JPH08317171A - Image communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain the image communication equipment in which relay facsimile communication is conducted by using code data such as PDL(page description language) data. CONSTITUTION: Code data such as PDL data generated by a computer or the like are sent as they are to a public line, expanded by a receiver side and sent again to a prescribed destination to realize functions similar to those of conventional relay facsimile communication and relay multiple address facsimile communication in the facsimile transmission of the code data such as PDL data. Since the code data such as PDL data are used up to a relay station, the deterioration in the image quality is prevented and the transmission time is further reduced. Moreover, the relay facsimile communication is conducted for plural destinations at once by sending plural facsimile jobs each comprising a set of image information and prescribed data to avoid a complicate operation of the operator.

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 transmitting an image formed by a manuscript, a computer or the like through a telephone line or the like to form and output an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a document created by a computer or the like is transmitted by a facsimile, a printer language such as a kind of page description language (hereinafter referred to as PDL) of code data which is data to be sent from a computer to a printer is used. It is sent as it is, and PD is used by the receiving side expansion means.
A method is used in which L is developed into an image image and output by an output device. According to this method, it is possible to obtain a received image of good quality on the receiving side while the communication time is short.

Further, when transmitting a transmitted document via a relay station, a method has been generally used in which the source reads the transmitted document with a scanner and transmits it as an image.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the relay FAX performing transmission via the relay station.
If you want to operate it as
As in the case of AX transmission, the transmission source must read the transmission document with a scanner and transmit it as an image image, and the above-described PDL data transmission cannot be performed.

Further, in the case of performing the normal FAX transmission as described above, it is impossible to give a command as in the case of transmitting the PDL data. Therefore, especially when relaying each document to a plurality of parties, There was a disadvantage that the work had to be complicated because it was necessary to send only the number of recipients.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus which can be operated as a relay FAX by code data such as printer language such as PDL data.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided input means for inputting image information represented by code data, and expanding means for expanding the image information input by the input means.
The image information and the predetermined data are transmitted and received in a predetermined procedure, and the image information is expanded based on the predetermined data transmitted from the transmission source, and the expanded image information is transmitted to a predetermined destination. It is characterized by

[0008]

In the present invention, a PD created by a computer or the like
Similar to a normal relay FAX or relay broadcast FAX, by transmitting code data such as a printer language such as L to the public line as it is, expanding it at the receiving side (relay station), and then transmitting it again to a predetermined destination. The above function is enabled in FAX transmission of code data such as PDL, and thereby, at least up to the relay station is transmitted by code data such as PDL data, so that deterioration of image quality can be prevented and transmission time can be shortened. .

Further, by transmitting a plurality of FAX jobs including a set of image information and predetermined data at a time, relay FAX can be performed to a plurality of destinations at a time, and a complicated operation of the operator is required. FAX transmission can be performed without accompanying.

[0010]

1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image forming system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a reader unit 1 is an image input device for converting a document into image data, and a printer unit 2 is provided.
Is an image output device that has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes and that outputs image data as a visible image on the recording paper in response to a print command.

The external device 3 is electrically connected to the reader unit 1 and has various functions. That is, the external device 3 includes a fax unit 4 to which a telephone line 13 and a hard disk 11 are connected, and an external storage device 6.
Is connected to the file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7 for connecting to the computer 12, a formatter unit 8 for converting the information from the computer 12 into a visible image, information from the reader unit 1, and a computer. An image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing the information sent from 12 and a core unit 10 for controlling the above functions are provided.

The hard disk 11 is an auxiliary storage device for accumulating a large amount of image data and the like, and the computer 12 has functions as a workstation (WS) and a personal computer (PC).

The functions of the respective parts will be described in detail below.

First, the reader unit 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2.

The originals accumulated on the original feeding device 101 are successively conveyed one by one onto the original table glass surface 102. When the document is conveyed to a predetermined position on the glass surface 102, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the document. The reflected light of the document is input to the CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter referred to as CCD) via the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal processing circuit of the reader unit 1.

The reflected light of the document applied to the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here and converted into an electric signal. CC
The color information from D109 is output to the next amplifier 110R, 1
The signals are amplified in 10G and 110B according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111.

The output signal from the A / D converter 111 is input to the shading circuit 112, where the lamp 10
The light distribution unevenness of No. 3 and the sensitivity unevenness of the CCD are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is input to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 calculates the signal from the shading circuit 112 by the following equation to obtain a Y signal.

Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B Further, it has a color detection circuit for separating the R, G, B signals into seven colors and outputting the signals for each color. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to the scaling / repeat circuit 114. Scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and scaling in the main scanning direction is performed by the scaling / repeat circuit 114. Further, the scaling / repeat circuit 114 can output a plurality of identical images.

The contour / edge enhancement circuit 115 obtains edge enhancement and contour information by enhancing the high frequency component of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit 114. The signal from the contour / edge enhancement circuit 115 is used for marker area determination /
It is input to the contour generation circuit 116 and the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117.

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Reads the portion written on the manuscript with a marker pen of a specified color, generates the contour information of the marker, and the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 thickens or masks the contour information. And trimming. Further, patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

The output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is the laser driver 11
The signal which is input to 8 and processed variously is converted into a signal for driving the laser. The output signal of the laser driver 118 is input to the printer 2 and image formation is performed as a visible image.

Next, an external I for performing I / F with the external device 3
The / F switching circuit 119 will be described.

When outputting image information from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3, the external I / F switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 to the connector 120.

When the image information from the external device 3 is input to the reader unit 1, the external switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 1.
Enter in 13.

Each of the above image processings is performed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 122, and the area generation circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the above image processing according to the value set by the CPU 122. Further, the CPU 122
Communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the. The SUBCPU 123 controls the operation unit 125 and communicates with the external device 3 by using a communication function built in the SUBCPU 123.

Next, the configuration and operation of the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal modulated by the exposure control unit 201 and illuminates the photoconductor 202. This irradiation light causes the photoconductor 202
The latent image formed above is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer stacking unit 204 or 205 at the same timing as the leading edge of the developed image, and the developed image is transferred to the transfer unit 206.

The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207, and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is the sorter 22.
When the sorting function is 0, the sheets are discharged to each bin, and when the sorting function is not working, the sheets are discharged to the highest bin of the sorter.

Next, the external device 3 is connected to the reader 1 by a cable, and the core portion in the external device 3 controls signals and controls each function.

In the external device 3, a fax unit 4 for sending and receiving a fax, a file unit 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the signals on a magneto-optical disk, and code information from the computer 12 for image information. A formatter unit 8 which is developed into a computer interface unit 7 which interfaces with a computer 12.
The information from the reader unit 1 is accumulated and the computer 12
An image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing information sent from the computer, a core unit 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions, and the like are provided.

Next, the core portion 10 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the core unit 10 described above.

The connector 1001 of the core section 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader section 1 by a cable. This connector 1001 has four types of signal lines built therein, and the signal line 1057 is an 8-bit multi-value video signal line. The signal line 1055 is a control signal line for controlling a video signal. The signal line 1051 is the CPU 1 in the reader 1.
The signal line 1052 is a signal line for communicating with
It is a signal line for communicating with the SUBCPU 123 in the reader 1.

Then, the signal line 1051 and the signal line 1052
Is subjected to communication protocol processing by the communication IC 1002, and C
Communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the PU bus 1053.

The signal line 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, and receives information from the reader unit 1 in the core unit 10.
The reader unit 1 receives information from the core unit 10 and receives information from the core unit 10.
Can be output to.

This signal line 1057 is connected to the buffer 1010.
The signal line 1058 and the signal line 1070 for unidirectional signals are separated from the bidirectional signals.

A signal line 1058 is a signal line for an 8-bit multi-valued video signal from the reader unit 1, and the LUT1 of the next stage.
An 8-bit multilevel video signal is output to 011. LUT
At 1011 the image information from the reader unit 1 is converted into a desired value by means of a look-up table. LUT101
The signal of the output signal line 1059 from 1 is the binarization circuit 10
12 or input to the selector 1013.

A signal line 1059 is connected to the binarization circuit 1012.
, A simple binarization function that binarizes a multi-valued signal of a fixed slice level, a binarization function by a variable slice level in which the slice level fluctuates from the values of pixels around the order pixel,
And has a binarization function by the error diffusion method. The binarized information is converted into a multilevel signal of 00H when 0 and FFH when 1 and input to the selector 1013 at the next stage. The selector 1013 selects either the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012.
The signal on the output signal line 1060 from the selector 1013 is
It is input to the selector 1014.

