JP2003189113A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile machine that receives a color image from a different facsimile machine being a communication opposite party and eliminates dispersion in the lightness, saturation and hue caused in the case of printout so as to print out a color image with high image quality. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile machine of this invention is provided with: a storage means that stores image data received from a transmission source; a means for detecting the transmission source; a correction means with a correction parameter with respect to the lightness and saturation of a color image in cross-reference with the transmission source; and a means for printing out received color image after correcting the lightness and saturation of the data by using the correction parameter in cross-reference with the detected transmission source in the case of receiving faxed color images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of obtaining a highly accurate image by correcting image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a facsimile machine (color facsimile machine) capable of reading a color image with a scanner and printing out (recording) with a printer has been developed, and its demand is increasing. In this color facsimile machine, it is necessary to communicate with an unspecified number of other parties, so the color data is standardized for each model, and the color tone can be adjusted by setting for each machine. There is. For this adjustment, a standard color pattern is printed out and read, so that color correction according to the characteristics of the printer can be easily performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile machine, even if the color data is standardized, it is inevitable that the reproduction of the color image will be different if the communication partner is different, and the reproduction is always high. I couldn't get a quality image. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a facsimile apparatus that has a plurality of correction parameters for image data and uses appropriate correction parameters to obtain a high-quality image. The purpose is to do.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, according to claim 1 of the present invention, storage means for storing image data received from a sender, means for detecting the sender, and the sender A correction unit that registers correction parameters relating to the brightness and saturation of the color image corresponding to the original, and the brightness of the received color image data by the correction parameter corresponding to the detected sender when receiving the color image by facsimile. A unit for printing out after correcting the saturation.

In this facsimile apparatus, correction parameters relating to the brightness and saturation of a color image are registered in advance in association with respective expected senders, and the correction parameters for the image data received are changed for each sender. .

Here, the correction parameter is a color image,
There are multiple images for each type of image data such as a monochrome image.The operator can select another correction parameter when he or she wants to change the hue or density by looking at the printed image. , Print the image data again.

The sender can be detected not only from the TSI (transmitting terminal identification signal) of the facsimile communication procedure, but also from the signal sent from the exchange using the calling telephone number display service (number display). .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the means for printing out according to the first aspect is further characterized in that the type of image data and / or the correction parameter used by the correcting means is printed out as a communication record. In claim 3, when the correction parameter is not registered in the telephone book data,
The image data is printed out without correction, and a message for inducing registration of correction parameters is displayed on the operation panel.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

The CPU 1 controls each part of the facsimile apparatus F and executes a facsimile communication procedure. The image memory 2 constitutes a storage means and stores (accumulates) image data for facsimile communication and the like. ROM3
Stores a program for controlling the operation of the facsimile apparatus F in advance. The RAM 4 stores temporary data generated during execution of processing, and also stores a facsimile number (telephone number) of a communication partner.

The modem 5 modulates and demodulates signals for facsimile communication. The NCU 6 closes and opens the communication line Li (analog line). When connecting ISDN, which is a digital line, the modem 5 and NCU 6
Instead, an ISDN interface connecting to the DSU is provided. The image codec (CODEC) 7 encodes / decodes (compresses / decompresses) a monochrome binary image by an encoding method such as MH or MR, and also encodes a color image by JPEG.
Encoding / decoding is performed by an encoding method such as or JBIG. When encoding the color image read by the reading unit 9, RGB (red, green, blue) 8-bit color signal data is converted into XYZ color system data.
Further, the above encoding is performed after converting the data into the L * a * b * color system. This data conversion function is assumed to be included in the image codec 7.

The operation panel 8 is provided on the facsimile device F.
Operation means such as various keys to make various input settings for
It is composed of a liquid crystal display device for displaying the operating state and operating procedure of the facsimile apparatus F, and display means such as an LED. The reading unit 9 reads an image from a document. When reading a color image, a plurality of color signal data such as RGB is obtained from each pixel of the image. The recording unit 10 is composed of a color printer, and records (prints out) data received from another facsimile device or the like and data read by the reading unit 9 on a recording sheet.

This facsimile apparatus F has an operation panel 8
Image data read from the reading unit 9 by
While being encoded by the image codec 7 and once stored in the image memory 2, the images are sequentially transmitted through the communication line Li,
The basic operation is such that the image data received through the communication line Li is temporarily stored in the image memory 2 and is sequentially decoded by the image codec 7 and printed out from the recording unit 10. Also,
As a copy function, the image data read from the reading unit 9 and stored in the image memory 2 can be printed out from the recording unit 10.

