JPH10126559A - Multi-functional peripheral equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the multi-functional peripheral equipment by which data coming from different sources are printed out efficiently. SOLUTION: A FAX task and a printer task are processed in parallel in time division. As the FAX task, transmission of facsimile data or the like is conducted according to key operation or the like (S10), then the print processing of received facsimile data is executed (S20). Furthermore, as the print task, whether or not a print request comes from a host device is discriminated and when the print request is received, even when a printer section as a resource is under printing the facsimile data, the print request is not rejected but awaited and the resource is reserved when the print is available and the print data sent from the host device are printed out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the technical field of a multifunctional peripheral device having a facsimile function and an image forming function such as a printer and connected to a host device such as a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multifunctional peripheral devices having a plurality of functions as computer peripheral devices have been developed.
As an example of the multifunctional peripheral device, there is a facsimile device with a printer function in which a function as a printer is added to the facsimile device. This facsimile apparatus with a printer function is configured so that print data output from an external device such as a personal computer or a word processor can be printed using a printer that the facsimile apparatus originally has for printing facsimile data. Things. When a facsimile machine with a printer function receives facsimile data transmitted from another facsimile machine or the like via a communication line, the facsimile machine prints the facsimile data, and on the other hand, prints data output from an external device such as a personal computer. When input, the print data is printed.

In such a facsimile apparatus with a printer function (multifunctional peripheral apparatus), since a facsimile apparatus is provided with a printer (printing apparatus), two C / Cs, a facsimile control CPU and a printer control CPU, are used.
It had a PU. The reception of facsimile data and the input of print data may be performed at the same time, but since individual CPUs are provided for each control, the reception print processing of facsimile data and the input print processing of print data are: It was able to run in parallel without any problems.

However, in such a configuration, since two CPUs are used, it is difficult to reduce the cost of the product. Therefore, a multi-task process is employed in which facsimile-related control and printer-related control are switched and controlled in a time-division manner at 1/60 second intervals.
Tried to enable both controls simultaneously (in parallel).

[0005]

However, even if the facsimile operation and the printing operation are performed in parallel, if there is a print request from the host device during the printing of the received facsimile data, the host device is not required. Since it is impossible to print data output from the printer and facsimile data at the same time, rejecting a print request from the host device, for example, printing from the host device even immediately before the end of facsimile data printing The request is not accepted, and it is necessary to send a print request again on the host device side after the printing of the facsimile data is completed, which is very inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional peripheral device which can efficiently print data of different sources using a common image forming means.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-function peripheral device comprising: a data input unit for inputting data from a plurality of different data output units; Image forming means for forming input data on a recording material; and control means for causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation in response to an image forming request, the image forming means being based on data from any of the data output means. If there is an image forming request based on data from another data output unit during execution of the forming operation, the control unit handles the image forming request as valid until the next image forming operation becomes possible. It is characterized by having.

According to the multifunctional peripheral device of the first aspect, when there is a first image forming request based on data from any of the plurality of data output units, the first image formation request is input by the data input unit. An image forming operation is performed by the image forming means based on the data. If a second image forming request based on data from another data output unit is made during this image forming operation, the second image forming request is not rejected and the next image forming request is not rejected. It is treated as valid until operation is possible. Therefore, when one image forming step based on the first image forming request is completed, the next image forming step can be performed, and the image forming operation based on the second image forming request is performed. As described above, the image forming operation is performed only by making a single image forming request from the data output unit, and efficient image forming is performed for data from different sources.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-function peripheral device, comprising: a data input unit for inputting data from a plurality of different data output units; and a recording material for inputting the data input by the data input unit. An image forming unit to be formed thereon, and a control unit that causes the image forming unit to perform an image forming operation in response to an image forming request, and during execution of the image forming operation based on data from any of the data output units, When an image forming request based on data from another data output unit is received, a control unit that handles the image forming request as valid for a predetermined period is provided.

