JP2003333343A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus capable of transmitting an Internet facsimile to a plurality of communication apparatuses each having a different file format capability through the use of one kind of CODEC. <P>SOLUTION: The communication apparatus reads an original with a read section 12, applies encoding conversion processing to the read image data in response to the file format capability (profiles S, F, and J) of a communication destination and stores converted image data to an image memory 19. The communication apparatus reads the stored encoded data, applies TIFF conversion and MIME conversion to the encoded data and transmits the result to a designated mail address. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,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 data obtained by reading a document via a computer communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a computer communication network has become widespread in which a local computer communication network is connected by a communication line to deliver electronic mail via the networked Internet. The computer communication network has an advantage that it has an excellent error correction capability and that the communication cost is low even at a long distance.

In general facsimile communication, it is impossible to directly communicate from a facsimile machine to a computer communication network. However, a facsimile machine (Internet facsimile machine) has been developed which has a function of converting the image data of a document that is normally transmitted and received by facsimile communication into an electronic mail format, thereby enabling the Internet communication of image data.

File formats for facsimile transmission via the Internet include TIFF-FX (profile S), TIFF-FX (profile F) and TI.
There are three types, FF-FX (profile J).
The three types differ in the usable coding method, resolution and image size. Specifically, the profile S, which is the lowest file format, is limited to the MH system (T.4) as the encoding system and has a resolution of 200 × 100.
The image size is limited to A4, and the image size is limited to A4. The profile F is not limited in resolution and image size, but the encoding method is limited to the MH method (T.4), MR method (T.4), or MMR method (T.6). The profile J, which is the highest-level file format, can use the JBIG method (T.82 with T.85) as well as the resolution and the image size as well as the restriction of the encoding method in the profile F.

Which of the above three types of profiles can be supported, that is, what file format capability is possessed is determined for each model of each Internet facsimile machine. Therefore, when image data is transmitted from a certain Internet facsimile machine to each of a plurality of other Internet facsimile machines, the file format capability may differ depending on the transmission destination. In such a case, it is necessary to change the encoding method, the resolution, and the image size according to the file format capability of each of the Internet facsimile machines of the transmission destinations before transmission.

[0006] Therefore, in the past, in the case of reading an A3 original at high resolution and transmitting it to a plurality of destinations, first of all,
As steps, encoding method: MMR method, resolution: 400
Under the conditions of dpi, image size: A3, the read image data is encoded and stored in the image memory of the Internet facsimile machine of the transmission source. Then, as a second step, according to the file format capability of the destination Internet facsimile machine, which is known in advance,
At the time of transmission, the encoding method, resolution, and image size are changed as necessary, and after conversion to TIFF and MIME formats, the data is transmitted to the other party.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned conventional method, the coding / decoding means has a codec for the first stage (when reading) and a codec for the second stage (when transmitting). There is a problem that two types are required. In the second step (during transmission), the data encoded in the first step (during reading) is once decoded,
Since the decoded data will be encoded again, there is a problem that the processing efficiency is low.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and stores image data of a plurality of encoding systems that have been converted in advance according to the capabilities of a plurality of destination Internet facsimile machines. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device that can handle a plurality of different file formats with one type of codec and that has good encoding efficiency.

[0009]

A communication device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a communication device for transmitting image data obtained by scanning an original through a computer communication network, and means for accepting designation of a plurality of destinations. A means for converting image data obtained by reading an original document into a plurality of types of encoding methods according to each of the plurality of destinations for which designation has been accepted, and a plurality of converted image data of a plurality of types of encoding methods are stored. And means.

In the communication device of the first invention, when the image data is read, the read image data is converted into a plurality of encoding methods according to the file format capabilities of a plurality of designated transmission destinations. Then, the plurality of converted image data are stored in the image memory. Therefore, since the encoding conversion for transmission is completed at the stage of storing in the image memory, there is no need to perform encoding conversion during transmission as in the past, and only one type of codec used for reading can be used. The coding efficiency is also good.

