JP2001223831A - Image communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly perform the document read operation in file-in independent operation without especially giving a large capacity to a memory. SOLUTION: When the processing speed of an encoding/decoding circuit 16 cannot follow that of an image sensor 10, image data obtained by the image sensor 10 is temporarily stored in a printer buffer 19, and this image data is successively read and encoded by the encoding the decoding circuit 16 and is stored in an image memory 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus typified by a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a technical improvement for smoothly performing an original reading operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many recent facsimile apparatuses are provided with a memory having a considerably large capacity for storing image data, and image data of a document read by an image scanner is temporarily stored in a memory and then transmitted (memory). Sending), temporarily storing the received image data in the memory, and then printing it out (called memory receiving)
The processing method is adopted. In many cases, the recording section employs a page printer such as a laser printer. In this case, a printer buffer (page memory) for temporarily storing decoded image data (raw image data) to be printed in page units. It is called).

An encoding circuit for compressing and encoding image data and a decoding circuit for decoding encoded image data to reproduce raw image data are provided with a code for selectively executing encoding and decoding processing. An LSI element is used as the decoding / decoding circuit.

[0004]

In a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting data to a memory, a user sets another document on the image scanner and transmits the image data during an operation of transmitting image data already stored in the memory. The registration operation may be performed. In this specification, an operation of registering in a device that an image of a document is read by an image scanner and transmitted to a designated partner is referred to as a file-in operation.

Accepting a new file-in operation during memory transmission is not difficult in terms of circuitry, and there has been a facsimile machine having such a function. In other words, a processing system that operates in parallel with a processing system that reads out image data from the memory and transmits the image data, and that reads and encodes an original with an image scanner and stores it in the memory may be provided.

In a general facsimile apparatus, raw image data of a document read by
It is encoded in the R system and stored in the memory. When transmitting the MR encoded image data in accordance with the communication partner when transmitting to the memory, the MR encoded image data stored in the memory may be sequentially read and transmitted, and the process is simple, and at the same time, It is also easy to perform the file-in processing in parallel.

However, it is necessary to transmit MMR encoded image data depending on the communication partner. In that case, the MR encoded image data is sequentially read from the memory, and the encoded /
The image data is sequentially converted into MMR-encoded image data by decoding (specifically, once decoded and then re-encoded by the MMR method), and sequentially stored in a transmission buffer of a memory.
The process of sequentially transmitting encoded image data is performed in parallel. This processing is referred to as code conversion transmission in this specification.

In a conventional facsimile apparatus capable of accepting a new file-in operation during the above-mentioned code conversion transmission,
Two expensive encoding / decoding circuits are used. The first encoding / decoding circuit performs a code conversion process in a code conversion transmission operation, and the second encoding / decoding circuit simultaneously performs a coding process in a new file-in operation. Since two expensive encoding / decoding circuits are used, the apparatus becomes expensive.

In order to reduce the cost of the apparatus, it is necessary to use a single encoding / decoding circuit so that the code conversion processing of the code conversion transmission operation and the coding processing of the file-in operation can be executed in parallel. It suffices if the processing is performed in a time-division manner. However, this has the following problems.

In a recent facsimile machine, in a file-in operation, the operation speed of reading an image of an original by an image scanner is very fast, and the speed of encoding the read raw image data by the encoding / decoding circuit is higher than the reading speed. Quite slow. This is the case even when the encoding process is performed exclusively by the encoding / decoding circuit. Therefore, if the encoding process and the encoding process are performed in a time-division manner by one encoding / decoding circuit, The encoding process of the read data becomes significantly slower than the original reading speed.

If the encoding speed of the read data is lower than the original reading speed, the original reading operation is interrupted from time to time, and the encoding process of the read data has to wait until catching up. Reading documents placed on the platen smoothly and continuously gives the user a sense of security and reliability. This gives the user anxiety and anxiety.

