Abstract:
A data communication apparatus includes: a memory for storing communication data; a reading unit for reading part of the communication data stored in the memory; a generator for generating information relating to the communication data; and a recording unit for recording part of the communication data and the information.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a data communication apparatus for sending and receiving image data, character code data and the like, and more particularly to a data communication apparatus having a memory for storing data and capable of, for example, broadcasting transmission. 
     2. Related Background Art 
     A conventional communication apparatus such as a facsimile can not conduct a broadcasting transmission because it transmits data at the same time it reads an original. 
     However, such an apparatus now has a memory in which image data obtained by reading an original is stored, so that a so-called broadcasting function of sequentially and automatically sending the same data to a plurality of destinations, is possible. Thus, for a facsimile having a memory of large capacity, it is possible to store a large amount of image data and carry out a broadcasting transmission at a desired time. 
     With such an apparatus, it is not possible however to confirm whether image data has actually been accumulated in the memory and the operator must leave this matter to the performance reliability of the apparatus. Furthermore, date and destination information the date and destination, for example can not be obtained from the accumulated image data. Even if the accumulated image data can be reviewed, the reviewed data is merely printed characters which are quite different from the original image data. These problems are also encountered in transmitting other data such as character code data. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a data communication apparatus eliminating the above-described related art disadvantages. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a data communication apparatus capable of reading management information on the communication data stored in a memory as well as part of the communication data and of recording both of them on a recording paper. 
     Other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of printed papers obtained using the apparatus; and 
     FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the apparatus. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 shows an example of an image data communication apparatus embodying the present invention. 
     In the figure, a reading (control) unit 1 reads an original 1A and obtains image data of the original. A central processing unit 2 controls the entire system of the apparatus and is comprised, for example, of a microprocessor. A recording control unit 3 prints an image of received image data or the like on a recording paper 3A. A memory 4 stores image data or the like obtained from the reading unit 1. A communication control unit 5 controls communication over a communication line 5A. An operation unit 6 is used for input of various commands by an operator. 
     The central processing unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a timer function and a character generator. The timer function is used when requesting the accumulation time and the like to be described later. 
     An example of the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     The operation start time is first read from the timer and is stored at step S1. Next, in accordance with the original reading mode (standard/fine, half-tone, density and so on) instructed by the operator through the operation unit 6, the original is read by the reading unit 1 and the read data is accumulated in the memory 4 at step S2. After completing the accumulation of the read data of the original at step S3, step S4 follows. 
     At step S4, the reading unit 1 sends the read image data to the central processing unit 2 to add thereto management information on the image data, such as the reading mode, the accumulated data and the like. The read image data and the management information are accumulated in the memory 4. Next, at step S5, the management information is read out from the memory 4 so that the management can be printed by means of the recording control unit 3 as shown in (b) of FIG. 2. At step S6, after reading the management information, the image data is read out from the memory 4 so that the image data is printed by means of the recording control unit 3 as shown in FIG. 2. 
     After judging at step S7 that part of the image data, i.e., 1 lines have been printed, the recording paper is cut at step S7 to obtain a receipt of a printed report for confirmation of the image data accumulation as shown in (b) of FIG. 2. 
     A similar receipt format is also used for printing a receipt of other previously accumulated image data so that inquiry of the previously accumulated image data can be quickly made. 
     As can be appreciated from the above-described embodiment, the apparatus enables obtaining not only a printed character receipt but also part of the image data added thereto. Therefore, the image data itself can be referred to thereby confirming that the image data has actually been accumulated in the memory. 
     In the above embodiment, the image data printed on the receipt has been limited to 1 lines from the leading edge of the original. However, since the leading portion of an original is usually blank, it is preferable, as shown at step S6&#39;, to print 1 lines starting from the first line which contains black data of the effective image on the receipt so that the inquiry about the image data can be effectively made. 
     The apparatus may be constructed in such a way that the image to be printed on the receipt is designated by the operator to any desired portion of an original, such as the middle or end portion instead of the leading portion. 
     The present invention is applicable to a character code communication apparatus by converting character codes into font codes using a character generator. 
     As described so far, since a receipt printed with not only the management information such as the reading mode but also part of the accumulated data can be obtained when communication data has been stored in the memory, improvement on the operability, reliability and certainty is assured. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment but various applications and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.