A communication apparatus according to a second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the encoding system includes a JBIG system and an MH system.

In the communication device of the second invention, the encoding system for conversion includes the JBIG system and the MH system,
Image data can be transmitted to other communication devices compatible with these encoding methods.

A communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the file formats of the plurality of destinations for which designation has been accepted are profile S, profile F, and profile J.

In the communication device of the third aspect of the invention, the file formats of the plurality of destinations are the profile S, the profile F and the profile J, and the image data converted into the encoding method according to each profile is stored in the image memory. To store. Therefore, image data can be transmitted to other communication devices corresponding to these profiles.

[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 an Internet facsimile apparatus as a communication apparatus according to the present invention. The Internet facsimile machine 1 includes a main control unit 11, a reading unit 12, a recording unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, an encoding / decoding unit 1.
6, ROM 17, RAM 18, image memory 19, modem 20, NCU (Network Control Unit) 21, LAN interface 22 and the like.

The main control unit 11 is specifically composed of a CPU, is connected to each of the above-mentioned hardware units of the Internet facsimile machine 1 via a bus 23, controls them, and at the same time, ROM 17 Various software functions are executed according to the computer program stored in.

The reading unit 12 reads an original with a scanner using a CCD, for example, and outputs the read image data (bitmap image data). Recording unit 13
Is an electrophotographic printer device, and image data received by facsimile communication or electronic mail,
Alternatively, an image corresponding to the image data of the document read by the reading unit 12 is printed out as a hard copy.

The display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display device or a CRT.
A display device such as a display is used to display the operating state of the Internet facsimile machine 1 and to display image data of a document read to be transmitted or received image data. The operation unit 15 includes various keys necessary for operating the Internet facsimile machine 1. The mail address of the other party (destination) in Internet facsimile transmission and the telephone number of the other party (destination) in normal facsimile transmission are the operation unit 15
Input by the operator. The display unit 14
By using a touch panel method, some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 15 can be substituted.

The encoding / decoding unit 16 encodes and compresses the read image data (bitmap image data) output from the reading unit 12 into the MH system, the MMR system, and the JBIG system, respectively. Decode the compressed data into the original image data.

The ROM 17 is a program of various software necessary for the operation of the Internet facsimile machine 1 (a mail processing program for transmitting / receiving electronic mail, a conversion processing program for size / resolution conversion of image data, etc.). Is stored in advance. The RAM 18 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when executing software.

The image memory 19 is composed of a DRAM or the like and stores image data. The image memory 19 stores a profile S memory area 19a for storing image data obtained by converting the read image data according to the profile S (MH system), and image data obtained by converting the read image data according to the profile F (MMR system). And a profile F memory area 19c for storing the image data obtained by converting the read image data according to the profile J (JBIG method). The image memory 19 also has a page buffer 19d for temporarily storing the read image data in page units.

The modem 20 is connected to the bus 23 and is composed of a fax modem capable of facsimile communication. The modem 20 is also directly connected to the NCU 21 which is also connected to the bus 23. NCU
Reference numeral 21 denotes hardware for performing operations for closing and opening the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and the modem 2 is used as necessary.
Connect 0 to the telephone line. The LAN interface 22 is connected to the Internet 2 as a computer communication network via a LAN by a line L and a router (not shown) which is a connection device between networks.

The Internet facsimile machine 1 of the present invention is provided with the hardware configuration as described above and has a facsimile communication function such as a general G3 system via a public telephone line network, and of course, it is a TIFF file image. It has the function of sending and receiving data as electronic mail. That is, image data as a facsimile message that should originally be communicated by facsimile is converted into text in MIME or the like, converted into a TIFF file, and can be transmitted / received as an electronic mail via the Internet 2.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the document reading / data conversion process in the Internet facsimile machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of this document reading / data conversion processing.

The main control section 11 causes the reading section 12 to read one page of the document and stores the read image data in the page buffer 19d (step S1). Main controller 1
1 determines whether or not there is a destination having the file format capability of profile S among the plurality of destinations designated by the mail address input by the operation unit 15 (step S2). If it does not exist (S2:
NO), the operation proceeds to step S6.

