JPH09200423A - Communication system for pixel-based alphanumeric character equipped with facsimile input interface - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a scanning facsimile machine which receives data in pixel form from a facsimile type device and outputs the data to another device. SOLUTION: The scanning facsimile machine 42 is provided with a modem 32 which interfaces with a facsimile machine 22 and an other-machine interface which interfaces with a computer 20. Pixel graphic input logic 44 is connected to the modem 32, and logic 48 is also provided which makes an interface response to an input signal from the facsimile machine 22 to receive data in pixel format from the facsimile machine 22, and outputs the data to the computer 20 through the other-device interface. Further, the system is provided with a page memory 14 which receives the data in pixel format, and stores and outputs the data to the other-device interface.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inputting and transmitting alphanumeric characters, and more particularly to receiving pixelated data from a facsimile type device and transmitting this data to another device. The present invention relates to a scanning fax machine to be output and used. The present invention includes modem means for interfacing with a facsimile type device. Other device interface means for interfacing with other devices is also provided. Facsimile input logic means is connected to the modem means and provides an interface response to input signals from the facsimile type device, which causes the facsimile type device to send the pixelated data to the scanning fax machine. Logic means is also provided for receiving pixelated data from the facsimile type device by the modem means and outputting this data to another device via the other device interface means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, input, transmission, and reception of alphanumeric characters have been generally important factors in communication technology. Communication in written form is an integral part of everyday life. Therefore, as soon as electronic devices capable of creating and transmitting documents appeared one after another, they were immediately accepted by the public.
In the past, the sender wrote the content of the transmission by hand and the delivery person carried it. Later, the role of the courier was taken up by simple, low-cost mail. With the advent of typewriters, writing documents has been sped up and the finished ones are easier to read. However, nothing has been improved about speeding up transmission and reception.

With the advent of telegrams, transmission from one point to another point has been sped up, but the procedure is complicated and costly. That is, to send a telegram, go to the nearest telegram station and verbally convey the content of the transmission, which is then sent to the receiving station in a so-called Morse code. Here the signal is translated into letters and handed to the recipient. Later, telephone communication was started between the sender and the transmitting station, and between the receiving station and the recipient. Only recently, so-called telex has begun to be used in companies and the like. With this telex,
The user inputs the alphanumeric character transmission contents with the keyboard and converts it into the transmission code by punching a hole in the paper tape. The recipient is then called with the recipient's telex telephone number. Once the receiver receives and connects, the paper tape is read and the code is sent to the receiver. The receiver will also automatically translate the transmission and type it out in alphanumeric characters. The operator does not need to know anything about the code used. Such telex has become a representative in business communication for many years, and in fact, it is still active in a wide range of fields.

In recent years, a small and inexpensive computer and a microprocessor equipped with a chip have appeared, and communication technology in two points has made great progress. That is, it is the point of document creation and document transmission. Document creation has been greatly improved with the introduction of computer-based character processing systems (and more recently desktop publishing systems). Document transmission was also improved with the introduction of computer-based facsimile (fax) systems. According to the character processing system, alphanumeric characters are first input to a computer by a typewriter keyboard and stored in so-called ASCII code. In this ASCII code, each character is represented by eight binary bits (such as 1 and / or 0) and is called a "byte". Once entered, the transmission can be displayed by a computer, edited, spell checked, automatically centered or aligned, printed in any size and typeface, and a variety of other features provided by the computer. It is also possible to let.

The main limitation of the character processing system is the time required to input alphanumeric character data in advance. You can quickly type on your computer keyboard, but it will only receive data as fast as a fast typist can type. In view of this limitation, and in order to save data typing, an optical character reader was introduced. This effect is shown at 10 in the simplified block diagram of FIG. Early optical character readers were large, self-contained, and used a rotatable read head to scan the document. As the paper is input to the reader, it is bent into a cylinder, row by row, through the read head, where the optical scanning device moves from left to right over the paper. Each scanned row is decomposed into multiple positions on the paper, and at each position the read head outputs a "1" or "0" indicating whether that position is black or white. These dots on the paper are called pixels. The paper is then scanned, producing data similar to that used on television screens. More recently, the large and complex rotary scan heads of previous optical character readers have been used in linear charge coupling devices such as those used in small and lightweight television cameras.
It has started to change to an "age coupled device". However, there was not much improvement. As the paper moves underneath the pixel scanner 12, or as the pixel scanner 12 moves over the paper, the vertically scanned rows output a series of binary data indicating the state of each pixel location on the row. To do. This series of binary data is input to the page memory 14. Therefore, the page memory 14
The final result is a pixel diagram of the scanned page. All alphanumeric data and picture data are converted into dot patterns. By the drive of the computer (currently mainly in the microprocessor chip), the data in the page memory 14 is scanned from top to bottom or from left to right to read a certain pattern, ie alphanumeric characters, ASCII notation. Convert to. This optical character reading (hereinafter referred to as OCR) process is performed by the OCR logic 16, and the ASCII character is stored in the ASCII memory 18.
To memorize. ASCII characters in memory 18 can be input to a character processing program in computer 20, as if by typing on a keyboard, for example.

Since many Japanese Kanji characters cannot be written in a computer like simple alphanumeric characters, the fax machine first invented by the Japanese was almost the same as an optical character reader as shown in FIG. The same device is used. However, it does not convert the pixels to ASCII code. The fax machine 22 sends the pixel scanner 1 at the final point of transmission.
2 scans the document and produces the same data as is in memory 14 of FIG. 1, ie a series of binary data of the pixel diagram of the scanned document. Then, in the fax machine 22, this data is output by the output logic 24 as a series of binary data representing pixel graphic data. This series of data is sent to the receiving fax machine 22 via a standard telephone line 25, where the input logic 26 receives the binary pixel data and thereby drives the graphic printer 28. The graphic printer 28 is a dot type printer (for example, a dot matrix printer or a laser printer), which creates characters as a series of dots and pixels in a graphic mode, and is found in a so-called "daisy wheel" printer or the like. ASC
Characters are not printed at the same time that the II code is received. Therefore, at each pixel location on the output page,
The printer 28 creates a black dot or a white dot (that is, no dot) based on the display on the sent binary data of the pixel system.

