data from the external device has been completed, and if the data transfer process in step S16 has been completed, the process proceeds to step S17, and the copy operation that has been continuously performed has been completed. It is determined whether or not. If the copy operation has not been completed, the process returns to step S11. If it is determined that the copy operation has been completed, the process returns to step S18. In step S18, output processing of image data stored in the page memory and output processing based on transfer data stored in the memory are performed.

The output processing in step S18 is based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the step S31, it is determined whether or not there is image data in the page memory. If there is image data in the page memory, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the image data P 'stored in the area Q' of the page memory is output to the image output unit 12 shown in FIG.

In step S33, it is determined whether or not there is transfer information in the memory. This is because, in the data transfer process, when the image data P (j) is transferred to another transfer destination k (i) when the image data P (j) is transferred to another facsimile apparatus with the identification mark added. The information is stored in the memory, and it is determined whether there is transfer data based on the information. If there is the transferred image data, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, data is collected from another facsimile machine that has transferred the image data,
A collection output process to be output to the image output unit 12 is executed.

The collection output processing in step S34 is based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S41, a collection source k (Im + m) for collecting image data from a facsimile apparatus to which image data can be transferred.
1) (where m = 1, 2,..., I are the number of facsimile machines connected by the LAN 9 and having a memory capable of storing image data, excluding the facsimile machine)
M for selecting the image and the image data P to be collected
A variable n for selecting (J−n + 1) (where n = 1, 2,..., J, where J is the number of pages of transferred image data) is initialized to 1. In step S42, LA
Collection source k from facsimile connected by N9
(I-m + 1) is selected and the image data P (J-n + 1)
Send the transmission command.

In step S43, it is determined whether or not the image data P (J-n + 1) is stored in the memory in the facsimile machine that is the collection source k (I-m + 1) that has transmitted the transmission instruction. When the image data P (J-n + 1) is stored in the memory of the collection source k (I-m + 1), the process proceeds to step S44. Step S44
Then, from the collection source k (I-m + 1), the image data P (J-
n + 1) via the LAN 9. Step S45
Then, the received image data P (J-n + 1) is stored in the page memory. For example, the image data P (J-n
This image data can be stored again in the area Q (J−n + 1) of the page memory which was temporarily stored before the transfer of the image data +1).

In step S46, the variable n is incremented. In the step S47, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable n has exceeded the value of the final transfer page J. If the value of the variable n does not exceed the value of the last transfer page J, the process moves to step S42. In step S43, in the facsimile machine that is the collection source k (I-m + 1) that transmitted the transmission command, the image data P (J-n +
If it is determined that 1) is not stored, the flow shifts to step S48. In step S48, a variable m for selecting a collection source of the transferred image data is incremented. In step S49, the value of the variable m is the number of connections I
Is determined. When it is determined that the value of the variable m does not exceed the value of the number of connections I, the process proceeds to step S42.

When it is determined in step S47 that the value of the variable n has exceeded the final transfer page J,
If it is determined in step 49 that the value of the variable m has exceeded the value of the number of connections I, the process proceeds to step S50. Step S50
Then, the image data collected from the page memory of the own device is output. Here, the image data P (n) (n = 1, 1) stored in the area Q (n) of the page memory
2... J) are output to the image output unit 12. Step S51
Then, it is determined whether or not all the image data stored in the page memory has been output. Page memory area Q
If the image data P (n) stored in (n) remains, the process proceeds to step S50, and if all the output of the image data has been completed, this routine ends.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus when data is received from another facsimile apparatus connected by the LAN 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S61, it is determined whether or not a memory remaining amount confirmation signal for inquiring about the remaining memory is received from another facsimile machine (transmission source k (0)). Source k
If the memory remaining amount confirmation signal has been received from (0), the process proceeds to step S62. In the step S62, it is determined whether or not there is a sufficient remaining memory. Here, the transferred image data P (j) is stored, and when it is determined that there is a sufficient remaining memory, it is determined that there is a sufficient remaining memory, and the process proceeds to step S63.

In step S63, a receivable report signal indicating that there is a sufficient memory capacity for storing the image data P (j) is transmitted to the transmission source k (0) together with the remaining memory capacity for storing the image data. . In step S64, the image data P (j) transmitted from the transmission source k (0) is received. In the step S65, the received image data P
(J) is stored in the memory. In step S66, it is further determined whether or not there is image data transferred from the transmission source k (0). If there is more data to be transferred by the transmission source k (0), the process proceeds to step S62.