When a destination having the file format capability of profile S is designated (S2: YE
S), the main control unit 11 determines whether or not the read original is A4 size and the transmission mode is equal to or smaller than the fine mode (resolution is 200 × 100 dpi or 200 × 200 dpi) (step S3). When both conditions are satisfied (S3: YES), the read image data is encoded by the MH system and stored in the profile S memory area 19a (step S4), and the operation proceeds to S6. If at least one of the conditions is not satisfied (S
3: NO), read the image data in A4 size and /
Or after converting to the resolution of fine mode or lower, M
Memory area 19 for profile S encoded by the H method
It is stored in a (step S5), and the operation proceeds to S6.

Next, the main control section 11 determines whether or not there is a communication partner having the file format capability of the profile F among the plurality of communication partners specified by the mail address (S6). If it does not exist (S6: N
O), the operation proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, when the destination having the file format capability of the profile F is designated (S6: YES), the read image data is encoded by the MMR method and stored in the profile F memory area 19b (step S7). The operation proceeds to S8.

Next, the main control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a communication partner having the file format capability of the profile J among the plurality of communication partners specified by the mail address (S8). If it does not exist (S8: N
O), the operation proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, when the destination having the file format capability of the profile J is designated (S8: YES), the read image data is encoded by the JBIG method and stored in the profile J memory area 19c (step S9). Operation is S10
Proceed to.

The main control section 11 judges whether or not reading of all pages of the document has been completed (S10), and if not completed (S10: NO), the processes of S1 to S9 are repeated. If the reading of all pages is completed (S10: YES), the operation ends.

Next, the Internet facsimile machine 1
The image data transmission processing from the following will be described. Figure 3
It is a flow chart which shows the operation procedure of this image data transmission processing.

The main controller 11 includes memory areas 19a and 19a.
The encoded data stored in either b or 19c is read and decoded, and the TIF is added to the decoded transmission data.
The F conversion and the MIME conversion are performed (step S11), and the converted transmission data is transmitted to the designated mail address (step S12). The main control unit 11 determines whether or not the transmission to all designated destinations (mail addresses) has been completed (S13), and if not completed (S13:
NO), the processes of S11 and S12 are repeated. If the transmission to all the destinations (mail addresses) is completed (S13: YES), the operation ends.

As the storage order of the three types of encoded data in the image memory 19, the profile S method is prioritized for the encoding / storing process. If the capacity of the image memory 19 overflows, the operator is prompted to confirm whether to invalidate the job itself or validate the stored profile format.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system using the communication device (Internet facsimile machine 1) of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the Internet 2 includes a plurality of Internet facsimile machines other than the Internet facsimile machine 1 of the present invention (three Internet facsimile machines 31, 3 in the example of FIG. 2).
2, 33) are connected. The Internet facsimile machine 1 is connected to a plurality of facsimile machines 40 by a public telephone line network.

The Internet facsimile machine 31 is
It has the file format capability of profile S, and the Internet facsimile machine 32
The Internet facsimile machine 33 has the file format capability of profile J.

Here, a case where the A3 original is read by the Internet facsimile machine 1 and the read image data is transmitted to one facsimile machine 40 and three Internet facsimile machines 31, 32, 33 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conversion process of image data in this case.

First, the operator inputs the telephone number of the facsimile device 40 and the mail addresses of the Internet facsimile devices 31, 32 and 33 by using the operation unit 15 and designates the transmission destination (destination). .
The A3 original is read by the reading unit 12, and A3 image data in a bitmap format is obtained. The reading resolution at this time is 16 dots × 15.4 lines / mm.
And

