U.S. patent number RE36,211 [Application Number 08/405,281] was granted by the patent office on 1999-05-18 for communication managing data processing device in facsimile machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Yutaka Nonomura.
United States Patent |
RE36,211 |
Nonomura |
May 18, 1999 |
Communication managing data processing device in facsimile
machine
Abstract
A facsimile communication managing data including
transmission/reception mode, a telephone number of a called or a
calling subscriber, etc. is printed out at a predetermined time
interval. Each time a facsimile communication is made, the
facsimile communication managing data is stored in a memory. A
period of time defining a time interval at which the stored
managing data are read out is set through a keyboard. An elapse of
the period of time is detected and a detection signal is issued. If
the detection signal is output during a non-busy state of the
facsimile machine, the managing data are read out of the memory
immediately after the occurrence of the detection signal and then
printed in a printing station of the facsimile machine, whereas if
the detection signal is output during a busy state of the facsimile
machine, the managing data are read out after the facsimile machine
is turned to the non-busy state and printed in the printing station
thereof.
Inventors: |
Nonomura; Yutaka (Iwakura,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
(Nagoya, JP)
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Family
ID: |
16208393 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/405,281 |
Filed: |
March 15, 1995 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
554871 |
Jul 20, 1990 |
05194967 |
Mar 16, 1993 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 21, 1989 [JP] |
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1-187569 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/434; 358/437;
358/438; 358/468 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/32122 (20130101); H04N 2201/3214 (20130101); H04N
2201/3209 (20130101); H04N 2201/3219 (20130101); H04N
2201/3215 (20130101); H04N 2201/3271 (20130101); H04N
2201/3202 (20130101); H04N 2201/3274 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/32 (20060101); H04N 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;358/444,404,440,437,407,434,438,468,442,400,401,402,403
;379/100 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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54-053914 |
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Apr 1979 |
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JP |
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54-147716 |
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Nov 1979 |
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JP |
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56-046362 |
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Apr 1981 |
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JP |
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58-014653 |
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Jan 1983 |
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JP |
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59-225672 |
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Dec 1984 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Tong; Nina
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oliff & Berridge, PLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication managing data processing device for use in
combination with a facsimile machine, comprising:
storage means for storing facsimile communication managing data
whenever a facsimile communication is made;
setting means for setting a period of time defining an interval at
which the facsimile communication managing data stored in said
storage means is output;
detection means for detecting an elapse of the period of time set
by said setting means and outputting a detection signal indicative
of the elapse of the period of time; and
readout instructing means for instructing to read the facsimile
communication managing data out of said storage means, wherein if
the detection signal is output during a non-busy state of the
facsimile machine, the facsimile communication managing data is
read out thereof immediately after the occurrence of the detection
signal and if the detection signal is output during a busy state of
the facsimile machine, the facsimile communication managing data is
read out thereof after the facsimile machine is turned to the
non-busy state.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the time interval set by
said setting means is further stored in said storage means.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the time interval stored
in said storage means is updated when a time interval is newly set
by said setting means.
4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the facsimile
communication managing data is read out of said storage means at a
time interval stored in said storage means unless a time interval
is newly set by said setting means.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said detection means
comprises a timer/counter in which the period of time set by said
setting means is set, said timer/counter effecting down-counting
and outputting the detection signal when said timer/counter
indicates the elapse of the period of time as a result of
down-counting.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile
communication managing data includes a telephone number of at least
one of a calling and called subscriber, a transmission/reception
mode, a transmitting/receiving sheet number, transmission/reception
failure data representative of errors occurring during transmission
and reception, and year-month-date/time data representative of
year, month, date and time when the facsimile communication is
made.
7. A device according to claim 6, further comprising a
calendar/clock circuit for producing the year-month-date/time data.
.Iadd.
