JP2000115495A - Image communications device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to easily understand state of an image that is received in a memory. SOLUTION: This image communications device has a management means, that manages image information stored in a DRAM 118 storing image information received by a communication means, a decoding means that decodes image information stored in the DRAM 118 into image data to be printed on recording paper, and a recording section 120 that records a visual image or recording paper based on the decoded image data by using a selectively mounted ink cartridge. A CPU 11 of the image communication device counts a C1, an M1 denoting respective item numbers of unrecorded color and monochromatic images and a C2, an M2 denoting respective item numbers of recorded color and monochromatic images stored in the DRAM 118, a 1st display section on an operation panel 122 displays that a new image is stored in the DRAM 118, when a value of C1+M1 is not zero, and a 2nd display section other than the 1st display section displays that a new color image is stored, when a value of C1 is not zero.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus and a control method therefor, for example, an image communication apparatus such as a telephone terminal having a facsimile communication function and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various proposals have been made for facsimile apparatuses for transmitting and receiving color images. In the ITU-T recommendation, which is an international standard for facsimile, color facsimile (G3 and G4 standards) has been standardized in recent years, and its spread is expected in the future.

Many color facsimile machines in the past have been large and expensive, but since inexpensive color printers of the ink-jet type can be used for the recording unit, the cost reduction of color facsimile machines is also a matter of time. It is.

[0004]

Inexpensive color facsimile machines are expected to be more demanding in homes than in business. However, considering use in homes, a product that is easy to operate and easy to use is required. However, some inexpensive inkjet color printers require that the ink cartridge be replaced for color or monochrome printing, and that operability for printing a color or monochrome received image must be sufficiently considered. .

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus which allows a user to easily grasp the state of an image received in a memory and a control method thereof. And

[0006]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

[0007] An image communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication control unit for controlling communication with a partner terminal, a storage control unit for storing image information received from the partner terminal in a memory, and a recording material cartridge. A recording control means for recording a visible image on recording paper based on the image information stored in the memory, and identification information including information indicating that recording is being performed by the recording control means. Managing means for managing the image information stored in the memory, counting the number of unrecorded image information stored in the memory, notifying the count value, and providing a color or monochrome image stored in the memory A notification control unit that counts the number of pieces of information and notifies the user of the count value.

A control method of an image communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication control means for controlling communication with a partner terminal, a storage control means for storing image information received from the partner terminal in a memory, and a recording material cartridge. Recording control means for recording a visible image on recording paper based on image information stored in the memory, and identification information including information indicating that recording is being performed by the recording control means. A method for controlling an image communication apparatus, comprising: a management unit that manages image information stored in the memory based on the number of unrecorded image information stored in the memory. The number of color or monochrome image information stored in the memory is counted, and a notification about the counted value is given.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Overview] This apparatus is a facsimile apparatus equipped with a cordless telephone function of an analog low power system and having a function satisfying the ITU recommendation G3 standard, and further includes a color image reading section and a color image recording section. In addition to having a color copy function and a color image communication function, an automatic destination dial is possible by recognizing a voice by a voice recognition unit.

The color image reading section is constituted by a hand scanner unit detachable from the main body, and is capable of reading not only sheet-shaped documents but also book documents. The reading sensor of the scanner unit is, for example, a contact-type color reading sensor that outputs RGB data in a line-sequential manner. For example, the reading width is B4 width and the reading resolution is 200 dpi.

The color image recording unit is, for example, an ink ejection system, and includes a color cartridge in which an ink tank and an ink ejection unit for each color of CMYK are integrated, and a monochrome cartridge in which an ink tank for only black ink and an ink ejection unit are integrated. By installing either one of, for example
Prints images on recording paper at a recording resolution of 360 dpi. Regarding the image recording width, for example, the recording width at the time of monochrome recording is a maximum B4 width regardless of which cartridge is installed,
The maximum recording width is A4 width only during color recording with a color cartridge installed.

[0013] Regarding communication, for example, the highest in G3 mode
It has a communication speed of 9600 bps and has an ECM mode which is an error retransmission function in image transmission.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the present apparatus, FIG. 2 is a task configuration diagram showing an example of software for controlling the present apparatus, and FIG. 3 explains an example of a configuration of an operation panel of the present apparatus. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image record which is a management table formed on the SRAM 124 shown in FIG. 1 in order for the control unit of the present apparatus to manage image data.

