JP2000022918A - Device and method for image transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit a color and a monochromatic image normally without wasting the recording capabilities for color and monochromatic images even when the recording capabilities are different. SOLUTION: The image recording capability of a printer which records an image as a visible image on a record medium is set in a DIS signal and reported to a transmission side (S20). According to information on a transmit image indicated with a DCS (digital instruction) signal sent from the transmission side in response to the notice (S22), the indicated image is received (S23) or a DIS signal having the image recording capability changes is resent to the transmission side (S24) to make the transmission side resend a new DCS signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image transmission apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus for transmitting color and monochrome images and a method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the ITU has added a standard for transmitting color images to the recommendations of G3 and G4 facsimile machines. The mutual communication of the transmission devices has finally been secured.

[0003]

However, some facsimile machines having a color processing function have a difference in recording capability between recording a color image and recording a monochrome image. For example, in a facsimile having a recording unit of the ink ejection system, a monochrome recording is a main scanning B4 and a color recording is a specification up to a main scanning A4, and a color recording unit having a different recording size is externally provided separately from the monochrome recording unit. There is also a type that connects. These devices are equipped with the current ITU-
When applying the color transmission standard of T Recommendation T.30, a troublesome problem occurs.

In other words, prior to image transmission, a device on the receiving side transmits a digital identification signal DIS (Digital Identification Signal), which is one of standard signals mandatory to the transmitting side.
Signal) to declare the capabilities of the receiver. Then, the transmitting device determines the size of the image to be transmitted based on the capability of the receiving device represented by the DIS signal. However, the recording size information represented by the DIS signal is common for monochrome and color. Specifically, if the information bits (17 and 18 bits) of the DIS signal are (0, 0), “A
`` 4 '', (0,1) `` Max A3 '', (1,0) `` Max B4 ''
To express. Therefore, if the image recording capability of the receiving device is different between color recording and monochrome recording, for example, monochrome B4 and color A4 capabilities, and when B4 is declared by the DIS signal, the transmitting device Since the device on the receiving side recognizes that the B4 size image can be recorded in color, the B4 color image may be transmitted. Of course, in this case, the receiving device cannot record the received color image. Further, when A4 is declared by the DIS signal, the transmitting apparatus recognizes that the receiving apparatus can record only an A4 size monochrome image, and thus cannot transmit a B4 size monochrome image.

As described above, in a facsimile apparatus having different maximum image sizes between monochrome recording and color recording, an image may not be transmitted unless a smaller maximum recording size is notified to a communication partner.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem. Even when color and monochrome images have different recording capabilities, color and monochrome images can be transmitted normally without wasting the recording capabilities. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image transmission device and a method thereof that can be used.

[0007]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

An image transmission apparatus according to the present invention is an image transmission apparatus for transmitting an image via a transmission medium,
A recording unit for recording an image received from a device of a communication partner as a visible image on a recording medium, and a notifying unit for notifying the communication partner of an image recording capability of the recording unit,
The notification unit may retransmit a notification that the image recording capability has been changed to the communication partner in response to the communication partner's response to the notification of the image recording capability.

An image transmission method according to the present invention is an image transmission method for transmitting an image via a transmission medium, wherein an image received from a communication partner device is recorded as a visible image on a recording medium. Notifying the communication partner of the image recording capability of the recording means for performing, and in response to the communication partner's response to the notification of the image recording capability, retransmitting the notification of the changed image recording capability to the communication partner. Features.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 3 is a scanner having a color image reading function for inputting an image to be transmitted, 4 is an operation panel for performing a facsimile operation including a dial key, and 7 is a receiving image on a recording paper. A printer for outputting as a visual image, 8 is a codec for encoding and compressing color and black-and-white transmission images, and a codec for decoding and expanding received images, 9 is a public line or a dedicated line, and 10 is a communication line. And CCU (Communication C
ontrol Unit).

1 is a ROM in which software for controlling the operation of the facsimile apparatus is stored, and 5 is a ROM 1
Is a CPU that controls the entire apparatus according to a control program stored in the CPU. 2 is a RAM used as a work memory by the CPU 5 or a RAM for registering a destination telephone number, etc.
In such a memory, a battery backup is provided to prevent the registered telephone number or the like from being erased due to a power failure or the like. Reference numeral 6 denotes an image memory for storing color and monochrome transmission and reception images.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the present embodiment. These operations are executed under the control of the CPU 5.

When the line is connected and the facsimile communication procedure is started, in step S20, a digital identification signal DIS (Digital Identification Signa) indicating the function of the receiving terminal is set.
The color function and the bit for setting the recording paper size included in l) are set, and the DIS signal is sent to the transmitting terminal. Current I
According to TU-T Recommendation T.30, it is not possible to specify black and white and color for the recording paper size. Therefore, here, the bit of the DIS signal is set so as to represent “maximum B4” in consideration of, for example, B4 which is the maximum recording size of black and white.