8. A communication processing device that executes communication
operations, comprising:
a memory that stores communication managing data corresponding to
each communication operation;
a timing mechanism that sets an output time for outputting the
communication managing data stored in the memory; and
a controller coupled to the memory and the timing mechanism that
detects the output time for outputting the communication managing
data from the timing mechanism, reads the communication managing
data from the memory, and issues an instruction to output the
communication managing data,
wherein when the communication processing device is in a non-busy
state, the controller reads the communication managing data from
the memory and issues an instruction to output the communication
managing data at the detected output time, and wherein when the
communication processing device is in a busy state, the controller
reads the communication managing data from the memory and issues an
instruction to output the communication managing data after the
detected output time when the communication processing device
returns to a non-busy state..Iaddend..Iadd.9. The communication
processing device of claim 8 wherein the busy state includes
engagement of the communication processing device in a
communication operation..Iaddend..Iadd.10. The communication
processing device of claim 9 wherein the communication operation is
a facsimile-type communication..Iaddend..Iadd.11. The communication
processing device of claim 8 wherein the busy state includes at
least one of a transmission-type communication and a
reception-type
communication..Iaddend..Iadd.12. The communication processing
device of claim 8 wherein the instruction to output the
communication managing data issued from the controller is an
instruction to print the communication managing
data..Iaddend..Iadd.13. The communication processing device of
claim 8 further comprising a printer coupled to the controller and
wherein the instruction to output the communication managing data
issued from the controller is an instruction to print the
communication managing
data..Iaddend..Iadd.14. A facsimile communication processing device
that has at least two types of facsimile communication operations
including a reception operation and a transmission operation,
comprising:
a memory that stores facsimile communication managing data
corresponding to each facsimile communication operation;
a timing mechanism that sets an output time for outputting the
facsimile communication managing data stored in the memory;
a printing mechanism that prints the facsimile communication
managing data; and
a controller coupled to the memory, the timing mechanism, and the
printing mechanism that detects the output time for outputting the
facsimile communication managing data from the timing mechanism,
reads the facsimile communication managing data from the memory,
and supplies the printing mechanism with an instruction to print
the facsimile communication managing data,
wherein when the facsimile communication processing device is not
engaged in at least the reception operation at the set output time,
the controller reads the facsimile communication managing data from
the memory and supplies the printing mechanism with an instruction
to print the facsimile communication managing data at the output
time, and wherein when the facsimile communication processing
device is engaged in at least the reception operation at the set
output time, the controller reads the facsimile communication
managing data from the memory and supplies the printing mechanism
with an instruction to print the facsimile communication managing
data after the operation in which it is engaged
ends..Iaddend..Iadd.15. The facsimile communication processing
device of claim 14 wherein the engagement of the facsimile
communication operation also includes the transmission
operation..Iaddend..Iadd.16. A communication processing device that
executes communication operations, comprising:
a memory that stores communication managing data;
an output indicator that sets criteria for automatically outputting
the communication managing data stored in the memory; and
a controller coupled to the memory and the output indicator that
detects the output criteria from the output indicator for
determining when to output the communication managing data, reads
the communication managing data from the memory, and issues an
instruction to output the communication managing data,
wherein when the communication processing device is in a non-busy
state, the controller reads the communication managing data from
the memory and issues an instruction to output the communication
managing data when the output criteria is met, and wherein when the
communication processing device is in a busy state, the controller
reads the communication managing data from the memory and issues an
instruction to output the communication managing data after the
output criteria is met when the communication processing device
returns to a non-busy state..Iaddend..Iadd.17. The communication
processing device of claim 16 wherein the busy state includes
engagement of the communication processing device in a
communication operation..Iaddend..Iadd.18. The communication
processing device of claim 17 wherein the communication operation
is a facsimile-type communication..Iaddend..Iadd.19. The
communication processing device of claim 16 wherein the busy state
includes at least one of a transmission-type communication and a
reception-type communication..Iaddend..Iadd.20. The communication
processing device of claim 16 wherein the instruction to output the
communication managing data issued from the controller is an
instruction to print the communication managing
data..Iaddend..Iadd.21. The communication processing device of
claim 16 further comprising a printer coupled to the controller and
wherein the instruction to output the communication managing data
issued from the controller is an instruction to print the
communication managing data..Iaddend..Iadd.22. The communication
processing device of claim 16 wherein the criteria set by the
output indicator is a function of time..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The
communication processing device of claim 16 wherein the criteria
set by the output indicator is a time for automatically outputting
the communication managing data..Iaddend..Iadd.24. The
communication processing device of claim 16 wherein the criteria
set by the output indicator is a time interval for automatically
outputting the communication managing data..Iaddend..Iadd.25. The
communication processing device of claim 16 wherein the
communication managing data includes at least one of a telephone
number of a called/calling subscriber, a transmission/reception
mode, a transmitting/receiving sheet number, transmission/reception
failure data representative of errors occurring during
transmission/reception, and year-month-date/time data
representative of year, month, date and time when the communication