If it is determined in step S62 that there is not enough remaining memory for storing the image data, the process proceeds to step S67. In step S67, a reception impossible report signal indicating that there is no sufficient remaining memory is transmitted to the transmission source k (0) together with the remaining memory. The operation of the transfer destination facsimile apparatus when the image data is collected by the facsimile apparatus (transmission source k (0)) that has transferred the image data will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S71, it is determined whether or not an image data transmission command signal has been received from the transmission source k (0). If an image data transmission command signal has been received from the transmission source k (0), the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, it is determined whether or not the image data that has received the transmission command from the transmission source k (0) exists in the memory. Here, for example, as shown in step S42 in FIG. 9, the image data P (J−n + 1) (n = 1,
2 ... J, J will receive a transmission command of the final transfer page). In the facsimile apparatus receiving this, it is determined whether or not the image data P (J-n + 1) is stored in the memory. If the image data P (J-n + 1) is present, the process proceeds to step S73. Step S73
Then, it is determined whether or not the identification mark given to the image data stored in the memory matches the facsimile apparatus which has transmitted the transmission command signal. Here, the address (line number) of the transmission source k (0) in the identification mark given to the image data stored in the memory is the address (line number) of the facsimile machine that has transmitted the transmission command signal. If they match
It is determined that the identification markers match, and the flow shifts to step S74. In step S74, the corresponding image data is transmitted to the facsimile machine of the transmission source k (0). Here, the image data P (J-n + 1) corresponding to the transmission command from the transmission source k (0) is transmitted to the transmission source k (0). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S71.

The operation will be described more specifically. In this system, it is assumed that four facsimile apparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104 are connected to external devices via a public line 80 and connected to each other via a LAN 90, as shown in FIG. Also, the line numbers of the respective facsimile machines 101, 102, 103, 104 are
3883, 3888, 3888, and 3888, respectively.

Assume that the facsimile apparatus 101 receives image data from an external device and transfers the image data to another facsimile apparatus. In this case, the facsimile apparatus 101 becomes the transmission source k (0),
Hereinafter, for example, the facsimile machine 10
2, 103 and 104 will be positioned at k (1), k (2) and k (3).

When the facsimile apparatus 101 receives the image data from the external device, the image data P 'is stored in the area Q' in the page memory as shown in FIG. When the area Q 'in the page memory is filled with data, the image data P (1) to P (1) are sequentially stored in the areas Q (1) to Q (10).
0) is stored. If it is determined that the remaining memory is not sufficient at the time point when the image data P (10) is stored in the area Q (10) of the page memory, the image is transferred based on the flowchart of the data transfer process shown in FIG. Perform data transfer. When transferring image data, the sender k
A line number indicating that the data is transferred from (0)
3883 'is assigned as an identification mark and the transfer is performed.

As a result, for example, the image data P (1),
P (2) is transferred to the facsimile machine 102 (transfer destination k (1))
And the image data P (3) to P (8) are transferred to the facsimile apparatus 103 (destination k (2)), and the image data P (9) and P (10) are transferred to the facsimile apparatus 104 (destination k). It is assumed that the data is transferred to (3)). At this time, the sender k
In the memory (0), data as shown in FIG. 14 is stored as data indicating where the received image data exists.

When the data output process is performed after the copy process is completed, first, the image data P ′ stored in the memory of the own device is output. Thereafter, based on the flow chart of the collection output process shown in FIG. 9, each transferred image data is collected and output processing is performed. First, a transmission command of the image data P (10) is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 104 whose transmission order corresponds to the last transfer destination k (3),
The image data P (10) is received and the page memory area Q
(10). Next, the image data P (9) is received from the facsimile machine 104 which is also the transfer destination k (3), and stored in the area Q (9) of the page memory.

Next, the facsimile machine 103 corresponding to the transfer destination k (2) that has transferred the image data P (8)
The transmission command of the image data P (8) is transmitted. Then, the image data P (8) is received from the facsimile machine 103 and stored in the page memory Q (8).
(7) to P (3) are received from the facsimile machine 103 and stored in a predetermined area of the page memory.

Further, similarly, the facsimile apparatus 102 corresponding to the transfer destination k (1) sends the image data P
(2), P (1) is received and stored in the page memory. After collecting all the transferred image data,
The image data P (1) to P (10) stored in the areas Q (1) to Q (10) of the page memory are output. According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, when image data is received from an external device during a copy operation, the received image data is stored in the page memory of the own device. Here, when the remaining capacity in the page memory becomes insufficient, the image data P ′ to be left in the page memory of the own apparatus and the image data P (j) to be transferred are determined, and another facsimile apparatus is transmitted through the LAN 9. Transfer to 1,1. At this time, the amount of image data to be transferred is limited according to the remaining memory capacity of another facsimile machine.

