Abstract:
An image communicating apparatus having a key or other device to stop an operation in progress. The apparatus is preferably capable of performing several operations at the same time, and has a stop control which permits an operator to stop only a selected operation from among several which may be going on when the stop device is actuated. The selection is performed, e.g., on the basis of a predetermined stop priority, which may be settable by the operator. The identity of (and if desired other information regarding) the operation to be stopped may be communicated to the operator, e.g., via a display, and the operator may be given an opportunity to confirm that the correct operation is stopped. Also, according to another version of the invention, actuation of the key or other device may stop all on-going operations except for any which have been selected to be exempt from stoppage.

Description:
This application is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 07/944,748 filed Sep. 14, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/633,203 filed Dec. 31, 1990, abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/192,960 filed May 12, 1988, abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a communication apparatus which has a plurality of operation modes. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Recently, semiconductor memories having greater and greater capacities have become available, and the cost of semiconductor memories has fallen. As a result, a large capacity semiconductor memory can be installed in a communication apparatus, for example, a facsimile apparatus. Further, as a result of this improvement in semiconductor memory capacity and in techniques of communication, it is possible to provide a facsimile apparatus connected to several communication lines and capable of communicating by more than one line at the same time. A facsimile apparatus able to control the receiving of data during copying is also available. However, in such conventional facsimile apparatus, the communicating operations stop when the stop key is depressed. If the stop key is depressed while several communication operations are in progress, all of those communication operations stop at the same time and the apparatus assumes a standby status. In other words, even if the operator wants to stop only one of the operations and not the other(s), all of the operations in progress stop at the same time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the above described problems by providing a communication apparatus which has control means for controlling a-stop operation. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention is provided a communication apparatus which has Stop control means for causing a stop operation according to a predetermined priority. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention is provided a communication apparatus which has means for prohibiting one or more specific operations from stopping, so that a predetermined operation does not stop but continues, even if the stop key is depressed. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention is provided a communication apparatus having stop control means for stopping a predetermined operation among a plurality of operations which are in progress at the same time. 
    
    
     These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of the relationship between kinds of operations and stop priorities in the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the selection of one operation to be stopped; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of an example of an operational panel; 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the setting of stop priorities; 
     FIG. 6 is an example of menu display which may occur during the setting of stop priorities; 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating confirmation of the stop operation; 
     FIG. 8 is an illustration of the display during confirmation of the stop operation; 
     FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the process of displaying a message .about the stopped operation; 
     FIG. 10 is an illustration of such a display advising the operator of the stopping operation; 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are flow charts of operations, specifically, or controllable-stop operations; 
     FIG. 14 is an illustration of a display which, in one preferred embodiment, occurs during selection of the stop operation; 
     FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure for stopping all operations except for specified operations which are prohibited from stopping; 
     FIG. 16 is a top view of an operation panel; 
     FIG. 17 is a table showing an example of a relationship between kinds of operations and operation numbers and whether operations are prohibited from stopping or not; and 
     FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure for presetting or selecting the operations to be prohibited from stopping. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus of an example of the present invention. 
     In the first preferred embodiment, a control unit 1, a reader 2, a printer 3, an operating panel 4 and communication control units 5a, 5b, 5c are provided. The communication control units 5a, 5b, 5c are respectively connected to communication lines 6a, 6b, 6c, and are able to transmit and to receive independently of each other. 
     The control unit 1 controls all operations of the apparatus, including the operation of storing image data received via the communication units 5a, 5b, 5c, the operation of outputting to the printer 3, and the operation of transmitting image data read by the reader 2. The control unit 1 also controls the copying operation. 
     In the copying operation, image data read by the reader 2 is printed or copied by the printer 3. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can perform several of the above mentioned operations in parallel. 
     The control unit 1 operates as a stop control means which controls to stop an on-going operation according to a predetermined stop priority when a stop key 43 (see FIG. 4) is depressed. 
     An operator can determine the stop priority at will. The stop control means acts to select .the operation to be stopped according to the predetermined priority, and, in this embodiment, also acts to confirm to the operator which operation is to be stopped, and to stop that operation after the confirmation. The stop control means (the control unit 1) also informs the operator what operation has been stopped, when the stop key 43 is depressed. 