Next, at step S21, the transmitting terminal sends the DIS
A digital command signal DCS (Digital Command Signal) in consideration of the function of the receiving terminal notified by the signal is sent. D
A function bit equivalent to that of the DIS signal is also specified in the CS signal, and a DCS signal specifying a function within a range not exceeding the notified function of the receiving terminal is normally sent to the receiving terminal. For example, if the recording resolution of the receiving terminal notified by the DIS signal is 3
In the case of 00 dpi, even if the transmitting terminal has a reading resolution of 400 dpi, a recording resolution of 200 dpi is specified by the DCS signal.

When the transmitting terminal has a function of transmitting a B4 color image, since the "maximum B4" is notified by the DIS signal, the transmitting terminal can instruct the transmission of the B4 color image by the DCS signal. There is. Therefore, the DCS signal transmitted from the transmitting terminal is analyzed, and in step 22, the process branches depending on whether or not transmission of a B4 color image has been instructed. That is, when the transmission of a monochrome image or a color image of A4 size or less is instructed by the DCS signal, the image designated in step S23 is received, and the received image is
Print with.

When the transmission of the B4 color image is instructed, in step S24, it behaves as if the DCS signal could not be received, and DIS is performed to prompt retransmission of the DCS signal.
Retransmit the signal. However, since the retransmission of the DIS signal is known that the transmitting terminal wants to transmit a color image, the DIS signal in which the maximum recording size of the color image is set to “A4” in the corresponding bit is transmitted. DCS in step 25
Wait for a signal to be received.

Here, the transmitting terminal sends the retransmitted DIS
The signal is analyzed, the setting of the DCS signal is changed to the recording size “A4” notified by the new DIS signal, and the DCS signal should be transmitted again. The receiving terminal that has received the DCS signal determines in step S26 whether transmission of an A4 color image has been instructed. Then, when the transmission of the A4 color image is instructed, the process proceeds to step S27, and the receiving and printing operation of the instructed image is executed. However, if the transmitting terminal does not have a function of changing the setting of the DCS signal according to the re-received DIS signal, the DCS signal will again instruct the transmission of the B4 color image. Proceed to step S28 to disconnect the line.

Of course, when the receiving terminal has a color image reduction function, even if the transmission of the B4 color image is instructed again by the DCS signal, the B4 color image is received without disconnecting the line, and the A4 size image is received. It is also possible to print in reduced size. However, when performing color image reduction processing,
The storage capacity of the image memory 6 and the algorithm for preventing image deterioration become important, which imposes a great load on the processing of the receiving terminal, and sometimes the image quality of the printed image is degraded.

On the other hand, when the transmitting terminal reduces the size of the B4 size image to the A4 size, considering that the transmission of the A4 size is an essential function, the transmitting terminal determines the size conversion function and the optimal conversion algorithm. Since it is highly likely that the receiving terminal has the image quality and the image degradation is small, it is desirable that the receiving terminal responds so that the transmitting terminal performs reduction processing. Further, since an A4 size image is to be received, there is less concern that the storage capacity of the image memory 6 of the receiving terminal is insufficient compared to the case of receiving a B4 size image.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining another operation example of this embodiment. These operations are executed under the control of the CPU 5. The same processes as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As a method for encouraging retransmission of the DCS signal, a DIS signal whose recording size is changed is transmitted in step S24 of the procedure shown in FIG. 2, but in step S30 of the procedure shown in FIG. 3, a command retransmission request CRP (Command Repeat) is transmitted. Send a signal. CRP signal is advisory T.
This is an optional signal that actively requests retransmission of the signal specified by 30. Also, since a frame can be added to the CRP signal, it is possible to add a color function bit in which the recording size of the DIS signal is changed to “A4”. The operation other than Step S30 is the same as the procedure shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of the CRP signal. The first frame contains the CRP signal itself, and the next additional frame contains the function bits of the DIS signal. In this additional frame, a recording size to be set for the retransmitted DCS signal, in this case, “A4” is set. If only the CRP signal is transmitted, only the retransmission of the immediately preceding DCS signal is requested, and the recording size indicated by the DCS signal cannot be expected to be changed to “A4”.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are sequence flow diagrams showing the operation conforming to Recommendation T.30, in which a left-pointing arrow indicates a signal transmitted from the receiving terminal to the transmitting terminal, and a right-pointing arrow indicates a signal transmitting from the transmitting terminal to the receiving terminal. The signals sent to are shown, respectively.