In recent years, software and hardware have become available, and the large base of personal computers (PCs) currently in use has made it possible to connect computers to standard fax machines. Such a conventional technique (generally referred to as "P / C FAX") is shown in FIG. On the other hand, the standard fax machine 22 with the logic 30 scans the scanned pixel scanner 1
2 receives and transmits input data from the telephone line 25 and receives binary data from the telephone line 25, thereby driving the graphic printer 28. Also, the graphic printer 28 and the external pixel scanner 12 '
Is connected to the personal computer 20. Valid
Alternatively, the P / C fax machine has an internal or external modem 32 connected to the telephone line 25 and a P / C fax program 3 built into the software of the computer.
3 and is generally indicated by box 34. In general,
The software 34 includes, for example, desktop publishing software 36, which creates a document including graphic alphanumeric characters and / or pictorial display in the page memory 14. In use, the fax machine 22 sends a fax document to the computer 20, and the PC / Fax program 33 answers the call through the modem 32,
Input the binary pixel data to the page memory 14,
From there, the binary pixel data is transferred to the graphic printer 2.
8 is output. The same applies to graphic output by other computers, for example, graphic output created by the desktop publishing software 36. In order to send a facsimile document, the document is stored in the page memory 14 by the pixel scanner 12 'alone, the desktop publishing software 36 and the pixel scanner 12' together, or the desktop publishing software alone 36 (sometimes referred to as "effective fax"). Is created using.
When the document to be sent is ready, the PC / Fax program 33 will send it through the modem 32 to the fax machine 2.
2 is called and the contents of the page memory 14 are transmitted in a form suitable for the fax machine 22.

OCR software that can be used in a personal computer for converting the data scanned by the external pixel scanner 12 'into ASCII code by a character processing program is as follows:
Also note that it is available on the market. For this reason,
The OCR software 38 is incorporated in the software 34 of the computer 20. Although it cannot be used as part of a P / C fax program, fax correspondence documents received by the P / C fax system can be used for other purposes within the computer, such as for archiving.
It becomes possible to convert to CII code,
It is expected in the prior art literature that it is not a distant future.

As shown in FIG. 4, at least a Japanese fax machine 22 'sold in Japan under the trademark Canon (CANON) has an RS-232 type computer interface 40 and is a standard fax machine 22. Is connected to the telephone line 25 for sending and receiving. The fax machine 22 'also connects the computer 20 to an RS-232 type interface 40 to enable the pixel scanner 12 and the graphic printer 28 provided in the fax machine 22' as external devices. . The pixel scanner 12 and the graphic printer 28 are provided in the fax machine 22 ′ because the computer 20 of FIG. 3 connects the graphic printer 28 and the external pixel scanner 12 ′ to or from the desktop publishing program 36. By the same method used. Appropriate software for computers to take advantage of the unique features of this fax machine is available on the market. Similarly, an "advanced" fax machine with special features that directly interfaces with a personal computer is provided by Koshiishi in US Pat. No. 4,652,9.
33 (transferred to Ricoh Co., Ltd.). However, note that these are not standard fax machines and standard ones cannot be used.

A final point about the prior art regarding the transmission and reception of alphanumeric characters in communication systems is:
In the cryptographic technology of yesteryear, confidentiality is important, so only a basic approach can be taken. Even in business, this technology may be applied because it is basically secretive, but military communication has the highest utilization. After World War II,
"Understand the code" of the transmission contents of the enemy who should have been secretly sent
There are many stories that read the actions of the enemy by knowing in advance and change the flow of war. In such a communication system, since the enemy interrupts the communication, the code and the symbol must be understood only by the person himself / herself who is instructed how to decrypt the code. Early cryptosystems could not be deciphered by humans, but later computers were able to process large numbers of letters and symbols quickly and easily to find their meaning, or decipher them. However,
The transmission of alphanumeric characters in the prior art is still subject to characters. That is, when the letter A is typed into the sender's keyboard, it is converted into an ASCII code that matches it. It is then represented by a number, calculated based on the cryptosystem (eg, by arranging pseudorandom numbers next to it), and then transmitted. At the receiving end, the same sequence of pseudo-random numbers starting from the same starting point must be displayed so that the correct number can be subtracted from the sequence entered to create the sequence representing the original message. Thus, no matter how difficult it is for an adversary to decipher the encrypted content, it doesn't have to be undecipherable, especially with the help of modern supercomputers.

[0011]

As described above, in the conventional facsimile machine, a special function must be added in order to be used by interfacing with a standard type computer, and therefore, this type of facsimile machine is required. The machine was expensive. Furthermore, there is no improvement in the communication system that attaches importance to confidentiality.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a method and apparatus capable of inputting graphic data provided by a pixel scanning device of a facsimile machine to a standard computer. The purpose is to do. In addition, the present invention provides a standard computer with a sequence of A's by identifying optical characters in a document scanned by a pixel scanning device of a facsimile machine.
It is also an object to provide a method and apparatus for entering a SCII string. It is also an object to provide a method and apparatus that allows a standard computer to input a series of ASCII characters using a local or remote standard facsimile machine as an optical character reader. Furthermore, it is also an object to provide a method and an apparatus that enables super reliable transmission of alphanumeric character strings. Other objects and effects of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description accompanied with the drawings that follow.

[0013]

In order to achieve these objectives, it is possible to have a standard facsimile machine scan a document and enter the pixelated data obtained therefrom into a standard computer. In the scanning fax machine of the present invention, a modem means for interfacing with the facsimile machine, a computer interface means for interfacing with a computer, and an interface response to an input signal from the facsimile machine are provided. On a fax machine,
Facsimile input logic means connected to the modem means for transmitting the pixelated data resulting from scanning the document to the scanning fax machine; and the computer means for receiving the pixelated data from the fax machine and the computer. It is characterized in that logic means is provided for outputting it to the computer via the interface means.

In the preferred embodiment, page memory means is also provided for receiving pixelated data from the facsimile type device and outputting it to the other device interface means. In a modified embodiment of the invention, the contents of the page memory means are scanned from top to bottom and from left to right and the identified alphanumeric characters are converted into a series of binary codes for other devices to identify, Character identifying means for outputting the binary code to another device via the other device interface means is provided.
In this embodiment, the pixel identification data is arranged in a column arranged vertically in front of the character identification means, and the character identification means scans the data row in the horizontal direction to detect the alphanumeric characters contained therein. Orientation means are provided for searching. Furthermore, the pixelated data from the facsimile type device is either carried in its pixelated form directly to another device, or first matches the alphanumeric character identified by the character identification means contained therein. There is also provided selection means for allowing the user to select either one of conversion into a series of binary codes.

In another embodiment, the facsimile type device is a local type placed near the other device, and a pseudo switch board means is provided between the facsimile type device and the modem means for telephone use. Simulation is performed on the function of the central switch board and the connecting lines connected to it. Therefore, the local facsimile type device can make a transmission connection by calling the scanning fax device. In this embodiment, the following three switch means connected to the telephone line are preferably provided. Firstly, one for connecting the modem means and the telephone line, one for connecting the local facsimile type device and the telephone line, and one for connecting the local facsimile type device and the pseudo switchboard means and the pseudo switchboard means and the modem means. To do. This allows the local facsimile machine to call the scanning fax machine and make a send connection to it.

In still another embodiment, a local facsimile type device provided near the other device and the modem means is provided with shift buffer means for connecting the local facsimile type device to a telephone line. And send a signal in two directions between the telephone line. The shift buffer means includes an output tap for sampling the data passing therethrough, a control input for receiving a signal to stop the signal passing therethrough, and a logic means for connecting the output to the control input. I have it. This logic means can delay the transmission from the facsimile type device by the time required for processing. The output tap is connected to the logic means as an input, and while the local facsimile type device receives the input from the telephone line, the scanning fax machine reads the data and sends it to the local facsimile type device and transfers the data to another device. can do.