operation is made..Iaddend..Iadd.26. A communication processing
device that executes communication operations, comprising:
a memory that stores communication managing data;
an output determiner that predetermines when the communication
managing data stored in the memory is to be output; and
a controller coupled to the memory and the output determiner that
detects the output determination for outputting the communication
managing data from the output determiner, reads the communication
managing data from the memory, and issues an instruction to output
the communication managing data,
wherein when the communication processing device is not engaged in
a communication operation when the output determiner determines
that the communication managing data is to be output, the
controller reads the communication managing data from the memory
and issues an instruction to output the communication managing
data, and wherein when the communication processing device is
engaged in a communication operation when the output determiner
determines that the communication managing data is to be output,
the controller reads the communication managing data from the
memory and issues an instruction to output the communication
managing data
after the communication operation ends..Iaddend..Iadd.27. The
communication processing device of claim 26 wherein the engagement
of the communication operation includes at least one of a
transmission-type communication and a reception-type
communication..Iaddend..Iadd.28. The communication processing
device of claim 27 wherein the at least one communication operation
is a facsimile communication..Iaddend..Iadd.29. The communication
processing device of claim 26 wherein the engagement of the
communication operation includes sending and receiving a
communication..Iaddend..Iadd.30. The communication processing
device of claim 26 wherein the instruction to output the
communication managing data issued from the controller is an
instruction to print the communication managing
data..Iaddend..Iadd.31. The communication processing device of
claim 26 further comprising a printer coupled to the controller and
wherein the instruction to output the communication managing data
issued from the controller is an instruction to print the
communication managing data..Iaddend..Iadd.32. The communication
processing device of claim 26 wherein the output determiner
predetermines when the communication managing data is to be output
based on time..Iaddend..Iadd.33. The communication processing
device of claim 26 wherein the output determiner predetermines when
the communication managing data is to be output based on a time
interval..Iaddend..Iadd.34. The communication processing device of
claim 26 wherein the communication managing data includes at least
one of a telephone number of a called/calling subscriber, a
transmission/reception mode, a transmitting/receiving sheet number,
transmission/reception failure data representative of errors
occurring during transmission/reception, and year-month-date/time
data representative of year, month, date and time when the
communication
operation is made..Iaddend..Iadd.35. A communication processing
device that executes communication operations, comprising:
a memory that stores communication managing data corresponding to
each communication operation; and
a controller coupled to the memory for outputting the communication
managing data, wherein the controller reads the communication
managing data from the memory at a predetermined output timing and
issues an instruction to output the communication managing
data,
wherein when the communication processing device is outputting data
other than the communication managing data at the predetermined
output timing, the controller reads the communication managing data
from the memory and issues the instruction to output the
communication managing data after the communication processing
device finishes outputting the other data..Iaddend..Iadd.36. The
communication processing device of claim 35 wherein the other data
relates to at least one of sending data and receiving data
corresponding to a facsimile-type communication
operation..Iaddend..Iadd.37. A communication processing device that
executes communication operations, comprising:
a memory that stores communication managing data corresponding to
each communication operation; and
a controller coupled to the memory for outputting the communication
managing data, wherein the controller reads the communication
managing data from the memory at a predetermined output timing and
issues an instruction to output the communication managing
data,
wherein when the communication processing device executes a
communication operation at the predetermined output timing, the
controller reads the communication managing data from the memory
and issues the instruction to output the communication managing
data after the communication processing device finishes the
communication operation..Iaddend..Iadd.38. The communication
processing device of claim 37 wherein the communication operation
is a facsimile-type communication operation..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication managing data
processing device for use in combination with a facsimile
machine.
For managing facsimile communications, typical facsimile machines
have storage devices for storing therein communication managing
data including data regarding year-month-date/time at which the
facsimile communication was made, transmission/reception mode, name
of calling or called subscriber, sheet numbers transmitted from or
received at the facsimile machine, transmission/reception failure
data and the like. Such communication managing data are stored in
the storage device whenever a facsimile communication is performed.
Reading of the communication managing data is typically performed
in such a way that with a key switch provided in an operation panel
or a keyboard of the facsimile, up-to-date communication managing
data which have been stored in the storage device are sequentially
read out and printed at a printing station of the facsimile in
response to the depression of the key switch, thereby providing a
facsimile communication managing record. Alternatively, the
communication managing data is automatically read out of the
storage device and printed out when the storage device is filled
with the managing data.
According to the former, the managing record covers the up-to-date
communication managing data which have been stored after the
previous readout of the communication managing data. However, since
the interval between the key switch depressions is not fixed, a
large quantity of the storage device is required so as to cover a
possible largest number of facsimile communications which may be
performed before the depression of the key switch.
According to the latter, while a lesser quantity of the storage
device may suffice, there will be variation in time interval at
which the communication managing records are provided.
