JP2004015691A - Internet facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for simultaneously solving the problem that the number of processing lines cannot be declared in a BIH header, when image data encoded by JBIG system are transmitted by means of a G3 facsimile machine, and a problem that it is difficult to declare the number of processing lines by a NEWLEN marker, when the image data is transmitted by means of an internet facsimile, because the NEWLEN marker system is often not supported by the viewer of an ordinary PC. <P>SOLUTION: When the image data encoded by JBIG system are transmitted by means of the G3 facsimile, the internet facsimile machine declares the number X of processing lines of the image data by the NEWLEN marker 21a, and declares the number X of processing lines of the image data in the BIH header 20, when the image data is transmitted by means of the internet facsimile. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an Internet facsimile apparatus that includes communication means for both G3 facsimile communication and Internet facsimile communication, and is capable of transmitting image data encoded by the JBIG method using either communication means.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an Internet facsimile apparatus that transmits image data encoded by a JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image experts Group) method by G3 (Group 3 of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) recommendation T.4) facsimile or Internet facsimile has been developed. Spreading. By using the JBIG method, it is possible to transmit a high-quality document in a short time as compared with an MMR (Modified MR) method or the like which is currently frequently used for G3 facsimile communication.
[0003]
ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) Recommendation T. According to 85, as shown in FIG. 4, the entire JBIG code (BIE: Bi-level Image Entity) 19 includes a BIH (Bi-level Image Header; hereinafter, referred to as a “BIH header”) 20 including various types of header information. And a BID (Bi-level Image Data) 21 composed of image data and other data. The number of processing lines X per page required for the other party to perform processing such as printing and displaying image data is the BIH. Declared by a parameter of the header 20 or by a NEWLEN marker 21a which can be added to the end of the BID 21.
[0004]
Normally, when the Internet facsimile apparatus transmits image data (BID) 21 encoded by the JBIG method by Internet facsimile, the number of processing lines per page of the image data to be transmitted is calculated and declared in the BIH header 20. I do. Similarly, when the image data (BID) 21 coded by the JBIG method is transmitted to the memory by G3 facsimile (all pages of the original are read into the memory and then dialed), the image data to be transmitted is similarly transmitted. Is calculated for each page and declared in the BIH header 20.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case where the Internet facsimile apparatus performs transmission (hereinafter, referred to as “scanner transmission”) in which an original is read and image data of a read portion is sequentially transmitted before reading of the original is completed. Since the exact number of processing lines of each page cannot be determined before the reading of each page is completed, the number of processing lines cannot be declared in the BIH header 20.
[0006]
Even in the case of the memory transmission, if the original size must be reduced in accordance with the receiving capability of the other party and the original is to be transmitted, the BIH header 20 Could not declare the number of processing lines.
[0007]
On the other hand, as described above, it is possible to re-declare the number of processing lines declared in the BIH header 20 with the NEWLEN marker 21a. However, the party transmitting the encoded image data by Internet facsimile uses the method of the NEWLEN marker 21a. Since it is often a PC (personal computer) having only an unsupported viewer (Viewer: software for displaying the contents of data files), it has been difficult to uniformly employ the NEWLEN marker 21a.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image facsimile apparatus which has a facsimile communication function and an Internet facsimile communication function as an Internet facsimile as a so-called multifunction machine, and which is encoded by JBIG method. When transmitting by G3 facsimile, the number of processing lines cannot be declared in the BIH header, and when transmitting by Internet facsimile, the normal PC viewer etc. do not support the NEWLEN marker method It is an object of the present invention to provide an Internet facsimile apparatus which simultaneously solves the problem that it is difficult to declare the number of processing lines by using a NEWLEN marker because the number of lines is large.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 includes means for transmitting image data encoded by the JBIG method by G3 facsimile, and means for transmitting the image data by Internet facsimile. In an Internet facsimile apparatus, the number of processing lines of the image data is declared by a NEWLEN marker when the image data is transmitted by a G3 facsimile, and a BIH header is transmitted when the image data is transmitted by the Internet facsimile. It is characterized by being declared by
[0010]
An internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 is the Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the data size of the image data is determined at the start of transmission, and if the image data is determined, the processing is performed. The number of lines is declared by a BIH header.
[0011]
In the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect, in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, it is determined whether or not image data to be transmitted at the start of transmission needs to be re-converted, and it is determined that re-conversion is not necessary. In this case, the number of processing lines is declared by a BIH header.
