JP2001103268A - Image communication apparatus, its control method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a receiver side communication unit to save paper on which received image data are printed in the case of conducting communication of image data between two communication apparatuses. SOLUTION: Transmitter side communication apparatus receives and acquires information denoting setting of a paper-save mode where receiver side communication apparatus saves paper for printing image data from the communication apparatus prior to transmission of image data in the case of transmission (S102). While reading image data of an original and storing the data into a storage device (S103), the transmitter side communication apparatus discriminates whether or not the paper save mode is set to the receiver side (S104). When the paper save mode is set, whether or not the image data by a prescribed plural page combined into one page in the paper save mode are stored in discriminated (S105). When stored, the image data by the plural page are reduced and combined as the image data by one page (S106), and the resulting data are transmitted (S107).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus for reading and transmitting image data of an original, or receiving the transmitted image data of the original and printing the same on paper, a control method therefor, and a control program therefor. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium in which the information is stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image communication apparatus such as a conventional facsimile (hereinafter abbreviated as "FAX") apparatus which mainly performs communication of image data using a telephone line, a communication between a transmitting side and a transmitting side is performed before actual image data communication is performed. It has the ability to inquire various data such as the performance of each device between the devices on the side, and to set communication conditions and the like necessary to achieve the purpose. In many cases, the item set here is set to an upper limit value that can be handled by a device having a lower capability among the transmitting device and the receiving device. This is for guaranteeing communication, however, the apparatus having a sufficient capacity cannot fully exhibit the ability.

Specifically, in the facsimile transmission / reception processing,
The transmission data is created based on the lower resolution of the resolution of the scanner that reads the image data of the original document of the transmitting device and the resolution of the printer that prints the image data of the receiving device on paper. Even in a device having a printer or a scanner, the generated data is of low resolution. For this reason, even if the resolution of the printer of the receiving apparatus is high, it is not possible to effectively use the capability and print reduced image data to save paper.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus for reading and transmitting image data of a document, or receiving the transmitted image data of the document and printing it on paper, a control method therefor, When communication of image data is performed between two image communication devices in a computer-readable recording medium storing the control program and the resolution of a printer of a receiving device is high,
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to save paper for printing image data in a receiving apparatus by effectively utilizing the capability.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image communication apparatus for reading and transmitting image data of a document, a control method thereof, and a computer which stores a control program for reading the image data. In a possible recording medium, at the time of transmission, image data of a read document is reduced according to a predetermined condition, and image data of a plurality of pages are combined and transmitted as image data of one page.

For example, during transmission, before transmitting image data,
Receiving information from the image communication device on the receiving side that the paper saving mode is set to save paper for printing the image data received by the device, or image data received by the image communication device on the receiving side In response to the information indicating that the resolution is higher than a predetermined value, the printing unit that prints the image data on the paper reduces the image data of the read original and converts the image data of a plurality of pages into image data of one page. Combined and sent.

Further, an image communication apparatus for receiving the transmitted image data of the original and printing it on paper, a control method thereof, and a method of printing the received image data on a computer-readable recording medium storing the control program. A paper saving mode for saving paper to be used can be set by the operation input means. When the paper saving mode is set at the time of reception, the paper saving mode is transmitted to the image communication apparatus on the transmission side before receiving image data. Added information that mode is set.

Alternatively, at the time of reception, before receiving the image data, information on the resolution of the printing means for printing the received image data on paper is transmitted to the image communication device on the transmission side.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an image communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This apparatus is, specifically, a facsimile apparatus, a computer system configured to execute a facsimile function, or a multifunction peripheral with a copier.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a scanner 1 is an input device for reading image data of a paper document. The read image data is stored in the storage device 4 including a memory or a hard disk device.

The printer 2 is an output device that prints image data received by facsimile on paper. The received image data may be sent directly to the printer 2 from the modem 5 that transmits and receives a facsimile signal such as image data. The data received by the modem 5 is temporarily stored in the storage device 4 and then sent to the printer 2. In some cases. The material of the paper is not limited to the paper, but includes other materials such as plastic.

The operation unit 3 is an input / output device provided with various input keys for a user to operate the apparatus, a display device for displaying the state of the apparatus, and the like.

