Image forming apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus, a method, and a program that can prevent a situation where the image forming apparatus cannot receive facsimile.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 having a facsimile function includes: a receiving operation setting unit 304 that sets, for each time zone, a receiving operation to a printing mode for printing received data or a storage mode for storing the received data; and a print number measuring unit 305 that measures the number of prints for each time zone in the printing mode. When the number of prints in the time zone in which the receiving mode is set to the printing mode exceeds a threshold, the receiving operation setting unit 304 changes the settings of the receiving operation in the time zone from the printing mode to the storage mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, a method executed by the image forming apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] When the amount of received facsimiles increases in a relatively short time, paper shortage or the like may occur, and subsequent facsimiles may not be received.

[0003] Therefore, a technique has been developed in which, depending on the time zone, the received facsimiles are not printed and are stored in a memory or the like.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-220564 (Patent Document 1) discloses an apparatus having a function that can set the start and end times of storage and can be set so that all faxes transmitted are stored (accumulated) in the memory in the fax apparatus. According to Patent Document 1, it is possible to set to store faxes received at night or on holidays in the memory in the fax apparatus.

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 does not assume a case where the number of received facsimiles is large during the time zone set for printing facsimiles. Therefore, in this case as well, paper shortage or the like occurs, and subsequent facsimiles cannot be received appropriately.

[0006] Therefore, a further technique for appropriately changing the setting of printing / accumulating facsimiles has been demanded.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the above prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus, a method, and a program for preventing the inability to receive facsimiles.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] That is, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, setting means for setting, for each time zone, a reception operation of whether to set a printing mode for printing received data or a storage mode for storing received data; measuring means for measuring the number of printed sheets for each time zone in the printing mode is included, wherein the setting means changes the setting of the reception operation in the time zone from the printing mode to the storage mode when the number of printed sheets in the time zone set to the printing mode exceeds a threshold value. An image forming apparatus is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus, method, and program that prevent the facsimile from becoming unable to receive can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In each of the figures referred to below, the same reference numerals are used for common elements, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware in the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an example of an environment in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 communicate via a public line 110.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is an apparatus having a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 100 may be, for example, a facsimile dedicated machine such as the image forming apparatuses 100a and 100b, or may be an MFP (Multi-function Peripheral) such as the image forming apparatuses 100c and 100d. The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can receive facsimile data from another image forming apparatus 100 and print it. Further, in the embodiment to be described, the received data may be stored in a storage device or may be transferred to another image forming apparatus 100.

[0014] The public line 110 is a line that mainly transmits voice using a Public Switched Telephone Network. In the present embodiment, the public line 110 transmits an electrical signal converted from an image signal output from the image forming apparatus 100 that is the facsimile transmission source to the image forming apparatus 100 on the receiving side. The public line 110 can transmit facsimile data by so-called G3 standard communication.

[0015] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration included in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 210, a RAM 220, a ROM 230, a storage device 240, a printer device 250, a scanner device 260, a communication I / F 270, a display 280, and an input device 290, and each hardware is connected via a bus.

[0016] The CPU 210 is a device that executes a program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 and performs predetermined processing. The RAM 220 is a volatile storage device for providing an execution space for the program executed by the CPU 210, and is used for storing and expanding programs and data. The ROM 230 is a non-volatile storage device for storing programs and firmware executed by the CPU 210.

[0017] The storage device 240 is a readable and writable non-volatile storage device that stores an OS, various software, setting information, various data, etc. for operating the image forming apparatus 100. Examples of the storage device 240 include an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a non-volatile RAM.

[0018] The printer device 250 is a device configured to form an image on paper by a laser method, an inkjet method, or the like. The scanner device 260 is a device configured to read an image of a printed matter and convert it into data. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 100 can copy a printed matter by the cooperation of the scanner device 260 and the printer device 250. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can realize a facsimile function by the cooperation of the printer device 250, the scanner device 260, and the communication I / F 270. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 can realize a facsimile transmission function by transmitting the image data read by the scanner device 260 via the communication I / F 270. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 can realize a facsimile reception function by receiving the data transmitted by another facsimile apparatus via the communication I / F 270 and printing it with the printer device 250.