According to the multifunctional peripheral device of the present invention, when there is a first image forming request based on data from any of the plurality of data output units, the first image formation request is inputted by the data input unit. An image forming operation is performed by the image forming means based on the data. If a second image forming request based on data from another data output unit is made during this image forming operation, the second image forming request is not rejected and is valid for a predetermined period. Is treated as something Therefore, when one image forming process based on the first image forming request is completed during the predetermined period, the next image forming process can be performed, and thus the second image forming process can be performed.
The image forming operation based on the image forming request is performed. On the other hand, if the one image forming step is not completed within the predetermined period, the data output unit is released from communication control with the control unit to reject the second image forming request. As described above, the image forming operation is performed only by making a single image forming request from the data output unit side, and efficient image forming is performed for data from different sources, and a standby state for the image forming operation is set to a predetermined state. Since the period is limited, the degree of freedom in accessing the image forming unit from the data output unit is increased.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function peripheral device according to the first or second aspect, the data output means includes means for transmitting facsimile data via a telephone line. Means for transmitting data on a storage medium of an external host device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the data input means according to the first or second aspect includes a facsimile data transmitted via a telephone line and an external host device. Any of the transmitted data is input, and the above-described image forming operation is performed based on the input data. Therefore, in the multi-function peripheral device according to claim 1 or 2, the image forming based on the facsimile data and the data transmitted from the host device sets an image forming request once in each of the facsimile device and the host device. Just do it. Further, in the multi-function peripheral device according to the second aspect, since communication control in an image forming request between each of the facsimile device and the host device and the control unit is limited to a predetermined period, the image from the facsimile device and the host device is further restricted. Increase the freedom of access to the forming means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction peripheral device according to any one of the first to third aspects, first transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving facsimile data via a telephone line. Document reading means, means for outputting data read by the document reading means, and second transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external host device via a connection means. And

According to the multifunction peripheral device described in claim 4, in the multifunction peripheral device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a first function of transmitting and receiving facsimile data via a telephone line. A transmission / reception unit; a document reading unit; a unit for outputting data read by the document reading unit; and a second transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external host device via a connection unit. A facsimile function, a scan function, and a printer function are exhibited by one device. For example, during a copy operation for printing the scan data as it is, a print request from the host device is received, and after the copy is completed, the print operation is started and the scan data is transmitted by facsimile.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. (First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multifunction peripheral device and the host device in the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the multifunction peripheral device, and FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a multifunctional peripheral device 1 according to the present invention comprises a personal computer (PC) as a host device via an I / O port (input / output port) 3 as a connection means and a cable 4. Computer 2).

The multifunction peripheral device 1 includes both a facsimile unit for realizing a facsimile function and a printer unit for realizing a printer function for printing data transmitted from the facsimile unit or the PC 2. It is configured such that both functions can be performed in parallel by multitask processing as described later.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the facsimile unit includes an NCU (network controller unit) 5 for performing line control, and is connected to a telephone line via the NCU 5. The CPU 10 as a control means is connected to the following units of the apparatus via a bus line, and controls the respective units of the apparatus according to a predetermined communication control procedure to realize a facsimile operation, that is, data communication.

The modem 11 for facsimile communication modulates image information as a digital signal into an analog signal,
The signal is transmitted to a telephone line via the CU 5 or an analog signal as image information transmitted from the NCU 5 via the telephone line is demodulated into a digital signal and various signals for transmission control are transmitted and received.

The buffer memory 12 has a plurality of areas such as a transmission buffer area 12a for temporarily storing encoded image data transmitted and received via a telephone line, and a reception buffer area 12b. .

The ROM 13 stores a control program for controlling not only the facsimile unit but also the printer unit by a multitask process described later. EEPR
The OM 14 stores various setting information such as the dial number of the destination and data of the destination name and the one-touch number.
This EEPROM 14 turns on the power supply of the multi-function peripheral device 1
Even if FF is performed, the contents are not erased. RAM
Numeral 15 temporarily stores various data at the time of executing the operation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 16 is a means for reading an image on the document 32, and is configured as follows. First, a plurality of originals 32 stacked on an original placing table 31 disposed on the upper side of the main body 1 a are separated one by one by a separating body 33 and a first transporting roller 34, and are separated in a direction of a second transporting roller pair 35. Sent to This second
Document 3 to be transported from transport roller pair 35 to discharge roller 36
The surface (the lower surface in the present embodiment) of the light source 2 is irradiated with light from a light source unit 38 by a reading unit 37 disposed therebetween, and reflected light is read by a line image sensor or the like via a lens system or a reflection system. After entering the head 39, the reading head 39 obtains image data for each page of the document 32.

The image data read by the scanner 16 in this manner is encoded by the encoding unit 17 shown in FIG. 3 and automatically transmitted sequentially via the transmission buffer area 12a, or the image memory 19 And send it at the specified time. The time-specified transmission is convenient when there is a time difference with the called facsimile machine or when group transmission is performed. The image data output from the PC 2 can be temporarily stored in the image memory 19 and then printed by the printer unit.