The controller 6 comprises a scanner 1, a printer 2, an operation unit 3, a storage device 4, and a modem 5 which constitute the apparatus.
This module is responsible for overall control such as. The controller 6 is constituted by a microprocessor or the like, and controls the entire apparatus by executing a control program stored in a ROM included in the storage device 4 itself. Note that the ROM corresponds to an embodiment of a computer-readable recording medium storing a control program of the image communication apparatus according to the present invention. Further, the controller 6 also has an image processing function such as enlargement / reduction and combination of image data.

All the modules described above are interconnected by a system bus 7.

In this apparatus having the above configuration, a paper saving mode for saving paper for printing image data at the time of FAX reception or a normal printing mode for not saving the paper can be set by a predetermined key operation of the operation unit 3 or the like. Shall be. In the paper saving mode, at the time of reception, the image data of the original is reduced from the transmission side apparatus of the other party, and predetermined plural pages, for example, two pages of image data are combined and transmitted as one page of image data. In this mode, the received image data is printed as it is. Assuming that this mode can be set, the printer 2 has a high resolution.

Also, in this apparatus, the receiving side apparatus at the time of transmission can set the paper saving mode or the normal printing mode similarly to this apparatus, and when the paper saving mode is set, the image of the original is The data is reduced and the image data of the predetermined plurality of pages, for example, two pages, are combined and transmitted as image data of one page.

The control operation of the controller 6 at the time of such transmission will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A control program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 2 is stored in the above-described ROM, and is executed by the controller 6.

In the process shown in FIG. 2, the start of FAX transmission is instructed by an operation input of the operation unit 3 by the user, and the flow starts when the trigger reaches the controller 6.

When the transmission process starts, the controller 6 first instructs the modem 5 to connect a telephone line (step S101). The connection process includes various negotiation processes required for FAX transmission, but is not related to the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, mode setting information as to whether or not the paper saving mode is set in the receiving side device of the transmission partner is received and acquired from the receiving side device (step S102).

Next, the image data of the original is read by the scanner 1 and stored in the storage device 4 (step S103).

Next, based on the mode setting information obtained in step S102, it is determined whether or not the paper saving mode is set in the receiving apparatus (step S104). The image data stored in the storage device 4 is transmitted from the modem 5 to the other party (step S107).

On the other hand, in step S104, if the paper saving mode has been set in the receiving apparatus, a predetermined number of pages combined with one page specified in the paper saving mode, for example, a document of two pages is copied. It is determined whether the image data has already been read and stored in the storage device 4 (step S105). If the data is not stored, the process returns to step S103 to repeat the processes of steps S103 to S105. If the data is stored, the image data for a plurality of pages is reduced and combined as image data for one page. (Step S106), and transmitted by the modem 5 (Step S107).

After step S107, it is checked whether there is an untransmitted document from which image data has not been read yet (step S108).
Returning to step S03, the processing of the above steps S103 to S107 is repeated, and if there is no such processing, the facsimile transmission processing ends.

Next, the control operation of the controller 6 at the time of FAX reception will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the modem 5 detects an incoming call from the telephone line, the receiving process shown in FIG. 3 is started.

First, a line connection process is performed (step S201). This processing includes the above-described negotiation processing, but detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, it is determined whether or not the paper saving mode has been set by input from the operation unit 3, and the mode setting information is transmitted to the transmitting apparatus (step S20).
2).

The processing after step S203 is almost the same as the conventional FAX reception processing. That is, the image data transmitted from the telephone line is received by the modem 5 and stored in the storage device 4 (step S203).

Next, the received and stored image data is output to the printer 2 to perform a printing process (step S204).

After printing, the end of the receiving process is determined based on the presence or absence of the subsequent image data (step S205). If there is no subsequent image data, the fax receiving process is regarded as completed, and the process ends. If there is subsequent image data, the process returns to step S203 and repeats the above steps S203 to S205.