[0019] The communication I / F 270 is a device that connects the image forming apparatus 100 and the public line 110 to enable communication. The communication I / F 270 can be configured to include, for example, a modem. The communication I / F 270 of the present embodiment can transmit and receive facsimile data.

[0020] The display 280 is a device that displays various data and the state of the image forming apparatus 100 to the user. Examples include an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The input device 290 is a device for the user to operate the image forming apparatus 100. Examples include physical buttons. Note that the display 280 and the input device 290 may be separate devices, or may be a device having both functions such as a touch panel display.

[0021] The hardware configuration included in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional means executed by each hardware in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a software block diagram included in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 100 includes functional means such as a communication unit 301, an image reading unit 302, a printing control unit 303, a reception operation setting unit 304, a printed sheet count measurement unit 305, a printing determination unit 306, a display unit 307, an operation unit 308, a setting storage unit 309, and a data storage unit 310. Hereinafter, the details of each functional means will be described.

[0023] The communication unit 301 is means for controlling the operation of the communication I / F 270 and communicating various data. The communication unit 301 constitutes the communication means of the present embodiment. Further, the communication unit 301 can constitute the notification means in the present embodiment. The communication unit 301 of the present embodiment can transmit facsimile image data to another image forming apparatus 100. Further, the communication unit 301 can receive facsimile image data from another image forming apparatus 100.

[0024] The image reading unit 302 is means for controlling the operation of the scanner device 260 and reading an image formed on a sheet. The image reading unit 302 constitutes the reading means of the present embodiment. The image read by the image reading unit 302 is converted into electronic data and can be transmitted to another image forming apparatus 100 via the communication unit 301, thereby realizing the transmission function of the facsimile.

[0025] The printing control unit 303 is means for controlling the operation of the printer device 250 and controlling a printing operation for forming an image on a sheet based on electronic data. The printing control unit 303 constitutes the control means of the present embodiment. Further, the printing control unit 303 can constitute the notification means in the present embodiment. The printing control unit 303 of the present embodiment can realize the reception function of the facsimile by performing control to print the data of the image transmitted from another image forming apparatus 100.

[0026] The reception operation setting unit 304 is a means for setting the operations to be performed when receiving facsimile image data (hereinafter simply referred to as "reception operations"). The reception operation setting unit 304 of the present embodiment can, for example, present a setting screen to the user and accept the user's selection to set the reception operation as an operation of performing printing based on electronic data (hereinafter referred to as "printing mode") or an operation of accumulating electronic data (hereinafter referred to as "accumulation mode"). The reception operation setting unit 304 constitutes the setting means of the present embodiment. Note that the reception operations in the present embodiment include, for example, printing based on electronic data, accumulation of electronic data, transfer of electronic data to another image forming apparatus 100, and the like.

[0027] The print count measurement unit 305 is a means for measuring the number of printed sheets related to facsimile image data. The print count measurement unit 305 constitutes the measurement means of the present embodiment. The print count measurement unit 305 of the present embodiment can, for example, measure the number of printed sheets when printing the received image data when the reception operation is in the printing mode. Further, the print count measurement unit 305 can, for example, measure the number of printed sheets when printing the received and accumulated image data when the reception operation is in the accumulation mode.

[0028] The print determination unit 306 is a means for determining whether printing has been successful based on the received facsimile data. The print determination unit 306 constitutes the determination means of the present embodiment. The print determination unit 306 of the present embodiment can determine that printing has been successful when all the pages related to the received facsimile data have been printed. Further, the print determination unit 306 of the present embodiment can determine that printing has failed, for example, when paper jams, paper shortages, toner shortages, etc. occur during facsimile printing and printing of all pages of the received data cannot be completed.