On the other hand, in a normal reception operation in which recording is performed in real time in a facsimile unit, a predetermined communication control procedure is performed with another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line, and then transmission image information is received. It is temporarily stored as image data in the reception buffer area 12b. The image data is decoded (decompressed) by the decoding unit 20, and is developed and written into a dot image in the bit image storage area of the image memory 19 for storage in units of one page. Then, bit development is performed at a predetermined resolution, and this is sent to the printer 18 to be imaged (printed) in units of one page.

An operation unit 21 provided in the facsimile unit
As shown in FIG. 1, a display unit 43 such as a liquid crystal display unit for displaying the operating state of the facsimile unit and characters for registration such as a destination name is provided, and an operator executes various operations. Keypad 44, a function key 45, a one-touch registration key 46, a shortcut key 47, and the like.

As described above, in the facsimile section,
The first transmission / reception means includes an NCU 5, a modem 11, a buffer memory 12, a scanner 16, an encoding unit 17, an image memory 19, a decoding unit 20, and the like, and realizes a facsimile function under the control of the CPU 10 as a control unit. ing.

Data from an external facsimile machine as data output means is transmitted to NCU 5, modem 11,
The data input by the buffer memory 12 and the data input means such as the decoding unit 20 and the like and the data input under the control of the CPU 10 as the control means are printed by the following printer unit.

Next, a printer section as an image forming means will be described. The printer 18 records image data and the like stored in the screen memory 19 as a hard copy on recording paper as a recording material. The data includes data received by the facsimile unit and data output means. And data stored by the image memory 19 as data input means.

That is, the CPU 10 and the image memory 19 function as second transmitting / receiving means, and data is transmitted / received between the printer unit and the PC 2 via the I / O port 3 and the cable 4 as connecting means. ing. And P
The image data output from C2 is temporarily stored in an image memory 19 and then printed by a printer 18. The input / output processing and storage processing of these data are performed by the CPU 1
0 is performed.

The specific configuration of the printer 18 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a paper feed cassette 22 is provided at the rear of the main body 1a of the facsimile machine 1, and the recording paper 23 in the paper feed cassette 22 is fed by a half-moon-shaped paper feed roller of a paper feed unit. At 24 and the like, paper is fed toward the photosensitive drum 25 in the recording unit. Next, the photosensitive drum 25 is scanned by laser light emitted from the optical scanning unit 26.
A latent image is formed on the recording medium 23, and the latent image is developed using toner supplied from the toner cartridge 27 and the developing device 28, transferred to the recording paper 23, and passed through a fixing device 29 including a heating roller and a pressure roller. Then, the toner image is fixed, and is sent to the paper discharge tray 30. As described above, the printer 18 of the present embodiment is an electrostatic electrophotographic recording type printer.

The printer 18 may employ a thermal printer system for printing an image on thermal paper with a thermal head. With the above-described configuration, in the present embodiment, the facsimile operation and the print operation are performed in parallel by one CPU, but when printing the received facsimile data, a print request from the PC 2 is issued. If there are, they cannot be printed at the same time. The same applies to a case where a request to print facsimile data is issued while printing data output from the PC 2.

Therefore, a print request generated during a print operation is refused to be accepted, and
A configuration in which a BUSY signal or the like is output to C2 or a facsimile unit is also conceivable.

However, in this configuration, for example, printing of facsimile data is about to end,
Even in a situation where printing is possible if only a short period of time waits, a print request must be sent from the PC 2 again, which is very inconvenient.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, if there is a print request from the PC 2 while printing facsimile data, or if there is a print request for facsimile data while printing data from the PC 2, Until the printing of the data of is completed, the print request is treated as valid,
The data from the PC is printed after facsimile data printing is completed without outputting a BUSY signal or the like. Hereinafter, the printing process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 4 and the flowcharts of FIGS.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the FAX task and the printer task are switched at 1/60 second intervals, and the FAX-related operation and the printer-related operation are performed in parallel in a time-division manner. F by one CPU
AX-related operations and printer-related operations can be executed simultaneously.

The FAX task is roughly divided into two processes as shown in FIG. First, in the key processing (step S10), it is checked whether or not there is a key input from the operation unit 21, and if a facsimile transmission key is operated, for example, facsimile data transmission processing is performed in accordance with the operation. Processing. Next, the reception process (step S20) stores the received data in the buffer memory 12 and transmits the data to the PC 2 as described above when there is an incoming call request from an external facsimile machine, or This is a process of issuing a print request to print facsimile data. Therefore, in this receiving process, data transmission to the PC 2 is performed when the mode for taking in the received data into the PC 2 is selected, but when the normal facsimile mode is selected, the data is transmitted to the recording paper by the printer 18. Is printed.

