JP2003250023A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite type facsimile machine for receiving PDL (Page Description Language) data created by a personal computer PC to transmit the PDL data to other facsimile machine that performs proper processing depending on the capability of a facsimile machine of a transmission destination. <P>SOLUTION: In the case that a facsimile machine of a transmission destination designated by PJL (Print Job Language) data from the PC 20 is capable of coping with the PDL data, the PJL data received from the PC 20 are transmitted to the facsimile machine with a form as it is. In the case that the facsimile machine of the designated transmission destination cannot be compatible with the PDL data but cope with the resolution, the image data resulting from converting the PDL data are transmitted to the facsimile machine with the resolution. When the designated transmission destination facsimile machine cannot cope with the resolution, the image data resulting from converting the PDL data are transmitted in response to the resolution of the facsimile machine. <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 communication device for transmitting image information created by an information creating device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) to a receiving device such as a facsimile device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In addition to the original copy function and facsimile function, it is connected to a PC via a communication line.
There has been developed a multifunctional facsimile machine having a transmission function of transmitting image information sent from a printer to another facsimile machine and a printer function of printing out the image information.

In such a facsimile machine,
The page description language (Page
Description Language: PJL (Print Job Language) including image information (PDL data) expressed in PDL) and destination information (facsimile number of destination)
Data is input from the PC as communication data, and the PD
Convert L data to image data for facsimile,
It is common to send the converted image data to a facsimile machine to which a destination is designated.

[0004]

As the installation of multifunctional type facsimile machines becomes widespread, it is possible that the facsimile machine of the transmission destination is a type capable of supporting PDL data. In such a case, although the image information may be transmitted in the PDL data format, conventionally, the converted image data is transmitted after being converted into image data, which is a wasteful process. The problem is that you are doing. As described above, in the related art, there is a problem in that the processing efficiency is poor and it cannot be said that appropriate processing is performed because only a certain fixed processing is performed without considering the processing capability of the facsimile apparatus of the transmission destination. .

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus capable of performing appropriate processing according to the capability of a receiving apparatus (facsimile apparatus) as a transmission destination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication device capable of performing appropriate processing even when the capability of the receiving device (facsimile device) as the transmission destination is unknown.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for inputting communication data expressed in a page description language, means for acquiring destination information of the input communication data, and the destination information. And a means for determining whether or not the receiving device specified in step 1 is compatible with the page description language, and a device for transmitting the input communication data to the receiving device when compatible. And

According to another aspect of the communication device of the present invention, the communication device (PDL data) expressed in the page description language is input, the destination information of the PDL data is acquired, and the receiving device specified by the destination information. Determines whether the PDL data can be handled, and if it is determined that the PDL data can be handled, the PDL data is transmitted to the receiving device in the same format. Therefore, the PDL data can be transmitted as it is, and the time required for the transmission processing can be shortened.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the receiving device does not support the page description language, it is determined whether the receiving device can support the resolution of the communication data. Means for converting the input communication data into image data when compatible, and means for transmitting the converted image data to the receiving device at the resolution.

In the communication device according to the second aspect, when the receiving device cannot support PDL data, the PDL data is received.
It is determined whether or not the resolution of the data can be supported, and if it is determined that the resolution can be supported, the PDL data is converted into image data, and the converted image data is transmitted to the receiving device at that resolution. Send. Therefore, the process of resolution conversion is unnecessary and the processing efficiency is improved.
The image is printed with high image quality at the receiving device of the transmission destination without lowering the resolution.

A communication device according to a third aspect is the communication device according to the second aspect, wherein the input communication data is converted into image data corresponding to the resolution of the receiving device when the receiving device cannot support the resolution of the communication data. Means to convert,
And means for transmitting the converted image data to the receiving device.

In the communication device of claim 3, when the receiving device cannot support the resolution of the PDL data, the PDL data is converted into image data corresponding to the resolution of the receiving device, and the converted image data is converted. To the receiving device. Therefore, the image data suitable for the resolution of the receiving device of the transmission destination can be transmitted, and the processing efficiency is improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when it is unclear whether or not the receiving device is compatible with a page description language, the input communication data is transmitted according to a predetermined resolution. And a means for converting the converted image data to the receiving device.

According to another aspect of the communication device of the present invention, when the capability of the receiving device specified by the destination information is unknown, the PD
The L data is converted into image data according to a predetermined resolution, and the converted image data is transmitted to the receiving device. Therefore, appropriate processing can be performed even when the capability of the transmission destination is unknown.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus as a communication apparatus of the present invention. The facsimile apparatus of the present invention comprises a main control unit 1, a reading unit 2, a recording unit 3, a display unit 4, an operating unit 5, Encoding / decoding unit 6, ROM 7, RAM 8, image memory 9, modem 10, NCU (Network Control Unit) 11, PC
The interface unit 12 is provided. In addition to the original facsimile function, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has a P function.
By connecting to the C20, it has a transmission function of transmitting the image information created by the PC 20 to another facsimile device as a receiving device, and a printer function of printing out the image information in its own recording unit 3. ing.

