Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, image data such as facsimile data is received, the received image data is recorded in an internal image recording section, and copied data obtained by copying the image data is transmitted to a recording apparatus connected to an internal communication network such as a LAN. In the recording apparatus, the received copied data is recorded. The image forming apparatus performs an image formation process based on the image data recorded in the image recording section. When abnormality is detected in the image formation process, the copied data recorded in the recording apparatus is used.

Abstract: A network communication device is provided with e-mail message composing means and e-mail message transmitting/receiving means. The e-mail message composing means has functions of incorporating an MDN request and return transmission conditions into an e-mail message and of consolidating MDN responses for multiple received e-mail messages into a collective MDN response to compose a single e-mail message. The e-mail message transmitting/receiving means has a function of recognizing the MDN request and the return transmission conditions.

Abstract: A network communication device measures an elapsed time from the transmission of facsimile data prepared by an e-mail message composing section to the reception of a delivery verification response by a clock section. In accordance with the measurement, a time managing section changes a waiting time by which an occurrence of a timeout error is determined to, for example, a mean value or a maximum value. This sets the waiting time to an optimal value suitable to a network environment, for example.

Abstract: A network communication device has a function as a network facsimile device for carrying out sending and receiving of data via a network. A facsimile document data is transmitted as e-mail. The device is capable of setting information of whether or not the transmission confirmation response by MDN is required, according to a receiver when sending the e-mail. On this account, it is possible to provide a network communication device capable of preventing unnecessary waiting for transmission confirmation response or unnecessary output of a record of failure of transmission.

Abstract: A conventional facsimile machine re-dials by using another telephone line after an elapse of a predetermined period of time since when a communication error after a line connection has occurred, so that it takes a predetermined period of time to re-dial by using the other telephone line, and hence a receiving end may receive data transmitted from another facsimile machine during this period. In order to prevent that, a facsimile machine of the present invention comprises: a plurality of line connecting means, each of which has a telephone line for transmitting/receiving data; a line selecting section for selecting a telephone line to be used when a plurality of telephone lines are connected; and an auto-dial sending section for changing over the telephone line currently selected by the line selecting section to another telephone line so as to make a call immediately, when the receiving end is busy.

Abstract: A communication system serving as a transmitter terminal and a receiver terminal for communications with a second communication system via a communication line, the communication system includes a storage section for data storage; a communication section for data communications, the communication section being adapted for reception and transmission of data and size information indicative of the size of the data with respect to the second communication system; a detection section for detecting a free space in the storage section; a comparing section for comparing the data size contained in the size information with the size of the free space in the storage section; a calculating section for, if the storage section is short of free space for accommodation of the data size, calculating a waiting period required for recovery from the shortage of the free space in the storage section; and a timer section for timing the lapse of the waiting period.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing text data generated in advance uses character data defined in a code table. The apparatus includes a word extractor which extracts words to be coded from the words in the text data; a code allotter which allots a code to each extracted word that is defined in the code table and different from the codes allotted for the character data; a dictionary generator which generates a dictionary for defining a correspondence between the extracted words and the respective codes allotted to the extracted words; a code replacer which replaces the extracted words with their respective allotted codes to compress the text data; and a storage device which stores the generated dictionary and the compressed text data. The data amount for each text is reduced to improve the storage efficiency of a memory.

Abstract: A communications method is provided for performing a rational priority processing according to the urgency of an interrupt transmission when an interrupt transmission command is supplied while a multi-address communication or a multi-polling reception is performed. The priority order of the processings is decided based on whether the interrupt command requests a direct transmission or a memory transmission. When the interrupt is the direct transmission, the interrupt is given priority. When the interrupt is the memory transmission, the multi-address communication or the multi-polling reception is given priority. In the interrupt transmission requesting the memory transmission, after an original for the interrupt transmission is read out and stored in a memory, the multi-address communication or the multi-polling reception is continued, and after the communication is completed, the data of the original for the interrupt transmission stored in the memory is transmitted.

Abstract: A method and device for renewing an internal program of an apparatus capable of communication with a central station operable to transmit a new apparatus control program. It is determined whether data received from the central station is a new program. Replacement is then executed of a previously stored program with the new program, if a new program is received. A previously stored internal program is automatically overwritten by a new program transmitted from the central station.