The read image data is compression-encoded by the MMR system ((a) of FIG. 5), and the encoded data (size: A3, resolution: 16 dots × 15.4).
lines / mm) are stored in the image memory 19. Further, the read image data is subjected to size conversion and resolution conversion, and is further compression-encoded by the MH system ((b) in FIG. 5), and the encoded data (size: A4,
The resolution: 8 dots × 7.7 lines / mm) is stored in the profile S memory area 19a of the image memory 19. Also, the read image data is MMR.
5 is compressed and encoded by the method ((c) in FIG. 5), and the encoded data (size: A3, resolution: 16 dots × 15.
4 lines / mm) is stored in the profile F memory area 19b of the image memory 19. Further, the read image data is compressed and encoded by the JBIG method ((d) of FIG. 5), and the encoded data (size: A3,
The resolution: 16 dots × 15.4 lines / mm) is stored in the profile J memory area 19c of the image memory 19.

Then, the destination facsimile machine 40 is dialed, and the transmission data obtained by decoding the encoded data read from the image memory 19 is transmitted by facsimile through the public telephone line network. Further, the transmission data obtained by decoding the coded data read from the profile S memory area 19a is subjected to TIFF conversion and MIME conversion,
The converted transmission data is transmitted to the Internet facsimile machine 31 via the Internet 2, and similarly,
The encoded data read from the profile F memory area 19b is subjected to TIFF conversion and MIME conversion,
The converted transmission data is transmitted to the Internet facsimile machine 32 via the Internet 2, the encoded data read from the profile J memory area 19c is subjected to TIFF conversion and MIME conversion, and the converted transmission data is transmitted to the Internet 2 Is transmitted to the Internet facsimile machine 33 via.

According to the present invention, when the original is read, the encoding conversion processing is performed in advance according to the capability of the communication partner, and the converted image data is stored in a predetermined memory area. Coding conversion is not required during Internet facsimile transmission, and one codec can be used, and one codec can be reduced as compared with the conventional example. The present invention requires an image memory having a capacity three times as large as that of the conventional example, but in recent years, a large-capacity image memory has become low-priced, and the present invention in which one codec is reduced is a conventional example. It is far more advantageous than the above in terms of cost and processing efficiency.

The TIFF-FX described in this specification
(Profiles S, F, J) are specified by the RFC published by IETF.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, image data read by a plurality of types of encoding methods corresponding to the file format capabilities of a plurality of transmission destinations are converted in advance, and the converted plurality of types of image data are converted. Since it is stored in the image memory, one codec can handle a plurality of different file formats, the efficiency of the encoding process can be improved, and a low-cost configuration can be realized.

Further, in the present invention, the encoding method for conversion is J
Since the BIG system and the MH system are included, image data can be transmitted to another communication device corresponding to these encoding systems via a computer communication network.

Further, according to the present invention, the file format is converted into a plurality of coding methods of profile S, profile F and profile J, so that the other communication devices corresponding to these coding methods can be transmitted to the computer communication network. Image data can be transmitted via.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of document reading / data conversion processing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of image data transmission processing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a communication system using the Internet facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conversion process of image data.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Internet facsimile machine (communication device) 2 Internet (computer communication network) 11 Main control unit 12 Reader 15 Operation part 16 Encoding / decoding section 17 ROM 19 Image memory 19a Profile S memory area 19b Profile F memory area 19c Profile J memory area 22 LAN interface 31, 32, 33 Internet facsimile machine

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA29 AB17 AB38 AB40                       AB42 AC02 AC25 AC35 AC42                       AE02 AF02 BD09                 5C075 AB90 CA03 CA90 FF02                 5C078 AA01 BA23 BA25 BA32 CA02                       CA34 DA01 EA01

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A communication device for transmitting image data obtained by scanning an original through a computer communication network, and means for accepting designation of a plurality of destinations, and designation of image data obtained by scanning the original. A communication device comprising: a unit for converting into a plurality of types of encoding systems according to each of the plurality of destinations; and a unit for storing the converted image data of a plurality of types of encoding systems. 2. The encoding method is a JBIG method or an M method.
The communication device according to claim 1, including the H system. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the file format of each of the plurality of destinations for which designation has been accepted is profile S, profile F and profile J.