The above-mentioned problem in the case where the reading of the document is performed intermittently also occurs when the file-in operation is performed alone. In the case of file-in only operation, a large-capacity memory is provided, raw image data read by the image scanner is stored in the memory as it is, and after reading is completed, raw image data in the memory is encoded and stored in the memory again. By doing so, the above problem is solved. However, as the capacity of the memory increases, the price of the device increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to enable a document reading operation in a file-in-only operation to be performed smoothly without specially increasing the memory capacity. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image communication device.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, image data output from a reading unit is encoded by an encoding / decoding unit, and encoded data of the image data is stored in a storage unit. A processing path for storing, a printing means for reading and printing out the decoded data of the encoded data by an access means independent of the processing path, and a printer for accumulating the decoded data supplied to the printing means until a predetermined amount is reached. If the processing speed of the buffer and the encoding / decoding means cannot follow the processing speed of the reading means, the image data obtained by the reading means is temporarily stored in the printer buffer, and the image data is read out sequentially. Control means for controlling the encoding / decoding means to encode the data and store it in the storage means.

[0015]

According to the present invention, when the processing speed of the encoding / decoding means cannot follow the processing speed of the reading means, the image data obtained by the reading means is temporarily stored in a printer buffer. Since the image data is transferred from the printer buffer to the buffer of the encoding / decoding means for decoding according to the remaining data amount in the buffer of the encoding / decoding means, the original is read and stored in the image memory. From the viewpoint of the user performing the storing operation, the reading operation of the original is performed at high speed without delay, and the user feels a sense of reliability and security of the apparatus.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Schematic Configuration of Hardware] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Is shown in The CPU 1 includes a ROM 2 storing a program and the like and an R 2 serving as a temporary storage location for various information associated with control.
Along with AM3, it is a system control unit that performs sequence control and signal processing for controlling the entire facsimile machine. A network control unit (NCU) 4 is connected to a communication line, and performs communication control according to line connection control and facsimile apparatus procedures. The modem 5 is controlled by the CPU 1 under the control of the system bus B1.
Control for sequentially modulating and transmitting the encoded image data transferred from the image memory 6 through the controller, and controlling to sequentially demodulate and output the received encoded image data to the system bus B1. The image memory 6 is composed of a DRAM having a relatively large capacity, and can store encoded image data for a plurality of pages. The image memory 6 is accessed by the CPU 1 through the system bus B1.

A display unit 7 and a key input unit 8 constituting an operation / display panel for a user interface are connected to a panel control unit 9, which performs display control and input processing. The panel control unit 9 is connected to the CPU 1 via the system bus B1. The CPU 1 supplies a display command and display information to the control unit 9 and transmits key input information preprocessed by the control unit 9 to the CPU 1.

An image scanner for reading an image of a document includes a CCD one-dimensional image sensor 10, a reading circuit 11 for driving the image sensor 10 and processing an output signal thereof, and sending the document for main scanning by the image sensor 10. A sub-scanning mechanism 12 for sub-scanning, a sensor circuit 13 for detecting the presence or absence of a document in the sub-scanning mechanism 12, detecting the position of the document, and detecting the position of the sub-scanning movable section, and And a scanner control unit 14 that controls to read the original correctly. The scanner control unit 14 controls the CPU 1 via the system bus B1.
, And controls reading of a document in accordance with command information from the CPU 1.

The selector 15 is switched by the CPU 1 to select a destination of image data sequentially output from the reading circuit 11 when reading a document as described later.

The encoding / decoding circuit 16 is an LSI of a microprogram control system, and operates in an operation mode such as an encoding mode, a decoding mode, a code conversion mode, and a reception data check mode in accordance with command information from the CPU 1 as described later. Selective execution. The thing to note here is that
The facsimile apparatus requires an expensive encoding / decoding circuit 1
6 is used.

A page printer 17 is provided as a recording unit for printing out image data on paper. The page printer 17 has its own control system for print control. The page printer 17 has a printer interface 18 for operating the control system in accordance with the command information of the CPU 1, and the system bus B1 and the printer 17 are connected. Further, the printer 17 includes a printer buffer (page memory) 19 for storing image data to be printed by the printer 17 in page units. The printer buffer 19 has a capacity capable of storing several pages of raw image data of a standard original. Further, the printer buffer 19
And a memory control unit 20 for controlling access to the memory. The operation mode of the memory control unit 20 is set according to command information given from the CPU 1 through the system bus B1, and operates as described later. [Regarding Document Reading Operation] There are the following two modes in the operation of reading a document by the image scanner and processing the read data.

