JP2002064696A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of dislocation in a main-scanning direction in the case of print-outputting, etc., by a terminal on a receiving side. SOLUTION: A document desired to be transmitted is set and the size (width) of the set document is set (step S1). Position of a read picture buffer 2 to store picture information is inputted by user operation (step S2), and the other reading parameter is set to start reading (step S3). The storing starting position of the picture information is matched with reference in the case of print-outputting, etc., by the terminal on the receiving side. When the size of the document and the position of the buffer 2 are set like this, a document reading starting pixel is calculated based on the set information (step S4). Then, which of a left end reference and a center reference is selected is judged (step S5) and the picture information is stored in the buffer 2 in accordance with this judging result (step S6 and step S7).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication apparatus capable of setting a storage location for temporarily storing image information of a document when the image information is read line by line, temporarily stored, and transmitted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image reading apparatus has been used as a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus. In these image reading apparatuses, image information is read by irradiating a document with light and reading an image at that time in a line unit (a main scanning direction is defined as one line) by an image sensor such as a CCD. I have.

[0003] The image information read in this way is temporarily stored in a read image buffer and transferred for the next data processing.

The storage in the read image buffer is performed as shown in FIG. That is, the normal facsimile data communication standard (G
3 facsimile, etc., for example, the data transmission width when transmitting an A4 width document is determined to be 216 bytes (FIG. 4A).

Therefore, the maximum original reading width is set to 216 mm (FIG. 4B), and the actual original size is 210 mm (A4
When the original is read at a line density of, for example, 8 lines / mm, the data width becomes 210 bytes (see FIG. 4D).

The 210-byte data is stored in the center position of the read image buffer having a width of 216 bytes, and both ends are set to white data to be transmitted as 216-byte transmission data (FIG. 4E).

On the receiving side, the 216-byte data is received, and 210 bytes are taken out from the center and 210 mm
Printing is performed on (A4 size) recording paper (FIG. 4F). As a result, a print result in which the transmission document and the print position are aligned can be obtained (FIG. 4G).

[0008]

However, when the receiving terminal is a personal computer (PC) or the like, when the received 216-byte received data is output by a printer or the like, printing is performed sequentially from the left end of the printable area. Therefore, blanks are also printed out as image information (FIG. 4 (h)).

For this reason, there is a case where a part of the right image information is not printed, and there is a problem that a displacement in the main scanning direction occurs.

Of course, it is also possible to reduce the image information received by an application such as a viewer or a printer driver or the like so as to fit on a recording sheet, or to perform printing based on a center like a facsimile apparatus. However, there is an inconvenience that an application or the like for that purpose must be separately prepared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device capable of preventing the occurrence of a displacement in the main scanning direction when a printout is performed at a receiving terminal.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading means for reading image information of an original in a line unit in a main scanning direction, and image information read by the reading means. Image information temporary storage means having a capacity of a plurality of lines for temporarily storing image information, performing predetermined data processing on the image information from the image information temporary storage means, transmitting the image information, and receiving image information from the other party. In a communication device equipped with a transmitting / receiving means, a storage position setting means for setting a storage start position when storing image information in the image information temporary storage means is provided,
The present invention is characterized in that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a positional shift in the main scanning direction when a printout or the like is performed at the receiving terminal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a destination terminal information storage unit provided with information on a destination terminal settable in advance, and the storage position setting unit is stored in the destination terminal information storage unit. The storage start position is determined based on the received information, and the read image information is stored in the image information temporary storage means, so that it is possible to easily print at the receiving terminal while saving the trouble of inputting the information of the storage start position by the user. It is characterized in that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a displacement in the main scanning direction when outputting or the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transmission / reception means acquires the information of the destination terminal according to a preset transmission procedure, and the storage location setting means determines the storage start position based on the information, thereby reading the information. The image information is stored in the image information temporary storage means, and the storage start position is automatically obtained to easily prevent the occurrence of displacement in the main scanning direction when the receiving terminal prints out the information. It is characterized by being able to do.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus as an example to which an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

The facsimile apparatus includes a scanner 1, a read image buffer 2, a plotter 3, an operation display unit 4, an image memory, a battery 6, a parameter memory 7, a communication control unit 8, a modem 9, an encoding / decoding unit 10, a system Control unit 1
1, network control unit 12, ROM 13, host PCI / F unit 1
4, a clock circuit 15 and the like, which are connected by a bus.

The network control unit 12 is connected to a public line, and the host PCI / F unit 14 is connected to a PC as needed.

The scanner 1 is provided with an image sensor such as a CCD or a contact sensor, and transmits 3.85 lines / mm, 7.7 lines / mm, and 15.4 lines / m of a document to be transmitted or copied.
It is used for reading at a predetermined reading line density such as m.