The scanning fax machine may be provided with display print logic means for outputting the data from the page memory means to the printer for printing, and function selecting means for controlling the operation of the display print logic means. A dot printer connected to the display print logic means or a case for accommodating the scanning fax machine and the printer together may be provided. Further, it is possible to output the data from the page memory means to a pixel type display, and to display the display print logic means, or to connect with the display print logic means, and to have a pixel type display housed in a case. Good. The home communication system is provided with a scroll display logic means for outputting the data from the page memory means to a television screen and viewing the data on the screen, and a function selecting means for controlling the operation of the scroll display logic means. It may be provided.

The present invention may be utilized as part of an apparatus and associated method for transmitting and receiving alphanumeric characters, comprising transmitter means connected to a transmission medium for transmitting the content of the transmission. The means is a character input means for inputting a first series of alphanumeric characters indicating a transmission content, and the first alphanumeric character is a graphic consisting of a two-dimensional area of pixels, each of which is on a two-dimensional page of graphic data. Receptor means comprising pixel conversion means for converting into a display and transmission means for transmitting a two-dimensional page of graphic data through a transmission medium, and being connected to the transmission medium and adapted to receive and decode the transmitted content. Means for receiving a two-dimensional page of graphic data through a transmission medium, and a two-dimensional page of graphic data from top to bottom and left or right. Scanning to the right, to identify the first alphanumeric characters from a predetermined shape, corresponding to the alphanumeric characters after the identification,
Character identification means for providing a decodable sequence of codes.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention for inputting a scanned standard fax machine input to a standard computer is illustrated in the simplified block diagram of FIG. As is clear from the following description, scan fax ^Tiemu of the present invention (Scan-Fax ^tm · trademark), there is no need to buy an optical scanner or OCR device, it can benefit on expenses SMEs. In addition to fax machines, many of these small business users are equipped with personal computers with word processing and / or desktop publishing capabilities. The present invention relates to an optical scanner and an OC
Providing a device that does not include an R device can provide a cost benefit to the user.

As will be apparent from the above description, the scanning fax machine of the present invention is an external stand-alone device such as the following modem or PC / PC fax machine, and within the scope of the present invention, a scanning fax machine is provided. The machine can also be installed on a printed circuit card installed in the computer.

As shown in FIG. 5, the scanning fax machine 42
Comprises a pixel graphic input logic 44 which, like the fax machine described above,
A series of binary pixel data is input to the page memory 14. In the exemplary embodiment, scanning fax machine 42 receives input to pixel graphics logic 44 from everywhere. Scanning fax machine 42 is also connected to internal modem 32, which is connected to telephone line 25 and receives input from remote standard fax machine 22 or remote key-fax machine 46. The key fax machine 46
US patent application “Keyboard for Facsimile Transmission System” by the same inventor as the present application (Application No. 25
4, 925 filing date, October 7, 1988), which is incorporated herein by reference. Scanning fax machine 4
2 is installed to receive input from the local standard fax machine 22, the method of which will be described in detail later. Further, a logic 4 having an OCR program 38 for optionally converting the content of the page memory 14 into an ASCII code which matches the content of alphanumeric characters.
8 are provided. This logic 48 is provided to interface with a standard computer 20 (through a series of ports) and to send the contents of page memory 14 (as pixel data or ASCII data) to the computer using techniques well known in the art. Techniques and hardware necessary for transmitting data to a computer as an external device are well-known techniques, and a description of these points that are not novel will be omitted. Similarly, description of the program and logic relating to the optical character identification device is omitted. These techniques have been developed and improved for 10-15 years, can be understood in any form, and in many cases will be obvious by hand. All programs are available on the market for $ 2-300. If one wishes to implement the present invention including OCR functionality, these prior arts (which are not new to the present invention) should be utilized,
You should obtain these OCR logic and programs by obtaining them from the market such as license agreements and purchases.

FIG. 6 shows the scanning fax machine 4 of this embodiment.
2 is shown in detail. The scanning fax machine 42 of the present invention is expected to sell for $ 200 to $ 300 at retail price, but is standard type 8-1 / 2X1
A CCD-based scanner capable of scanning a 1 inch paper with sufficient resolution (ie, dots and pixels per inch in the vertical and horizontal directions), if it is capable of optical character identification under the OCR program, Currently about 2
The price is $ 000. The scanning fax machine 42 has a pair of modular telephone jacks 52 and an RS-232 on the side wall.
It is housed in a case 50 having a socket 54. The RS-232 (that is, serial) interface connected to the computer 20 is preferably serial, but can of course be changed to a parallel interface or the like.

A suitable prior art computer interface logic 56 is connected to the RS-232 socket 54 to bring the contents of the page memory 14 into a suitable cable 5.
It outputs to the computer 20 connected by 8 (either the serial or the parallel is selected).

One of the pair of modular telephone jacks 52 is connected to two contacts of a three-position slide switch 60. Local telephone line 25 is jack 5 as shown.
It is plugged into 2. The other modular telephone jack 52 is connected to the other contact of the switch 60, and the local fax machine 22 is plugged into this jack 52. The other two contacts of the switch 60 are connected to the internal modem 32, and the other one contact of the switch 60 is connected to the pseudo switch board 62. It is powered by a conventional type of power source (not shown for simplicity) suitable for such low energy devices. A method in which a transformer is directly connected to a wall and low voltage wiring is used to connect devices by plug-jacks is often preferred. A rechargeable or replaceable battery may be installed. The modem 32 is connected and inputs to the fax input logic 64.
Fax input logic 64 connects to scan fax logic 66, which connects to OCR logic 68. The OCR logic 68 includes the OCR program 38. The scan fax logic 66 further connects to a mode select switch 70, which allows the user to scan the fax machine 4.
The mode in which 2 operates is selectable. (Eg OCR or pixel / graphic mode).

When the switch 60 is at the position A in FIG. 6,
The telephone line 25 is directly connected to the local fax machine 22, and the local fax machine 22 performs standard facsimile transmission and reception. Telephone line 25 when switch 60 is in the C position
Is connected to the internal modem 32. In this mode,
The scanning fax machine 42 responds to an input signal from the telephone line 25 and tells the remote fax machine 22 (or key fax machine 46) the correct "handshaking" as found in the transmitter, ie as in the prior art.
Interface by supplying columns etc. That is, rather than inputting data from a remote fax machine or printing it as graphic data as usual, the scanning fax logic 66 inputs it into page memory 14 and sends it through RS-232 port 54. Hex (ie pixel / graphic)
It is output as data to the computer 20, or first converted into an ASCII character code by OCR conversion. The logic 66 may cause the data associated with the first and last ones of the first and last 1/2 inch input data to be discarded. This is because this data is generally attached by the fax machine 22 at the time of transmission, such as the transmission number, time and date.