[Configuration] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU which is a control unit of the apparatus, 121 denotes a ROM for storing programs and various data, and 118 denotes a work memory used for executing various programs. Audio data, such as
This is a DRAM used as a storage memory for monochrome and color image data. For example, the storage capacity of the DRAM 118 is 2
Of which about 0.5 MB is used for work memory and the remaining about
1.5 MB is used for storing image and audio data. Reference numeral 124 denotes an SRAM in which registration data necessary for the system (various software switches, telephone directory data, voice registration data for voice recognition, device telephone number, and device ID data such as abbreviations) are registered. Is backed up by batteries to prevent data loss.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a well-known facsimile MODEM having functions necessary for the ITU recommendation G3 mode. In addition to V.29, V.21, and V27ter, a DTMF recognition function, a voice recording and voice reproduction using DRAM, and the like are provided. It also has a voice CODEC function. Reference numeral 13 denotes a base unit that performs wireless communication with the slave phone 15 in the analog low-power system, and is a known unit that controls wireless communication in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 11.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a connection switch (crosspoint switch) for analog signals. The connection between the telephone handset 16 of the apparatus body, the microphone 17 for voice input, the speaker 18 for voice reproduction, and the interface with the line is set according to the setting from the CPU 11. NCU1 to do
9, a known circuit that freely switches the connection of analog signals between the audio input terminal of the CPU 11 and the MODEM 12 and the base unit 13.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a known run-length encoding / decoding circuit for generating a run-length code from monochrome binary image data and inputting the run-length code to output monochrome binary image data; RTC. Reference numeral 125 denotes a hand scanner unit (HSU), which has a built-in color contact sensor 112 and a rotary encoder (RC) 116 for measuring the distance that the HSU 125 has moved on the document, and is detachably attached to the apparatus body via a curl code. It is connected freely. An encoder detection unit 113 generates moving distance data from rotation speed information of the rotary encoder 116, which is one of output signals of the HSU 125, and notifies the CPU 11 of the moving distance data.

Reference numeral 114 denotes an image processing unit. When color image data is stored in the DRAM 118 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 11, an analog RGB signal (line-sequential resolution: 200 dpi) output from the color contact sensor 112 is input, and each of the RGB signals is converted into eight. Converts to digital image data of 90 dpi (24 bits per pixel). When color copying is performed directly in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 11, an analog RGB signal output from the color contact sensor 116 is converted into YMCK binary digital image data of 360 dpi. Any converted data is supplied to the DMA controller 117, and the DMA controller 117
DR to store pi RGB color image data in DRAM 118
When the color image data is transferred to the AM 118 and the color copy is performed directly, the YMCK binary data of 360 dpi is transferred to the recording control unit 119.

When storing monochrome image data in the DRAM 118, the image processing unit 114 converts the analog RGB signal output from the color contact sensor 112 into 200 dpi monochrome binary digital image data, and
To supply. When performing monochrome copying directly,
The image processing unit 114 converts the analog RGB signal output from the color contact sensor 112 into monochrome binary 360 dpi digital image data, and supplies the digital binary 360 dpi digital image data to the DMA controller 117. The DMA controller 117 converts monochrome image data to DRAM
When the image data is stored in the memory 118, the monochrome image data is transferred to the DRAM 118. When the monochrome copy is directly performed, the monochrome image data is transferred to the recording control unit 119.

The recording control unit 119 converts image data input to a data format recordable by the recording unit 120. Recording section
Reference numeral 120 denotes a known color printer portion of an ink ejection system, which records an image by moving a cartridge in which an ink tank and an ink ejection unit are integrated in a main scanning direction and moving a recording paper in a sub scanning direction. . The CPU 11 can determine which of the color cartridge and the monochrome cartridge is mounted by the configuration of the electrical contact between the recording unit 120 and the cartridge.

Reference numeral 115 denotes a known resolution conversion circuit for inputting monochrome binary image data and performing resolution conversion. The resolution conversion circuit 115 is used for enlargement / reduction of a monochrome image and the like. It is also used for matching the resolution of the monochrome image received from the company.