The read image buffer 2 is a memory for storing image information read by the scanner 1 for several to several tens of lines (or several hundred lines) in line units, and stores the image information in a preset output system. The image information is output line by line to an image processing unit (not shown) or the like.

The plotter 3 is for recording and outputting received image information according to its line density, and for recording and outputting image information read by the scanner 1 according to its line density. Used to record reports.

The operation display unit 4 is provided with ten keys, a start key, a one-touch dial key, and other various keys for designating a destination telephone number and the like, and is provided with a display such as a liquid crystal display device to notify a user. Operation situation,
The operating status of the device and various messages are displayed.

The image memory 5 temporarily stores image information read by the scanner 1 as a file for memory transmission, or temporarily stores received image information as a file until it is recorded by the plotter 3. Used as a temporary storage area for storage.

This image memory 5 is backed up by a battery 6 so that stored information is not erased even when the apparatus power is turned off until the battery 6 becomes empty, and a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) is normally used. In many cases, the device power is turned off.
Even if it becomes F, the stored contents can be held for several hours.

The parameter memory 7 stores various parameters necessary for control, and the parameter memory 7 is also backed up by the battery 6. Normally, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is often used, and the stored contents can be retained for several years even when the device power is turned off.

The modem 9 is controlled by the communication control unit 8 to transmit and receive various signals, modulates data to be transmitted to the public line via the network control unit 12, and receives data from the public line via the network control unit 12. The demodulated signal is demodulated.

The encoding / decoding unit 10 converts the transmission image information into MH
While the received image information is encoded and compressed by a predetermined encoding method such as an encoding method, an MR encoding method, an MMR encoding method, etc.
The decoding is performed by a predetermined decoding method corresponding to the H coding method, the MR coding method, the MMR coding method, or the like.

The system control unit 11 is a microcomputer that controls each unit of the apparatus according to a control program written in the ROM 13.

The network control unit 12 is connected to a line, detects polarity inversion of the line, closes / releases a DC loop of the line,
Connection control with the line such as detection of line release, detection of dial tone, detection of tone signal such as busy tone, detection of call signal, etc., and selection signal corresponding to the destination number, corresponding to 20PPS or 10PPS dial line Transmission is performed by a dial pulse signal.

The ROM 13 stores software for controlling the apparatus by a read-only memory, and the system control unit 11 performs all controls according to the instructions of the program.

The host PCI / F section 14 exchanges command / response data with the PC and transfers image information data, and can be realized by a generally used I / F specification.

The clock circuit 15 counts the current time, counts down a time constant set by the system control unit 11 and times out.
The timer operation for notifying that the timeout has occurred is performed.

The procedure for storing the image information read by the scanner 1 in the read image buffer with such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the user sets an original to be transmitted, and sets the set original size (width) (step S1).

In a normal facsimile machine, A4
Since a document size smaller than the width cannot be automatically detected, the user performs an input operation in such a case.

Needless to say, it is possible to provide a sensor capable of detecting a size so as to be able to detect even a document size of A4 width or less. In such a configuration, there is an advantage that an input operation by a user becomes unnecessary. Needless to say.

Next, the user inputs a position in the read image buffer 2 from which image information is to be stored (step S).
2), and start reading by setting other reading parameters (step S3).

In this embodiment, it is assumed that either the left end reference or the center reference can be selected, but it goes without saying that more detailed setting and selection may be made possible.

When the size of the document and the position of the read image buffer 2 are set in this way, a document reading start pixel is calculated based on the set information (step S4).

For example, an image sensor such as a CCD or a contact sensor has an effective reading range of 216 mm and 210 mm A4.
It is assumed that a document is set on the basis of a center and is read at 8 lines / mm.

In this case, assuming that a 216 mm original is set on the basis of the center, and the left end thereof can be read by the first bit of the effective reading range pixel of the image sensor, the reading start position of the A4 width original (210 mm) is Since it is sufficient to cut the left and right 3 bytes, it is sufficient to read from 3 × 8 = 24 bits. Therefore, the read start pixel is the 25th bit.

It is determined whether the left end reference or the center reference has been selected (step S5). If the left end reference has been selected in accordance with the reading of the image information, the flow advances to step S6 to read the read image buffer 2 The image information is stored from the first byte (see FIG. 3A). If the center reference is selected, the process proceeds to step S7, where the image information is stored from the fourth byte of the read image buffer 2 (see FIG. 3A). 3
(B)).

Since all data in the read image buffer 2 is actually transmitted, if the data width of the actually read image information is shorter than the read image buffer 2, the data width is adjusted with white data. Will be

The image information stored in the read image buffer in this manner is sequentially read, subjected to normal image processing and communication processing, and transmitted.

As described above, the image information to be stored in the read image buffer can be selected according to the situation, such as the left end reference or the center reference. For example, the terminal on the receiving side can be a personal computer (PC) or the like. In this case, even when the received data is printed in order from the left end, the inconvenience that the image information on the right side is not printed can be prevented, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of displacement of the image information.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those of the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, for example, in the case of a facsimile apparatus in which the receiving side adopts the center standard,
If the transmitting side stores the image information in the read image buffer and transmits the image information on the basis of the left end, the receiving side facsimile apparatus may have a problem that the left side is not printed.

As described above, even if the transmitting side selects and transmits the left end reference or the center reference depending on the display of the terminal on the receiving side, printing conditions, or the like, inconvenience may occur. Therefore, the receiving side is employed in the present embodiment. The reference for printing or the like is stored in a facsimile machine on the transmitting side in advance.

Today's facsimile machines are equipped with a one-touch function and a speed dial function as substantially standard functions.

The one-touch function stores a telephone number or the like of a transmission destination registered in advance in association with a specific key.
When the key is pressed, the destination can be sent to the corresponding destination. The speed dial function stores the telephone number of the destination registered in advance corresponding to a specific number and stores the number. Is a function that enables transmission to the corresponding destination when is pressed.

When a destination is registered by such a one-touch function or abbreviated dial function, a parameter indicating whether the destination terminal is based on the left end or the center is also stored.

When the transmission destination is set by this function, it is automatically set whether to store the read image information in the read image buffer based on the left end reference or the center reference with reference to this parameter.

As a result, the above-described inconvenience can be prevented, and since the reference is automatically set, the trouble of setting by the user can be omitted, which is convenient.

Needless to say, even if the destination is not registered in the one-touch function or the speed dial function, the user can set which standard is adopted by the user when receiving a notification by telephone or the like. Is preferred.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those of the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the above-described embodiment, the printing standard used by the receiving side is stored in advance in the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side. In the present embodiment, such information is stored in the receiving side and the transmitting side. Is determined by performing negotiation with the image information, and based on the determination, the image information is stored in the read image buffer and transmitted.

As a negotiation method, for example, in the case of a G3 facsimile, it can be realized by incorporating this function into NSF or NSS which is a non-standard function identification signal. Further, the present invention can be realized by applying to various other protocol specifications.

As described above, whether the transmission is performed on the basis of the left end or on the basis of the center is determined by the negotiation between the transmission side and the reception side, so that the image information is automatically obtained without the user selecting or pre-registering. Can be transmitted at an appropriate position.

[0058]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image information temporary storing means is provided with the storage position setting means for setting the storage start position when storing the image information. The image information can be transmitted in accordance with the left end reference, the center reference, or the like according to the side terminal, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of displacement in the main scanning direction when the receiving side terminal performs printing output or the like.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a destination terminal information storage means in which information on the destination terminal is provided so as to be set in advance, and the storage position setting means stores the information in the destination terminal information storage means. The storage start position is determined based on the received information, and the read image information is stored in the image information temporary storage means, so that the user does not have to input the information of the storage start position and can easily receive the information. Thus, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a positional shift in the main scanning direction when a printout or the like is performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image information obtained by the transmitting / receiving means acquiring the information of the other terminal in accordance with a preset transmission procedure, and the storage position setting means determining the storage start position based on the information and reading the information. Is stored in the image information temporary storage means, so that it is possible to automatically obtain the storage start position, thereby preventing the occurrence of positional deviation in the main scanning direction when printing is easily output at the receiving terminal. Will be able to

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram applied to the description of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for storing read image information in a read image buffer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which printing is performed by a partner terminal according to the procedure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing image information in a read image buffer and the like applied to the description of the conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 scanner 2 read image buffer 3 plotter 4 operation display unit 5 image memory 7 parameter memory 8 communication control unit 11 system control unit 12 network control unit 13 ROM

Claims (3)

[Claims] A reading means for reading image information of a document in a line unit in a main scanning direction; an image information temporary storage means having a capacity for a plurality of lines for temporarily storing the image information read by the reading means; In a communication device including a transmitting / receiving unit that performs predetermined data processing on image information from the image information temporary storage unit and transmits the image information, and receives image information from a partner, the image information is stored in the image information temporary storage unit. A communication device comprising a storage position setting means for setting a storage start position when storing. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a destination terminal information storage unit provided with information on the destination terminal settable in advance, wherein said storage location setting unit is configured to store said destination terminal information based on the information stored in said destination terminal information storage unit. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a storage start position is determined, and the read image information is stored in said image information temporary storage means. 3. The transmission / reception means acquires information on a destination terminal according to a transmission procedure set in advance, and the storage location setting means determines the storage start location based on the information,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the read image information is stored in the image information temporary storage unit.