When switch 60 is at B, local fax machine 22 is connected to computer 20 via scanning fax machine 42. The local fax machine 22 can thus be used as a scanner to input graphic (binary / pixel) information or OCR derived ASCII data in the same manner as the remote device (fax machine 22 or key fax machine 46). However, in the local fax machine 22 connected to the scanning fax machine 42, the data transmission from the fax machine 22 is
Not possible without special equipment. As such a device, when the switch 60 is in the B position, the pseudo switch board 62 has a local fax machine 22 and a modem 32.
It is provided between and. A flow chart of the logic for the pseudo switch board 62 is shown in FIG. The pseudo switch board 62 has a function of connecting the central switch unit for telephone and the connecting telephone line to connect the local fax machine 22 and other fax machines by telephone.
When the handset of the local fax machine 22 goes "off-hook", the pseudo switch board 62 senses this and applies an appropriate voltage to the telephone line 72 connecting the local fax machine 22 and the pseudo switch board 62 to the telephone line 72. The power is turned on and the local fax machine 22 is made to emit a dial tone. When the user dials a series of numbers into the local fax machine 22, all are converted by the pseudo switch board 62,
A suitable call is sent to the scanning fax machine 42, and the pseudo switch board 62 further provides a bell signal to the telephone line 74 connecting the pseudo switch board 62 and the modem 32 to the modem 32 in the same manner as answering a telephone call. "response"
Let it. When the pseudo switch board 62 senses that the modem 32 has received a signal, the bell signal being applied ceases, the telephone line 72 is directly connected to the telephone line 74, and scanning is initiated and remotely input in the manner described above. Pseudo switch board 62 continues to control telephone lines 72 and 74,
When it senses that the handset is placed or "on hook",
Telephone lines 72 and 74 are disconnected and pseudo switch board 62
Returns to the initial state and waits for the next "call" from the local fax machine 22 while switch 60 is in the B position. If the switch 60 is moved from the B position, the pseudo switch board 62 logic will consider this as a handset placed and the connection will be broken as described above.

FIG. 11 shows a basic scanning fax machine 42.
Some modifications are added to the above to give additional functions. The scanning fax machine 42 'comprises a local fax machine 22 and a telephone line 25 connected at the opposite end of a controlled first in first out (FIFO) type buffer 96. The path taken by the data via the buffer 96 between the local fax machine 22 and the telephone line 25 can be controlled by the fax input logic 64 via the control line 98. Since this circuit is a conventional technique, its detailed description is omitted here. The fax input logic 64 (not the local fax machine 22) thus causes the local fax machine 22 to control the speed at which rows of pixel data are entered. The fax input logic 64 causes the scanning fax machine 42 'to freeze the received line from the local fax machine 22 over the telephone line 25 to the sending fax machine.
Processing time can be given to other logic within. This will be described later. The data passing through the buffer 96 is sampled and input by the fax input logic 64 via the telephone line 100. Thus, the scanning fax machine 42 'can be connected in series between the standard fax machine 22 and the computer 20 as described above. When the fax machine 22 receives a fax as usual, the scanning fax machine 42 'receives the alphanumeric characters in the pixelated data by the OCR technique as described above and puts it in an ASCII code that the computer 20 can process. Convert.

A modified scanning fax machine 42 'of FIG.
Includes a display print logic 102, a function selection block 104, a printer 106, and a display 108. These additional parts can be used with or without being connected to the computer 20. Adding these additional parts to a basic scanning fax machine with a modem 32, omitting the computer-related parts, such as the scanning fax machine 42 "shown in FIG. 13 with the telephone line 25 connected to the modem 32. This makes it an inexpensive receive-only fax machine for receiving alphanumeric data, and this method is a key fax machine for two-way fax machines that can interface with standard fax machines and send and receive alphanumeric characters. The display print logic 102 receives input from the page memory 14. The function selection block 104 thus causes the logic 102 to display the message in scroll mode on the display 108. This display 108 is inexpensive. For different devices, eg 3 Consisting of 24 characters LCD panels. A large than as used in the laptop computer L
One of the CD panels may be used for a larger display that can display about half a page at a time, even in this case at a much lower cost. Similarly, one of the currently available miniature dot thermal printers may be used in printer 106 as the savings model of the present invention. It should be noted that the ink jet printing apparatus is used in the relatively expensive and elaborate device of the present invention. Obviously, such a device could also be used for email. In this case, page memory 1
The page memory 14 can also be expanded to store multiple pages in 4 and / or to load multiple short messages of one page or less. The printer may be omitted. When sending a message, the sender enters the content sent by a standard fax machine or by a key fax machine. This content is received by the scanning fax machine 42 ", converted to ASCII, and stored for later modification. At this time, just like a telephone, a display such as LED107 is turned on and the recipient is presented. The recipient may be notified, and the recipient may scroll to the waiting message using the feature selector 104. Also, as with the telephone, FIG.
Scan fax machine 42 "of the present invention may be adapted to cause the ASCII code in the extended page memory 14 to be retransmitted to a remote location over the telephone line 25. This retransmission uses conventional logic and is received. It can be corrected by a person at a remote place.

Finally, the scanning fax machine 4 of FIG.
By the method of 2 ''', a simple facsimile machine for reception and display can be prepared by utilizing the present invention. 13, the telephone line 25 is directly connected to the modem 32, which is connected to the fax input logic 64. The fax input logic 64, along with the scanning fax logic 66, is a remote input fax. It interfaces with the device and stores a large number of inputs (typically one page or less) that are loaded into the expanded page memory 14. However, at this time no OCR logic is provided and the contents of memory 14 are similar to those of a telephone. This is the stored and pixelized data LE, as in the previous embodiment.
A D message receive indicator 107 is also provided which is illuminated by the scanning fax logic 66 when a message is received. Printer 106
The display 108 has been omitted in this embodiment, and the display print logic 102 has been replaced with a scroll display logic 110 with partially similar functionality. The scroll display logic 110 is connected to the function selection device 104 and receives operator input. The scroll display logic 110 is connected to the television 112 by a normal signal input method, rather than printing or displaying the contents of the memory 14, so that a much cheaper old home computer could display instead of a monitor. TV 11 just like you used a TV for
The contents of the memory 14 are displayed on the second screen. Such a device is well known in the art and will not be described in detail.
If the scanning fax machine 42 '''of FIG. 14 is connected to a telephone line, the visible email will be a facsimile type source (eg fax machine, key fax machine, PC / PC).
From a fax machine) to the scanning fax machine 42 '''. As shown in this figure, for example, if you are working at a location where fax is available, you can leave a message on your home scanning fax machine 42 '''. Of course, you can also send pictures. The person who came home is LC
Find the D display 107 lighting, turn on the TV 112,
The function selection input device 104 causes the scroll display logic 110 to output a message to the screen of the television 112. The connection between the television 112 and the scroll display logic 110 utilizes the technology of "Television Local Wireless Transmission and Control" (Application No. 096,929, filed September 15, 1987) filed in the United States by the inventor of the present invention. You can also make it wireless.