Reference numeral 122 denotes an operation panel which is an operation unit of the apparatus, and includes various keys, display lamps, and an LCD display as shown in FIG. Further, a microphone 117, a speaker 118, and the like are provided on an operation panel.

Reference numeral 126 denotes a sensor for detecting the attachment / detachment state of the hand scanner unit 125 from the apparatus main body. The output of the sensor 126 causes the CPU 11 to operate in a sheet mode for reading a sheet-shaped document or a hand-scan mode for reading a three-dimensional object such as a book document. Is determined.

Next, the configuration of the operation panel 122 shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 16 denotes a main body handset, 3
2 is a `` function key '' for various registrations and settings, 33 is a `` recording key '' used to record messages and call contents as audio data in DRAM 118, 34 is a MODEM 12 voice CODEC
A "play key" used when the CPU 11 reproduces the audio data recorded in the DRAM 118, a "delete key" 35 used when erasing various data stored in the memory, and a 36-line two character line of 16 characters This is an LCD display unit with a backlight that can be displayed, and is used to output the status of the device and various messages. 37 is a "color LED", 38 "color /
Lights when the color mode is selected by the "black and white key". Reference numeral 39 denotes an "image quality key" for selecting the image quality in the monochrome mode.

Numeral 310 designates a key which also serves as a "phone book key" for calling the phone book and a "set key" for fixing contents such as registration. Let's call it "set key". 311 is an "up cursor key", 312 is a "down cursor key", 313 is a "left cursor key", and 314 is a "right cursor key", all of which are used for display control operations.

Reference numeral 315 denotes a "transmission key" for facsimile transmission, and reference numeral 316 denotes a "reception / print key" for facsimile reception and printing of a received image. Reference numeral 317 denotes a "copy key" for executing copying, and reference numeral 318 denotes a "stop key" for interrupting the operation of the apparatus being executed. 319
Is an opening of the microphone 17, 320 is a numeric keypad, and 321 is a device for activating the microphone 17 while the line is connected, outputting an audio signal to the line, and setting the device state to reproduce the sound on the line with the speaker 18. "Speaker phone key", 322 is a "voice recognition key" for executing destination automatic dialing by voice recognition, 323 is a "answering key" for automatically recording the other party's call contents in the DRAM 118 when a call arrives, Reference numeral 324 denotes a “child device key” for calling a cordless child device telephone from the device body and executing an extension call, 325 denotes a “hold key” for sending a melody to the other party while holding the call state, 326
Is a "redial key" for automatically dialing the telephone number of the previous caller, 327 is for answering another incoming call during an external call and returning to the original call, so-called call-calling The "catch key" to use.

[Operation] Copying in a state where the scanner (HSU) 125 is mounted on the apparatus main body is in the direct mode, and the read data is not stored in the DRAM 118 but is recorded in conjunction with the reading of the sheet-shaped document. Printing is performed in the unit 120. Since there is no need to accumulate data in the DRAM 118 and no memory overflow occurs even at a high resolution, the resolution is matched to the recording unit 120 and the resolution of the read data is 360 dpi in the sub-scanning direction. Also, the copy size is up to B4 width in monochrome and up to A4 width in color according to the specifications of the recording unit 120, for example.

When the scanner (HSU) 125 is detached from the apparatus main body and copying is performed in a state where the scanner is used as a hand scanner, a memory mode is set, and read data is always stored in the DRAM 118 in page units. This is a measure for the printing speed of the recording unit 120 to be slower than the speed at which the user performs a hand scan without stress, so that the hand scan can be executed at a high speed by temporarily storing the read data in the DRAM 118 so that the user can end the scan. It is a treatment to do. In addition, the reading resolution
If it is adjusted to 120 and 360 dpi, the data amount of one page is too large and occupies the allocated storage capacity of the DRAM 118,
For reasons such as disturbing the operation of the device or increasing the storage capacity of the DRAM 118 and increasing the cost,
In the present embodiment, the reading resolution is suppressed to 200 dpi for monochrome and 90 dpi for color, but is not limited thereto.
For the same reason, the copy size in monochrome is B4
Up to width, but copy size in color is, for example, A6
(Or postcard size).