     The control unit 1 also controls to display an indication of which communication lines are in use. The operator can select the communication line whose operation is to be stopped from among the communication lines in use. 
     FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of the relationship between kinds of operations and the stop priority, and whether specific operations are prohibited from stopping or not. Referring to FIG. 2, the stop priority n is &#34;1&#34; through &#34;9&#34;, an operation whose stop priority is n=9 being prohibited from stopping, among all the operations. Therefore, the relaying operation (in this example) is not stopped when the stop key is depressed. 
     FIG. 4 shows an operating panel. 
     The operating panel 4 includes a liquid crystal display unit 41, a set key 42, the stop key 43, a start key 44, cursor keys 45 and numeral keys 46. The stop key 43 is a key for instructing the apparatus to stop an operation. The set key 42 and the cursor keys 45 are for setting the stop priorities and selecting an operation to be prohibited from stopping. Therefore, in an application where the operator is not to be permitted to set the priority nor to select an operation to be prohibited from stopping, the set key 42 and the cursor keys 45 may be omitted. 
     The apparatus operates as follows. FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the control unit. 1 showing selection of the operation which is to be stopped by depression of the stop key. 
     Firstly, if both the communication lines 6a and 6b are in use for transmitting image data, the apparatus operates as follows. When the stop key 43 is depressed, in step S1, the stop priority n is preset as &#34;1&#34;. In the step S3, a check is made as to whether the operation having stop priority n=1, i.e., the copying operation, is in use or not. 
     If the copying operation is not in use, the stop priority n is incremented (84). On the other hand, if the copying operation is in use, the copying operation is caused to stop. In the step S5, if the same operations are in use with more than one of the communication lines at the same time, the operation which was most recently started is caused to stop. For example, in a case where the transmitting operations are in use via several communication lines at the same time, the transmitting operation whose transmitting start time is latest is caused to stop. In the step S2, if the stop priority n has reached 10, no operation is in use, and therefore, there is no operation to be stopped. The relay operation designated by the stop priority 9 is prohibited from stopping. Thus, if the stop key 43 is depressed while the relay operation is being operated, the relay operation does not stop, but continues. 
     FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the control unit 1 for setting the stop priority. The control unit operates as follows. 
     In the step 11, the number N of operation is preset to 1, and the nature of the all operations is displayed by the liquid crystal display unit 41. The number N is an operation number, but in the initial state the number N coincides with the stop priority n. 
     In the step S12, a cursor 47 is moved to the position designated by the number N. In this state the cursor 47 is placed adjacent &#34;1&#34;. 
     If the numeral key 46 is depressed, the number N is changed to the stop priority n designated by the numeral key 46 (S14, S15). For instance, if &#34;3&#34; is input by the numeral key 46, &#34;1&#34; is changed to &#34;3&#34;. 
     In the step S16, the number N is incremented. For instance, N=&#34;1&#34; becomes N=&#34;2&#34;. The cursor is moved to the position adjacent &#34;2&#34; in the display unit 41. If, on the other hand, the cursor key 45 is input instead of the numeral key 46, the cursor 47 is just moved to the position adjacent the next number N. If the operation number N has become &#34;10&#34; (817), the number N is reset &#34;1&#34; (S18) and the flow returns to step 812. 
     As mentioned above, the stop priority is input for each operation designated by N=1 through N=9. 
     When the set key 42 is depressed, the data of the stop priority input by the numeral key 46 and the cursor key 45 is set in a memory in the control unit 1 (S13). 
     FIG. 6 shows an example of a displaying state of the displaying unit 41 during the above-described setting of the stop priority. 
     According to the above-mentioned ;embodiment, the stop key 43 is depressed while the facsimile apparatus performs a plurality of operations at the same time, and one of the operations is caused to stop as a consequence. The operation to be stopped is selected according to the priority which is input by the operator, so that the actual stop operation can be done in the same way as in a conventional apparatus which performs a single operation at a time. 
     FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the operation illustrated in this flow chart, after the stop key is depressed, the identity of the operation to be stopped is displayed on the display 1, so that the operator can confirm what operation is stopped. The flow chart of FIG. 7 continues from the step S5 of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 shows an example of the display 41. After the stop key 43 is depressed, the operation to be stopped is selected in the step 85 of FIG. 3, and then the actual identity (and other information) of the selected operation is displayed on the display 41, as shown in FIG. 8 (S21). For example, the name and the telephone number of the destination station are displayed on the display 41. At this time, if the cursor key 45 is depressed by the operator, the previously-entered order to stop the displayed operation is cancelled (S22). On the other hand, if the set key 42 is depressed, the selected operation is caused to stop (S23, S24). 
     In the procedure illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the selected operation to be stopped is displayed on the display 41, and the operator can judge whether the selected operation is in fact to be stopped or not, so that an operation the operator wishes to continue does not stop. 
     FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure for displaying which operation has just finished. 
     When the stop key 43 is depressed, one of the plural operations in progress at the same time stops. In the step S31, the display 41 is controlled to display:the identity of, and other information regarding, the operation which has just stopped. This information includes the kind of operation, e.g., transmitting, receiving, copying or relaying, an identification of the destination terminal, e.g., a name or an abbreviation and a telephone number, etc. 
     For example, upon the stop key 43 being depressed, the display 41 provides a display like FIG. 10. 
     As mentioned above, every time the stop key is depressed, the display 41 informs the operator as to the nature of the operation which has just stopped, and thus the operator confirms which operation has stopped. The flow chart of FIG. 9 is continues from step S5 of FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 11A is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for designating operations to be prohibited from stopping. 
     In the case of setting parameters or facilities for an operator, first the stop priority is set (S41), and then operations to be prohibited from stopping are designated (S42). 
     An operation designated to be prohibited from stopping continues in progress, even if the stop key is depressed. In this case, the step 853 of FIG. 12 is included in the procedure shown in FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 12 is another modified flow chart of a control unit 1 showing an operation of stopping when the stop key is depressed. 
     The process illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 12 is as follows. In the step S51, the step S1 or S5 in FIG. 3 is performed so that the operation to be stopped is selected, and the display 41 is caused to display the information identifying and describing the selected operation. If the stop key 43 is depressed again after the display 41 starts to display that information, the selected operation stops. 
     However, unless the stop key 43 is depressed a second time within a predetermined term, e.g., 10 seconds, the selected operation will not stop. In this way, according to the flow chart of FIG. 12, only if the stop key 43 is depressed for more than a predetermined time or is depressed twice, is the selected operation caused to stop. 
     In other words, the selected operation to be stopped is displayed by depressing the stop key the first time, then the operator confirms the selected operation, and if the operator in fact wishes to stop the selected operation, the operator depresses the stop key 43 again. Only if the operator depresses the stop key two times within the predetermined time does the selected operation stop. 
     FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the operation of the control unit 1 according to another preferred embodiment. In this embodiment the control unit 1 controls the apparatus as follows when the stop key 43 is depressed. 
     First, the display 41 is caused to display every state of every channel to be selected to stop (S61). For example, the display 41 provides a display like that shown in FIG. 14, on depression of the stop key 43. In this case, the channel 1 shown as 6a. is in use for transmitting, and the channel 2 shown as 6b is in use for receiving. Both of them are displayed as No. 1 and No. 2, respectfully, in FIG. 14. The display 41 also shows &#34;all operations stop&#34; as No. 3. In-this case there are three choices. The operator moves the cursor in order to designate one among the three choices shown as No. 1, 2 or 3 in FIG. 14 (S62). If the operator depresses the set key 42 (S63), the operation designated by the cursor stops (S64). 
     For example, if the operator wishes to stop the receiving operation of the channel 2, the operator moves the cursor from the position adjacent No. 1 to that adjacent No. 2 by depressing the downward cursor key 45, and then depresses the set key 42. Then the control unit 1 determines that the receiving operation of the channel 6b is to be stopped, generates a stopping command to the communication control unit 2, and thus causes the receiving operation to stop. 
     The display 41 may display one operating state to be stopped at a time, and the operator changes the display of the operating state by scrolling with the cursor key to find the operating state the operator wishes to stop. 
     Alternatively, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are respectively provided for all channels, and the operator selects the channel to be stopped by depressing keys. That channel&#39;s LED light stops when the stop key is depressed. 
     Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15 through 18. FIG. 16 shows an operating panel 4&#39; for inputting data or commands and for displaying conditions of the apparatus. The operating panel 4&#39; includes a liquid crystal display 41&#39;, a set key 42&#39;, a stop key 43&#39;, a start key 44&#39; and a cursor key 45&#39;. The stop key 43&#39; is provided for instructing the apparatus to stop the operation. In an application where the operator is not to be permitted to select the operation(s) to be prohibited from stopping, the set key 42&#39; and the cursor key 45&#39; may be omitted. FIG. 17 is a table showing an example of the relationship between kinds of operations and operation numbers, and whether operations are prohibited from stopping or not. 
     This embodiment has nine different operations, so that the operation number n has values &#34;1&#34; through &#34;9&#34;.  Among the nine operations, the operations designated as n=&#34;5&#34;, &#34;7&#34;, &#34;8&#34; and &#34;9&#34; are prohibited from stopping. Therefore, even if the stop key 43&#39; is depressed, the receiving operation (n=5), timer-activated transmission for transmitting documents to a destination at a preset time (n=7), timer-activated polling for receiving documents from a predetermined terminal at a preset time (n=8), and a relaying operation for relaying from a predetermined terminal to a predetermined destination (n=9) continue. 
     This embodiment operates as follows. FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the operation of the control unit 1 in FIG. 1. This flow chart shows an operation of the facsimile apparatus when the stop key 43&#39; is depressed. 
     First, when the stop key 43&#39; is depressed (S1&#39;), &#34;1&#34; is preset as the operation number n (S2&#39;). In the step S3&#39;, a determination is made as to whether n=10. Since at this time n=1, the result of the determination is that n is not &#34;10&#34;. Then in the step S4&#39;, the control unit judges whether the copying operation designated as n=1 is in use or not. If the copying operation is not in use, the program is advanced to the step S7&#39;. On the other hand, if the copying operation is in use, in the step S5&#39; the control unit 1 judges whether the copying operation is designated as an operation to-be prohibited from stopping or not. The copying operation is not an operation so prohibited, and therefore, n is incremented in the step S7&#39;, and the steps S3&#39; through S7&#39; are repeated, because other operations may be in use at the same time. 
     In a case where the operation number is &#34;5&#34;, and the receiving operation is in use, the receiving operation continues even though the stop key 43&#39; is depressed. In this fashion, important operations are prohibited from stopping. In other words, the operations not to be stopped continue and are protected from stopping even though the stop key is depressed. 
     FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating the presetting or selection of the operations to be prohibited from stopping. 
     In the step S11&#39;, the operation number n is preset to be &#34;1&#34;. In the step S13&#39;, the display 41&#39; on the operation panel 4&#39; is caused to display the kinds of operation, as shown in FIG. 16. The display 41&#39; displays &#34;Would you like to prohibit stopping the operation as follows?&#34;, the kind of the operation (&#34;COPY&#34;) and the operation number &#34;1&#34; thereof. 
     The display 41&#39; also says, e.g., that if the operator wishes to prohibit the copying operation from stopping, the set key 42&#39; must be pressed, and if not, the downward cursor key 45&#39; should be pressed. 
     When the operator presses the set key 42&#39; (S14&#39;), a flag designating the operation to be prohibited from stopping is set to the copying operation (S15&#39;), and the operation number is incremented. 
     On the other hand, when the downward cursor key 45&#39; is depressed by the operator (S16&#39;), the operation number is just incremented without the flag being set (S17&#39;). 
     In this way, the operational number n is incremented, and the steps S12&#39; through 817&#39; are repeated. When the number n reaches &#34;10&#34;, the presetting operation finishes. According to this aspect of the invention, thus, even though the stop key is depressed, the operation not to be stopped continues. 
     The invention has been described illustratively with reference to several embodiments thereof, many modifications and variations will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, which these above mentioned embodiments are related to facsimile apparatuses, this invention may be applied to other communication apparatuses. 
     Especially, the communication apparatus which has more than one operations on-going at the same time, may benefit from the present invention. 
     Again, while the liquid crystal display is used in these embodiments, other displays, or an acoustic informer, may be used for informing the operator of the information communicated by the LCD&#39;s in the foregoing embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the invention is therefore not to be limited by the details of the specific embodiments described herein, but is to be determined by reference to the appended claims.