[0029] The display unit 307 controls the operation of the display 280 and is a means for displaying various screens to the user. The display unit 307 constitutes the display means of the present embodiment. Also, the display unit 307 can constitute the notification means in the present embodiment. The display unit 307 of the present embodiment can display, for example, a screen for setting a reception operation. Also, the display unit 307 can display a screen for notifying various information.

[0030] The operation unit 308 controls the operation of the input device 290 and is a means for receiving various operations on the image forming apparatus 100 by the user. The operation unit 308 constitutes the operation means of the present embodiment. The user can operate, for example, a screen for setting a reception operation via the operation unit 308 of the present embodiment.

[0031] The setting storage unit 309 controls the operation of the storage device 240 and is a means for storing the setting of the reception operation. The setting storage unit 309 constitutes the storage means of the present embodiment. The setting storage unit 309 of the present embodiment can store, for example, the setting of the reception operation for each time zone in a table format. Here, an example of the configuration of the setting storage unit 309 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored in the setting storage unit 309 of the present embodiment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the setting storage unit 309 of the present embodiment stores the setting of the reception operation for each day of the week. For each day of the week, it is possible to set whether the reception operation for each time zone is in the print mode or the accumulation mode. In the example shown in FIG. 4, one day is divided into four time zones: the time zone from 0:00 to 6:00, the time zone from 6:00 to 12:00, the time zone from 12:00 to 18:00, and the time zone from 18:00 to 0:00, and the reception operation is set.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 4, on Monday, the reception operation in the time period from 0:00 to 6:00 is set to the accumulation mode, and the reception operation in other time periods is set to the printing mode. In the example shown in FIG. 4, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the reception operation is set to the printing mode throughout the day. In the example shown in FIG. 4, on Friday, the reception operation in the time period from 18:00 to 0:00 is set to the accumulation mode, and the reception operation in other time periods is set to the printing mode. In the example shown in FIG. 4, on Saturday and Sunday, the reception operation is set to the accumulation mode throughout the day.

[0034] By setting the reception operation in this way, the facsimiles received in the time period when the user desires printing can be printed, and the facsimiles received in the time period when the user does not desire printing (for example, the time period when the user is likely to be absent) can be accumulated, improving the convenience for the user.

[0035] Note that the table shown in FIG. 4 is just an example and does not limit the embodiment. The form of the table stored in the setting storage unit 309 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the time period for setting the reception operation can be arbitrary, and it may have a table configuration other than that shown in FIG. 4. For example, it may be configured to set the reception operation for each date or to divide the time period that divides a day into other than those shown in FIG. 4 (for example, divide it into two time periods, three time periods, five or more time periods, etc.).

[0036] Returning to the explanation with reference to FIG. 3. The data storage unit 310 is means for controlling the operation of the storage device 240 and storing the data of the received facsimiles. The data storage unit 310 constitutes the storage means of this embodiment. The data storage unit 310 of this embodiment can store, for example, the data of the facsimiles received while the image forming apparatus 100 is operating in the accumulation mode.

[0037] Note that the software blocks shown in FIG. 3 correspond to functional means realized by causing each hardware to function by the CPU 210 executing the program of the present embodiment. Further, all of the functional means shown in each embodiment may be realized software-wise, or a part or all of them may be implemented as hardware that provides equivalent functions.

[0038] Next, an operation for setting the reception operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing examples of a setting screen in the present embodiment. The setting screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are displayed on the display 280 by the display unit 307.

[0039] The screen shown in FIG. 5(a) is a screen for setting the reception operation, and can be transitioned from, for example, the home screen. On the screen shown in FIG. 5(a), a button for selecting the day of the week for setting the reception operation and a button for transitioning to a screen for setting an automatic switching setting of the reception operation mode are displayed. When the user presses the "Monday" button on the screen shown in FIG. 5(a), the screen shown in FIG. 5(b) is transitioned to.