The selector 1014 outputs video signal outputs from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 to connectors 1005, 1006, 1007 and 1, respectively.
The signal on the signal line 1064 of the signal input to the core unit 10 via the signals 008 and 1009 and the signal on the output signal line 1060 of the selector 1013 are selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003.

The signal on the output signal line 1061 of the selector 1014 is input to the rotating circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 has a function of rotating the input image signal by +90 degrees, −90 degrees, and +180 degrees. The rotation circuit 1015 converts the information output from the reader unit 1 into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 1012, and then stores the information in the rotation circuit 1015 as information from the reader unit 1.

Next, in response to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information.
The selector 1016 uses the output signal line 1 of the rotation circuit 1015.
062 or one of the input signal lines 1061 of the rotation circuit 1015 is selected, and as a signal of the signal line 1063,
Connector 1005 with the fax unit 4, Connector 1006 with the file unit 5, Connector 1007 with the computer interface unit, Connector 1 with the formatter unit 8
008, the connector 1009 to the image memory unit 9, and the selector 1017.

The signal line 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the core unit 10 to the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. is there. The signal line 1064 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9.

The video control circuit 10 controls the synchronous bus of the signal line 1063 and the signal line 1064.
04, and control is performed by the signal of the output signal line 1056 from the video control circuit 1004. Connector 1005
The signal line 1054 is also connected to the connector 1009.

The signal line 1054 is a bidirectional 16-bit C
It is a PU bus and exchanges data and commands asynchronously. Information transfer between the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10 is performed according to the above 2
One video bus 1063, 1064 and CPU bus 105
4 is possible.

The signals of the signal line 1064 from the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8 and the image memory unit 9 are sent to the selector 1
014 and the selector 1017. Selector 10
The CPU 14 inputs the signal of the signal line 1064 to the rotation circuit 1015 of the next stage according to the instruction of the CPU 1003.

The selector 1017 selects one of the signals from the signal line 1063 and the signal line 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. Output signal line 10 of selector 1017
65 is a pattern matching circuit 1018 and a selector 1
It is input to 019. Pattern matching circuit 1018
Pattern-matches the signal of the input signal line 1065 with a predetermined pattern, and when the patterns match, outputs a predetermined multi-valued signal to the signal line 1066. If they do not match in the pattern matching, the signal of the input signal line 1065 is output to the signal line 1066.

The selector 1019 selects the signal line 1065 and the signal line 1066 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
The output signal of the selector 1019 passes through the signal line 1067 and is input to the LUT 1020 at the next stage.

The LUT 1020 converts the signal of the input signal line 1067 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting the image information to the printer unit 2.

The selector 1021 selects one of the output signal line 1068 and the signal line 1065 of the LUT 1020 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. Selector 102
The output signal of 1 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 at the next stage.

The enlarging circuit 1022 can set the enlarging magnification independently of the image in the X and Y directions according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The expansion method is a first-order linear interpolation method. The output signal of the expansion circuit 1022 is the signal line 10
It is input to the buffer 1010 through 70.

Signal line 10 input to buffer 1010
The signal of 70 passes through the bidirectional signal line 1057 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, is sent to the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001, and is printed out.

The signal flow between the core section 10 and each section will be described below.

First, the core unit 1 based on the information of the fax unit 4
The operation of 0 will be described.

A case where the information of the fax unit 4 is output will be described. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 scans the document by the scanner unit 104 according to this command, and outputs the image information to the connector 120. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10.

The image information input to the connector 1001 is also input to the buffer 1010 through the multi-level 8-bit signal line 1057. Buffer circuit 1010
LUT1 through the signal line 1058 as a unidirectional signal from the signal of the bidirectional signal line 1057 according to the instruction of the CPU.
Input 011.

The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. For example, it is possible to remove the background of the original. The output signal of the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage through the signal line 1059.

The binarization circuit 1012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal on the signal line 1059 into a binarized signal. That is,
The binarization circuit 1012 converts the binarized signal into two multi-level signals such as 00H when it is 0 and FFH when it is 1. Then, the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is transmitted through the selector 1013 and the selector 1014 to the rotation circuit 10
15 or selector 1016.