The present invention is characterized in that the image data stored in the image memory 2 can be corrected at the time of data conversion performed when the image codec 7 performs decoding. Therefore, the image codec 7 has a plurality of correction parameters for each type of image data such as a color image and a monochrome image detected from the protocol communication procedure, and constitutes a correction unit.

The recording unit 10 also constitutes a correction means by correcting the saturation in the undercolor processing (black plate processing) for changing the image data to be printed out from CMY to CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). can do. After the correction, each CMYK data is binarized and then printed out as a color image. Below, the correction in the data conversion in the image codec 7 will be mainly described.

The image data to be stored in the image memory 2 is not only received encoded data, image data (RGB) after being read and subjected to image processing, but also CMYK format data converted for print output, Further, this data may be encoded. The image data stored in the image memory 2 is corrected by a predetermined correction parameter in consideration of the characteristics of the image data depending on the model,
Although the printout is made from the recording unit 10, if the user wants to change the hue and density by looking at the printout image, he / she can instruct the operation panel 8 to select another correction parameter and store it in the image memory 2. The corrected image data can be corrected and printed out.

In the facsimile apparatus F, when correcting image data received by facsimile,
It is possible to register correction parameters in the RAM 4 in correspondence with the sender, correct image data according to the sender, and then print out from the recording unit 10. Therefore, the image data received from the transmission source is stored in the image memory 2 which is a storage unit. As a means for detecting and storing the sender, the CPU 1 detects the sender number from the TSI (transmitting terminal identification signal) of the facsimile communication procedure and stores it in the RAM 4. Alternatively, the originating telephone number display service (number display) is used to detect the source number in the modem signal sent from the exchange by the modem 5 and store it in the RAM 4. When using this service, it is necessary to provide a dedicated circuit that detects a signal and controls the procedure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of the facsimile apparatus F. Here, the operation at the time of image data reception (at the time of facsimile reception) is shown (100 to 116). Incoming call from the other party,
After the line Li is closed, when the sender number is detected from the TSI in the facsimile communication procedure, the telephone directory data (see FIG. 3) is searched to check whether the same number as the detected number is registered. If the same number is registered, the correction parameter stored corresponding to that number is acquired (100 to 105).

Subsequently, the transmitted image data is sequentially received and accumulated in the image memory 2, and when the reception is completed, the line Li is opened to complete the communication. At this time, the RAM 4 is stored. The number of stored image data stored in the image memory 2 is incremented, and stored on the operation panel 8 (106 to 110). This accumulation display is easy to understand if the memory number (box number) in the image memory 2 in which the received image data is accumulated is displayed on the liquid crystal screen. Further, even when the number of stored data is plural, one LED or the like may be turned on or off to display the stored data. In this case, if a predetermined operation is performed, the information of each stored image data is displayed on the screen. You can do it like this. Further, hereinafter, a memory number or the like may be added as a management number to the image obtained by printing out the received image by the recording unit 10.

Next, the image data stored in the image memory 2 are sequentially read out and printed out by the recording unit 10. At this time, if the correction parameter is acquired in step 105, the image data is decoded at the time of decoding by the image codec 7. Data conversion is performed using the correction parameters (111 to
113). In this way, if the image data is corrected according to the source,
A high-quality image can be printed, and the accuracy of the image does not vary depending on the source. Especially, it becomes effective when a color image is received.

Furthermore, if the management record is set to be output in advance, it is judged whether the number of accumulated records has reached a preset number, and if it has reached that number, the management record is automatically recorded from the recording unit 10. Are printed out (114 to 116).
As a result, the correction record can be referred to and confirmed later. Here, although the accumulated display is performed and the image data accumulated in the image memory 2 is left after the image is printed out from the recording unit 10, the correction data registered corresponding to the sender is used. , When the optimum correction is made,
Similar to the normal memory reception, the image data in the image memory 2 may be erased and the accumulated display may not be performed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of telephone directory data (table) stored in the RAM 4 in advance. Originally, this phonebook data is data for registering the shortening / one-touch dial in order to reduce the operation procedure when making a call. A call is made to the registered facsimile number corresponding to the pressed button.