[0040] The screen shown in Fig. 5(b) is a screen for setting the reception operation for each time zone of the selected day of the week. The user can set the reception operation for each time zone on the screen shown in Fig. 5(b). For example, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the time zone from 0:00 to 6:00 can be set as the "accumulation mode", and the time zones from 6:00 to 12:00, from 12:00 to 18:00, and from 18:00 to 0:00 can be set as the "print mode". After the user sets the reception operation for each time zone, by pressing the "OK" button, the setting of the reception operation for the day of the week can be completed. When the "OK" button is pressed, the reception operation set in Fig. 5(b) is stored in the table (see Fig. 4) of the setting storage unit 309. Also, when the "OK" button is pressed, the screen shown in Fig. 5(a) is transitioned to. Note that in the setting screen shown in Fig. 5(b), the configuration is such that the reception operation is selected from either the print mode or the accumulation mode, but the embodiment is not particularly limited. Therefore, for example, in addition to the print mode and the accumulation mode, a configuration may be adopted in which a transfer mode for transmitting the received facsimile data to another image forming apparatus 100 can be selected.

[0041] Also, the user can set the automatic switching of the reception operation mode by pressing the "Automatic Switching Setting of Reception Operation Mode" button on the screen shown in Fig. 5(a). When the "Automatic Switching Setting of Reception Operation Mode" is pressed, the screen for setting the automatic switching of the reception operation mode shown in Fig. 6(a) is transitioned to. On the screen for setting the automatic switching of the reception operation mode, it is possible to select whether or not to perform the automatic switching of the reception operation mode. When "Do not set" is selected, even if the number of printed facsimiles in a certain time zone exceeds the threshold, the print mode is continued. In this case, the display for setting the threshold value ("Number of Printed Sheets" in Fig. 6(a)) is grayed out.

[0042] On the other hand, when "Set" is selected, if the number of printed received facsimiles exceeds the threshold value during the time period set for the printing mode, it is automatically changed to the accumulation mode. When "Set" is selected, the display is as shown in Fig. 6(b), and the number of printed sheets that serves as the threshold value for changing the mode can be set. After the user sets the number of printed sheets on the screen of Fig. 6(b), by pressing the "OK" button, the automatic switching setting of the reception operation mode can be terminated. When the "OK" button is pressed, various settings made on the screen of Fig. 6 are saved. Also, when the "OK" button is pressed, the screen shown in Fig. 5(a) is transitioned to.

[0043] Next, the processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 starts the processing from step S1000.

[0044] In step S1000, the communication unit 301 branches the processing depending on whether or not facsimile data has been received. If the data has not been received (NO), the process returns to step S1001, and by repeating the process, it waits for the reception of facsimile data. On the other hand, if the data has been received (YES), the process proceeds to step S1002.

[0045] In step S1002, the processing branches depending on whether or not the operation mode for the current time period is the printing mode. If it is not the printing mode, that is, if it is the accumulation mode (NO), the process proceeds to step S1010. In step S1010, the data storage unit 310 stores the received data in the storage device 240. The stored data is stored until at least an operation for printing by the user is performed.

[0046] Next, in step S1011, the print count measurement unit 305 measures and adds the number of printed sheets when the received facsimile data is printed. Then, the process returns to step S1001, and it waits for the reception of data.

[0047] On the other hand, if it is in the printing mode in step S1002 (YES), the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, the print control unit 303 controls the operation of the printer device 250 based on the received data to perform printing.

[0048] Subsequently, in step S1004, the process branches depending on whether the printing in step S1003 was successful. The print determination unit 306 can determine whether the printing in step S1004 was successful or not. If the printing was not successful (NO), the process proceeds to step S1009. For example, in step S1003, if a paper jam, paper clogging, toner shortage, etc. occur, the print determination unit 306 determines that the printing has failed.