The output signal of the rotating circuit 1015 is also the signal line 10.
It is input to the selector 1016 via 62, and the selector 1
016 is a signal of the signal line 1061 or the signal line 1062
Select either of the signals. Signal selection is CPU1
003 communicates with the fax unit 4 via the CPU bus 1054 to make the determination. The signal on the output signal line 1063 from the selector 1016 is sent to the fax unit 4 via the connector 1005.

Next, the case of receiving information from the fax unit 4 will be described.

The image information from the fax unit 4 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005. The signals on the signal line 1064 are the signals of the selector 1014 and the selector 1.
017 is input. When the image at the time of fax reception is rotated and output to the printer unit 2 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the signal line 1064 input to the selector 1014 is input.
The rotation signal is processed by the rotation circuit 1015. The signal on the output signal line 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is input to the pattern matching circuit 1018 via the selectors 1016 and 1017.

When the image at the time of fax reception is directly output to the printer 2 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the signal of the signal line 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching circuit 1018.

The pattern matching circuit 1018 has a function of smoothing the rattling of the image when the fax is received. The pattern-matched signal is the selector 10
It is input to the LUT 1020 via 19. LUT10
The table 20 of the LUT 1020 can be changed by the CPU 1003 in order to output the fax-received image to the printer unit 2 at a desired density. LUT102
The signal on the output signal line 1068 of 0 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021.

The enlarging circuit 1022 has two values (00H,
The 8-bit multi-valued signal having FFH) is enlarged by a linear interpolation method of the first order. The 8-bit multi-level signal having the value of 00-FF output from the expansion circuit 1022 is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001.

The reader unit 1 sends this signal to the connector 120.
Input to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via. The external I / F switching circuit 119 inputs the signal from the fax unit 4 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is processed as described above and then output to the printer unit 2 to form an image on an output sheet.

Next, the core section 1 based on the information in the file section 5
The operation of 0 will be described.

First, the case of outputting the information of the file section 5 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 scans the document by the scanner unit 104 according to this command, and outputs the image information to the connector 120. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10.

The image information input to the connector 1001 is unidirectional signal line 1058 through the buffer 1010.
Is input to Signal line 105 that is an 8-bit multilevel signal
The signal of 8 is converted into a desired signal by the LUT 1011. The output signal of the LUT 1011 is the signal line 105.
9, selector 1013, selector 1014, selector 1
It is input to the connector 1006 via 016.

That is, the 8-bit multi-value data is transferred to the file unit 5 as it is without using the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015. CPU bus 1 of CPU 1003
When filing a binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via 054, the binarization circuit 1012,
The function of the rotating circuit 1015 is used. The binarization process and the rotation process are the same as in the case of the above-mentioned fax, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the case of receiving information from the file section 5 will be described.

Image information from the file unit 5 is sent to the selector 1014 via the connector 1006 and the signal line 1064.
It is input to the selector 1017. It is possible to input to the selector 1017 in the case of 8-bit multi-valued filing, and to the selector 1014 or 1017 in the case of binary filing. For binary filing,
Since the processing is the same as the fax, the description thereof is omitted.

In the case of multi-value filing, the selector 10
The output signal from the signal line 17 is output to the signal line 1065, the selector 101
9 into the LUT 1020. LUT1020
Then, according to the desired print density, the CPU 1003
Create a lookup table according to the instructions. LUT
The output signal from 1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the signal line 1068 and the selector 1021. 8bi enlarged to a desired enlargement ratio by the enlargement circuit 1022
The multi-valued signal 1070 is transmitted to the buffer 1010, the connector 1
It is sent to the reader unit 1 via 001. The information in the file section sent to the reader section 1 is output to the printer section 2 in the same manner as the above-mentioned fax, and an image is formed on an output sheet.

Next, the computer interface section 7
The operation of the core unit 10 based on the above information will be described.

The computer interface section 7 interfaces with a computer connected to the external device 3. The computer interface unit 7 is an SC
It has a plurality of interfaces for communicating with SI, RS232C, and Centronics. The computer interface unit 7 has the above three types of interfaces, and information from each interface is sent to the CPU 1003 via the connector 1007 and the data bus 1054.
Sent to The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the sent contents.

Next, the operation of the core unit 10 based on the information of the formatter unit 8 will be described.

The formatter section 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the computer interface section 7 into image data. When the CPU 1003 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1054 is data relating to the formatter unit 8, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008. The formatter unit 8 develops the transferred data in the memory as a meaningful image such as a character or a figure.