Incidentally, the data size of one page of 200 dpi monochrome and B4 size is about 700 KB, and the data size of one page of 90 dpi color and A6 size is about 600 KB, and can be stored in the DRAM 118. In addition, the image data is encoded and compressed to
By accumulating at 118, the size and / or resolution can be increased. However, as will be described later, if encoding and compression are performed by software, the processing takes a long time, and there is a disadvantage that the execution speed of the hand scan decreases.In such a case, the cost of the apparatus increases.
Hardware for performing high-speed encoding and compression will be added.

The facsimile transmission with the scanner (HSU) 125 mounted on the main body of the apparatus is in the direct mode. The data is transferred to the MODEM via the DRAM 118 without storing the read data, and is read to the facsimile of the other party while reading the sheet original. Send image data.

Facsimile transmission in a state where the scanner (HSU) 125 is detached from the apparatus main body and used as a hand scanner is in a memory mode, and read data is always stored in the DRAM 118.
Is stored in page units. This is for the same reason as the memory mode in copying.

[Software Configuration] Next, the software configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the task configuration diagram of the present apparatus shown in FIG. The software of this apparatus is provided with an environment in which each task can operate in parallel by the multitask OS 212. Hereinafter, each task will be described.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a state monitoring task, which has a function of monitoring each event occurring in the apparatus and, when detecting the occurrence of an event that needs to change the state of the apparatus, notifying the necessary task of the information. For example, when key information input by the operation panel 122 is detected, the operation task
The necessary key information is transmitted to 22 and the line control task 23 to activate the function of the device.

An operation task 22 is a status monitoring task.
The operation mode is determined by receiving the key code A information from 21, a start command is issued to the task for executing the function, and the operation panel 122 is operated based on the key code A information.
Control the display function of.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a line control task, which controls the NCU 19 to receive an incoming call from the line or to perform an operation task.
In order to transmit a dial signal in response to the dial request command from 22, a line is captured, or a line disconnection is executed to terminate the communication. Also, the key code from the status monitoring task 21 in the line connection status
Detects whether the "Send key" or "Receive / Print key" has been pressed based on the B information, and automatically analyzes the signal on the line to determine whether the caller is a telephone or facsimile. Or a communication start command for facsimile communication.

A dial control task 24 has a function of transmitting various dial signals to the exchange in response to a dial start command from the line control task 23 or the communication task 25.

A communication task 25 executes a communication procedure in facsimile communication and transmits image data in response to a communication start command from the line control task 23.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a reading task, which controls the hand scanner unit (HSU) 125 and the image processing unit 114 in response to a reading start command from the operating task 22 to read a document image.

Reference numeral 27 denotes an encoding / decoding task, which executes encoding and decoding processing of image data by software in accordance with an encoding / decoding start command from the communication task 25, the reading task 26, and the recording task 29. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the processing time is longer than in the case where the encoding and decoding processes are executed by hardware, but the hardware cost can be significantly reduced. In addition, a known image is used for a monochrome image.
MH code is applied, and RGB multi-valued DPCM method (RGB
Method of calculating the difference value between adjacent pixels with each 8-bit value of
A known encoding method in which a Huffman code is assigned to is used.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a voice recognition task, which analyzes a user's voice input from the handset 16, compares it with pre-registered voice data (a plurality of voice data), and notifies information of matching voice data. Is a voice recognition software.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a recording task, which has a function of causing the recording unit 120 to print the requested image data in response to a recording start command from the report task 210 or the print task 211.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a report task, which creates a function setting list such as a communication management report in which a communication history is recorded and information registered in the SRAM 124 as character data, develops it into image data, and requests the recording task 29 to record it. Software for creating various reports.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a print task which constantly checks whether image data to be automatically recorded is stored in the DRAM 188 and records a recording start command when image data to be recorded is detected. Has a monitoring function to issue to task 29.

[Image Record] Next, the structure of the image record shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

An image record, which is a management table for managing image data stored in the DRAM 118, is formatted on the SRAM 124 by the OS 212 when the apparatus is first started, and at this point all records are empty. . Each task acquires an empty record from the OS 212 as necessary, and creates a record in which necessary items are entered in the course of exchanging between tasks. Each task operates by referring to the contents of the image record created as needed.