In the following description, it is assumed that a normal mode for printing (printing) facsimile-received data on recording paper has been selected. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the facsimile data receiving process (step S20) in the FAX task. In this process, if there is an incoming call request from another facsimile machine (step S2)
1; YES), the telephone line is closed, facsimile data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus is received, and a facsimile reception operation of writing the data in the reception buffer 12b is started (step S22). At the same time, it is determined whether facsimile data written in the reception buffer 12b can be immediately printed on recording paper by the printer unit, that is, whether the printer 18 can be used (resources can be secured). A check is made (step S23).

More specifically, one of the flags stored in the flag storage area allocated to a part of the RAM 15 and indicating whether or not the printer 18 is in operation (hereinafter referred to as printer operation). If the medium flag is turned on and the resource cannot be secured (step S23; NO), the printer 18 reads the print data output from the PC 2 or the print data read by the scanner 16 by a copy process described later. Since the printing of the scanner data or the like is being performed, the process waits until the printer operation flag is turned off and the printer 18 is released, that is, until resources can be secured.

When it is confirmed that the printer operation flag is turned off and resources can be secured (step S23; YES), the printer operation flag is turned on immediately, and the printer 18 is turned on for facsimile data printing processing. Have exclusive. That is, resources are secured (step S24). Thereafter, until the printer operation flag is turned off (resource is released) by the processing in step S27, the print data print processing from the PC 2 shown in FIG. 7 and the printer 18 in the copy processing shown in FIG. Use is prohibited.

After turning on the printer operation flag and securing resources (step S24), the CPU 10 reads the facsimile data from the reception buffer 12b, expands the data into a bit image by the decoding unit 20, and converts the expanded data. Write to the image memory 19. Each time the facsimile data for one page is developed into a bit image and written to the image memory 19, the data is output to the printer 18 and the facsimile data is printed (step S25).

Until all facsimile data stored in the reception buffer 12b is printed (step S26; N
O), the development into the bit image and the printing process (step S25) are repeated, and when all the facsimile data stored in the reception buffer 12b is printed (step S26; YES), the printer operation flag is turned off to set the resource. Is released, and the printer 18 occupied until then is released so that other processing can be used (step S2).
7) The facsimile data receiving process ends.

Next, the printer task performs only the print processing (step S40) as shown in FIG. 5, and this print processing is performed when a print request is issued from the PC 2 through the I / O port 3. This is a process for printing out the data once stored in the image memory 19 using the print data 18.

Next, the details of the print processing (step S40) executed during the FAX task will be described with reference to FIG. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not a print request has been issued from the PC 2 (step S4).
1). If there is no print request (step S41;
NO), the process ends, but if it is determined that there is a print request (step S41; YES), PC2
, The print data reception process is started (step S42). Next, it is determined whether or not resources can be secured using the printer operating flag, that is, whether or not the printer 18 is currently in use (step S43). If the printer operation flag is turned off and the printer 18 is not used (step S43; YES), the printer operation flag is turned on to secure resources (step S44). That is, the printer 18 is reserved for use on the PC 2 side, and the printer 18 is exclusively used for print data print processing. Thereafter, until the printer operating flag is turned off (resource is released) by the processing of step S47,
The use of the printer 18 in the facsimile data reception processing shown in FIG. 6 and the copy processing shown in FIG. 8 is prohibited.

On the other hand, even if it is determined that there is a print request (step S41; YES), if the print operation has already been performed, the resources are secured without rejecting the print request from the PC 2 side. That is, the process waits until printing is possible (step S43; N).
O). The printable state is, for example, a state in which the currently performed facsimile data or copy print processing is completed and the printer operation flag is turned off.

As described above, when the printer 18 is not performing a printing operation, resources are immediately secured,
The print operation is performed in the printer process during the printer task, but even during the print operation, the print request is validated and it waits until the print becomes possible, and the resources are secured when the print becomes possible. It is not necessary to transmit the print request from the PC 2 again.

Next, when the resources are secured by performing the above-described resource securing processing (step S4).
4) Start the printing operation. That is, the image memory 19
Read the print data written in the printer 1
8 for printing (printing). Thereafter, the printing operation is continued while determining whether or not all the printing processes of the print data have been completed (step S46). If all the printing is completed (step S46; YES), the printer operating flag is turned off to release the resources (step S47), so that the printer 18 occupied up to that time can be used for other processing. After that, the print processing ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the copy process. This copy processing is executed when the operation of the copy start key is detected in the key processing of the FAX task (step S10). First, whether the copy operation is possible, that is, the scanner 16 It is checked whether or not it is possible to print the scanner data read on the recording paper by the printer 18 (whether or not resources can be secured) (step S51).

