JPH01268250A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the passive profile of conventional facsimile equipment by encoding character code strings or electric signals of graphics into facsimile signals after decoding and sending the codes to the line after modulation. CONSTITUTION:When data of an original prepared by a device 101 are outputted to a printer by using a printer controlling program, printer controlling coded are outputted through a printer terminal 102 and the signals are tentatively stored in a storage circuit 103. A control circuit 106 reads out the printer signals stored in the storage circuit 103 in their sent order and sends the signals to a encoding circuit 104. The encoding circuit 104 encodes the printer outputting image data into facsimile signals and sends the facsimile signals to a line through a modulator circuit 105. Therefore, the passive profile of conventional facsimile equipment can be eliminated and this facsimile equipment can easily be caused to have functions including preparation, correction, and edition of an original.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention converts document or image data created by a computer, word processor, etc. into a facsimile signal, and receives the facsimile signal and converts it into a signal for a computer, word processor, etc. Relating to facsimile equipment.

[Prior Art] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional facsimile. A reading unit 401 reads a document placed on paper using optical means and converts it into an electrical signal. This signal 1 is encoded by the encoder circuit 4.
02, the data is converted into a run-length code such as an MR code or an MH code, and the information is compressed and encoded. The encoded signal is modulated by modulation circuit 403 and sent to the line. At the time of reception, the signal received from the line first enters a demodulation circuit 404 and is demodulated, then decoded by a decoding circuit 405 and printed by a printer 406.

In such conventional facsimiles, paper is basically used as a medium for manuscripts, so machines such as word processors cannot be used effectively to create manuscripts. In other words, documents created using a word processor or the like must be printed on paper and then read by optical means, resulting in extremely poor quality documents being received on the facsimile receiving side. . Even if clear printing is performed on clean paper, quantization noise that occurs due to resolution problems on the facsimile reading side cannot be prevented, and the quality of the sent document is significantly degraded. Similarly, image data may also be significantly degraded in quality due to quantization. When a document has been subjected to processing such as dithering, the pitch of the dither and the beat caused by the pitch during reading significantly degrade the quality of the received document. Furthermore, a facsimile machine is basically a machine that performs passive operations, and cannot be used for active tasks such as drafting and processing manuscripts.

In a simple example, image noise caused by dust etc. cannot be processed.

In order to overcome the passivity of conventional fax machines, attempts have been made to combine facsimile machines with computers and word processors.

A conventional example of such an attempt is shown in FIG. 501 is CP
502 is a RAM, 503 is a keyboard, 504 is a display device, 505 is an external storage device, and 506 is a ROM, which constitute the computer. The external storage device 505 uses a floppy disk or a hard disk and stores data such as a word processor system program and documents created by this program.

The system program is stored in ROM2O3 on the external storage device 5.
Programs such as programs to be loaded and started from 05, character fonts, dictionary data for kana-kanji conversion, etc. are stored. In most word processor dedicated machines, the word processor application program is stored in the ROM 506. The operation when using such a conventional device will be described below. The user first creates a document for urgent facsimile transmission, and in this case, the document is created by the operation of the computer section. That is, when the apparatus is started, the CPU 501 uses a program in the ROM 506 to start an application program for creating a manuscript, that is, a word processor program, from the external storage device 505 to create a document file, and the created file is stored in the RAM 502 or external storage. It is stored in device 505. Similarly, for images, an image processing program is activated from the external storage device 505 to create an image file. It is also possible to use the image scanner 507 to optically read a document and create an image file. The document files and image files created in this manner can be combined, modified, and copied using software in the computer section.

Furthermore, the printer 509 prints and the display device 50
It is also possible to display and confirm using 4.

508 is an interface circuit for connecting the printer and the computer section. In this way, it is possible to actively create manuscripts by machines. The completed manuscript data is temporarily stored in the external storage device 505.

When sending a facsimile, the CPU 501 uses the external storage device 5.
05 starts the facsimile program stored in advance, and according to this program, the data of the original to be sent is transferred to the RAM 502, and after preparing to start sending, the CPU
501 performs processing for network control such as dialing and line equalization according to a program. When the line is connected, C
The PU 501 reads the document data stored in the RAM 502 according to the program, encodes it into a facsimile signal, and sends the code to the modulation circuit 511.The modulation circuit 511 modulates the signal into a line signal on the line and transmits it to the other party through the line interface 514. Send to facsimile. At the time of reception, the received signal that has entered the line interface 514 is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 510. The demodulated signal is received by the CPU 501 and stored as is in the RAM 506 or external storage device 505. When reading received data, the CPU 501 reads the external storage device 505 or R.
The data stored in AM506 is decoded and returned to image data. This image data is returned to a state in which the user can check it by displaying it on the display device 504 or printing it out on the printer 509. Also, as an image file, the external storage device 505
It can also be stored, copied, modified, etc. as needed.