In FIG. 4, the training and training check TCF (Tr
ainig Check) signal is a normal sequence for confirming the operation of the MODEM. Subsequently, the DIS signal corresponding to step S24 and the DCS signal corresponding to step S25 are transmitted and received. The subsequent training is a sequence for synchronizing at the specified speed of MODEM before transmitting image information, and the reception preparation confirmation CFR (Confirmation
After the transmission and reception of the (to Receive) signal, the transmission of the color image corresponding to step S27 is started.

The following multi-page signal MPS (Multi-Page sig)
nal) is an instruction signal indicating that multiple images are transmitted,
When the immediately preceding page (image) is correctly received, a message confirmation MCF (Message Confirmation) signal is returned from the receiving side, and transmission / reception of the next page (image) starts. After transmitting the color image of the second page, the transmitting side ends the procedure EOP (En
d of Procedure) signal to indicate that the transmission image has been completed. On the other hand, the receiving side notifies the completion of reception by an MCF signal, and the transmitting side issues a line disconnection command DCN (Disconnect).
A signal is transmitted and communication ends.

FIG. 5 is a sequence flow diagram corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. The difference from the sequence shown in FIG. 4 is the CRP signal indicated by the third arrow from the top. This CRP
The content of the additional frame of the signal is as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the B4 size is notified according to the black and white recording capability, and when the transmission terminal instructs the transmission of the A4 color image, the A4 size is notified by the DIS or CRP signal. By doing so, it is possible to correctly receive an A4 color image. Of course, if the A4 size is notified from the beginning, such a problem does not occur, but instead, there is a disadvantage that the monochrome B4 recording capability of the receiving terminal cannot be utilized.

As described above, even if it is not possible to independently set the black and white and color recording sizes, it is possible to transmit at the optimum recording paper size using the procedure of sending back the signal.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Able to send and receive mixed color and black and white originals. (2) The maximum recording size of a monochrome image and the maximum recording size of a color image can be reliably notified.

In addition, the DCS is used instead of retransmission of the DIS signal or transmission of the CRP signal, but using the T2 timeout (6 seconds).
There is also a method of not responding to the signal,
In this case, it is difficult to determine that the recording has not been successfully received by the receiving terminal, so that the certainty that the recording size is changed is reduced.

Further, if the CPU 5 detects signals of various operation buttons on the operation panel 4 and controls operations suitable for the signals, a color document and a black and white document can be mixedly transmitted.

[0034]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the PU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that an (operating system) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an image transmission apparatus and a method for transmitting color and monochrome images normally without wasting the recording ability even when the recording abilities of color and monochrome images are different.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining another operation example of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sequence flow diagram showing an operation conforming to Recommendation T.30,

FIG. 5 is a sequence flow diagram showing an operation conforming to Recommendation T.30;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of a frame added to a CRP signal.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image transmission apparatus for transmitting an image via a transmission medium, comprising: a recording unit for recording an image received from a communication partner apparatus as a visible image on a recording medium; Notification means for notifying the communication partner of the image recording capability of the means, wherein the notification means, in response to the communication partner's response to the notification of the image recording capability, the notification of changing the image recording capability, An image transmission device for resending to a communication partner. 2. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information indicating the image recording capability is information indicating a maximum image size that can be recorded by the recording unit. 3. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information indicating the image recording capability is information necessary for the communication partner to determine a size of an image to be transmitted. 4. The information indicating the image recording capability is ITU-T.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication partner is arranged in a procedure signal defined in Recommendation T.30 and notified to the communication partner.
An image transmission device according to any one of the above. 5. The image transmission device according to claim 4, wherein the procedure signal defined in the ITU-T Recommendation T.30 is a DIS signal. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the procedure signals defined in ITU-T Recommendation T.30 are DIS and CRP signals.
An image transmission device according to claim 1. 7. The notifying means, after notifying the image recording capability using the DIS signal, includes a bit indicating the image recording capability according to a DCS signal sent from the communication partner. An image transmission device for transmitting a CRP signal. 8. An image transmission method for transmitting an image via a transmission medium, the image recording capability of recording means for recording an image received from a communication partner device as a visible image on a recording medium. And transmitting the notification of the change in the image recording capability to the communication partner in response to the communication partner's response to the notification of the image recording capability. 9. A recording medium on which a program code of an image transmission method for transmitting an image via a transmission medium is recorded, wherein an image received from an apparatus of a communication partner is recorded as a visible image on the recording medium. A code of a step of notifying the communication partner of the image recording capability of the recording means for performing the notification of the image recording capability to the communication partner in response to the response of the communication partner to the notification of the image recording capability. Resending step code.