JP3928774B2 - Image communication device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a color facsimile communication apparatus for transmitting a color image, and more particularly to a color facsimile communication apparatus capable of controlling a color image compression control system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In G3 facsimile transmission, it is known to transmit TTI information such as a terminal name and transmission date and time to a transmission image by adding it to the image. Furthermore, in order to improve the convenience of the apparatus, “direct transmission” in which a transmission image is read and transmitted, and “memory transmission” in which all image data is once read into a memory and then transmitted are also known. At this time, the black and white image to be transmitted is subjected to G3 facsimile known lossless compression.
[0003]
Further, in facsimile transmission, the receiving capability of the receiver is judged at the time of transmission, and the image is converted so as to be within the range of the capability of the receiver.
[0004]
By the way, in the facsimile apparatus, A4 is indispensable for the image width that can be transmitted and received with the G3 standard / G4 standard. The paper width exceeding this is optional, and it is not always necessary to have a receiving capability. For this reason, when transmitting a normal B4 or A3 document to a facsimile machine that can only receive an A4 document, the transmitter generally performs a reduction process.
[0005]
In this case, or when TTI including date and time information at the time of transmission is added to the image and transmitted, the information stored in the memory must be read once in the memory transmission, and then transmitted after decompression → processing → compression Don't be. Since the compression method normally used in facsimile communication is reversible, image degradation does not occur even if such processing is performed.
[0006]
On the other hand, since the amount of communication data is enormous in a color facsimile apparatus, an irreversible compression method such as irreversible JPEG having a higher compression rate is used to reduce the amount of communication data.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when an irreversible compression method such as JPEG is used, there is a problem that image degradation occurs in memory transmission. Since the image stored in the memory in the past is transmitted, when the memory is transmitted, the image is once decompressed, the current TTI is inserted, and transmitted again through the compression process. In the process of decompressing and irreversibly compressing this lossy compression, image degradation occurs.
The present invention provides a color facsimile communication apparatus that employs a color image control system that solves such problems.
[0009]
In addition, when transmitting a color image compressed by an irreversible compression method, image processing such as TTI insertion is not performed on the transmission image, so there is a merit that the memory is not increased. Provided is a color facsimile communication apparatus that employs a color image control system that improves convenience in that TTI insertion can be used without causing image degradation by not executing a function.
[0010]
In addition, using a reversible compression method (hereinafter referred to as the first function) when storing a document exceeding A4 width in the memory enables equal-size transmission, but also avoids an increase in necessary memory. I can't. On the other hand, when storing a document exceeding the A4 width in the memory, using the irreversible compression method after being reduced to the A4 width (hereinafter referred to as the second function) is a memory required for storing in memory transmission. For example, when the image receiving capability exceeds the A4 width, it is impossible to transmit at the same magnification. The present invention provides a more convenient color facsimile communication apparatus by turning off the first function or the second function when the capability of the receiver is known in advance.
[0011]
In the case of the first function or the second function, even if the transmission destination has the reception capability of B4 or A3, the transmission is reduced to A4. The present invention is more convenient by enabling the B4 / A3 equal magnification transmission and the like while enabling the first function or the second function by determining the size according to the reception capability of the transmission destination in advance. A color facsimile communication apparatus having high performance is provided.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an image communication apparatus including a reading unit that reads a document and a storage unit that stores image data of the document read by the reading unit, and is used when the storage unit stores the image data. a determination unit configured to determine whether the lossless method is set as the compression method, when it is determined that the determination device that the reversible type is set, transmitting a material obtained by adding the TTI information to the image data to the first transmission control is performed, when a reversible method has determined that the determination means and not set, the second transmission control for transmitting the image data without adding the TTI information to the image data And transmitting means for performing.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a color facsimile apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. The color facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main control unit 1 that controls the entire operation of the terminal, a color scanner 2 that reads a document, a color plotter 3 that outputs a received document and various reports, an operation unit 4 that is operated by a user, and an operation state. Display unit 5 for displaying various information, memory unit 6 for storing memory transmission image data and various registration information, communication control unit 7 for connecting to a network and controlling facsimile communication, transmission image compression and TTI insertion Alternatively, a DCR control unit 8 that controls image processing such as zooming is provided.