If the printer operation flag is on, the printer 18 is printing the print data output from the PC 2 or the data received by facsimile, and cannot secure resources (step S51). NO), processing for rejecting copying, for example, displaying a message such as "copying is not possible because the printer is currently in use" on display 43 (step S56), and determines that the operation of the copy start key is invalid. Handling and immediately end the copying process.

When it is confirmed that the printer operation flag is turned off and resources can be secured (step S).
51; YES), immediately turn on the printer operation flag to secure resources, and exclusively use the printer 18 for copy print processing (step S52). Thereafter, until the printer operation flag is turned off (resource is released) by the processing in step S55, the printer 18 in the facsimile reception processing shown in FIG. 6 and the print data print processing from the PC 2 shown in FIG. The use of is prohibited.

After turning on the printer operation flag and securing resources (step S52), the CPU 10 reads the original set on the original placing table 31 using the scanner 16, and sends the read signal (scanner data). The data is output to the printer 18 and printed on the recording paper (step S54).

Until all the originals set on the original placing table 31 have been printed (step S54; NO), reading and printing processing by the scanner 16 (step S5)
4) is repeated, and when copying of all originals is completed (step S54; YES), the printer operating flag is turned off to release the resources so that the other processing of the printer 18 which has been occupied until then can be used. It is released (step S55), and the copy processing ends.

As described above, according to the multifunctional peripheral device 1 of the present embodiment, the printing process of the facsimile reception data shown in FIG. And the host device (P
The printing process of the print data from C2) and the printing process for copying shown in FIG. 8 can be performed in parallel without any trouble.

Further, according to this embodiment, when a print request is issued from the PC 2 during printing or copying of facsimile data, or when a printing request is issued from the facsimile unit during printing or copying of data from the PC 2. If there is, the print request is waited for as valid until the resource can be secured, so that the transmission request from the external facsimile apparatus or the print request from the PC 2 can be rejected without rejecting the facsimile data. Both printing and printing of data from the PC 2 can be performed.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the print processing executed by the printer task (step S4)
0) is different from the first embodiment in that the waiting period while validating the print request is limited to a predetermined period, and other processes are common. Hereinafter, the print processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Note that the same reference numerals are given to common portions in the first embodiment, and description of other common processes after the resource securing process is omitted.

First, similarly to the first embodiment, it is determined whether there is a print request from the PC 2 (step S4).
1) If there is no print request (step S41;
NO), and the process ends. However, if there is a print request (step S41; YES), print data reception processing is started (step S42), and whether or not resources can be secured using the printer operation flag, that is, the current printer 18 It is determined whether it is in use (step S43). If the printer operation flag is turned off and resources can be reserved (step S43; YES), the printer operation flag is immediately turned on to reserve resources (step S4).
4) If the print operation has already been performed and resources cannot be secured (step S43; NO), the print request from the PC 2 is not rejected until the predetermined period elapses (step S48; NO). It waits until the printer operation flag is turned off and resources can be secured. However, if the predetermined period has elapsed without securing the resources (step S48; Y
ES), for example, outputting a BUSY signal or the like to the PC 2 and performing a print request invalidating process to reject the print request (step S49).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the standby period for securing resources is limited to a predetermined period. For example, when a large amount of facsimile data takes a long time to print, etc. The print control can be released, and the degree of freedom of access to the printer 18 can be increased.

The predetermined period can be appropriately set by the user. For example, the predetermined period may be a time required for receiving and printing a plurality of pieces of facsimile data. With this setting, the process for receiving one or several pieces of facsimile data is completed in a relatively short time.
As in the case of the first embodiment, the process waits until printing is enabled, and when a large amount of facsimile data is received, the predetermined period is exceeded, so that the print request is invalidated.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the common parts of the first embodiment is omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, when resources cannot be secured only for facsimile data printing and PC data printing, the system waits until resources can be secured without rejecting a print request. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copy process for printing data read by a scanner unit. That is, in the above-described embodiment, if the copy start key is operated and the resource cannot be secured, the resource is immediately rejected. However, as in other print processing, the process waits until the resource can be secured. You may do it. According to this, even when facsimile data or print data from a PC is being printed, it is possible to print the data read by the scanner unit after the printing is completed. There is no need to perform key operations.