According to the present embodiment as described above, FAX
At the time of communication, if the receiving device is set to the paper saving mode, the transmitting device reduces the image data of the document and combines predetermined image data of a plurality of pages as image data of one page before transmission. However, since the receiving-side apparatus prints the received image data as it is, it is possible to effectively use the capability of the high-resolution printer 2 on the receiving side and save paper used for printing the image data.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hardware configuration of the image communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, information on whether or not the paper saving mode transmitted from the receiving apparatus is set is received by the transmitting apparatus, and based on the information, whether or not image data is reduced, combined, and transmitted. I was judging. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, image data is reduced and combined by the transmitting device on the basis of the information on the resolution of the printer of the receiving device and transmitted without depending on the information of the paper saving mode. It is determined whether or not to do.

The control operation of the controller 6 at the time of facsimile transmission of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S301, as in step S101 of FIG. 2, a process for connecting a telephone line to the receiving side device is performed.

Next, in step S302, the resolution information of the printer is received and acquired from the partner device, that is, the receiving device.

Next, the image data of the paper document is read by the scanner 1 and stored in the storage device 4 (step S3).
03).

Next, in step S304, step S
The value of the resolution information of the printer acquired from the receiving apparatus at 302 is higher than a predetermined value such that the image output data of a plurality of pages of the document is reduced and combined as one page of image data, and the print output result is practical. It is determined whether the resolution is sufficient and how much reduction can be achieved for practical use (how many pages can be reduced and combined into one page). If it is determined in step S304 that the receiving printer cannot withstand the output of the reduced and combined image at a low resolution, the image data is directly transmitted from the storage device 4 to the modem 5 as in the normal FAX transmission process. (Step S307).

On the other hand, if the resolution of the printer on the receiving side is higher than the predetermined value in step S304, the flow advances to step S305. In step S305, it is determined whether or not image data for a plurality of pages of the upper limit which can be combined into one page specified by the resolution of the printer on the receiving side determined in step S304 has been read and stored in the storage device 4. If not accumulated for the plurality of pages, the process returns to step S303 and returns to step S303.
The processing of 303 to S305 is repeated. If the image data is stored, the process proceeds to step S306, and the image data for a plurality of pages is reduced and combined as image data for one page.
Thereafter, the image data is transmitted in step S307.

After step S307, it is checked whether there is an untransmitted document from which image data has not been read yet (step S308).
03, the processing of steps S303 to S307 is repeated, and if there is no such processing, the facsimile transmission processing ends.

Next, the control operation of the controller 6 at the time of facsimile reception of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 5, the steps other than step S402 are the same as the steps other than S202 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In step S402, the resolution information of its own printer is transmitted to the transmitting apparatus. The information transmitted here is acquired by the transmission side device in step S302, and is used as a material for determining whether to transmit after reducing and combining the image data as described above.

According to the present embodiment as described above, FAX
During communication, if the resolution of the printer on the receiving device is high,
The transmitting side apparatus reduces the image data of the document, combines the image data of a plurality of pages as one page of image data and transmits it, and the receiving side apparatus prints the received image data as it is. As in the embodiment, it is possible to save paper used for printing image data on the receiving side.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, at the time of image communication, the image communication device on the transmitting side reduces the image data of the read original in accordance with a predetermined condition, and transmits the image data to a plurality of pages. Image data of one page is combined as one page of image data and transmitted to the image communication device on the receiving side. Is effectively used to save the paper of the receiving-side apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image communication device common to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure at the time of transmission by a controller of the image communication apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure at the time of reception by the controller.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure at the time of transmission by a controller of an image communication apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure at the time of reception by the controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner 2 Printer 3 Operation part 4 Storage device 5 Modem 6 Controller 7 System bus

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/393 G06F 15/66 450 F term (Reference) 2C087 AA03 AA09 AA18 BB10 CA05 DA01 5B057 AA11 BA02 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CC01 CD10 CE08 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB02 AB43 AC22 AC24 AC38 AC60 AE14 AF07 5C076 AA19 AA22 CB03 CB04

Claims (15)