Next, a procedure for receiving information from the formatter unit 8 and forming an image on an output sheet will be described.

The image information from the formatter unit 8 is transmitted as a multi-valued signal having two values (00H, FFH) on the signal line 1064 via the connector 1008.
The signal on the signal line 1064 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The selectors 1014 and 1017 are controlled by the instruction of the CPU 1003. The subsequent steps are the same as those in the case of the above-mentioned fax, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the core section 10 based on the information in the image memory section 9 will be described.

First, the case of outputting information to the image memory unit 9 will be described.

The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 to issue a document scan command. The reader unit 1 scans the document by the scanner unit 104 according to this command, and outputs the image information to the connector 120. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is the multilevel 8-bit signal line 1057, the buffer 10
Sent to LUT 1011 via 10.

The output signal of the LUT 1011 is the signal line 10
59, the selectors 1013, 1014, 1016 and the connector 1009, and the multi-valued image information is transferred to the image memory unit 9. The image information stored in the image memory unit 9 is sent to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1054 of the connector 1009. CPU 1003
The data sent from the image memory unit 9 is transferred to the computer interface unit 7 described above. The computer interface unit 7 transfers to the computer by a desired interface among the above three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C, Centronics).

Next, the case of receiving information from the image memory unit 9 will be described.

First, the computer interface section 7
Image information is sent from the computer to the core unit 10 via the. When the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the CPU bus 1054 is the data related to the image memory unit 9, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memory unit 9
Is an 8-bit multi-valued signal via a connector 1009, a selector 1014, a selector 10 via a signal line 1064.
17 is transmitted. Selector 1014 or Selector 10
The output signal from 17 is instructed by the CPU 1003.
Similar to the above-mentioned fax, the image is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper.

Next, the fax unit 4 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the fax unit 4.

The fax unit 4 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. Core part 1
When the binary information from 0 is stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404, and the memories A405 and B are controlled under the control of the memory controller.
406, memory C407, or memory D408,
Alternatively, two sets of memories are stored in a cascade connection.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41
According to the instruction No. 2, a mode for exchanging data between the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, the memory D 408 and the CPU bus 462, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 463 of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function. , Memory A405, memory B406, memory C407, memory D408 contents D
The scaling circuit 403 is controlled by the MA controller 402.
Mode for exchanging data with the bus 454 from
A mode in which binary video input data 454 is stored in one of the memories A405 to D408 under the control of the timing generation circuit 409, and a mode in which the memories A405 to D4 are stored.
It has five functions of a mode of reading the memory contents from any one of 08 and outputting to the signal line 452.

The memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408 each have 2 Mbytes.
And has an image storage capacity of 400 dpi and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 409 uses the connector 4
00 and the signal line 459, the core unit 10
Control signals from (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, V
EN) to generate signals for accomplishing the following two functions.

The first is a function of storing the image signal from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A405 to D408 or two memories, and the second is the function of storing the image signals from the memories A405 to D408. It has a function of reading an image signal from any one and transmitting it to the signal line 452.

The dual port memory 410 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 461 and the CPU 412 of the fax unit 4 via the signal line 462.
Is connected. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 410. S
The CSI controller 413 interfaces with a hard disk connected to the fax unit 4 of FIG. Then, the data at the time of fax transmission and the data at the time of fax reception are stored.

The CODEC 411 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, encodes it by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, and then stores it in one of the memories A405 to D408. Is stored as encoded information.

Further, the coded information stored in the memories A405 to D408 is read out, and MH, MR, and M are read.
After decoding by the desired MR method, the memory A
405 to memory D 408, and stored as decryption information, that is, image information.

The MODEM 414 has a function of modulating the coded information from the hard disk connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413 in order to transfer it to the telephone line, and demodulates and codes the information sent from the NCU 415. The information is converted into information and the encoded information is transferred to the hard disk connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413.

The NCU 415 directly exchanges information with a switch installed directly at a telephone station or the like by being connected to a telephone line.

Next, an operation example of fax transmission will be described. First, the binarized image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 400 and reaches the memory controller 404 through the signal line 453.

The signal on the signal line 453 is stored in the memory S405 by the memory controller 404. Memory A
The timing stored in 405 is generated by the timing generation circuit 409 according to the signal from the timing signal line 459 from the reader unit 1.