[0049] When it is determined that the printing has failed and the process proceeds to step S1009, the print control unit 303 outputs an instruction to the communication unit 301 to cancel the reception of the facsimile and interrupts the reception operation. Then, the process proceeds to step S1007.

[0050] On the other hand, in step S1004, if the printing was successful (YES), the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, the print count measurement unit 305 adds the number of printed facsimiles. In the subsequent step S1006, the process branches depending on whether the number of prints in the current time period has exceeded the threshold value. If the number of prints has not exceeded the threshold value (NO), without changing the operation mode and maintaining the printing mode, the process returns to step S1001 and waits for the reception of facsimile data. On the other hand, in step S1006, if the number of prints has exceeded the threshold value (YES), the process proceeds to step S1007.

[0051] The process of step S1007 is a process in which the reception operation setting unit 304 changes the operation mode from the printing mode to the accumulation mode, and is performed after step S1006 or step S1009. For example, when it is determined in step S1006 that the number of printed sheets exceeds the threshold, since the number of printed sheets (the number of facsimiles) in the current time zone is larger than expected by the user, if the printing mode is maintained, there is a possibility of an error such as out of paper when receiving further facsimiles. Therefore, in step S1007, the reception operation setting unit 304 changes the reception operation to the accumulation mode.

[0052] Also, step S1009 is a process of interrupting the reception operation due to a printing failure. Therefore, if the printing mode is maintained, there is also a high possibility of a printing error occurring. Therefore, also in this case, the reception operation setting unit 304 changes the reception operation to the accumulation mode in step S1007.

[0053] Here, the change to the accumulation mode in step S1007 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the table stored in the setting storage unit 309 in the present embodiment is changed.

[0054] The example shown in FIG. 8 is changed from the state of the table illustrated in FIG. 4 by the process of FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, the reception operation in the time zone from 12:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday is changed. That is, the user initially considered that the reception volume of facsimiles in the time zone from 12:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday tended to be small, and set the reception operation in the time zone to the printing mode. However, if the reception volume of facsimiles in the time zone is larger than expected by the user, if the printing mode is continued in the time zone, out of paper or the like may occur, and there is a possibility of a reception error for facsimiles received later. Therefore, when the number of printed sheets of facsimiles received in the time zone exceeds a predetermined threshold (YES in step S1006 of FIG. 7), the reception operation in the time zone is changed from the printing mode to the accumulation mode (step S1007 of FIG. 7).

[0055] Therefore, the reception operation during the time period from 12:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday has been changed from the printing mode shown in FIG. 4 to the accumulation mode shown in FIG. 8. As a result, the reception operation setting is changed to reflect the actual situation that the number of printed facsimile sheets tends to be large during this time period. Also, by changing the table stored in the setting storage unit 309 in this way, it is possible to process in the accumulation mode even in the same time period after the next week, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of reception errors.

[0056] Returning to FIG. 7 for explanation. After changing to the accumulation mode in step S1007, in step S1008, the user is notified that the mode has been changed. When the operation mode is changed from the printing mode to the accumulation mode, it is preferable to notify the user that the mode has been changed. The notification in step S1008 can be performed by various notification means. The mode of notification is not particularly limited to the embodiment, but examples include display on the display 280 by the display unit 307, printing of a message indicating that the notification has been made by the print control unit 303, and transmission of an SMS (so-called short message) via the communication unit 301. By such notification, the user can recognize that the operation mode has been changed.

[0057] After performing the notification in step S1008, the process returns to step S1001, and waits for the reception of facsimile data.

[0058] By performing the process shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can change the reception operation from the printing mode to the accumulation mode when the number of printed facsimile sheets exceeds the threshold value or when the facsimile printing fails. As a result, it is possible to accumulate the facsimile data received later without printing, and thus it is possible to prevent printing errors.