Although the multifunctional peripheral device 1 has been described as a device having a facsimile unit having a copy function and a printer unit, the present invention is not limited to this, and a so-called copy device and printer device are integrated. It is also applicable to the multifunction peripheral device.

[0061]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, during the execution of an image forming operation based on data from one of the data output units, an image forming request based on data from another data output unit is performed. In the case where there is a request, the image forming request is treated as valid until the next image forming operation becomes possible, so that the image forming operation can be performed only by making a single image forming request from the data output unit side. It is possible to perform efficient image formation on data from different sources.

According to the multifunctional peripheral device of the second aspect, during execution of an image forming operation based on data from one of the data output units, there is an image formation request based on data from another data output unit. In such a case, the image forming request is handled as valid for a predetermined period of time, so that the image forming operation can be executed only by making a single image forming request from the data output unit side, and from a different source. Since the image formation can be performed efficiently with respect to the data, and the standby state for the image formation operation is limited to a predetermined period, the degree of freedom of the data output unit to access the image formation unit can be increased. .

According to the multifunctional peripheral device described in claim 3, in the multifunctional peripheral device described in claim 1 or 2, the data output means transmits facsimile data via a telephone line. Means and means for transmitting data on the storage medium of the external host device,
In the multi-function peripheral device according to claim 1 or 2, an image forming request based on the facsimile data and data transmitted from the host device is set once in each of the facsimile device and the host device. Just can be done. In the multifunction peripheral device according to the second aspect, the communication control in the image forming request between each of the facsimile device and the host device and the control unit is limited to a predetermined period, so that the image from the facsimile device and the host device is controlled. The degree of freedom of access to the forming means can be increased.

According to the multi-function peripheral device of the fourth aspect, in the multi-function peripheral device of any one of the first to third aspects, a first function of transmitting and receiving facsimile data via a telephone line. Since the apparatus further includes transmitting / receiving means, document reading means, means for outputting data read by the document reading means, and second transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external host device via a connection means. The facsimile function, the scan function, and the printer function can be exhibited by one device. For example, a print request from a host device is accepted during a copy operation for printing scan data as it is, and a print operation is started after the copy is completed. At the same time, processing such as facsimile transmission of scan data can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction peripheral device and a host device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction peripheral device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction peripheral device according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the hardware side.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating multitasking according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a FAX task as a main task and a printer task as a subtask in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of facsimile data reception processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating details of print processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of a copy process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of print processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunctional peripheral device 2 ... PC 3 ... I / O port 4 ... Cable 5 ... NCU 10 ... CPU 11 ... Modem 12 ... Buffer memory 12a ... Transmission buffer memory 12b ... Receiving buffer memory 13 ... ROM 14 ... EEPROM 15 ... RAM DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Scanner 17 ... Encoding part 18 ... Printer 19 ... Image memory 20 ... Decoding part 21 ... Operation part 22 ... Paper feed cassette 23 ... Recording paper 24 ... Paper feed roller 25 ... Photoconductor drum 26 ... Optical scanning unit 27 ... Toner cartridge 28 Developing device 29 Fixing device 30 Discharge tray 31 Document table 32 Document 33 Separator 34 First transport roller 35 Second transport roller 36 Discharge roller 37 Reading unit 38 Light source unit 39 ... Reading head 43 ... Display unit 44 ... Key 45 ... Function key 46 ... W In-touch registration key 47… Shortcut key

Claims (4)

[Claims] A data input unit for inputting data from a plurality of different data output units; an image forming unit for forming data input by the data input unit on a recording material; A control unit for causing the image forming unit to perform an operation, wherein an image forming request based on data from another data output unit is performed during execution of an image forming operation based on data from one of the data output units; And a control means for handling the image forming request as valid until a next image forming operation is possible. 2. Data input means for inputting data from a plurality of different data output means, image forming means for forming data input by the data input means on a recording material, and image forming in response to an image forming request A control unit for causing the image forming unit to perform an operation, wherein an image forming request based on data from another data output unit is performed during execution of an image forming operation based on data from one of the data output units; And a control means for handling the image forming request as valid for a predetermined period of time. 3. The data output means includes means for transmitting facsimile data via a telephone line and means for transmitting data on a storage medium of an external host device. The multifunction peripheral device according to claim 2. 4. A first transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving facsimile data via a telephone line, a document reading means, a means for outputting data read by the document reading means, and a connection means between an external host device. The multifunction peripheral device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data via the device.