The main control unit 1 is specifically composed of a CPU and is connected to the above-mentioned hardware units of the facsimile apparatus via the bus 13 to control them and store them in the ROM 7. It executes various software functions according to the computer program. The reading unit 2 reads a document with a scanner using a CCD, for example, and outputs the read image data. The recording unit 3 is an electrophotographic printer device, and prints out image data received by facsimile communication, image data of a document read by the reading unit 2, image information sent from the PC 20, and the like.

The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT display, and displays the operation state of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, image data of a document read to be transmitted, and received from another facsimile apparatus. The displayed image data, image information sent from the PC 20, and the like are displayed. The operation unit 5 includes character keys, ten keys, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys and the like necessary for operating the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. It is also possible to substitute some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 5 by using the touch panel system for the display unit 4. The encoding / decoding unit 6 encodes and compresses the image signal, and also decodes the encoded and compressed image data into the original image signal.

The ROM 7 previously stores various software programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. The RAM 8 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when executing software. Further, the RAM 8 has information indicating the capability of the facsimile device of the communication destination with which communication has been performed in the past (information indicating whether PDL data can be supported, information indicating the maximum resolution capability, sheet width capability). (For example, the information indicating) is registered together with the facsimile number of the facsimile apparatus. The image memory 9 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data read for transmission, image data received from another facsimile device, image information sent from the PC 20, and the like.

The modem 10 is connected to the bus 13 and comprises a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication. In addition, the modem 10 also has a bus 13
Is directly connected to the NCU 11 connected to. N
The CU 11 is hardware for performing the operation of closing and opening the line L with the telephone line network, and if necessary, the modem 10
To the telephone network.

The PC interface section 12 has a communication line C.
It is connected to the PC 20 via the, and exchanges data with the PC 20. Further, the PC interface unit 12 analyzes a command from the PC 20, performs processing based on the analysis result, and also transmits image information (PDL) represented by a page description language (PDL) sent from the PC 20.
DL data) is converted into image data corresponding to each of a plurality of types of resolutions, if necessary.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the procedure.

The main control unit 1 judges whether or not the PDL data is input from the PC 20 (step S1), and if the PDL data is input (S1: YES), the PJL data sent from the PC 20 is used as the transmission partner. The facsimile number of the preceding facsimile device is acquired (step S2).

The main control section 1 judges whether or not the acquired facsimile number is registered in the capability history information file 8a in the RAM 8 (step S3). If registered (S3: YES), the main control unit 1 determines whether or not the destination facsimile machine can handle PDL data based on the registered contents of the capability history information file 8a. (Step S4). When it is possible (S4: YES), the main control unit 1 executes the binary file transmission to the facsimile apparatus of the transmission destination in the PDL data format as it is (step S5).

When the PDL data cannot be supported (S4: NO), the main control section 1 causes the PC interface section 12 to convert the PDL data into image data (step S6). Then, the main control unit 1 determines whether or not the facsimile apparatus of the transmission destination can correspond to the resolution and the document width of the PDL data created by the PC 20 based on the registered contents of the capability history information file 8a ( Step S7). If it is possible (S7: YE
S), the main control unit 1 encodes the converted image data as it is, and executes the facsimile transmission to the facsimile apparatus of the transmission destination (step S8).

On the other hand, when the resolution and / or the document width cannot be supported (S7: NO), the main control section 1
The converted image data is further subjected to resolution conversion processing and / or reduction processing according to the capability (maximum resolution and document width) of the facsimile device of the transmission destination (step S9), and the processed image data is encoded. Then, the facsimile transmission to the facsimile apparatus of the transmission destination is executed (step S10).

When the acquired facsimile number is not registered in the capability history information file 8a in the RAM 8 (S3: NO), the main control unit 1 causes the PC interface unit 12 to convert the PDL data to a predetermined resolution and original document. The image data is converted into image data corresponding to the width (step S11), and the converted image data is transmitted to the facsimile device of the transmission destination (step S12). And the main controller 1
Determines whether or not the facsimile apparatus of the transmission destination can support PDL data according to the communication protocol with the transmission destination (step S13). If it is possible (S13: YES), the main control unit 1 sends “P
Information indicating that "DL data can be supported" is registered in the capability history information file 8a in the RAM 8 together with the facsimile number of the facsimile device (step S14).
When it is not possible (S13: NO), the main control unit 1
Is the information indicating that "the PDL data cannot be supported", the maximum resolution capability and the sheet width capability of the facsimile device, together with the facsimile number of the facsimile device.
It is registered in the ability history information file 8a in the RAM 8 (step S15).