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows an operation flow of the first embodiment of the present invention. First, a transmission operation is performed by the operator (S1), and when memory transmission is designated (N in S2), a color image is read by the color scanner 2 (S3). Here, when the reversible method is selected as the compression mode for accumulation (that is, when the reversible method is set in advance or when the user instructs the reversible method) (Y in S4), the read data is The data is compressed by a reversible compression method such as the MH method or MR method and stored in the storage unit 6 (S5). After completing the accumulation, call / call connection is performed, and a message pre-procedure (phase B) (hereinafter referred to as pre-transmission procedure) in the procedure for facsimile transmission for color facsimile transmission is executed (S7). When the image information transmission phase is entered, the data stored in the storage unit 6 is read (S8), the data is expanded (S10), and image processing such as TTI insertion is performed (S12). The compression process is performed again in the determined compression mode (S13), the image information is transmitted, the post-transmission process is executed (S14), and the transmission is completed.
[0021]
On the other hand, when the irreversible method having a high compression rate is selected as the compression mode for accumulation (N in S4), the read data is compressed and accumulated in the irreversible method (S6). After the storage is completed, a call is made, and when the call is connected, a pre-transmission procedure for color facsimile transmission is executed (S7). When the image information transmission phase is entered, the stored data is read (S9), and the image information is transmitted as it is. Post-transmission processing is executed (S14), and transmission is completed. In this case, in the pre-transmission procedure , function negotiation is performed with a receiver (not shown) so that transmission can be performed as it is in the compression mode stored in advance.
[0022]
If direct transmission is selected (Y in S2), a call is made, and if the call is connected, pre-procedure processing for color facsimile transmission is executed (S7). Is started (S11). Image processing such as TTI insertion is performed on the read color image (S12), compression processing is performed in the compression mode determined in the pre-transmission procedure (S13), image information is transmitted, and post-transmission processing is executed (S14). Complete the transmission.
[0023]
FIG. 3 shows an operation flow of the second embodiment of the present invention. When the memory transmission operation is started by the user (S21), the document width is first known (S22), and when the A4 width is exceeded (N in S22), the first function or Check ON / OFF of the second function. If the first function is ON (Y in S23), color reading of the document is started, data compression is performed using a lossless compression method (S24), and the data is stored in the memory. After storing in the memory, call and transmission processing is executed (S28), and the process ends.
[0024]
On the other hand, if the second function is ON (Y in S25), the read image is first reduced to A4 width (S26), data compressed by the lossy compression method (S27), and stored in the memory. After storing in the memory, call and transmission processing is executed (S28), and the process ends.
[0025]
On the other hand, if the document width is A4 width (N in S22), color reading of the document is started, data compression is performed using an irreversible compression method (S27), and the data is stored in the memory. After storing in the memory, call and transmission processing is executed (S28), and the process ends.
[0026]
As described above, even if the capability of the receiver is A4 width, it is possible to transmit a document exceeding A4 width by reducing it to A4 width in a state where there is no image deterioration.
[0027]
The present invention is not limited to G3, and can be applied to G4. The network used may be PSTN or ISDN. Further, the present invention can be widely applied to color image communication applications that need to process images during transmission.
[0028]
Further, in the determination processing of S22, instead of using A4 as a reference, it may be compared with the reception capability size of the transmission destination stored in advance.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a reversible method is set as a compression method used when accumulating image data, deterioration of image data due to addition of TTI information can be avoided and image data is accumulated. When the reversible method is not set as the compression method used in the process , the TTI information can be transmitted to the transmission destination without degrading the image data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a color facsimile apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of a color facsimile communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of a color facsimile communication method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control part 2 Color scanner 3 Color plotter 4 Operation part 5 Display part 6 Storage part 7 Communication control part

Claims (1)

An image communication apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads a document; and a storage unit that stores image data of the document read by the reading unit.
Determination means for determining whether or not a reversible method is set as a compression method used when the storage means stores the image data;
When the reversible system determines that said determination means is configured, performs a first transmission control for transmitting the obtained by adding the TTI information to the image data, the determination reversible method is not set If the unit determines an image communication apparatus characterized by comprising a transmitting means for performing a second transmission control for transmitting the image data without adding the TTI information to the image data.

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