The image record includes a DRAM 11 corresponding to the image record.
8) A color / monochrome identification flag indicating the type of one document (or one page or multiple pages) of the image on the top, reception date and time information for a received image, and automatic printing by the print task 211. It is composed of a print request flag indicating whether activation is necessary, a transmission request flag indicating whether transmission operation by the communication task 25 is necessary, a head address of a page chain table for displaying page information included in one document, and the like. Is done.

The page chain table for displaying each page information includes the head address of the page chain table for displaying the next page information, size information such as the main scanning width and the sub-scanning length of the corresponding page, and the main scanning of the corresponding page. And resolution information such as the sub-scanning resolution, and the start address of the image block chain table in which the start address of the image data of the corresponding page on the DRAM 118 is stored. The DRAM 118 is divided into blocks of a predetermined size, and the head address of the image block chain table is the address of each block.

The communication task 25 completes the contents of the image record when the image is received, and the reading task 26 when the image is transmitted by the memory copy operation and the hand scan. For image data that is no longer needed after recording or transmission is completed, the image record is cleared, and management of the image record is performed by the OS 212.
To be erased from the DRAM 118.

[Image Receiving Operation] A series of operations for receiving an image and printing it out by the recording unit 120 will be described below.

When no recording paper is set in the apparatus main body, both color and monochrome images are received in memory, and the image data encoded in the DRAM 118 is stored in the SRA.
The management information of the image record is stored in M124.

When a monochrome image is received, Huffman code image information is stored in the DRAM 118. Apart from the DRAM 118, one image record is recorded in the SRAM 124 as image management information. As described above, in this image record, there is a color / monochrome identification flag (bit) for discriminating between a color image and a monochrome image. The bit “0” indicates a monochrome image and the bit “1” indicates a monochrome image. 3 shows a color image. The image record also has a portion for recording image information and additional information. For example, reception date and time information and an image type indicating a difference between transmission and reception are recorded. In addition,
If the number of receptions is two, the number of image records is also two, and the number of records increases with the number of memory receptions. When the user performs the operation of deleting the transmitted / received image, the DRAM
The image record in the SRAM 124 is deleted together with the encoded image information 118.

The apparatus in the standby state displays the number of received images on the operation panel 122 based on the image records.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an algorithm for displaying the number of received images received by facsimile.

First, in the standby state, all image records are examined in order to search for an image record of an unprinted received image (S311). By this search, the identification bit indicating that the image type of a certain image record is an image received in memory is' 1 '(S312), and the print request flag indicating that the image is not yet printed is set to' In the case of “1” (S313), if the color / monochrome identification bit of the image record is “1” indicating a color image (S314), the counter C1 indicating the number of unprinted color image receptions is incremented (S315). If the color / monochrome identification bit is “0” indicating a monochrome image (S314), the counter M1 indicating the number of unprinted monochrome images received is incremented (S316).

If the print request flag of the image record is "0" in step S313, indicating that the corresponding image has already been printed out, the color / monochrome identification bit of the image record is set to "1". When the color image is indicated by '(S317), the counter C2 indicating the number of received color images that have been printed is incremented (S318).
If the color / monochrome identification bit is “0” indicating a monochrome image (S317), the counter M2 indicating the number of received monochrome images has been incremented (S319).

Thus, in all the image records, these four counters C1 (indicating the number of unprinted color image receptions), M1 (indicating the number of unprinted monochrome image receptions), C2 (indicating the number of color image receptions that have been printed) ) And M2 (indicating the number of received monochrome images).

If the sum of M1 + C1 is not zero, an unprinted received image has been stored in the DRAM 118, so that the received / printed key 316 was placed at or near the key 316 to indicate "there is an unprinted image." Flash the LED. Further, when the counter C1 indicating the number of unprinted color receptions is not zero, the color LED 37 arranged near the “color / black and white key” 38 may blink. This way, the LCD
Even if the user does not gaze at the display unit 36, only by checking the blinking of the LED arranged on the reception / print key 316 or the vicinity thereof and the color LED 37, it is determined whether the monochrome image or the color image is received. You can easily find out.