The CPU 412 is the memory controller 40.
4 memory A 405 and memory B 406 are CODEC
It is connected to the bus line 463 of 411. CODEC41
1 reads the image information from the memory A405,
Encoding is performed by the R method, and the encoded information is written in the memory B406. CODEC41 for A4 size image information
When 1 is encoded, the CPU 412 connects the memory B 406 of the memory controller 404 to the CPU bus 462.

The CPU 412 sequentially reads the coded information from the memory B406 and transfers it to the MODEM 414. The MODEM 414 modulates the encoded information and sends the fax information over the telephone line via the NCU.

Next, an operation example of fax reception will be described. First, the information sent from the telephone line is NCU
It is input to the fax unit 4 by the NCU 415 in a predetermined procedure. Information from NCU415 is MO
It enters the DEM 414 and is demodulated.

The CPU 412 stores the information from the MODEM 414 in the memory C407 via the CPU bus 462. When the information of one screen is stored in the memory C407,
The CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 to control the data line 457 of the memory C407 to C
Connect to line 463 of ODEC 411.

The CODEC 411 sequentially reads the coded information in the memory C407 and decodes it, that is, stores it in the memory D408 as image information. The CPU 412 is a CPU of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 410.
Communication with 1003 is performed, and settings for printing out an image from the memory D 408 through the core unit to the printer unit 2 are performed.

When the setting is completed, the CPU 412 activates the timing generation circuit 409 to activate the signal line 460.
A predetermined timing signal from the memory controller 404
Output to. The memory controller 404 reads the image information from the memory D 408 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 409, transmits it to the signal line 452, and outputs it to the connector 400.

Since the process up to the output from the connector 400 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit 10, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the computer interface section 7
Will be described with reference to FIG.

Connector A700 and connector B701
Is a connector for a SCSI interface. The connector C702 is a Centronics interface connector. The connector D703 is an RS232C interface connector. Connector E707
Is a connector for connecting to the core unit 10.

The SCSI interface has two connectors (connector A700, connector B701),
When connecting devices having a plurality of SCSI interfaces, connectors A700 and B701 are used to make a cascade connection. When the external device 3 and the computer are connected one-to-one, the connector A700 and the computer are connected by a cable, and the connector B701 is connected by a terminator or the connector B701 and the computer are connected by a cable. Connect a terminator to the A700.

Connector A700 or Connector B701
Information input from the SC via the signal line 751
SI / I / F-A704 or SCSI / I / F-B7
08 is input. The SCSI I / F-A 704 or the SCSI I / F-B 708 outputs data to the connector 707E via the signal line 754 after performing the procedure according to the SCSI protocol.

The connector E707 is the CPU of the core unit 10.
The CPU 1 of the core unit 10 connected to the bus 1054
003 receives the information input from the CPU bus 1054 to the SCSI / I / F connector (connector A700, connector B701).

When data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is output to the SCSI / connector (connector A700, connector B701), the procedure is reversed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector C702 and input to the Centronics I / F 705 via the signal line 752. The Centronics I / F 705 receives data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and outputs the data to the connector E707 via the signal line 754.

The connector E707 is the CPU of the core unit 10.
The CPU 1 of the core unit 10 connected to the bus 1054
003 is the Centronics I from the CPU bus 1054.
The information input to the / F connector (connector C702) is received.

The RS232C interface is connected to the connector D703 and is connected to the RS via the signal line 753.
It is input to the 232C I / F 706. RS232C
The I / F 706 receives the data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and outputs the data to the connector E707 via the signal line 754.

The connector E707 is the CPU of the core unit 10.
The CPU 1 of the core unit 10 connected to the bus 1054
003 is from the CPU bus 1054 to RS232C / I /
The information input to the F connector (connector D703) is received. Further, data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is transferred to the RS232C / I / F connector (connector D7).
When outputting to 03), the procedure is reversed.

Next, the formatter section 8 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the formatter unit 8.

The data from the computer interface unit 7 described above is discriminated by the core unit 10. If the data is related to the formatter unit 8, the core unit 10
The CPU 1003 transfers the data from the computer to the dual port memory 803 via the connector 1008 of the core unit 10 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 9.

The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 receives the code data sent from the computer via the dual port memory 803.

The CPU 809 sequentially develops the code data into image data and transfers the image data to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 via the memory controller 808.