Thus, as will be apparent from the foregoing description and drawings, the present invention provides an effective and low cost method for inputting graphics and OCR inputs to a standard computer. , Thereby eliminating the need for expensive and specialized equipment. Next, the super reliable communication system of the present invention will be described in detail.

As mentioned above, conventional transmission systems for transmitting alphanumeric data generally use one byte of binary data for each character, and then add a pseudo-random sequence to be subtracted at the receiving end, first. The original alphanumeric characters are printed by playing the entered number sequence. As can be seen from the description of the scanning fax machine operating in OCR mode from a remote location,
In communication systems based on this technology, letters do not remain in the numerical state. That is, there is no one 8-bit binary digit representing each character in the message. Each character is converted into a dot or pixel pattern in the graphics area, which is sent as a series of binary bits, each representing a pixel in the graphics area. At the receiving end, the graphics area is played back and scanned by the optical character identification logic, from which the character pattern is read and the original alphanumeric character is played back. Such a method of character transmission is perfect as an ultra-reliable transmission system that cannot be "deciphered" even if the transmission is obtained without permission. Before being encrypted, the transmissions of such a system can be readily deciphered if it is known to be a facsimile transmission. However, it can be rendered unplayable without a suitable device by encrypting the transmitted data in the only way that it can be processed only by that data. Systems and methods for such encryption, which are used alone or in combination, are described below.

The functions of the basic elements of such a reliable transmission system are shown in the simplified block diagram of FIG.
The system comprises a transmitter 76 and a receiver 78. Of course, in the two-way transmission system, the transmitter 76 and the receiver 78 are provided at both places. However, in this figure, only one is shown for simplification. If the document containing the transmission to be entered is typed on paper and scanned by a pixel scanner used in a fax machine in the manner described above, within the spirit of the transmission system of the invention. It is preferable to perform the key-fax type input method (described in detail in the above-mentioned patent application by the inventor of the present invention) at the message input portion of the transmitter 76.
As shown in FIG. 7, an alphanumeric keyboard 80 is connected to the key fax generator 82. Therefore, a series of characters input by the keyboard 80 is converted into a dot pattern by the key fax generator 82 and continuously stored in the input memory 84. To pass the ciphers as desired, the pixels in the input memory 84 are moved by the pixel scramble output logic 87 to the output memory 86 scrambled according to a well-known scrambling algorithm,
Output by modem 32 through transmission medium 88 as a series of binary / pixel bits. The transmission medium 88 may be any available medium such as telegraph, microwave, optical fiber, wireless telegraph, and the like. Similarly, conventional interface protocols may be used, or special ones may be used to prevent cipher breaking. This point will be described later in more detail. The input memory 84 and the output memory 86 may be the same memory, but it is desirable to use different memories for each processing. In addition, the input memory 8
4 and / or output memory 86 may be large or slightly smaller in capacity to handle the entire page, depending on the degree and type of pixel scrambling applied. In this regard, US patent application “Facsimile system capable of reliable transmission” by the inventor of the present invention (application number 175, 947, filed on March 1988)
31) describes some methods of spatially scrambling pixel facsimile data for reliable transmission.

At the receiving end, the receiver 78 sends the message to the pixel input logic 89 by the modem 32.
Input to the input memory 84 '. From here it becomes the ASCII code for the character which consists of the message returned to the original state according to the correct algorithm, OCR scanned and output by the pixel restoration and output logic 90 to the ASCII memory 92, the ASCII code of the prior art. It can be used in any way suitable for the technology of character display and printing.

Besides spatially scrambling the pixel data, it is more difficult (though not completely impossible) to reproduce the scrambled data in the original notation that makes sense for the message. Some other techniques can also be applied. To break a cipher, one generally makes some sort of perceived permutation of the pattern and looks for any of the permutations to make sense. In the secure communication system of the present invention, pixels consisting of symbols representing characters are scrambled so that an intervening person in the transmission first restores the scrambled pixels to their original character state, and then the conventional method of decryption. Must be applied. If the original characters are usually incomprehensible, the first step (i.e. reproducing the picture of the characters in the encoded message) becomes even more difficult. Therefore, other symbols may be used in place of the usual alphanumeric characters in a super reliable transmission system.
For legitimate recipients, this system is not a hindrance. The OCR identification codes are A, B,
It only has to be modified so that each pattern corresponding to C or the like can be identified. Therefore, the form # may be identified as A and A may be replaced with an ASCII code. Similarly, the original message may be transliterated instead of the symbol substitution scheme as described above, or by applying a pseudo-random sequence in addition to this for more reliable communication systems. . Thus, for example, the word CAT is first converted to TYP, then #% &, pixelated, and spatially scrambled for transmission. Thus, a person who receives a series of bits without permission restores it to its original state, reproduces #% &, replaces it with TYP, and returns the original word C from TYP.
There is almost no possibility of being decoded by an AT, which is almost impossible.

As implied above, in military systems, for example, data confidentiality is more important than getting the desired hardware, in addition to or in addition to the above techniques. Alternatively, a special communication algorithm can be used. Obviously, the techniques described above could be utilized in a conventional facsimile-type device as part of a separate interface or incorporated into the device. Similarly, scrambling and returning it to its original state can be done by a so-called "fly", which processes the data in memory but does not actually print it out. Alternatively, the scrambled pixel data can be stored and printed out by a standard fax machine for physical transmission, then rescanned and re-encoded.

For the non-standard graphic type, the present invention can be applied to ensure the communication system up to the latest level. In a conventional facsimile system, standard paper of 8-1 / 2 and 11 inches is
Scanning from top to bottom, left to right, with a conversion of about 200 dots per inch. Therefore, when the margin is set to a half inch, the data is transmitted in the form of 2,000 lines of 1,500 pixels, which are controlled and separated by well-known delimiters such as line end, line skip, and page end. Knowing this, an illicit recipient can at least pint it out to see if there is something decipherable when the data is located in one place at a time in a two-dimensional representation. If the pattern is deciphered,
The first step in solving this puzzle has been overcome.

