Method and apparatus for performing multi-function and effectively managing memories

A multi-function apparatus performing at least copying function and an optional facsimile function, comprising:

• a basic memory including at least a first image memory area for storing data of the copying function;
• a socket for connecting an add-on expansion memory;
• and
• a controller configured to arrange memory assignments of said basic memory and said expansion memory in accordance with a predetermined memory map so that a second image memory area for the optional facsimile function is allocated within said basic memory when said expansion memory is connected to said socket and the optional facsimile function is added to said apparatus.

A multi-function apparatus performing at least copying and facsimile functions, comprising:

• first storing means for storing data of the copying function;
• second storing means for storing data of the facsimile function;
• connecting means for connecting an add-on expansion memory;
• and
• controlling means for arranging memory assignments of said first and second storing means in accordance with a first memory map to effectively perform operations of the copying and facsimile functions when said expansion memory is not connected to said socket and for rearranging said memory assignments of said first and second storing means together with said expansion memory with an effect of expanding memory areas for said data of said first and second storing means in accordance with a second memory map to effectively perform said operations of the copying and facsimile functions when said expansion memory is connected to said connecting means.

A multi-function apparatus performing at least copying function and an optional facsimile function, comprising:

• storing means for storing data of the copying function;
• connecting means for connecting an add-on expansion memory;
• and
• controlling means for arranging memory assignments of memory areas of said storing means and said expansion memory in accordance with a predetermined memory map so that a specific memory area for the optional facsimile function is allocated within said storing means when said expansion memory is connected to said connecting means and the optional facsimile function is added to said apparatus.

A method for multi-function performance of at least copying and facsimile functions, comprising the steps of:

• providing a basic memory including a first memory area for storing data of the copying function and a second memory area for storing data of the facsimile function;
• preparing a socket for connecting an expansion memory;
• arranging memory assignments of said basic memory in accordance with a first memory map to effectively perform operations of the copying and facsimile functions when said expansion memory is not connected to said socket;
• and
• rearranging said memory assignments of said basic memory together with said expansion memory with an effect of expanding said first and second memory areas storing said data of the copying and of facsimile functions in accordance with a second memory map to effectively perform said operations of the copying and facsimile functions when said expansion memory is connected to said socket.

A multi-function apparatus performing at least copying and facsimile functions, comprising:

• a basic memory including at least first image memory provisions storing data related to the copying function and second image memory provisions storing data related to the facsimile function;
• a coupling facility for selectively connecting add-on expansion memory provisions thereto;
• and
• a controller communicating with said basic memory and coupling facility and configured to arrange memory assignments of said basic memory in accordance with a first memory map to effectively perform operations of the copying and facsimile functions when said expansion memory provisions are not connected to said coupling facility and to rearrange said memory assignments of said basic memory and to arrange memory assignment of said expansion memory provisions in accordance with a second memory map to thereby provide expanded memory resources for effectively performing said operations of the copying and facsimile functions when said expansion memory provisions are connected to said coupling facility.

A multi-function apparatus performing at least a copying function and optionally performing a facsimile function, comprising:

• a basic memory including at least first image memory provisions for storing data related to the copying function;
• a coupling facility for selectively connecting add-on expansion memory provisions thereto;
• and
• a controller communicating with said basic memory and said coupling facility and configured to respond to a connection of said expansion memory provisions to said coupling facility by (a) arranging memory assignments of said basic memory and said expansion memory provisions in accordance with a predetermined memory map such that second image memory provisions are allocated within said basic memory and said expansion memory provisions related to said optional facsimile function, and (b) enabling performance of the optional facsimile function by said apparatus.