[Problems and Objectives to be Solved by the Invention] The conventional facsimile machine shown in FIG.
Although it improves the inability to perform processes such as duplication and editing, information loss due to quantization, and deterioration of image quality, it still has the following drawbacks. In other words, the biggest drawback of such conventional devices is that it is difficult to utilize existing resources. As explained in Figure 5, although most of the configuration is the same as an existing computer, in order to use it as a facsimile, it links network control, encoding, decoding, and other files on the computer with facsimile functions. A special program is required for this purpose, and a special device including a modulation/demodulation circuit 515 is required as hardware. Furthermore, it is difficult to maintain compatibility of programs and data with existing computers. In particular, the problem we are trying to solve, namely software such as word processing functions and image processing related to manuscript creation, requires a large amount of programs and it would be extremely labor-intensive to prepare a large number of individual programs. It is also possible to add these programs and hardware to an existing computer to provide similar functions, but in this case, if the target computer is different, the added programs and hardware will naturally have different algorithms and circuits. Even if the groove structure is the same, changes are forced because the software interface or mere physical shape is different. That is, in the conventional device configuration as shown in FIG. 5, if an existing computer system is to be used, programs and hardware must be individually prepared to suit various systems.

Although these things may seem simple in principle with just a few changes, they have limitations in practice and are a serious hindrance to industrial development.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a new device that is simple, makes effective use of existing computer and word processor resources, and eliminates the passive aspects of conventional facsimile machines.

[Means for Solving the Problems] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention. A memory circuit 103 that receives signals for controlling the printer connected to the printer terminal 102 of a device 101 such as a word processor or computer having a printer terminal 102 and temporarily stores the received data; A control circuit 1 that reads data stored in the circuit 103 in accordance with the facsimile signal transmission order.
06, an encoding circuit 104 that decodes the read signal and encodes it into a facsimile signal, and a modulation circuit 105 that receives the signal from the encoding circuit and performs modulation to transmit it to the line.
It consists of

[The operation device 101 can create a facsimile transmission manuscript in a conventional manner using existing word processor and image processing programs and using existing operating systems and resources. This part has the same configuration even in a dedicated word processor, and may also be used in a word processor.

Since the original data created in this part uses a conventional system, a printer control program is also prepared for final output to the printer. When this program is used to output data to a printer, a printer control code is output via the printer terminal 102. This signal is temporarily stored in the storage circuit 103. The control circuit 106 reads out the printer signals stored in the storage circuit 103 in the facsimile transmission order and sends them to the encoding circuit 104. The encoding circuit 104 encodes the output image data of the printer into a facsimile signal and sends it to the modulation circuit 10.
5 to the line.

storage circuit 103, control circuit 106, encoding circuit 104,
If a circuit including the modulation circuit 105 is supplied as a facsimile adapter as a device, a new facsimile machine can be created that covers the passivity of conventional facsimile devices without making any changes to conventional computers or word processors, or with very little software change. The device can be realized.

The image is that there is a printer called a facsimile receiving device located very far away via a telephone line.

[Example] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the present invention. CPU20
1, RAM202, ROM206, keyboard 203,
A printer interface circuit 20 of a computer unit 208 that includes a display device 204, an external storage device 205, etc.
7, a memory circuit 210 receives signals for controlling the output printer and temporarily stores the received data.
, an encoding circuit 211 that decodes the data stored in the storage circuit 210 and encodes it into a facsimile signal, and a modulation circuit 212 that receives the signal from the encoding circuit and modulates it for transmission to the line. . The part 215 is the facsimile adapter part.

The computer section 208 can create a facsimile transmission document in a conventional manner using existing word processor and image processing programs and using existing operating systems and resources.