Specifically, the interval between readings of the communication
managing data is shortened if a large number of facsimile
communications are performed within a prescribed period of time
whereas the interval therebetween is prolonged if a small number of
facsimile communications are performed within a prescribed period
of time. Due to a difficulty in predicting the time when the
communication managing record is printed out, it is inconvenient to
manage the facsimile communications with the managing record. In
the worst situation, the managing record may be printed out during
the facsimile communication, with the result that the managing
record is mixed up with the sheets received through the facsimile
communication. There may a possibility that the managing record is
inadvertently lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and
it is an object of the invention to provide a facsimile
communication managing data processing device for use in
combination with a facsimile machine, in which the time when the
managing data is output is set in advance and up-to-date managing
data is output at every predetermined interval.
To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a
communication managing data processing device for use in
combination with a facsimile machine as shown in FIG. 1, which
comprises storage means 1 for storing facsimile communication
managing data whenever a facsimile communication is made, setting
means 2 for setting a period of time defining a time interval at
which the facsimile communication managing data having been stored
in the storage means 1 is output, detection means 3 for detecting
an elapse of the period of time set by the setting means 2 and
outputting a detection signal indicative of the elapse of the
period of time, and readout instructing means 4 for instructing to
read the facsimile communication managing data out of the storage
means 1. If the detection signal is output during a non-busy state
of the facsimile machine, the facsimile communication managing data
is read out thereof immediately after the occurrence of the
detection signal and if the detection signal is output during a
busy state of the facsimile machine, the facsimile communication
managing data is read out thereof after the facsimile machine is
turned to the non-busy state. The facsimile communication managing
data thus read out is printed out by printing means 5 provided in
the facsimile machine.
According to the device thus arranged, the facsimile communication
managing data are stored in the storage means 1 each time the
facsimile communication is performed, and read out thereof in
response to an instruction issued from the readout instruction
means 4. When the detection signal is received from the detection
means 3 during the non-busy state of the facsimile machine, the
readout instruction means 4 issues the instruction immediately
after the detection signal is received. On the other hand, when the
detection signal is received from the detection means 3 during the
busy state of the facsimile machine, the readout instruction mean 4
issues the instruction after the facsimile machine is turned to the
non-busy state. In this manner, the managing data are read out at
the interval substantially equal to that set through the setting
means 2 and then printed out in the printing means 5 to provide a
facsimile communication managing record.
With the device according to the present invention, prediction can
be made with respect to the time when the facsimile communication
managing record is provided, and therefore the management of the
facsimile communications can be facilitated.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a
preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown by way of
illustrative example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrative of an arrangement of a
facsimile communication managing data processing device according
to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrative of one embodiment of the
present invention; and
FIG. 3 is a flow chart for description of the operation of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A facsimile machine according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is arranged as shown in FIG. 2 which includes a
control section 11, a modulator/demodulator (hereinafter referred
to as "MODEM") 12, an image reader 13, an operation panel 14 and a
printer 15.
The image reader .[.3.]. .Iadd.13 .Iaddend.reads an image to be
transmitted and sends the binary coded image signal to the control
section 11 which in turn sends the image signal to the MODEM 12
upon storing it in a random access memory (RAM) 11.sub.2. The MODEM
12 modulates the image signal and sends it to a called subscriber
at a remote point through a telephone line. In the reception mode
of the facsimile, the MODEM 12 demodulates incoming image signal
received through the telephone line from the remote calling
subscriber.
The operation keyboard 14 is provided with a dial key and other
keys including a time interval specifying key 14.sub.1 for
specifying an output time interval of communication managing data.
The printer 15 used herein is of a thermal type.
A detection coil 16 is provided for detecting data regarding called
or calling subscriber's telephone number out of signals transmitted
from or received at the facsimile through the telephone line.
The control section 11 includes a controller 11.sub.1 and the RAM
11.sub.2. The controller 11.sub.1 controls both transmission of the
outgoing signals and reception of the incoming signals in
accordance with a predetermined transmission/reception sequence
complying with a CCITT (Consultative Committee in International
Telegraphy and Telephony) recommendation. The RAM 11.sub.2 stores
the binary coded image data output from the image reader 3 at the
time of data transmission, and also stores the incoming data being
demodulated in the MODEM 12 at the time of data reception.
At the time of data transmission, the image data is read out of the
RAM 11.sub.2 and is subjected to data compression, and is then
modulated in the MODEM 12. On the other hand, at the time of data
reception, the incoming image data is demodulated in the MODEM 12
and is stored in the RAM 11.sub.2. One line image data is
sequentially read out of the RAM 11.sub.2 and is supplied to the
printer 15.