Memory A 806 and memory B 807 are
Each memory has a capacity of 1 Mbytes, and one memory (memory A806 or memory B807) can handle up to A4 paper size with a resolution of 300 dpi.

In the case of supporting up to A3 size paper at a resolution of 300 dpi, the memory A806 and the memory B807 are connected in cascade to develop the image data. The memory control described above is performed by the memory controller 808 according to an instruction from the CPU 809.

Further, when it is necessary to rotate a character or a graphic when developing the image data, the image data is rotated by the rotation circuit 804 and then transferred to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807.

When the expansion of the image data in the memory A806 or the memory B is completed, the CPU 809 controls the memory controller 808 so that the data bus line 858 of the memory A806 or the data bus line 859 of the memory B807 is output to the output line of the memory controller 808. 85
Connect to 5.

Next, the CPU 809 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 803, and sets the mode in which the image information is output from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807. CPU of core unit 10
The CPU 100 sets the print output mode in the CPU 122 using the communication function built in the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication circuit 1002 in the core unit 10.

When the print output mode is set, the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 activates the timing generation circuit 802 via the connector 1008 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8.

The timing generation circuit 802 has the core unit 10
A timing signal for reading image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is generated in the memory controller 808 according to the signal from

The image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is input to the memory controller 808 via the signal line 858. Memory controller 808
The output image information from is transferred to the core unit 10 via the signal line 851 and the connector 800.

The output from the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2 has been described in the core unit 10 and will be omitted.

Next, in the system of this embodiment as described above, PDL data from the computer is transmitted, and this is expanded into an image image on the receiving side (relay station),
The function of transmitting a facsimile to a predetermined destination will be described.

First, the operation of the formatter unit 8 in the external device on the transmission side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, according to a predetermined operation of the operator, data from the computer is transferred by a certain number of bytes through the core unit 10 and the Centronics interface of the interface unit 7 according to the procedure described above (S100).
1).

Here, the formatter unit 8 analyzes whether or not the received data is a FAX command instructing a FAX transmission operation (S1002), and as a result of the analysis, P
"Code FAX transmission" to send DL data as FAX
If it is found (S1004), the fact is notified to the core unit 10 together with the telephone number of the other party (S1006), and the process ends.

Here, the operation of the core unit 10 in the external device on the transmission side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the notification of "code FAX transmission" is received from the formatter unit 8 (S1101), the fax unit 4
Request to prepare to perform "code FAX transmission" and notify the telephone number (S1102).

When the fax section 4 sets the other party's telephone number and the "code FAX transmission" is ready (S110).
3), data from the Centronics interface of the interface unit 7 is transferred to the fax unit 4 (S1
104). When all the data has been transferred (S
1105) and notifies the fax unit 4 that transmission is possible (S110).
6) and end.

Next, the transmission / reception operation of the fax unit 4 between external devices will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 shows the ITU-T recommendation T.264. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the facsimile call according to 30.

First, when the calling side dials the telephone number notified from the core section 10 and the called side connects the line, the procedure of FIG. 8 is started.

First, in phase A, the called side issues CED. Then move to Phase B, NSF, CSI, DS
Issue I. Here, the information necessary for the operation of this embodiment is assigned in the FIF fourth octet of NSF.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the structures of NSF and NSS. As shown in FIG. 9, the first and second octets are ITU-T member codes, and the third octet is a manufacturer code. Then, bits 0, 1, and 2 of the fourth octet have the first PDL and the second PD, respectively.
L, the presence or absence of the expansion capability of the third PDL are assigned. That is, when the value of each bit is "1", the capability is determined.

The CPU 412 on the calling side stores the capability of the other party in the hard disk 11. Then the calling party
Issue SS, TSI, DCS.

Here, the PDL is designated. For example, the first
Bit 0 of the fourth octet of NSS is set to "1" (see FIG. 9).

Then, if transmission is possible, training is performed and the line status is checked. This is 14.
Train at 4 kbps. Then, if it is in a good state, the process shifts to phase C, and if not, the baud rate is lowered.

Then, the telephone number of the other party and the state of the line corresponding to the telephone number are stored in the hard disk 11.

The PDL data is stored in the dual port memory 4
The data in 10 is once transferred to the vacant areas of the memories A to D, and then transferred to the line via the MODEM 414 and NCU 415.