[0059] In the above-described embodiments, two reception operations, namely the printing mode and the storage mode, have been described as examples, but the embodiments are not particularly limited thereto. Therefore, for example, when the number of printed sheets exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the reception operation may be configured to be changed to a transfer mode in which the received facsimile data is transferred to another image forming apparatus 100. Further, the configuration may be changed to a mode that performs both the storage mode and the transfer mode.

[0060] As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a method, and a program for preventing a facsimile from becoming unable to receive.

[0061] Each function of the above-described embodiments of the present invention can be realized by a device-executable program described in C, C++, C#, Java (registered trademark), etc. The program of the present embodiment can be stored and distributed in a device-readable recording medium such as a hard disk device, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a flexible disk, an EEPROM (registered trademark), an EPROM, etc., and can also be transmitted via a network in a form that can be processed by other devices.

[0062] Each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function described above, a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), and a device such as a conventional circuit module.

[0063] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved within the scope of embodiments that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, the present invention is included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0064] 100…Image forming apparatus, 110…Public line, 210…CPU, 220…RAM, 230…ROM, 240…Storage device, 250…Printer device, 260…Scanner device, 270…Communication I / F, 280…Display, 290…Input device, 301…Communication section, 302…Image reading section, 303…Print control section, 304…Receiving operation setting section, 305…Printing sheet count measurement section, 306…Printing determination section, 307…Display section, 308…Operation section, 309…Setting storage section, 310…Data storage section

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0065]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, comprising setting means for setting, for each time period, a reception operation to be either a printing mode for printing received data or a storage mode for storing received data; measurement means for measuring the number of printed sheets for each time period in the printing mode; and wherein the setting means changes the setting of the reception operation in the time period from the printing mode to the storage mode when the number of printed sheets in the time period set to the printing mode exceeds a threshold value. An image forming apparatus.

2. An image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, comprising setting means for setting, for each time period, a reception operation to be either a printing mode for printing received data or a storage mode for storing received data; judgment means for judging the result of printing data received in the printing mode; and wherein the setting means changes the setting of the reception operation in the time period from the printing mode to the storage mode when the judgment means judges that the printing has failed. An image forming apparatus.

3. notification means for notifying that the operation mode has been changed when the setting means changes the setting from the printing mode to the storage mode; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the above.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the threshold value can be set to an arbitrary value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. A method executed by an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function and capable of setting, for each time period, a reception operation to be either a printing mode for printing received data or a storage mode for storing received data, the method comprising: receiving data; printing based on the data received in the time period set to the printing mode; measuring the number of printed sheets for each time period in the printing mode; changing the setting of the reception operation in the time period from the printing mode to the storage mode when the number of printed sheets in the time period set to the printing mode exceeds a threshold value. A method.

6. A method executed by an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function and capable of setting, for each time period, a reception operation to be either a printing mode for printing received data or a storage mode for storing received data, the method comprising: receiving data; printing based on the data received in the time period set to the printing mode; A step of determining whether printing in the printing step was successful or not, When it is determined in the determining step that the printing has failed, changing the setting of the receiving operation in the time zone from the printing mode to the storage mode, Method.

7. A program executed by an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, The image forming apparatus, Setting means for setting, for each time zone, a receiving operation of whether to set the received data to a printing mode for printing or a storage mode for storing the received data, Measuring means for measuring the number of printed sheets for each time zone in the printing mode Function as, When the number of printed sheets in the time zone set to the printing mode exceeds a threshold value, the setting means changes the setting of the receiving operation in the time zone from the printing mode to the storage mode, Program.

8. A program executed by an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, The image forming apparatus, Setting means for setting, for each time zone, a receiving operation of whether to set the received data to a printing mode for printing or a storage mode for storing the received data, and Determining means for determining the result of printing the received data in the printing mode Function as, When the determining means determines that the printing has failed, the setting means changes the setting of the receiving operation in the time zone from the printing mode to the storage mode, Program.

Images