This part has the same configuration even in a dedicated word processor, and may also be used in a word processor. Since the original data created in this part uses a conventional system, a printer control program is naturally also prepared to ultimately output it to the printer 214. When this program is used to output to a printer, the control circuit 209 receives the output signal to the printer via the printer connection terminal 208, decodes the printer control code, converts it into image data to be sent, and temporarily stores it in the storage circuit 210. to be memorized. Printer control codes include a mixture of printer control settings such as character spacing and line spacing, page break codes, character code strings, and bit image data that has already been developed into image data. Control circuit 20
9 decodes these codes and finally creates image data to be sent out.

If the printer signal includes a character code, the back control circuit 209 refers to the character generator 215. If it is known that the character code will not be output as printer data, the character generator 215 is not necessary. In fact, depending on the application, the character generator is often built into the computer section, and the computer section 208 is responsible for developing bit image data. Further, the control circuit 209 reads out the printer signals stored in the storage circuit 210 and sends them to the encoding circuit 211 in accordance with the facsimile sending order. An encoding circuit 211 encodes image data output from the printer into a facsimile signal, a modulation circuit 212 modulates the facsimile signal, and sends the facsimile signal to a line via a line interface circuit 213. In this example, although it is not possible to receive only by sending, the transmitting part is the active part compared to conventional passive facsimile machines, and the effects of the present invention can be fully demonstrated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which reception is also possible. CPU301, RAM302, ROM306,
Keyboard 303, display device 304, external storage device 30
A printer 3 connected to a printer interface circuit 307 of a computer section 309 consisting of
14, a storage circuit 313 for temporarily storing the received data, an encoding circuit 315 for decoding the data stored in the storage circuit 313 and encoding it into a facsimile signal, and the encoding circuit. The modulation circuit 316 receives the signal of 315 and performs modulation for sending it out to the line, and also includes a demodulation circuit 318, a decoding circuit 317, and others at the time of reception. The demodulation circuit 318 and the modulation circuit 316 are sometimes collectively called a modulation/demodulation circuit 322, and the encoding circuit 315 and the decoding circuit 317 are sometimes collectively called a codec 321.

As in the example shown in FIG. 2, the computer unit 309 can create a facsimile transmission manuscript in the conventional manner using existing word processor and image processing programs and using existing operating systems and resources. This part has the same configuration even in a dedicated word processor, and may also be used in a word processor. If necessary, an image scanner 310 for optically reading a paper document such as a photograph, a diagram, or the like can be connected. Normally, it is connected to the bus 324 and taken into the computer section 309. Further, data files as external storage devices, communication devices, etc. can also be connected to the bus 324. The computer section 309 includes various devices such as software for calculating spreadsheets and creating charts,
There is also a wide range of application software that processes the image data read by the image scanner 310, such as adding and correcting it, or arranges it on a page along with text strings, so that facsimile manuscripts can be created using conventional methods. Since the original data created in this section uses a conventional system, a printer control program for final output to the printer 314 is also prepared. When outputting to a printer using this program, the control circuit 312
receives the signal to be output to the printer and temporarily stores it in the storage circuit 313. Printer control codes include a mixture of printer control settings such as character spacing and line spacing, page break codes, character code strings, and bit image data that has already been developed into image data. The control circuit 313 decodes these codes and finally creates image data to be sent out. If the printer signal includes a character code, the control circuit 312 refers to the character generator 325. If you know that the character code will not be output as printer data, use the character generator 3255.
is not necessary. Actual character=17- The generator is often built into the computer section depending on the application, and the computer section 309 is in charge of developing bit image data. 311 is a switching circuit, and when the computer section is used as a computer or a word processor, the switch is used to switch between terminals A and C.
The terminals are connected to the computer section 309 and printer 314.
is connected. When used as a facsimile, terminals a and b are connected and a printer control signal is transmitted to control circuit 312. At the same time, the control circuit 312
The printer control signals stored in 3 are read out and sent to the encoding circuit 315 in accordance with the facsimile sending order. The encoding circuit 315 encodes the output image data of the printer into a facsimile signal, modulates it in the modulation circuit 316, and sends it out to the line via the line interface circuit 320.

The facsimile signal received via the line interface circuit 320 is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 318 and decoded by the decoding circuit 3.
17, the data is decoded into facsimile image data. The composite image data is usually bit image data and is sent through the control circuit 312 and temporarily stored in the storage circuit 313. At the same time, the control circuit 312 reads out the data in the storage circuit 313 in the order requested by the computer section 309.
Tell 8. The computer section 309 stores the received data in an external storage device 305 as necessary, connects terminals a to C of the switching circuit 311 and prints it on a printer 314, displays it on a display device 304 for confirmation by an operator, or displays it on a display device 304 for confirmation by the operator. It can be modified as temporary data. Furthermore, by making good use of computer functions, it is also possible to provide functions such as auto-dial, redial, and simultaneous transmission.