For this reason, even if the remaining memory in the page memory of the own machine becomes small, another facsimile apparatus having a sufficient remaining memory is selected and the received image data is transferred, thereby causing the overflow of the memory. The occurrence of errors can be extremely reduced, a large amount of data can be received, and there is no need to interrupt the copying operation. Also, since each image data to be transferred is provided with an identification mark including the line number of its own device,
The transferred image data can be reliably collected, and the received image data can be promptly output. [Other Embodiments] (A) The facsimile apparatuses 1 and 1 may be connected via two public lines. (B) The device connected to the LAN 9 is not limited to a facsimile device as long as it has a page memory capable of storing image data. For example, a copier, a hard disk, or the like having a large-capacity memory And a host computer such as a network server provided with the storage means.

[0049]

The image output apparatus according to the present invention stores the received image data in the image memory when the image data is received from the external communication device via the first line during the copy operation. At this time, the free space of the image memory is monitored by the memory capacity monitoring means. When the free space of the image memory becomes small, the image data once stored in the image memory is output to another image output via the second line. The data is transmitted to the device and stored in the image memory in the device. Thus, when image data exceeding the capacity of the image memory is transmitted from an external communication device, the image data can be received without interrupting the copy operation. Further, after the copy operation is completed, the image data transmitted to the other image output device is transmitted via the second line and is output, so that the image data received from the external communication device can be transmitted. It can be output reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a network system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a memory address of a page memory.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a control flowchart of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a control flowchart of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a specific network.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a memory address of a page memory when transferring image data.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing the address map.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus 8 Public line 9 LAN 10 Control part 11 Image reading part 12 Image output part 13 ROM 14 RAM 15 Encoding / decoding means 16 Modem 17 NCU 18 I / O port

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image output apparatus having an image memory capable of storing image data and transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external communication device via a first line is connected via a second line. An image reading unit that reads a document image, an image output unit that prints image data, and is connected to an external communication device via the first line to transmit and receive image data. A facsimile function unit that outputs the received image data to the image output unit, a copy unit that outputs the image data read by the image reading unit to the image output unit, and a facsimile function unit that operates during the operation of the copy unit. An image memory for temporarily storing the received image data received, a memory capacity monitoring means for monitoring a free capacity of the image memory, and a memory capacity monitoring means. When the detected free space of the image memory becomes smaller than a predetermined value, a part or all of the received image data stored in the image memory is transferred to another image via the second line. Image transfer means for transmitting to the output device and storing the image data in the image memory of the other image output device, and outputting the received image data stored in the memory to the image output unit after the operation of the copying means is completed, If there is received image data transmitted to another image output device, the received image data stored in the image memory of the other image output device when the free space of the image memory becomes a predetermined value or more. A reception image output unit that receives data via the second line, temporarily stores the data in the image memory, and outputs the data to the image output unit. 2. The image transfer means divides the received image data into unit image data having a predetermined capacity, adds an identification mark to each unit image data, and transmits the unit image data to another image output device.
The image output device according to claim 1. 3. The image output device according to claim 2, wherein said unit image data is image data for one page. 4. A transfer data storage for storing an identification mark of each unit image data and an identification number of a destination image output device when transmitting the received image data to another image output device by the image transfer means. The image output device according to claim 2, further comprising a unit. 5. An image output network system in which a plurality of image output devices for transmitting and receiving image data to and from an external communication device via a first line are connected via a second line, respectively. Each of the plurality of image output devices is connected to an external communication device via the first line to transmit and receive image data, an image reading unit that reads a document image, an image output unit that prints image data, A facsimile function unit for outputting received image data to the image output unit; a copy unit for outputting image data read by the image reading unit to the image output unit; and a facsimile function unit during operation of the copy unit. An image memory for temporarily storing the received image data received by the computer, a memory capacity monitoring means for monitoring the free space of the image memory, When the free space of the image memory detected by the re-capacity monitoring means is smaller than a predetermined value, a request for storing received image data is made to another image output device, and when the storage request is accepted, the A part or all of the received image data stored in the image memory is stored in the second
Image transfer means for transmitting the image data to another image output device through a line and storing the image data in an image memory of the other image output device; and receiving the image data stored in the memory after completion of the operation of the copying means. Output to the image output unit and, if there is received image data transmitted to another image output device, when the free space of the image memory becomes a predetermined value or more, the image of the other image output device Receiving image output means for receiving received image data stored in a memory via the second line, temporarily storing the received image data in the image memory, and outputting the received image data to the image output unit; When there is a data storage request, if the free space of the image memory detected by the memory capacity monitoring means is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a received image transmitted from the another image output device is received. Receiving data, image output network system comprising: a receiving image data receiving means for storing in said image memory. 6. The image output device according to claim 5, wherein said received image data is divided into unit image data having a predetermined capacity, each unit image data is given an identification mark, and transmitted to another image output device. Network system. 7. The image output network system according to claim 6, wherein said unit image data is image data for one page. 8. A transfer data storage for storing an identification mark of each unit image data and an identification number of a destination image output device when the image transfer means transmits received image data to another image output device. The image output network system according to claim 6, further comprising a unit.