The first mode is a raw data reading mode (corresponding to the above-described first reading processing means).
In this case, raw image data sequentially output from the reading circuit 11 is supplied from the selector 15 to the memory control unit 20 via the bus B3, and the memory control unit 20 sequentially stores the raw image data in the printer buffer 19.

The second mode is an encoded reading mode (corresponding to the above-mentioned second reading processing means). In this case, the raw image data sequentially output from the reading circuit 11 is supplied from the selector 15 to the encoding / decoding circuit 16 via the bus B2. The encoding / decoding circuit 16 sequentially takes in the image data on the bus B2 in synchronization with the reading operation, performs MR encoding, and sequentially outputs the encoded image data to the system bus B1. The CPU 1 stores the encoded image data sequentially output from the encoding / decoding circuit 16 in the image memory 6 in synchronization with the encoding operation.

Whether to operate in the raw data reading mode or the encoded reading mode is determined by C
It is determined by the command of PU1. [Regarding the operation of the encoding / decoding circuit 16] The encoding / decoding circuit 16 selects one of the following operation modes from the CPU 1.
Operate in the mode specified by.

Encoding reading mode As described above, the selector B2 sends the signal to the bus B2 in synchronization with the original reading operation.
Encodes the raw image data sequentially supplied to the
Under the leadership of 1, the encoded data is sequentially stored in the image memory 6 via the system bus B1.

Encoding mode In this mode, the raw image data stored in the printer buffer 19 by the above-described raw data reading operation is encoded as post-processing. In this case, the memory control unit 20 sequentially reads out the target data from the printer buffer 19 and derives it to the bus B2, and the encoding / decoding circuit 16 sends the data to the bus B2 in synchronization with the reading operation.
The above data is MR-encoded sequentially, and the encoded data is
1 and sequentially stored in the image memory 6 via the system bus B1.

Code conversion mode This is a code conversion process associated with the code conversion transmission operation described above. In this case, the MR encoded image data in the image memory 6 to be processed is CP
Under the initiative of U1, the data is sequentially supplied to the encoding / decoding circuit 16 from the system bus B1. The encoding / decoding circuit 16
The image data on the system bus B1 is sequentially fetched and internally decoded once, then MMR encoded, and the encoded image data is output to the system bus B1.
In synchronization with this code conversion operation, the CPU 1 sequentially stores the MMR encoded image data in the transmission buffer area of the image memory 6.

Reception-time decoding mode Received image data (encoded image data) sequentially derived from the modem 5 to the system bus B1 is sequentially taken into the encoding / decoding circuit 16 and decoded together with an error check of the received data. The decoded image data (raw image data) is sequentially supplied to the memory control unit 20 via the bus B2. Memory control unit 2
0 sequentially stores the raw image data in the printer buffer 19.

Decoding mode In this mode, received image data (encoded image data) once stored in the image memory 6 in the memory reception mode is decoded as post-processing. In this case, the CPU 1 sequentially reads out the target data from the image memory 6 and supplies it to the encoding / decoding circuit 16.
The encoding / decoding circuit 16 sequentially decodes the data on the system bus B1, and sequentially supplies the decoded image data to the memory control unit 20 via the bus B2. The memory control unit 20 sequentially stores the raw image data in the printer buffer 19.

Receive data check mode In a process associated with memory reception, the received image data is decoded, it is checked whether the data of each line has a predetermined number of bits, and the result is sent to the modem 5 during the reception process. Tell
In this case, the received image data (encoded image data) sequentially derived from the modem 5 to the system bus B1 is sequentially taken into the encoding / decoding circuit 16 and decoded for error check, and only the check result is sent to the system bus B1. Output to B1. [Regarding transmission operation] CP for NCU 4 and modem 5
When U1 gives a transmission command, NCU 4 and modem 5 connect a line with a communication partner in a predetermined procedure, recognize the specifications of the partner device, and transmit it to CPU1. When proceeding to the stage of transmitting image data, the modem 5 issues a request signal for transmission data. Upon receiving this signal, the CPU 1 executes an interrupt process (see FIG. 5), reads out only one byte of encoded image data to be transmitted (hereinafter referred to as transmission data) in the image memory 6, and transfers it to the modem 5. That is, as the data transmission operation progresses, the transmission data request interrupt from the
U1 is repeatedly executed, and the CPU 1 executes an interrupt process each time to transfer the transmission data to the modem 5 one byte at a time. Here, it is not necessary to send the MR encoded data in the image memory 6 to the other party as it is.
When the R-encoded data must be sent, the above-described code conversion processing and transmission processing are performed in parallel. [Regarding Print Output Operation] After storing raw image data in the printer buffer 19 and the CPU 1 giving a print command to the printer interface 18 and the memory control unit 20, the memory control unit 20 transfers the image data in the printer buffer 19 to the bus. The data is read out to B4 and supplied to the printer 17 via the printer interface 18. Thus, the image data is printed on the paper. The data transfer control in this case is mainly performed by the control system of the printer 17, and the access system of the printer buffer 19 is independent of the system bus B1.