A military embodiment of the present invention, with particular emphasis on data confidentiality with regard to transmission, uses the key fax generator 82 of FIG. 7 to scramble and restore it to its original state. In the present embodiment using the "fly" method, the following method is used. First, the key fax system uses a character setting set installed in advance. That is, when the key A on the keyboard 80 is pressed, the keyfax generator 82 replaces the pixelated (ie, two-dimensional display made up of dots) A and incorporates it into memory 84 at the appropriate location. Each character has a certain size and the same typeface (O
CR-A) is selected. These letters are the standard O
It can be understood without confusion with CR logic.
Therefore, the output of the key fax generator 82 is
9 is a series of pixelated characters that occupy a certain number of "columns" of pixels as shown in FIG. A pixel response is provided in the key fax patent application to simplify transmission and character generation. That is, 1 inch conversion 2
A row of unique dots of 00 dots is responded vertically (ie repeated) n times and horizontal dots are responded m times. Therefore, the data sent is 20 per inch conversion.
At 0X200 dots, the character containing the series of messages in pixels is actually an nXm dot matrix representation as produced by a standard dot matrix printer. Therefore, the data can be compressed vertically and horizontally as it is output. That is, the data can include all m dot n rows and can supply all the data. If you receive data compressed in this way and treat it as normal facsimile data, it will be twisted, inconsistent,
The display has nothing to do with the actual data. Of course, the receiver 78 recognizes that the data is in a compressed state in order to match the character type for OCR,
You just need to sample the data. This is OCR
OCR instead of full page buffer memory for scanning
Obviously, logic can do m rows of data through a working buffer that can be incorporated into the vertical orientation before the horizontal scan is done. The general logic for implementing such a method is shown in the flow chart of FIG. The fax input logic 64 first inputs a row of pixels of any number of bits set there. This row of pixels may be of standard length, but may be of varying length for added security, as will be explained in more detail below. The logic then checks to see if the line has been skipped, which means that when a character generated by a key fax using vertical and horizontal pixel responses is being sent, data compression is done for scanning. It is done only where there is. The pixel information is superfluous and is not actually scanned for OCR purposes, but since it is occurring and can reduce the amount of data scanned,
The scanning speed by the OCR logic can be increased. Therefore, if the previous row of pixels has been repeated for vertical response, this is skipped. One row of pixels for each vertical response group is stored in the scan buffer 94 with the previous row arranged vertically. Check if the logic is the last line from the height of the character. The key-fax generated data will have a fixed number of lines (again by speeding up the OCR scanning and character identification process by simplification). For the other data, it is the same as before when the first row is received with all pixels white. If more lines of characters are needed, the logic will come back and fetch them. Otherwise, the logic scans the buffer 94 from "left" to "right" for the pixelated characters contained in the buffer 94 and returns an A for the identified character in the page memory 14.
Store the SCII code. So at the end of the message, the logic comes out. Otherwise, return to the common point where the acknowledge line receipt signal, or equivalent, is sent to the sending fax. This is an important point in the present invention. In most cases of receiving data, the receiving device receives and processes (or stores for later processing) the data at the speed at which it is sent.
It must be possible. Therefore, such a device is expensive. However, the fax machine operates on a mutual protocol basis for the slower of the two faxes, whose transmission speed can be controlled. The sending fax machine does not send the next line until the receiving fax machine acknowledges receipt of the previous line. Taking advantage of these features of facsimile transmission, the scanning fax machine of the present invention can be assembled on very cheap (and of course slower) equipment, and thus at an affordable price where anyone can take advantage of this advantage. Can be produced and sold in.

A non-standard type (h
In addition to the andshaking) process and other processes of the protocol, the data can be sent in pseudo-pages of non-standard size and non-standard form (ie, non-square). As mentioned above, standard facsimile systems typically send each page at about 2,000 rows of 1,500 pixels (standard "A" or 11 inch 8-12 sheets). Except for the space / time continuum in computer logic and memory, the fact that a "page" is virtually gone eliminates the need for a constant line length. By changing the row length according to a well-known algorithm (which can also be changed by mutual agreement of the sender and the receiver like other algorithms of the present invention), the sequence of bits is Is further scrambled automatically to prevent unreasonable recipients who treat the as a standard cylindrical page. Of course, in such cryptosystems, the code at the end of the line must be stripped or skipped. After the starting point is indicated, an illegitimate recipient must position the pixel rows of the scrambled content of the "document" and count the bits according to an algorithm in order to align them vertically. Since all messages are in alphanumeric notation, it is more convenient to indicate the shape of the document by the number of characters per line as generated by the pseudo-random number generator. For example, if n is 7 and m is 9,
Each character is represented by a 7 × 9 dot cylinder matrix. Due to the nature of the data and the fact that the OCR algorithm is based on the amount of pre-scanned characters, the space required between each word can be trimmed. Only the standard 7x9 "blank" characters need to be placed between each character. If a diamond pattern is adopted for the "page" type instead of the pseudo-random number, it starts with 5 characters per line, increases to 20 characters per line, and decreases to 5 characters, and so on. Understanding this, an unjust recipient first enters 35 bits and then a "carriage return" on the arrangement of bits.
To include the next 35 bits immediately below the first 35 bits. This operation is repeated for the 35-bit 9 "lines" represented by the first 5 characters (5 characters of 7 bits per character). This process is repeated for 6 characters per line. That is, a series of bits is divided into 9 rows of 42 bits each (6 characters of 7 bits per character). No further exemplification seems necessary. Possible steps of an ultra-secure communication system including the above technique of the present invention are shown in FIG. The original character entered by pressing a key on the keyboard 80 is actually entered as an ASCII code. The number in the next pseudo-random number sequence (modulo ASCII character code range) is added to the original ASCII character code to turn it into a new (symbolized) character. Then, the symbol is replaced for the new character. This symbol is embedded in a series of output of compressed characters as a patterned "page" of data.

Therefore, as described above, the present invention uses various scrambling techniques for the bits consisting of the "figure" of the character containing the message, thereby enabling super-secure transmission of alphanumeric characters. It also provides a method.

[0040]

As described above, according to the scanning fax machine of the present invention, it is possible to input the graphic data provided by the pixel scanning device of the facsimile machine into the standard computer. Also, a standard computer can be used to identify ASCII characters in a document scanned by a pixel scanning device of a facsimile machine to obtain ASCII characters.
You can also enter the I character. It is also possible to allow a standard computer to input ASCII characters using a local or remote standard facsimile machine as an optical character reader. In addition, it is possible to transmit alphanumeric characters with super certainty.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a prior art stand-alone optical character reader that is connected to a computer and inputs to the computer by scanning alphanumeric typed paper.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a prior art integrally connected facsimile machine for transmitting alphanumeric data in graphic form over a telephone line.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a prior art facsimile machine connected to a personal computer running an effective facsimile system for transmitting alphanumeric data in graphic form over a telephone line.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of two prior art facsimile machines connected together for transmitting alphanumeric data in graphic form over a telephone line. One of the two facsimile machines is equipped with a computer interface so that the connected personal computer can use the scanning and printing devices in the facsimile machine.

FIG. 5: Receives pixel data from a remote standard fax machine and a key fax machine over a telephone line or on input, from a local standard fax machine, in pixels to a standard computer connected to the output, or O
FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a scanning fax module of the present invention connected to output information in CR ASCII code.

FIG. 6 is a more detailed block diagram of the scanning fax module of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed block diagram of the scanning fax type ultra-secure communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front portion of vertical and horizontal pixel responses used in a key fax machine used in an embodiment of the secure communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of logic implemented by the pseudo switch board of the present invention to cause a local facsimile machine to output to a local computer.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a method of data conversion and transmission in the super reliable communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of a scanning fax showing optional features that make the scanning fax machine multifunctional.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the logic used by a receive scan fax to compress data from a key fax input for OCR scan and “fly” conversion.