In the present invention, the correction parameter is stored in this data in correspondence with the facsimile number, and when the facsimile is received, the decoded image data is corrected using the correction parameter corresponding to the sender number. I do. Here, the correction data when the color image data is the L * a * b * color system which is one of the color models of the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) standard is shown. L * a * b *
In the color system, in the color space, lightness is represented by L, chromaticity indicating hue and saturation is represented by a and b, and the saturation c is √ (a2 + b
Expressed in 2). + A is red, -a is green, + b
Indicates a yellow direction and −b indicates a blue direction. The larger these values are, the brighter the color becomes, and the closer to the center of the color space, the darker the color becomes. Therefore,
In the present invention, the lightness L and the saturations a and b can be corrected to print different images.

The color image data may be corrected when the color image data is converted from the L * a * b * color system to the XYZ (Yxy) color system. Also, the received image data is
A color palette image in which data is defined from a plurality of representative colors (256 colors), a grayscale image that expresses the brightness of black and white by gradation levels, a binary image of black and white, a threshold value, etc. even if these images are mixed. A high-precision image can be obtained by correcting Further, some of these image data types may be selected so that only the selected image data type can be set to be corrected.

When the correction data is not registered in the telephone book data as shown in the figure, the image data is printed out without correction. At this time, a message prompting the registration of the correction data is displayed on the operation panel 8. It may be displayed. Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of the management record (step 116 in FIG. 2) printed out from the recording unit 10. Here, the management record is printed as a reception communication management list.

In this list, the reception date and time, the other party's number (source number), the required communication time, the number of sheets, and the communication result are recorded. In the present invention, the type of the received image data and the image thereof are further recorded. The correction parameters used for data correction are printed out as a communication record. Note that either of these pieces of information may be either. If such a list is printed out, correction records can also be left.

Next, the processing for the image data stored in the image memory 2 (stored image processing) will be described with reference to the flowcharts (200 to 213) in FIG. When a predetermined operation of the operation panel 8 is performed, a message prompting the user to input the memory number in which the image data to be processed is stored is displayed on the screen. On the other hand, when the memory number is input based on the accumulated display or the print-out management number, an instruction operation to reprint or delete the accumulated image is prompted (200 to 202).

Here, when the deletion is instructed, the image memory 2
The image data inside is deleted, the accumulated number is decremented, and the corresponding accumulated display is erased (203, 211-21).
3). On the other hand, when printing is instructed, if correction parameters for changing brightness and saturation are input, image data is read from the image memory 2, data conversion is performed using the input correction parameters, and printing is performed. As a result, if the desired image can be obtained, the end of the process is instructed and the image data is erased from the image memory 2. However, if the desired image is not obtained, the process is continued. If the instruction operation is performed, the correction parameter is changed again and the print output is performed (203 to 213).

Here, when the desired image can be printed out, the image data is erased in order to prevent the image memory 2 from running out of memory, but the invention is not limited to this, and in step 202, The image data may be left until the deletion instruction is given.

[0030]

As can be understood from the above description, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the correction parameters relating to the lightness and saturation of the color image corresponding to the sender are automatically used. Since the received color image data is corrected and printed out, the image received from the registered sender can always be printed out with high accuracy. Therefore, the quality of the image does not vary depending on the characteristics of the transmission source device.

Further, in claim 2, the type of the received image data and the correction parameters used for the image data can be printed out as a communication record and left. According to the third aspect, the telephone directory data for registering the correction parameter is provided, and when the correction parameter is not registered therein, a message for guiding the registration is displayed on the operation panel, which is very convenient.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 (reception processing).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of telephone directory data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printout example of a communication management list.

5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 (stored image processing).

[Explanation of symbols]

F: Facsimile machine 1 ... CPU 2 ... Image memory 4 ... RAM 7 ... Image codec 8 ... Operation panel 10 ... Recording unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C075 CA90 CD07                 5C077 LL19 MP08 PP32 PP36 PP37                       PQ22 SS02 SS07 TT10                 5C079 HA01 HB01 HB03 HB05 HB08                       HB12 LB02 MA02 MA20 NA03                       PA01

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing image data received from a transmission source, means for detecting the transmission source, and correction means for registering correction parameters for lightness and saturation of a color image in association with the transmission source. And a means for printing out after correcting the lightness / saturation of the received color image data by the correction parameter corresponding to the detected sender when receiving the color image by facsimile. 2. The print-out means further prints out the type of image data and / or the correction parameter used by the correction means as a communication record. Facsimile machine. 3. When the correction parameter is not registered in the telephone book data, the image data is printed out without correction, and a message for inducing the registration of the correction parameter is displayed on the operation panel. The facsimile apparatus according to Item 1 or 2.