As described above, according to the present invention, the capability of the facsimile apparatus of the transmission destination is acquired from the past communication history information, and the PDL data as it is and the resolution are converted without changing according to the capability. Image data, or
With any of the image data converted at an appropriate resolution,
Since the data is transmitted to the facsimile machine of the transmission destination, it is possible to perform appropriate processing according to its capability and improve processing efficiency. Further, for a transmission destination whose communication history is unknown in the past and its capability is unknown, the image data converted at a predetermined resolution is transmitted to the facsimile device of the transmission destination. The transmission process to the device can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, for the destination that has performed the transmission process for the first time, the capability of the facsimile device of the transmission destination acquired from the communication protocol is
Since the registration is performed, appropriate processing can be immediately performed according to the registered content at the next transmission.

In the processing procedure described above, when the facsimile machine of the transmission destination cannot support PDL data (S4: NO), first, the PDL data is converted into image data (S6), and the capability history information is obtained. Based on the registered content of the file 8a, if the resolution and the document width can be supported (S7: YES), the converted image data is transmitted as it is (S8), and if it is not supported (S7).
7: NO), the converted image data is subjected to resolution conversion processing and / or reduction processing and transmitted (S).
9, S10), but unlike this, when the facsimile machine of the transmission destination cannot support PDL data (S4: NO), the registered contents of the capability history information file 8a (the facsimile machine of the transmission destination) Based on the capability), either the process of converting PDL data into image data whose resolution and document width are unchanged or the process of converting PDL data into image data whose resolution and / or document width are changed is selected. You may do it.

In addition, the capability of the facsimile machine at the other end of the communication often changes due to the change of the model.
In order to cope with such a change, in the above-mentioned example, even if the facsimile machine of the communication partner already registered in the capability history information file 8a detects the capability from the communication protocol and the detected capability is It is judged whether or not the registered contents in the ability history information file 8a match,
If they do not match, it is preferable to rewrite the registered content. In this case, appropriate processing can be immediately performed from the next transmission processing.

In the above-mentioned example, the capability of the facsimile machine of the transmission destination is acquired based on the registered contents in the capability history information file 8a, but unlike this, the capability history information file 8a is acquired. Alternatively, the capability may be detected from the communication protocol with the facsimile device of the transmission destination, and optimal processing may be performed according to the detection result.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the receiving device specified by the destination information is compatible with the PDL data, the PDL data is transmitted to the receiving device in the same format. , PDL data can be transmitted as it is, and the time required for the transmission process can be shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, when the receiving device specified by the destination information cannot support PDL data but can support the resolution, the image data obtained by converting the PDL data is sent to the receiving device at that resolution. Since transmission is performed, resolution conversion processing is not required and processing efficiency can be improved, and high-quality printing can be performed without lowering the resolution by utilizing the high resolution capability of the receiving device.

Further, in the present invention, when the receiving device specified by the destination information cannot support the resolution of the PDL data, the image data obtained by converting the PDL data according to the resolution of the receiving device is transmitted. Therefore, image data suitable for the resolution of the receiving device of the transmission destination can be transmitted, and the processing efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the present invention, when the capability of the receiving device specified by the destination information is unknown, the image data obtained by converting the PDL data according to the predetermined resolution is transmitted to the receiving device. Even if the capability of the transmission destination is unknown, appropriate processing can be performed without causing any inconvenience.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile device (communication device) of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the facsimile device (communication device) of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the facsimile device (communication device) of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main control unit 7 ROM 8 RAM 8a Ability history information file 10 modem 11 NCU 12 PC interface section 20 PC

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A means for inputting communication data expressed in a page description language, a means for acquiring destination information of the input communication data, and a receiving device specified by the destination information are compatible with the page description language. And a means for transmitting the input communication data to the receiving device if the communication device can handle the communication device. 2. A means for determining whether or not the receiving device is compatible with the resolution of the communication data when the receiving device is not compatible with a page description language, and an input when the receiving device is compatible. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that converts the communication data into image data, and a unit that transmits the converted image data to the receiving device at the resolution. 3. A means for converting the input communication data into image data according to the resolution of the receiving device when the receiving device cannot support the resolution of the communication data, and the converted image data for receiving the converted image data. A communication device according to claim 2, comprising means for transmitting to the device. 4. A means for converting the input communication data into image data according to a predetermined resolution when it is unclear whether or not the receiving device can support a page description language, and the converted image. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting data to the receiving device.