Next, in step S321, C1 + C2, which is the sum of the number of unprinted color image receptions and the number of printed color image receptions, is used to determine the number of color reception images stored in the DRAM 118 as shown in FIG. LCD of operation panel 122 as
It is displayed on the display unit 36.

Subsequently, in step S322, M1 + M2, which is the sum of the number of unprinted monochrome image receptions and the number of printed monochrome image receptions, is used as the number of monochrome reception images stored in the DRAM 118 as shown in FIG. As LCD display 3
Display to 6.

When both a monochrome received image and a color received image are stored in the DRAM 118, the number of monochrome received images and the number of color received images are displayed alternately as shown in FIG.

Next, the printing operation of the received image will be described. Since it is well known that a monochrome image is received by facsimile, the description is omitted here, and both a color image and a monochrome image are received.
The print operation when a plurality of both received images are mixed will be described.

In this case, the device is in the standby state.
As shown in FIG. 8, the number of color received images and the number of monochrome received images are alternately displayed on the LCD display unit 36. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the printing operation will be described by taking as an example a case where there are two color received images and two monochrome received images.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the accumulation state of the received image in the DRAM 118.

In the standby state of the apparatus, a user who intends to perform a printing operation in the reception state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 presses the reception / print key 316 on the operation panel 122 shown in FIG. When a color cartridge is mounted on the apparatus, the order shown in FIG. 10, namely, the color received image 1 (S1), the color received image 2 (S2), the monochrome received image 1 (S4), and finally the monochrome received image 2 ( DRAM11 in the order of S4)
The received images stored in 8 are printed. At this time, after the color received images 1 and 2 have been printed, a message saying "Do you want to replace with a monochrome cartridge?" Is displayed (S3), and the user is made to judge whether or not replacement is necessary. Although a monochrome image can be printed with a color cartridge, it is more economical to use a monochrome cartridge for printing a monochrome image. On the other hand, when the cartridge is replaced, the cleaning of the cartridge is performed, so that both the time required for replacement and the time required for cleaning are required. Therefore, if the user wants to prioritize economy or want to print quickly without replacing the cartridge, monochrome printing can be performed without replacing the cartridge.

After displaying the message "Do you want to replace with a monochrome cartridge?", If there is no input from the user for a predetermined time, a monochrome received image may be continuously printed.

Next, in the standby state of the apparatus, and in FIG.
In the reception state shown in FIG. 9 and the reception state on the operation panel 122 shown in FIG.
The case where the monochrome cartridge is mounted when the print key 316 is pressed will be described.

When a monochrome cartridge is installed in the apparatus, it is naturally impossible to print a color received image, and therefore, printing of a color received image is prioritized. That is, after printing the order shown in FIG. 11, that is, the monochrome received image 1 (S11) and the monochrome received image 2 (S12), a message saying `` Please set the color cartridge '' is displayed (S13), When the cartridge is replaced, the received color image 1 (S14) and the received color image 2 (S15) are printed.

After the message "Please set the color cartridge" is displayed, if there is no input from the user for a predetermined time, the color received image may be printed in monochrome.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the DRAM 118 mixes color and monochrome received images.
When printing is attempted, the type of cartridge installed in the device and the DRAM 118
The received images can be printed most efficiently in accordance with the order of the received images stored in. In addition, when printing mixed color and monochrome received images, the user can select whether to emphasize the economics of the ink or the time and effort for printing.

The above message can be displayed not only on the LCD display unit 36 but also, for example, audio data corresponding to the message stored in the ROM 121 can be reproduced.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, at least identification information indicating an image received in memory, identification information indicating an unrecorded image, and a color or monochrome image. Since the printing of each image is controlled based on the identification information, the state of the image received in the memory can be easily grasped, and the convenience of the operation can be greatly improved.