519 is a dial circuit for that purpose. The control circuit 312 decodes a command sent from the computer unit 306 through the printer interface circuit 307 and operates according to the support of the control circuit 312. Printer control commands are originally commands for controlling the printer and do not have command sets such as dialing, but for example, from the printer's perspective, a meaningless parameter and a command that is ignored is determined as a dial code and this code is used. The dial circuit 319 can be controlled by using the .

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the passivity of conventional facsimiles can be eliminated. Alternatively, it is possible to easily provide functions such as arbitrary extraction from a customer database and automatic shipping. In the past, attempts have been made to provide the above-mentioned functions by combining a facsimile and a computer, but these systems are independent systems and cannot effectively utilize existing resources, especially software resources. The present invention can be very easily connected to most existing computer systems and word processors, and is of great significance for industrial development.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 1, it is not possible to receive but only sends, but compared to conventional passive facsimile machines, the part that exhibits activeness is largely the transmitting part, and the effects of the present invention can be fully demonstrated. For reception, for example, it is sufficient to go to a place where a receiving device is located once a day to pick up the received manuscript and distribute it, but for transmission, it is necessary to go to a place where a facsimile machine is located and send it every time a manuscript is prepared. Since most of the devices of the present invention are existing devices and are widely used to the extent that individuals use them, it is possible to realize a highly efficient facsimile transmission device with very little investment.

“Furthermore, since images and character strings are basically created without using optical means, or even if they are read optically with an image scanner, they can be processed using computer functions, so it is difficult for the receiver to process them. The received document is very much a descendant of dignity.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile machine according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams explaining an embodiment of the facsimile machine according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams showing the configuration of a facsimile machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the device. 101... Devices such as word processors and computers 102... Printer terminal 102 103.210.313... Storage circuit 104.211
．． 315... Encoding circuit 105.212.316...
- Modulation circuit 201.301...CPU 201.302...RAM 203.303...Keyboard 204.304...Display device 205.305...External storage device 206.306...ROM 207. 307...Printer interface circuit 208.309...Computer section 106.209.312...Control circuit 213.320
...Line interface circuit 214.314...Printer 311...Switching circuit" (2) Applicant: Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. Agent, Patent Attorney Tomi Suzuki Department, and 1 other person

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) At least an encoding circuit that receives an electrical signal representing a character code string or a figure, decodes the electrical signal, and encodes it into a facsimile signal, and receives the signal from the encoding circuit and sends it out to the line. A facsimile device comprising a modulation circuit that performs modulation to perform a modulation process. (2) At least a memory circuit that receives signals for controlling the printer output from the printer output terminal of a device having an output terminal for connecting to the printer and temporarily stores the received data, and stores the received data in the memory circuit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an encoding circuit for decoding the received data and encoding it into a facsimile signal, and a modulation circuit for receiving the signal from the encoding circuit and performing modulation for transmitting it to a line. facsimile machine. (3) At least a memory circuit that receives and temporarily stores electrical signals representing character code strings or figures, an encoding circuit that decodes the data stored in the memory circuit and encodes it into a facsimile signal, and the encoding A modulation circuit that receives a signal from a circuit and performs modulation to transmit it to a line; a demodulation circuit that receives a facsimile signal from the line and demodulates it; a decoding circuit that decodes the signal demodulated by the demodulation circuit into image data; and the decoding circuit. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage circuit that temporarily stores image data decoded by the circuit. (4) At least a memory circuit that receives signals for controlling a printer output from a computer, word processor, etc. and temporarily stores the received data, and decodes the data stored in the memory circuit and encodes it into a facsimile signal. an encoding circuit that receives the signal from the encoding circuit and modulates it for transmission to the line; a demodulation circuit that receives the facsimile signal from the line and demodulates it; and a demodulation circuit that demodulates the facsimile signal from the line, converting the signal demodulated by the demodulation circuit into image data. A decoding circuit for decoding, a storage circuit for temporarily storing image data decoded by the decoding circuit, and an interface circuit for sending the data stored in the storage circuit to the computer or word processor in accordance with instructions from the computer or word processor. 2. The facsimile device according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile device is comprised of: