JP2002199191A - Image communication device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication device, having an automatic document carrying mechanism which is not provided with a double-face reading mechanism, which facilitates transmission operation and eliminates the need for conducting unnecessary communication and prevents unnecessary paper consumption, at transmitting of the both faces of a double-face document. SOLUTION: The image communication device is provided with a scan mode deciding means, which decides whether the scan mode indicated by a scan mode indication means is a sheet scan mode or a book scan mode, a scan end indication means which indicates the end of scan for generation of a file, and a management means which forms an image by sheet scan and book scan till the end of scan is indicated by the scan end indication means and manages it as a page of the file.

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 such as a facsimile apparatus and, more particularly, to both a sheet scan and a book scan, and manages scanned image data as pages in a file. The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus having a function of facsimile transmission, network transmission, and recording and outputting image data of a page included therein in units.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, a plurality of image data formed by both a sheet scan and a book scan cannot be handled as pages of the same file. You must scan in individual scan mode and send as a separate file.

Further, the conventional facsimile machine cannot transmit image data in which a sheet scan and a book scan are mixed.

Further, in the conventional facsimile machine, if there is no document in the automatic document feeder after continuous scanning by sheet scanning, the scanning is terminated and the page generation in the file is terminated.

[0005]

By the way, in the conventional facsimile machine, in order to mix and transmit image data formed by sheet scan and book scan as pages in the same file, a copy is made and then the sheet is printed. You have to do a scan or a book scan and then send it as a page in the same file.

Further, in the sheet scan mode, when there is no original, the file generation is completed. Therefore, it is checked in advance that there is no shortage of originals, and after confirming that there is no unnecessary original, You have to start the scan.

Therefore, in a conventional example having an automatic document feeding mechanism without a double-side reading mechanism, when transmitting both sides of a double-sided document, a file of image data obtained by sheet-scanning one side of the document and the other side of the document are transmitted. And a file of image data obtained by sheet-scanning is transmitted as separate files from each other. The first method has a problem that the transmission operation is complicated and unnecessary communication needs to be executed.

In a conventional example having an automatic document feeding mechanism without a double-sided reading mechanism, when transmitting both sides of a double-sided original, one side is copied and the copied side and the other side of the original are used. A second method is adopted in which one original is converted into two single-sided originals and then sheet scanning is performed. However, this second method has a problem that the transmission operation is complicated and paper is wasted.

The above-mentioned problem is a problem that occurs in an image communication apparatus other than a facsimile apparatus such as a personal computer having an image communication function.

According to the present invention, in an image communication apparatus having an automatic document feed mechanism without a double-sided reading mechanism, when transmitting both sides of a double-sided document, the transmission operation is easy, and it is necessary to execute unnecessary communication. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image communication apparatus that does not waste paper.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet scan mode in which a document is scanned while being conveyed and a sheet is scanned to form an image, and a book scan in which a document existing on a document table is scanned to form an image. A scan mode instructing unit that instructs which scan mode to scan in the book scan mode; and a scan mode instructed by the scan mode instructing unit is a sheet scan mode or a book scan mode. Scan mode determining means for determining whether there is a document, scan end instructing means for instructing the end of a scan performed to generate a file, and sheet scan and book scan until the scan end instructing means instructs a scan end. To form an image, and An image communication apparatus and a managing means for managing a.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus FS1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The facsimile apparatus FS1 includes a CPU 101 for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus FS1, a ROM 102 for storing a CPU control program, and a RAM 103.
And

The RAM 103 stores program control variables, set values registered by the operator, and the like, and is constituted by an SRAM or the like, and stores set values registered by the operator, device management data, and various work buffers.

Further, the facsimile apparatus FS1 has a DRA
M and the like, and an image memory 10 for storing image data
4, a resolution conversion processing unit 105 that performs Milli-inch resolution conversion of raster data, an encoding / decoding processing unit 106 that performs encoding / decoding processing of facsimile apparatus image data,
107, a timer 108 configured to measure an operation interval and configured with a clock IC, etc., and a facsimile modem (MODEM / modulator / demodulator) 1 for modulating and demodulating a facsimile transmission / reception signal.
09.

Further, the facsimile machine FS1 exchanges image information with a partner communication device through a line, and a communication unit (NC) constituted by a network control device and the like.
U / network controller) 110 and a selection signal (dial pulse or tone dialer) to the communication line 118,
An NCUll0 for performing an automatic incoming call operation and a line control operation by detecting a ringing tone; a read image processing unit 111 constituted by an image processing device and the like for optically reading a document and converting it into electrical image data; A sheet scanner 112 that reads a document and includes a CS image sensor, a document transport mechanism, and the like, and a book scanner 113 that reads a book document including a CS image sensor and the like is provided.

Sheet scanner 112, book scanner 1
Numeral 13 reads an original optically and converts it into electrical image data. This image data is subjected to correction processing by the image processing unit 111, and becomes high-definition image data.

Further, the facsimile apparatus FS1 is provided with a line buffer 1 used for controlling transfer of image data.
14, an operation unit 115 composed of a keyboard and the like for performing various input operations, a printer formatter 116 for analyzing a printer description language and converting it into image data, recording received images and file data on recording paper, , A line 118 composed of a telephone line connected to the PSTN or the like, a LAN 121,
It has a network I / F unit 120 with the AN 121 and a network control unit 119.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the automatic document feeder (ADF) mechanism and the reading unit in the above embodiment.

In FIG. 2, a document detecting sensor 20 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet document 201 in a sheet reading section.
2, a roller 203 for transporting the original placed on the sheet reading unit, original transport rollers 204 and 206, a scan timing sensor 205 for detecting the original in order to determine the timing for scanning the original, and rollers 203 and 20
Separation roller 2 which rotates in the direction opposite to 4 to prevent double feeding of originals
07, a discharge roller 208, a reading unit 210 provided at a reading start position of the book document 209 and configured by a CS (contact sensor) or the like, a sensor 211 for detecting whether the sheet unit is raised or lowered, and a sheet document 201. And a reading start position 212.

When reading the sheet original 201, the CS sensor and the like move to the start position. When reading a sheet, the sheet document 201 is set upward on the sheet reading unit. When the detecting unit 202 detects that a document exists in the sheet reading unit, the reading unit sequentially reads the document from the first page by the roller 203. Sheet document 201
Are sequentially read along the transport rollers 204 and 206.

When reading the sheet original 201, CS
The (contact sensor) is fixed to the sheet reading position 212. The read original is discharged by the discharge roller 208. When performing book reading, the book document 209 placed on the book reading unit is read by the CS (contact sensor) moved to the book reading start position 210. The detecting unit 211 detects opening and closing of the book reading cover. The opening and closing of the automatic document feeder document cover is detected by a document cover sensor 213.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the image management method in the above embodiment.

In FIG. 3, the file management record is
It stores a creation time, a destination management record storing a destination telephone number and a mail address, a pointer to the next file management record, a pointer to a page management record of a first page of a page included in this file, and the like. .

The page management record stores a page number in the file, an image data pointer, an image size, image attribute data such as an encoding method, and a pointer to the next page management record. The image data pointer indicates a pointer (block number) to an image block in the storage area of the image data. Image data is stored in a plurality of memory blocks.

As described above, image data is managed as pages, and the plurality of pages are managed as files.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation in the above embodiment.

The processing in the above embodiment is always executed as a task by a multi-task OS using a time slice method or the like.

In step S1, a file management record is acquired to generate a file to be transmitted. In step S2, the designated transmission destination is stored in the destination management record in the file management record by the operation unit 115. .

In S3, if the scan mode determining means determines that the mode is the sheet scan mode, the process proceeds to step S4.
Is performed. If it is determined that the mode is the book scan mode, the process of step S10 is performed. Here, the scan mode determination means determines whether the mode is the sheet scan mode or the book scan mode by obtaining the state of a sheet / book scan mode switching key provided on the operation unit 115, for example.

In S4, if the preparation for sheet scan is completed by the sheet scan preparation completion determination means,
The process proceeds to step S5, and if the preparation is not completed, the process proceeds to step S7.

Here, the sheet scan preparation completion judging means judges, for example, that the document detection sensor 202 determines that the document is present, that the sheet scan preparation is completed, and that the document detection sensor 202 It is determined that the sheet scan preparation has not been completed if it does not exist.

In step S5, a page management record for managing image data to be formed by scanning as pages of the file is acquired. In step S6, one page of the document is sheet-scanned, and the flow advances to step S4.

In S7, it is determined whether or not the mode is the file generation end instruction mode (scan end instruction mode). If the mode is the file generation end instruction mode, the process proceeds to step S8. Proceed to S13.

The file generation end instruction mode (scan end instruction mode) is set, for example, by pressing a file generation end instruction mode key (scan end instruction mode key) provided on the operation unit 115.

In S8, if the time-up judging means judges that the time is not up, the process proceeds to step S9, and if it is judged that the time is up, the process proceeds to step S1.
Proceed to 3.

Here, the time-up judging means holds, for example, the time at which step S6 or S12 is completed in a predetermined area of the RAM 103 as a time-up measurement start time. Also, a RAM 1 in which the time from the time-up measurement start time to the time-out is determined in advance
03 is held as a time-up time. The stored time-up measurement start time is compared with the current time in step S8, and if the difference is greater than the time-up time, it is determined that the time is up, and the difference is equal to or less than the time-up time. If so, it is determined that the time is not up.

In S9, if the end of the file generation (scan end) has not been instructed by the scan end instructing means, the process proceeds to step S3, and if the end has been instructed, the file generation ends. Here, the "scan end instruction means" determines that the end of file generation (end of scan) has been instructed if the STOP key is depressed by pressing the STOP key of the operation unit 115, for example. It is determined that the end of file generation (end of scan) has not been instructed.

In S10, if the book scan preparation completion judging means judges that the preparation of the book scan is completed, it proceeds to step S11, and if it judges that the preparation is not completed, it proceeds to step S3.

Here, the "book scan preparation completion judging means" judges that the preparation for the book scan is completed, for example, when the START key of the operation unit 115 is pressed.
If it has not been pressed, it is determined that the book scan preparation has not been completed.

In step S11, a page management record for managing image data to be formed by scanning from now on as pages of the file is acquired.

In S12, one page of the document is book-scanned, and the flow advances to step S8.

In S13, the file generation is terminated, and the file generation end instruction mode (scan end instruction mode) is released.

In S14, the image data of all pages in the file is transmitted to the destination stored in the file management record.

Further, the above embodiment can be understood as a storage medium. That is, the above-described embodiment includes a sheet scan mode in which a document is scanned while being transported and a sheet scan for forming an image is performed, and a book scan mode in which a document existing on a platen is scanned and a book scan for forming an image is performed. A scan mode instruction procedure for instructing which scan mode to scan, and a scan for determining whether the scan mode instructed in the scan mode instruction procedure is the sheet scan mode or the book scan mode A mode determination procedure, a scan end instruction procedure for instructing the end of a scan to be performed to generate a file, and forming an image by the sheet scan and the book scan until a scan end is instructed in the scan end instruction procedure;
It is an example of a computer-readable storage medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute a management procedure for managing the page as a file is recorded.

In this case, FD, C
D, DVD, HD, semiconductor memory and the like can be considered.

[0049]

According to the present invention, a desired file can be freely generated by a sheet scan and a book scan. Therefore, image data can be mixed as pages in the same file, or in a sheet scan mode, Without checking and preparing the document in advance, you can scan while checking and use the automatic document feeder without the double-sided reading mechanism to send and record both sides of the double-sided document as pages in the same file, In addition, it is possible to save trouble and waste due to unnecessary communication and copying, and to achieve an effect of improving operability and economy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a facsimile apparatus FS according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an automatic document feeder (ADF) mechanism and a reading unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an image management method in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FS1: facsimile machine, 101: CPU, 102: ROM, 103: RAM, 104: image storage memory, 105: resolution conversion processing unit, 111: image processing unit, 112: sheet scanner, 113: book scanner, 115: operation unit .

Continued on front page F term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA35 AB02 AB20 AB30 AB41 AB42 AC09 AC60 AC66 AC71 AF06 AF07 BA01 BB05 5C072 AA01 BA02 BA20 LA18 NA01 RA01 UA11 UA13 VA06 5C075 CA05 CA10 CD07 CD09 FF02 FF90 GG09

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sheet scan mode in which a document is scanned while being conveyed and a sheet scan for forming an image is performed;
A scan mode instructing unit for instructing which scan mode to scan in a book scan mode for scanning an original on a platen and performing a book scan for image formation; and instructed by the scan mode instructing unit. Scan mode determining means for determining whether the scan mode is the sheet scan mode or book scan mode; scan end instructing means for instructing the end of a scan performed to generate a file; and the scan end instruction An image communication apparatus, comprising: a management unit that forms an image by the sheet scan and the book scan until the unit instructs a scan end, and manages the image as a page of the file. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image data is formed in the book scan mode, the scan is ended by the scan end instruction unit. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in a sheet scan mode, and in a mode in which the scan is ended by the scan end instruction means,
An image communication apparatus, wherein a sheet scan is automatically started when an automatic document feeder detects a document while waiting for an instruction from the scan end instruction means. 4. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode for terminating the scan is automatically released by the scan end instruction means after the scan end instruction means instructs. 5. A scan end instruction wait time setting means for setting a time to wait for a scan end instruction by the scan end instruction means; and an end by the scan end instruction means even after the set time elapses. A time-up judging means for judging that the time is up when there is no instruction, and when the time-up judging means judges that the time is up, the waiting for the scan end instruction is ended. Communication device. 6. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device is a facsimile device. 7. A sheet scan mode in which a document is scanned while being conveyed, and a sheet scan for forming an image is performed;
A scan mode instruction procedure for instructing which scan mode to scan in a book scan mode for scanning an original on a platen and performing a book scan for forming an image; A scan mode determination procedure for determining whether the scan mode is the sheet scan mode or the book scan mode; a scan end instruction procedure for instructing the end of a scan performed to generate a file; A computer-readable storage medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute an image forming process by the sheet scan and the book scan and manage the image as a page of the file until a scan end instruction is given in the procedure.