FIG. 13 is a detailed block diagram of the functions of the scanning fax module of the present invention according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a detailed block diagram of the functions of the scanning fax module of the present invention according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 page memory 20 computer 22 facsimile machine 25 telephone line 32 modem 42 scanning fax machine

Front Page Continuation (71) Applicant 391030837 832 Country Drive Oj ai California 93023 United States of America (72) Inventor Donald A. Streck USA 93023 Ojai Country Drive, California 832 (72) Inventor Jerry Earl. Iggleden United States 91321 Santa Clarita Cleardale Street 21600 California

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. A scanning fax machine capable of scanning a document with a standard type facsimile machine and inputting pixelated data obtained from the document into a standard type computer. Modem means for interfacing with the machine; b) computer interface means for interfacing with the computer; and c) providing an interface response to the input signal from the facsimile machine, thereby causing the facsimile machine to:
Fax input logic means connected to the modem means for transmitting the pixelated data resulting from scanning the document to the scanning fax machine; and d) receiving the pixelated data from the fax machine by the modem means, A scanning fax machine comprising logic means for outputting it to a computer via said computer interface means. 2. The scanning fax machine of claim 1, further comprising page memory means for receiving pixelated data from a facsimile machine and outputting it to the computer interface means. 3. Scanning the contents of the page memory means from top to bottom and from left to right, converting the identified alphanumeric characters contained therein into a series of computer identifiable binary codes, A scanning fax machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising character identification means for outputting the binary code to a computer via the computer interface means. 4. Scanning pixelated data from a facsimile machine, converting identified alphanumeric characters contained therein into a series of computer identifiable binary codes, the binary codes being the computer. The scanning fax machine of claim 1 further comprising character identification means for outputting to a computer via the interface means. 5. A) an orientation means, which is located in front of the character identification means, for dividing the pixelated data into pixel arrays arranged in a vertical direction, and b) the character identification means is arranged vertically. The scanning fax machine of claim 4, wherein the array of pixels is scanned horizontally to find the alphanumeric characters contained therein. 6. A user sends pixelated data from a facsimile machine in its pixelated form directly to a computer or a series of binary numbers corresponding to alphanumeric characters identifiable by said character identification means. 5. The scanning fax machine according to claim 4, further comprising selection means capable of selecting whether to convert into a code first. 7. A facsimile machine is a local facsimile machine located near a computer, and pseudo switch board means are provided between the connection of the facsimile machine and said modem means, said modem means being a central switch board for telephones. A scanning fax machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a simulation is performed on the function of the connection line connected to the scanning fax machine, whereby the local facsimile machine calls the scanning fax machine to enable a transmission connection to the scanning fax machine. 8. Switch means operably connected to the telephone line for selectively connecting the facsimile machine to said telephone line or said pseudo-switchboard means between the connection of the facsimile machine and said modem means. 8. The scanning fax machine of claim 7 including. 9. A local facsimile machine is provided in the vicinity of a computer, and a) a central switch board for a telephone, a pseudo switch board means for simulating the function of a connecting line connected to the central switch board, and b) the modem means. A first position for connecting to a telephone line and a second position for connecting a local facsimile machine to said telephone line
And a local facsimile machine and pseudo switch board means and a third position connecting the pseudo switch board means and the modem means are operatively connected to the telephone line. The local facsimile machine can call the scanning fax machine to make a transmission connection.
Scanning fax machine. 10. A local facsimile machine is provided in the vicinity of a computer, said modem means includes shift buffer means, said shift buffer means connecting a local facsimile machine and a telephone line, and the local facsimile machine and said telephone. A signal is sent bidirectionally to and from the line, the shift buffer means comprising an output tap for sampling the data and a control input for receiving the signal to stop transmitting the signal, the logic means comprising: An output connected to the control input is provided so that the transmission from the facsimile machine can be delayed as long as necessary for the processing of the logic means, and the output tap is connected to the logic means as an input. Scanning faxes to the fax machine. Reading, during which the local fax machine receives input from the telephone line, the scanning fax machine according to claim 2, characterized in that sending said of the read data to the computer. 11. A) display print logic means for outputting data from the page memory means to a printer for printing, and b) further function selection means for controlling the operation of the display print logic means. 11. The scanning fax machine of claim 10 including. 12. The scanning fax machine according to claim 11, further comprising: a) a dot printer connected to the display print logic means, and b) a case in which the scanning fax and the printer are housed in common. 13. A) display print logic means for outputting data from said page memory means to a pixelated display for viewing, and b) for controlling the operation of said display print logic means. 11. The scanning fax machine according to claim 10, further comprising the function selecting means of. 14. The scanning fax machine according to claim 13, further comprising: a) a pixel type display connected to the display print logic means, and b) a scanning fax machine and a case for housing the display in common. . 15. A scanning fax machine which receives pixelated data from a fax machine and outputs it to another device; (a) modem means for interfacing with a facsimile type device; and (b) another device interface for interfacing with another device. And (c) facsimile input logic means connected to said modem means for interfacing with input signals from a facsimile type device, thereby causing the facsimile type device to transfer pixelated data to a scanning fax machine. D) A scanning fax machine further comprising logic means for receiving pixelated data coming from a facsimile type device by the modem means and outputting it to another device via the other device interface means. . 16. The scanning fax machine of claim 15 further comprising page memory means for receiving pixelated data from a facsimile type device and outputting it to said other device interface means. 17. The contents of the page memory means are scanned from top to bottom and from left to right, and the identified alphanumeric characters contained therein are converted into a series of binary codes identifiable by other devices. 17. The scanning fax machine according to claim 16, further comprising character identification means for outputting the binary code to another device via the other device interface means. 18. Scanning pixelated data from a facsimile type device, converting the identified alphanumeric characters contained therein to a series of binary codes identifiable by another device, the binary code being converted into a series of binary codes. 16. The scanning fax machine according to claim 15, further comprising character identification means for outputting to another device via the other device interface means. 19. A) Orientation means, which is located in front of the character identification means and divides pixelated data into vertically arranged pixel columns, and b) The character identification means is arranged vertically. 19. The scanning fax machine of claim 18, wherein the scanned pixel row is scanned horizontally to search for alphanumeric characters contained therein. 20. A user sends pixelated data from a facsimile type device in its pixelated form directly to another device, or a sequence of alphanumeric characters identifiable by said character identification means. 19. The scanning fax machine according to claim 18, further comprising selection means capable of selecting whether to first convert to a binary code. 21. A facsimile-type device is located in the vicinity of another device, is provided between the facsimile-type device and the connection of the modem means, and simulates the function of a central switchboard for telephone and a connecting line connected to the central switchboard. 16. The scanning fax machine of claim 15, further comprising pseudo switchboard means for performing a local fax machine to call the scanning fax machine for outgoing connection. 22. Switch means connected to a telephone line for selectively connecting a facsimile type device to said telephone line or said pseudo switchboard means between the connection of the facsimile type device and said modem means. 22. The scanning fax machine of claim 21. 23. A local facsimile machine is provided in the vicinity of another device, and a) a central switch board for a telephone, a pseudo switch board means for simulating the function of a connecting line connected to the central switch board, and b) the modem means. Position for connecting the local fax machine to the telephone line and a second position for connecting the local facsimile machine to the telephone line.