[0012]
5. An Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: means for transmitting image data encoded by the JBIG method by G3 facsimile; and means for transmitting the image data by Internet facsimile. Declaration means registration means for registering which of the NEWLEN marker and the BIH header is used to declare the number of processing lines for each destination, and an image encoded by the JBIG system according to the declaration means registered by the means. It is characterized by declaring the number of data processing lines.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an Internet facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a specific configuration example of the Internet facsimile machine 1. The Internet facsimile apparatus 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 2, a RAM (random access memory) 3, a ROM (read only memory) 4, a codec 5, a modem 6, an NCU (network control unit) 7, a reading unit 8, a recording unit, It comprises a unit 9, an operation unit 10 and a LAN I / F 11, and the respective devices 2 to 11 are communicably connected by a bus 12.
[0014]
The CPU 2 controls each unit constituting the Internet facsimile machine 1 according to a predetermined program.
[0015]
The RAM 3 functions as a storage unit for storing image data, facsimile numbers, mail addresses, abbreviated number tables described below, and the like, and also as a storage unit for temporarily storing various data.
[0016]
The ROM 4 stores various programs for controlling the operation of each unit of the Internet facsimile machine 1 by the CPU 2.
[0017]
The codec 5 encodes image data according to the JBIG method for transmission, and decodes received image data. The image data is encoded and decoded in accordance with a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format, which is a commonly used image format used in computers.
[0018]
The modem 6 is, for example, an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) Recommendation V. Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to the 34 standard or the like.
[0019]
The NCU 7 is a network controller for controlling a telephone line to make or cut a telephone call, and is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 13.
[0020]
The reading section 8 reads the image data of the document and outputs image data or the like which is converted to black and white.
[0021]
The recording unit 9 is, for example, of an electrophotographic type, and records received image data on recording paper. For example, image data of a document read by the reading unit 8 or image data received by facsimile is printed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 2.
[0022]
The operation unit 10 includes information related to the state of the Internet facsimile machine 1, a display 10a for displaying various operation instruction screens and the like, a numeric keypad for inputting a facsimile number and the like, a start key for starting a document reading operation, An operation key 10b including a cursor key and the like for moving a reverse display in the display 10a is provided, and various operations by an operator are performed by the operation unit 10.
[0023]
The LAN I / F 11 has an interface with a LAN (local area network) 14, and connects the LAN 14 and the Internet facsimile machine 1 in a communicable manner.
[0024]
The Internet facsimile apparatus 1 having the above configuration includes a G3 facsimile transmission unit that transmits image data encoded by the JBIG method to another G3 facsimile apparatus (not shown) through the PSTN 13, and an image encoded by the JBIG method. Internet facsimile transmission means for generating an e-mail attached with data and transmitting the generated e-mail to another Internet facsimile apparatus (not shown) through the mail server 15, the router 16, the Internet 17, and the like.
[0025]
In a predetermined area of the RAM 3, a short number table 18 as shown in FIG. 2 is formed. The abbreviated number table 18 includes a “abbreviated number” column for storing the registered abbreviated number, a “destination” column for storing the destination of the transmission such as a mail address and a facsimile number, and any one of the NEWLEN marker and the BIH header. The "processing line number declaration means" field for registering whether or not to declare the number of processing lines by the means described above, and the reception capacity (resolution, receivable paper size, etc.) of the other party stored in the "destination" field are registered. Ability ”column.
[0026]
Hereinafter, an operation when the Internet facsimile apparatus 1 encodes image data by the JBIG method at the time of transmission will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of the Internet facsimile machine 1 described based on this flowchart is executed according to a command issued by the CPU 2 based on a control program stored in the ROM 4.
[0027]
First, a document is set on the reading unit 8 by the operator, and a telephone number or an e-mail address is input directly or by abbreviated number from the operation unit 10. If the operator desires, an instruction to perform scanner transmission (in the case of G3 facsimile) is given. At the same time, when a predetermined transmission operation such as pressing of a start button is performed (S1), the Internet facsimile apparatus 1 sets the designated destination (facsimile number or mail address) in the “destination” of the abbreviated number table 18. It is determined whether or not the processing line number declaring means is stored in the "processing line number declaring means" field in association with the destination (S2). Is the number of registered processing lines, that is, the registered BIH header or NEWLEN marker. And generate code Kaga data declared Mathematical lines (S3), and transmits the (S4).