[Claims] An image communication apparatus for reading and transmitting image data of a document, wherein at the time of transmission, image data of the read document is reduced according to a predetermined condition, and image data for a plurality of pages is converted to an image for one page. An image communication apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling transmission so as to be combined as data. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is set to a paper saving mode for saving paper for printing the image data received by the image communication apparatus from the receiving side image communication apparatus before transmitting the image data. Wherein the image data of the read document is reduced in response to the reception of the information, and control is performed such that the image data of a plurality of pages is combined and transmitted as image data of one page. 2. The image communication device according to 1. 3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein, when transmitting, before transmitting the image data, the printing unit that prints the image data received by the receiving-side image communication apparatus on a sheet has a higher resolution than a predetermined value. Wherein the image data of the read document is reduced in response to the reception of the information, and control is performed such that the image data of a plurality of pages is combined and transmitted as image data of one page. 2. The image communication device according to 1. 4. Receiving the transmitted image data of the original,
In an image communication apparatus for printing on paper, an operation input means for setting a paper saving mode for saving paper on which received image data is printed, and when receiving, when the paper saving mode is set, receiving image data. Control means for controlling the transmission of the information indicating that the paper saving mode is set to the transmission-side image communication apparatus. 5. Receiving the transmitted image data of the original,
An image communication apparatus that prints on a sheet by a printing unit, comprising: a control unit that controls transmission of information on the resolution of the printing unit to an image communication device on a transmission side during reception and before image data reception. Characteristic image communication device. 6. A control method of an image communication apparatus for reading and transmitting image data of a document, wherein at the time of transmission, the image data of the read document is reduced according to a predetermined condition, and image data of a plurality of pages is reduced to one page. A method for controlling an image communication apparatus, characterized in that control is performed so as to be combined and transmitted as minute image data. 7. At the time of transmission, before transmitting the image data, information indicating that the apparatus is set to a paper saving mode for saving paper for printing the image data received by the apparatus is received from the image communication apparatus on the receiving side. 7. The image according to claim 6, wherein the image data of the read document is reduced, and the image data of a plurality of pages is controlled to be combined and transmitted as image data of one page. A communication device control method. 8. At the time of transmission, before transmission of image data, information indicating that the printing means for printing the image data received by the device on a sheet has higher resolution than a predetermined value is received from the image communication device on the receiving side. 7. The image according to claim 6, wherein the image data of the read document is reduced, and the image data of a plurality of pages is controlled to be combined and transmitted as image data of one page. A communication device control method. 9. Receiving the transmitted image data of the original,
A control method for an image communication apparatus for printing on paper, comprising: an operation input means for setting a paper saving mode for saving paper on which received image data is printed; When the paper saving mode is set, control is performed such that information indicating that the paper saving mode is set is transmitted to the image communication device on the transmission side before receiving image data. Control method of an image communication device. 10. A control method of an image communication apparatus for receiving transmitted image data of a document and printing the image data on a sheet by a printing unit, the method comprising the steps of: A control method for an image communication apparatus, characterized by controlling to transmit information on a resolution of a printing unit. 11. A computer-readable recording medium storing a control program of an image communication apparatus for reading and transmitting image data of a document, wherein at the time of transmission, the image data of the read document is reduced according to a predetermined condition. And a control program for controlling the image data for a plurality of pages to be combined and transmitted as image data for one page. 12. At the time of transmission, prior to transmission of image data, information indicating that the apparatus is set to the paper saving mode for saving paper for printing the image data received by the apparatus is received from the image communication apparatus on the receiving side. Accordingly, a control program for controlling the image data of the read document to be reduced and the image data for a plurality of pages to be combined and transmitted as image data for one page is stored. The recording medium according to claim 11. 13. At the time of transmission, before transmission of image data, information indicating that the printing means for printing the image data received by the device on a sheet has a resolution higher than a predetermined value is received from the image communication device on the receiving side. Accordingly, a control program for controlling the image data of the read document to be reduced and the image data for a plurality of pages to be combined and transmitted as image data for one page is stored. The recording medium according to claim 11. 14. An image communication apparatus for receiving image data of a transmitted document and printing the received image data on paper, comprising: an operation input unit for setting a paper saving mode for saving paper for printing the received image data. In a computer-readable recording medium storing a control program for an image communication device having the image communication device, when the paper saving mode is set by the operation input means at the time of reception, the image communication device on the transmission side is received before image data reception. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling transmission of information indicating that the paper saving mode has been set to the printer. 15. A computer-readable recording medium storing a control program of an image communication apparatus for receiving image data of a transmitted document and printing the image data on a sheet by a printing unit, comprising: A recording medium storing a control program for controlling transmission of information on the resolution of the printing unit to an image communication apparatus on a transmission side.