When all PDL data has been transmitted, the procedure moves to Phase D. When the calling side issues EOP and indicates the end, the called side issues MCF. Then, in phase E, the line is closed by the DCN and the facsimile call ends.

Next, the operation of the formatter unit 8 of the external device on the receiving side (relay station) will be described again with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

After the fax unit 4 has performed the above-described receiving operation, the received data is transferred from the fax unit 4 to the formatter unit 8 via the core unit 10 (S1001).

The formatter unit 8 analyzes whether the received data is a FAX command (S1002), and as a result of the analysis, if it is determined to be "expanded FAX transmission" in which PDL data is expanded and then FAX transmitted (S1004), the core Tell the department 10 along with the telephone number of the other party (S
1005).

After that, the remaining data is transferred from the fax unit 4 to the formatter unit 8. These data are FA
Since it is normal PDL data, not X command,
The images are sequentially developed (S1007). Data transfer and image expansion are repeated until the paper discharge command is received, and when the paper discharge command is received (S1008), the expanded image image is output to the fax unit 4 (S1009).

Further, if there is data to be expanded (S10
10) Then, the data transfer is repeated again, and if not, the end is notified to the core unit 10 (S1011), and the process ends.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of the core unit 10 of the external device on the receiving side (relay station) will be described.

"Expand FAX transmission" from the formatter unit 8
(S1101), the fax unit 4 is requested to prepare to perform "expanded FAX transmission", and the telephone number of the other party is notified (S1102).

After the fax unit 4 is ready (S110)
3), data transfer from the formatter unit 8 to the fax unit 4 is performed (S1104).

When the data transfer end notification is received from the formatter unit 8 (S1105), the fax unit 4 is notified that transmission is possible (S1106), and the process ends.

Next, the operation of the fax unit 4 of the external device on the receiving side (relay station) will be described.

When the notification of "expansion FAX transmission" and the telephone number of the other party are received from the core unit 10, the telephone number of the other party is set and preparations for transmission are made. Also, the formatter unit 8
The image images from are sequentially stored in the hard disk 11.

When the core unit 10 receives the notice of permission of transmission, the image image temporarily stored is taken out from the hard disk 11 and transmitted in the same procedure as the normal FAX transmission described above.

As described above, the PDL data from the transmitting side can be image-developed by the receiving side as a relay station and fax-transferred.

In this embodiment, the function similar to that of the ordinary relay FAX is realized by the PDL data FAX, but the telephone numbers of a plurality of destinations should be added to the data transmitted to the relay station. Due to the normal relay broadcast FA
The same function as X can be realized in the PDL data FAX.

Furthermore, the data to be transmitted to the relay station is F
By composing a plurality of FAX jobs each including a set of AX command, telephone number, and PDL data, each document can be transmitted to a relay station at a time to a plurality of destinations.

[0165]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By transmitting image information represented by code data such as PDL created by a computer etc. to the public line as it is, developing it on the receiving side, and then transmitting it to a predetermined destination, normal relay FAX, relay broadcast PD has the same function as FAX
This can be realized by FAX transmission of code data such as L.
As a result, since the code is transmitted to the relay station using PDL data or the like, deterioration of image quality can be prevented and the transmission time can be shortened.

Further, by transmitting a plurality of FAX jobs including a set of image information and predetermined data at a time, it is possible to perform a relay FAX to a plurality of destinations at a time, which results in a complicated operation for the operator. It is possible to perform FAX transmission without accompanying.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an external device in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fax unit in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer interface unit in the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a formatter unit in the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of a facsimile call in the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a procedure signal for a facsimile call in the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of a formatter unit during PDL fax in the above embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing of a core unit during PDL fax in the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reader unit, 2 ... Printer unit, 3 ... External device, 4 ... Fax unit, 5 ... File unit, 6 ... External storage device, 7 ... Computer interface unit, 8 ... Formatter unit, 9 ... Image memory unit, 10 ... Core part, 11 ... Hard disk, 12 ... Computer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input means for inputting image information represented by code data, a developing means for developing the image information input by the input means, and a transmission for transmitting and receiving the image information and predetermined data in a predetermined procedure. An image communication apparatus comprising: means for expanding image information based on predetermined data transmitted from a transmission source, and transmitting the expanded image information to a predetermined destination.