The operation of the image communication apparatus configured as described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Case where Code Conversion Transmission Operation and File-in Operation Overlap] (A) Time Division Timing of Both Operations The flow chart of FIG. 2 shows a part of the code conversion transmission processing in the main routine executed by the CPU 1. The first step 201 in FIG. 2 is to transfer the MR encoded data to be transmitted in the image memory 6 by a predetermined amount to the encoding / decoding circuit 16 and convert it into MMR encoded data, and convert the MMR encoded data. 3 shows a process of storing data in a transmission buffer in the image memory 6.

When step 201 is executed, a plurality of bytes of the transcoded transmission data are stored in the transmission buffer (image memory 6). As described above, each time the transmission data request interrupt from the modem 5 is executed, the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer is reduced by one byte.

The code conversion transmission process is performed in page units. During the processing of one page, even if the file-in request flag is set, the code conversion process is repeated until transmission data is accumulated in the transmission buffer by 16 Kbytes (step 201 → 202 → 205 → 201). When the user sets a document on the scanner and performs a file-in operation during the code conversion transmission operation, the panel controller 9
The file-in request flag is set by an interrupt from the server.

When transmission data of 16 Kbytes or more accumulates in the transmission buffer, the file-in routine is executed if the file-in request flag is set (step 203 → 204). As will be described later, during the execution of the file-in routine in step 204, the transmission data amount of the transmission buffer is checked as needed, and the transmission data amount becomes 8
When the size becomes less than K bytes, the process exits the file-in routine and returns to the main routine. The execution timing of the file-in routine in step 204 is referred to as a file-in-page process.

When the processing of the data for one page is completed by executing the code conversion processing in step 201, step 2
From 05 to 206, if the file-in request flag is set, the file-in routine is executed (steps 207 → 208). When the code conversion of the data of one page is completed, all the transmission data of the page is transmitted to the line and the reception confirmation signal of one page is received from the communication partner (the one-page transmission completion notification from the modem 5 to the CPU 1). ), The code conversion processing of the data of the next page is not performed. The file-in routine is also executed during the waiting period for the code conversion process between pages. The execution timing of the file-in routine in step 208 is referred to as inter-page file-in processing. As will be described later, in the file-in process of step 208, it is checked at any time whether or not a one-page transmission end notification has been received from the modem 5, and if the end notification has been received, the process exits the file-in routine and returns to the main routine.

In order to distinguish between the in-page file-in process of step 204 and the inter-page file-in process of step 208, the flag F3 is set in step 207, the process proceeds to step 208, and after exiting from step 208, the process proceeds to step 209. The flag F3 is reset.

Steps 210 to 20 are performed until the code conversion transmission processing is completed for all pages of the transmission target data.
It returns to 1 and repeats the above processing. (B) Details of File In Routine FIGS. 3 and 4 show step 204 in the main routine.
9 shows the processing procedure of the file-in routine executed in steps 208 and 208. The processing contents of this file-in routine are divided into the following three.

(A) When reading a one-page original,
If there is a free area equal to or larger than the predetermined amount in the printer buffer 19, the above-described raw data reading process is performed.

(A) When reading a one-page original,
If there is no free area equal to or larger than the predetermined amount in the printer buffer 19, the above-described coded reading processing is performed.

(C) When an original is read in the raw data reading mode, the above-described encoding processing is performed.

The processing procedure will be described below in order according to the flowcharts of FIGS. First step 30
In step 1, it is checked whether reading of all originals has been completed. If the original has not been read yet, the process proceeds to the next step 302, where it is checked whether or not the flag F1 indicating that the raw data reading process is being performed is set. Since the flag F1 has been initially reset, the process proceeds to step 303, where the flag F2 indicating that the encoding / reading process is in progress.
Check if is set. Flag F2
Since the initial setting has also been reset, the flow advances to step 304 to check whether or not the printer buffer 19 has a free space equal to or larger than a predetermined amount.

If there is free space in the printer buffer 19, the process proceeds to step 305, where a raw data reading command is issued to the scanner control unit 14, the selector 15, and the memory control unit 20, and in the next step 306, the flag F1 is set. Exits the subroutine and returns to the main routine.
The scanner control unit 14, the selector 15, and the memory control unit 20, which have received the raw data reading command, read a one-page document in the raw data reading mode in cooperation. When reading of one page of the document is completed, the scanner control unit 14 notifies the CPU 1 of the completion. Upon receiving the notification, the CPU 1 executes an interrupt process and resets the flag F1 (see FIG. 5).

It is assumed that when the first file-in process is executed, the process proceeds to step 306 and returns to the main routine. And when we enter the second file-in process,
If the raw data reading process for one page has not been completed yet (the flag F1 is still set), the process exits the subroutine from step 302. If the flag F1 is already reset at the time of executing the third file-in process, and if there is still space in the printer buffer 19, steps 301 → 302 → 303 → 304 →
The process proceeds from 305 to 306 to exit the subroutine.
That is, the raw data reading process of the document of the second page is started.

At the time of executing the i-th file-in process, if there is still a document to be read, the raw data reading process is not being performed, and there is no space in the printer buffer 19,
Step 301 → 302 → 303 → 304 → 307 → 3
Proceed to 08. That is, the flag F2 is set, and the encoding reading process of the original of the next page is started. However, in one process of step 308, the reading of the entire page is not performed, but the encoded reading of a predetermined plurality of lines (or a predetermined data amount) is performed. In the next step 309, it is checked whether or not reading of all originals has been completed in the execution of the immediately preceding step 308. If reading has not been completed yet, whether or not to exit the subroutine and return to the main routine is determined. Is determined.

The conditions for returning to the main routine are different between the in-page file-in process (step 204) and the inter-page file-in process (step 208). In the in-page file-in process, the condition is that the transmission data in the image memory 6 has been reduced to 8 Kbytes or less.
Until that happens, steps 308 → 309 → 310 → 31
By repeating 1 → 308, the encoded reading process is advanced by a predetermined amount. When the transmission data becomes equal to or less than 8 Kbytes, the process returns to the main routine, and performs the code conversion processing to increase the transmission data to 16 Kbytes or more. When the transmission data becomes 16 Kbytes or more, the file-in routine is executed, and the encoding and reading process proceeds.

In the file-in processing between pages, the modem 5
Is a condition for returning to the main routine. Until then, step 308 → 30
9 → 310 → 312 → 308 are repeated, and the encoded reading process proceeds.

As a result of performing the predetermined amount of coded reading in step 308, if the reading process of all the originals is completed, the process proceeds from step 309 to 313, resets the flag F2, and returns to the main routine. Then, when the next file-in process is executed, the first step 301
S is determined, and the process proceeds to step 314.

In step 314, it is checked whether or not the raw data reading process has been executed in the file-in process. If you are not performing raw data reading,
Since the file-in process has been completed, the file-in request flag is reset and the process returns to the main routine.
If the raw data reading process has been performed, it is necessary to encode the raw image data in the printer buffer 19 and transfer it to the image memory 6. Then, the process proceeds to step 315 to perform an encoding process. However, not all of the target data is processed in one encoding process, but only encoding processes for a plurality of predetermined lines are performed.

Since the predetermined amount of encoding processing has been performed in step 315, it is checked in step 316 whether or not all the processing of the target data in the printer buffer 19 has been completed. If so, it is determined whether or not to exit the subroutine and return to the main routine.

The conditions for returning to the main routine are different between the in-page file-in processing (step 204) and the inter-page file-in processing (step 208). In the in-page file-in process, the condition is that the transmission data in the image memory 6 has been reduced to 8 Kbytes or less.
Until that happens, steps 315 → 316 → 318 → 31
9 → 315 is repeated. When the transmission data becomes equal to or less than 8 Kbytes, the process returns to the main routine, and performs the code conversion processing to increase the transmission data to 16 Kbytes or more. When the transmission data becomes 16 Kbytes or more, the file-in routine is executed, and the encoding process proceeds.