A communication managing data producing section 20 includes a
central processing unit (CPU) 21, a read-only memory (ROM) 22
storing a program for executing the CPU 21, a random access memory
(RAM) 23 storing communication managing data and other necessary
data, a calendar/clock circuit 24 for outputting
year-month-date/time data, a timer/counter 25 in which is set a
time interval specified by the key 14.sub.1 on the operational
keyboard 14, and a character generator (CG) 26. In response to
depression of the time interval specifying key 14.sub.1 and a time
interval specified by the ten-key on the operational keyboard 14,
the CPU 21 sets the output time interval in the timer/counter 25.
The CPU 21 receives telephone number data and
transmission/reception mode both detected and fed from the
detection coil 16, and year-month-date/time data fed from the
calendar/clock circuit 24, and stores such data in the RAM 23.
Transmitting/receiving sheet number data, transmission/reception
failure data are further stored in the RAM 23 by the CPU 11. In
response to end of transmission/reception data, the CPU 11 reads
the recorded data out of the RAM 23 and develops the recorded data
into dot data while interacting with the character generator 26 to
allow the printer 15 to print the communication managing data.
Operation of the apparatus thus constructed will be described with
reference to the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 3.
Upon start of a communication managing data program, it is firstly
checked whether a change of the time interval has been effected
based on whether the time interval specifying key 14.sub.1 is
depressed and the input of a new time interval is effected through
the ten-key (step S1). If YES, the new time interval as input is
set to the timer/counter 25, and the time interval data which has
been stored in a time interval data storage area of RAM 23 is
updated (step S21). When the decision made in step S1 is NO, the
time interval data which has been stored in the storage area of the
RAM .[.25.]. .Iadd.23 .Iaddend.is set as it is to the timer/counter
25 (step S22). After the processings in steps S21 and S22 are
completed, the timer/counter 25 starts down-counting (step S3).
In step S4, it is checked whether a calling or called subscriber's
telephone number has been detected through the detection coil 16.
If NO, it is checked whether the time interval set in the
timer/counter 25 has expired (step 11). If NO, the routine returns
to step S4 and the processing therein is repeatedly carried out
until the telephone number is detected. When either the calling or
called subscriber's telephone number is detected in step S4, this
subscriber's telephone number data is stored in a telephone number
storage area of the RAM 23, and transmission/reception data
supplied to the CPU 21 from the controller 11 is stored in a
transmission/reception data storage area of the RAM 25 (step S5).
Year-month-date/time data is next stored in a time data storage
area of the RAM .[.25.]. .Iadd.23 .Iaddend.(step S6).
A count area formed in the RAM .[.25.]. .Iadd.23 .Iaddend.is
cleared in step S7 and a count number is incrementally written
therein in response to a document-number identifying signal
outputted whenever a sheet of a document is read out in a
transmission mode or received whenever one page data is received in
a reception mode. In step S9, failure indicative data indicating
failure of transmission/reception is stored in a failure data
storage area of the RAM .[.25.]. .Iadd.23 .Iaddend.in the event
that a failure of data transmission or reception has occurred.
Following step S9, it is checked whether or not an
end-of-transmission/reception signal is output (step 10). Until the
end-of-transmission/reception signal is output, the processings in
steps S8 and S9 are repeatedly carried out. Accordingly, the data
stored in the count area indicates the number of sheets transmitted
in the transmission mode or received in the reception mode. When
there is a failure during transmission or reception, failure
indicative data is stored in the failure data storage area. Both
the sheet number data and the failure indicative data are supplied
from the control section 11 to the CPU 21.
When a decision is made in step S10 so that the
end-of-transmission/reception signal has been output, it is further
checked in step S11 whether or not the time interval has been
expired. If NO, the routine returns to S4 and the processing
therein is again executed.
When a decision made in step S11 indicates that the time interval
has expired, the telephone number data, transmission/reception mode
data, year-month-date/time data, sheet-number data, and failure
indicative data are read out of the corresponding storage areas of
the RAM 23. In response to the data thus read out, characters in
the character generator 26 are specified. First dot line of the
dots forming a specified character string is sequentially developed
in the RAM 11.sub.2 on dot line basis and is supplied to the
printer 15 with which the character strings corresponding to the
data read out of the RAM 23 are printed.
In printing data, character-to-character spacing, columnar spacing
between different kinds of data, and line spacing between adjacent
character lines are filled with space dots as is well known in the
art.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to
a specific embodiment of the present invention, it should be
understood for a person skilled in the art that a variety of
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention. For example, in lieu of the
failure indicative data representative of an error occurring during
the facsimile communication, no-error data representing that no
error has been occurred may be employed.
* * * * *