And a local facsimile machine and pseudo switch board means and a third position connecting the pseudo switch board means and the modem means are operatively connected to the telephone line. The local facsimile machine can call the scanning fax machine to make a transmission connection.
5 scanning fax machines. 24. A local facsimile machine is provided in the vicinity of another device, said modem means includes shift buffer means, said shift buffer means connecting said local facsimile machine and a telephone line, and said local facsimile machine and said A signal is sent bidirectionally to and from the telephone line, the shift buffer means comprising an output tap for sampling the data and a control input for receiving the signal for stopping the transmission of the signal, the logic means comprising: An output connected to the control input is provided so that transmission from the facsimile machine can be delayed as long as necessary for processing by the logic means, and the output tap is connected as an input to the logic means. , The scanning fax reads the data to the fax machine, , Local facsimile machine scanning fax machine of claim 16, wherein the sending to another apparatus data read of receiving said input from the telephone line. 25) For outputting data from the page memory means to a printer and printing by it,
25. The scanning fax machine of claim 24, further comprising display print logic means, and b) function selection means for controlling operation of the display print logic means. 26. The scanning fax machine according to claim 25, further comprising: a) a dot printer connected to the display print logic means, and b) a case in which the scanning fax and the printer are housed in common. 27. A) display print logic means for outputting data from the page memory means to a pixel type display so that it can be viewed; and b) for controlling the operation of the display print logic means. 25. The scanning fax machine of claim 24, further comprising function selection means. 28. A scanning fax machine, further comprising: a) a pixel type display connected to the display print logic means, and b) a scanning fax machine and a case for housing the display in common. 29. A) Display print logic means for outputting data from the page memory means to a printer for printing, and b) Function selection means for controlling the operation of the display print logic means. 17. The scanning fax machine of claim 16 including. 30. The scanning fax machine according to claim 29, further comprising: a) a dot printer connected to the display print logic means, and b) a case in which the scanning fax and the printer are housed in common. 31) A display print logic means for outputting data from the page memory means to a pixel type display so that the data can be viewed, and b) for controlling the operation of the display print logic means. 17. The scanning fax machine according to claim 16, further comprising: a function selecting unit. 32. The scanning fax machine according to claim 31, further comprising: a) a pixel type display connected to the display print logic means, and b) a scanning fax machine and a case for housing the display in common. . 33) a) scroll display logic means for outputting the data from the page memory means to a television so that it can be seen on the screen; and b) controlling the operation of the scroll display logic means. 17. The scanning fax machine according to claim 16, further comprising a function selecting means for executing the function. 34) a) A character input means for inputting a first series of alphanumeric characters including a message, and the first English in the graphic representation consisting of a two-dimensional area of pixels within a two-dimensional page of graphic data. A pixel converting means for converting a few characters, a transmitting means for transmitting the graphic data of the two-dimensional page by a transmitting medium, and a transmitting means connected to the transmitting medium for transmitting a message; Receiving means for receiving a two-dimensional page of the graphic data from, and scanning the two-dimensional page of the graphic data from top to bottom and from left to right to identify the first alphanumeric character from a predetermined shape. Character identifying means for creating a series of readable codes corresponding to the identified ones of the first alphanumeric characters,
Apparatus for transmitting and receiving alphanumeric characters, further comprising receiver means connected to said transmission medium for receiving a message and arranging it in a readable form. 35. a) inputting a series of first alphanumeric characters including a message, and b) converting the first alphanumeric characters into a graphic representation consisting of a two-dimensional area of pixels within a two-dimensional page of graphic data. C) At the transmitting position, the two-dimensional page of graphic data is transmitted by the transmitting medium, d) At the receiving position, the two-dimensional page of graphic data is received, and e) On the two-dimensional page of graphic data. From down to
Also scan from left to right, f) identify the first alphanumeric character contained in it from a given shape, and g) create a series of readable codes corresponding to the identified first alphanumeric characters. A reliable method of sending and receiving alphanumeric characters that cannot be deciphered by an unauthorized recipient, which consists of the steps of 36) Prior to transmitting the two-dimensional page of graphic data by a transmission medium, pixels according to a predetermined scrambling algorithm are scrambled at the transmitting position according to a predetermined scrambling algorithm, and 36. The method of transmitting / receiving according to claim 35, further comprising the step of returning the pixels of the two-dimensional page of the graphic to their original position at the receiving position according to a predetermined scrambling algorithm before scanning the dimension page. . 37. The step of entering the first series of alphanumeric characters of a message and converting it into a graphic representation comprises: a) entering the first series of alphanumeric characters by pressing a key on the alphanumeric keyboard. 36. The transmission / reception method according to claim 35, further comprising the step of recognizing that the (b) key has been pressed, replacing the two-dimensional area of the corresponding pixel, and projecting the associated alphanumeric character. 38. The step of inputting the first series of alphanumeric characters of a message and converting it into a graphic representation comprises: a) entering the first series of characters by pressing a key on an alphanumeric keyboard, ) Recognizing that a key was pressed, replacing it with the associated number, and c) using that number code to obtain the two-dimensional area of the corresponding pixel and projecting the alphanumeric character associated with each number code. The transmission / reception method according to claim 35, further comprising: 39) a) Add the next consecutive number from the pseudo-random number sequence to each numeric code before using the numeric code to obtain the two-dimensional area of the associated pixel at the transmit location; and b) at the receive location. 39. The transmission / reception method according to claim 38, further comprising the step of dividing the next consecutive number from the pseudo random number sequence by a readable code before reading the message. 40) At the transmitting position, before incorporating into a two-dimensional page of graphic data, it is replaced with a symbol consisting of a two-dimensional area of pixels on the basis of a predetermined substitution table, and b) at the receiving position, of the scanning step. After, and before the step of creating a readable series of codes corresponding to the identified ones, further comprising the step of returning each identified symbol to its original notation based on a predetermined substitution table. 39. The transmission / reception method according to claim 38, wherein 41. The step of converting the first alphanumeric character into a graphic representation and incorporating it into a two-dimensional page of graphic data by varying the page line length according to a predetermined algorithm. The transmission / reception method according to claim 35, further comprising a step of incorporating the graphic notation in a two-dimensional page. 42. In the step of b) converting the first alphanumeric character into a graphic representation, in addition to the vertical / horizontal pixel response within the two-dimensional area for each predetermined alphanumeric character and symbol, b) the receiving position In the step of receiving a two-dimensional page of graphic data from a transmission medium, it is possible to compress the data before scanning and discard the remaining data on reception by removing sample pixels of the data at the speed of the vertical and horizontal response. The transmission / reception method according to claim 34, which is characterized in that.