[0074]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide 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 or MPU) of the system or apparatus.
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the PU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that an (operating system) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the 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 card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an image communication device that allows a user to easily grasp the state of an image received in a memory and a control method thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example of the present apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a task configuration diagram showing an example of software for controlling the apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration example of an operation panel of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image record which is a management table formed on the SRAM shown in FIG. 1 in order for a control unit of the present apparatus to manage image data;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an algorithm for displaying the number of received images received by facsimile;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the total number of received unprinted color images and the number of received printed color images are displayed;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the total number of received unprinted monochrome images and the number of received printed monochrome images are displayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the number of monochrome received images and the number of color received images are displayed alternately;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an accumulation state of a received image in a DRAM;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printing order.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing order.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Susumu Matsuzaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Muneki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Naoki Sugawara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takeshi Toyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. F Terms (reference) 2C056 EB29 EB59 EC19 EC65 2C061 AP03 AQ05 2C087 AA03 AC07 BA03 BC05 CB18 DA02 5C073 AB04 CC01 CD12 CD22 CE10 9A001 HH23 HZ34

Claims (20)

[Claims] A communication control unit that controls communication with a partner terminal; a storage control unit that stores image information received from the partner terminal in a memory; and a memory that selectively uses a recording material cartridge. A recording control unit that records a visible image on recording paper based on the image information stored in the storage unit; and an image stored in the memory based on identification information including information indicating that recording is being performed by the recording control unit. Management means for managing the information, counting the number of unrecorded image information stored in the memory, giving a notification about the count value, counting the number of color or monochrome image information stored in the memory An image communication device comprising: a notification control unit configured to perform notification regarding the count value. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating whether the information is image information stored in the memory. 3. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating that recording is not performed by the recording control unit. . 4. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating a color or monochrome image. 5. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication control means transmits and receives image information to and from said partner terminal by facsimile communication. 6. A telephone directory management unit for storing and managing telephone directory data including telephone numbers of a plurality of partner terminals, a reading unit for reading a document image and outputting monochrome or color image information, 6. The image communication device according to claim 5, further comprising: transmission means for transmitting image information of a document image to the partner terminal. 7. A recording operation control unit for controlling a recording operation of the image information stored in the memory by the recording control unit based on identification information of the image information provided by the management unit. 7. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein: 8. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material cartridge is a monochrome or color recording material cartridge. 9. The notification control means counts the number of unrecorded color and monochrome image information stored in the memory and the number of recorded color and monochrome image information stored in the memory, respectively. 9. The image communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a counting unit. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the notification control unit performs notification of information regarding the count value of the color image information and notification of information regarding the count value of the monochrome image information alternately. Item 9. The image communication device according to any one of Items 8. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification control unit notifies that there is unrecorded color or monochrome image information stored in the memory. Image communication device. 12. The image communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the notification control unit separately performs a notification regarding the count value of the color or monochrome image information stored in the memory. 13. A communication control means for controlling communication with a partner terminal, a storage control means for storing image information received from the partner terminal in a memory, and a storage in the memory by selectively using a recording material cartridge. Recording control means for recording a visible image on recording paper based on the obtained image information, and image information stored in the memory based on identification information including information indicating that recording is being performed by the recording control means A method of controlling an image communication device having a management unit that manages the number of unrecorded image information stored in the memory, and notifies the count value, and notifies the color or the color stored in the memory. A control method characterized in that the number of monochrome image information is counted and a notification about the counted value is issued. 14. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating whether or not the image information is stored in the memory. 15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating that recording is not performed by the recording control unit.
Control method described in the above. 16. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating a color or monochrome image. 17. Communication control means for controlling communication with a partner terminal, storage control means for storing image information received from the partner terminal in a memory, and storage in the memory by selectively using a recording material cartridge. Recording control means for recording a visible image on recording paper based on the obtained image information, and image information stored in the memory based on identification information including information indicating that recording is being performed by the recording control means Is a recording medium on which a program code of a control method of an image communication apparatus having a management unit for managing the program code is recorded, wherein the program code counts at least the number of unrecorded image information stored in the memory. A code of a step of notifying a count value, and counting the number of color or monochrome image information stored in the memory and notifying the count value Recording medium; and a code of performing. 18. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating whether or not the image information is stored in the memory. 19. The recording medium according to claim 17, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating that recording is not performed by the recording control unit.
The recording medium described in 1. 20. The recording medium according to claim 17, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating a color or monochrome image.