In the inter-page file-in process, the condition for returning to the main routine is that a one-page transmission end notification has been received from the modem 5. Until then, step 315 →
316 → 318 → 320 → 315 are repeated, and the encoding process proceeds.

As a result of performing the predetermined amount of encoding processing in step 315, if the encoding processing of all target data in the printer buffer 19 is completed, step 316 → 317
And reset the file-in request flag and return to the main routine. This means that the file-in process has been completed.

In some cases, the code conversion transmission processing may be completed before the file-in processing is completed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, if the file-in request flag is still set at the time of completion of the transmission, the process proceeds to step 210 → 211 → 212, and all the remaining tasks of the file-in process are completed independently. Step 2
FIG. 6 shows details of the twelve independent file-in process. In the single file-in process, it is not necessary to return to the code conversion transmission process in a time-division manner, and all the remaining processes are terminated according to the progress of the file-in process, and the file-in request flag is reset. [About the present invention] As already explained,
When performing the file-in process by itself, if the printer buffer 19 is effectively used and the file-in process is performed in the following procedure, the document can be read smoothly.

(A) When reading a one-page original,
If there is a free area equal to or larger than the predetermined amount in the printer buffer 19, the above-described raw data reading process is performed.

(A) When reading a one-page original,
If there is no free area equal to or larger than the predetermined amount in the printer buffer 19, the above-described coded reading processing is performed.

(C) When the original is read in the raw data reading mode, the above-described encoding processing is performed. [About the processing data unit of the encoding / decoding circuit 16]
In order to use one encoding / decoding circuit 16 to execute a code conversion process for a certain image data and a coding process for another image data in a time-division manner within a page, the respective processes must be performed in line. It is necessary to classify by unit. Since input / output of data to / from the encoding / decoding circuit 16 is performed in units of bytes, data of a plurality of bytes for one line must not include data of another line. As is well known, a line end code is inserted at the end of one line of data. In one byte of data including the line end code, data of the next line is included following the line end code. Not be.

Therefore, in the present invention, the raw image data is
If the line end code does not match the end of one byte when encoding and storing it in the image memory 6, an appropriate number of zero fills are added following the line end code to make one byte.
The data of the next line starts from a new one byte. This can be realized by setting a predetermined parameter that determines the operation mode of the encoding / decoding circuit 16 to that effect.

If the encoding method of adding a zero fill in line units as described above is used, the redundancy is increased by the added zero fill. Followed by a zero fill to separate the data in bytes.) However, when adopting the present invention described above, it is preferable to adopt a zero-fill addition method in line units.

[0059]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can be applied to a printer buffer attached to a printer even if the processing speed of the encoding / decoding means does not follow the reading processing of the reading means. Means for temporarily storing the image data read by the means, and transferring the image data from the printer buffer to the encoding / decoding means in accordance with the progress of the processing for decoding the image data by the encoding / decoding means. Since the reading image data is encoded, the reading operation of the document is performed at a high speed without delay from the viewpoint of the user who performs the operation of storing the document in the read image memory, and the reliability of the apparatus is improved. You will feel a sense of security.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a code conversion transmission processing part in a main routine executed by a CPU 1 of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a file-in routine which is a subroutine included in the flowchart of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a file-in routine subsequent to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Diagram showing interrupt processing of PU1

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a single file-in process which is a subroutine included in the flowchart of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 5 Modem 6 Image memory 16 Encoding / decoding circuit 19 Printer buffer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Hayashi 2-3-8 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Inside Matsushita Electric Transmission System Co., Ltd. No. 8 Matsushita Electric Transmission System Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A processing path for encoding image data output from a reading means in an encoding / decoding means and storing the encoded data of the image data in a storage means, and an access means independent of the processing path. A printing means for reading and printing out the decoded data of the encoded data, a printer buffer for accumulating the decoded data supplied to the printing means until a predetermined amount is reached, and a processing speed of the encoding / decoding means for reading the decoded data. When the processing speed of the means cannot be followed, the image data obtained by the reading means is temporarily stored in the printer buffer, and the image data is sequentially read out, encoded by the encoding / decoding means, and stored in the storage means. An image communication device comprising a control unit for performing control.