[0028]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the processing line number declaration means has not been registered, then it is determined whether the destination is a G3 facsimile terminal or an Internet facsimile terminal in the description format of the transmission destination specified in step S1. That is, it is determined based on whether it is a mail address or a facsimile number (S5). If it is an Internet facsimile terminal, the original is read and encoded, and the number of lines processed is determined by the BIH header for each page. The declared image data is generated (S6), attached to an electronic mail, and transmitted by Internet facsimile (S7).
[0029]
On the other hand, when it is determined in S5 that the destination is a G3 facsimile terminal, it is determined whether or not the data size of the image data to be transmitted is determined at the start of transmission, in other words, whether or not transmission is performed by scanner transmission. Is determined based on whether or not an instruction to perform scanner transmission has been received in S1 (S8). If it is determined that the data size of image data has not been determined (scanner transmission will be performed), The data is transmitted while being read and encoded, and the number of processing lines is declared at the end of the encoded image data (BID) by a NEWLEN marker for each page (S9).
[0030]
On the other hand, when it is determined in S8 that the data size of the image data is determined (memory transmission is performed), the document is read, encoded, and stored in the RAM 3 (S10). At this time, the transmission destination specified in S1 is registered in the “destination” column of the abbreviated number table 18, and the reception capability of the other party is registered in the “reception capability” column in association with the destination. If it is, read and encode based on the receiving capability.
[0031]
Next, the communication procedure (CCITT recommendation T.30) is started (S11), and the receiving capability of the destination obtained in the communication procedure is compared with the format of the image data stored in the RAM 3 in S10. If the latter is larger than the former, it is determined that re-conversion is necessary (S12: YES), and the coded image data is transmitted while being re-converted in accordance with the receiving capability of the destination. The number of processing lines is declared using the NEWLWEN marker (S13). If the former and the latter are the same or the latter is smaller than the former, it is determined that reconversion is not necessary (S12: NO), and the coded image data in which the number of lines is declared by the BIH header for each page. Is generated (S14), and is transmitted to the memory by G3 facsimile (S15).
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, a so-called scanner transmission in which image data of a read portion is sequentially transmitted while a document is being read, or a destination of a partner during transmission is transmitted. When re-converting image data such as changing the document size according to the receiving capability, the number of lines to be processed cannot be declared using the BIH header, and the NEWLEN marker method is supported by ordinary PC viewers. In many cases, it is difficult to declare the number of processing lines by using the NEWLEN marker because the number of processing lines has not been set.
[0033]
According to the Internet facsimile apparatus of claim 2, when the data size of the image data to be transmitted at the start of transmission is determined, the number of processing lines is declared by the BIH header. In addition, it is possible to acquire a line in which the number of processing lines is declared by the BIH header, which enables more efficient reception processing than the line in which the number of processing lines is declared by the NEWLEN marker.
[0034]
According to the Internet facsimile apparatus of the third aspect, when it is not necessary to re-convert the image data to be transmitted at the start of transmission, the number of processing lines is declared by the BIH header. In addition, it is possible to acquire a line in which the number of processing lines is declared by the BIH header, which enables more efficient reception processing than the line in which the number of processing lines is declared by the NEWLEN marker.
[0035]
According to the Internet facsimile apparatus of the fourth aspect, the operator can apply the means for declaring the number of processing lines suitable for the other party in the BIH header and the NEWLEN marker regardless of the communication means (facsimile or Internet facsimile). .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an Internet facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an abbreviated number table.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention encodes image data by the JBIG method at the time of transmission.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the number of processing lines, a BIH header, a NEWLEN marker, and the like.
[Explanation of symbols]
X Number of processing lines 1 Internet facsimile machine 2 CPU
3 RAM
4 ROM
18 Short number table (Declaration means registration means)
20 BIH header 21a NEWLEN marker

Claims (4)

An Internet facsimile apparatus comprising: means for transmitting image data encoded by the JBIG method by G3 facsimile; and means for transmitting the image data by Internet facsimile, wherein the image data is transmitted by G3 facsimile. An Internet facsimile apparatus, wherein the number of processing lines of the image data is declared by a NEWLEN marker, and when the image data is transmitted by an Internet facsimile, the number of processing lines of the image data is declared by a BIH header. . When the image data is transmitted by G3 facsimile, it is determined whether or not the data size of the image data to be transmitted at the start of transmission is determined. 2. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the declaration is made by a header. In the case where the image data is transmitted by G3 facsimile, it is determined whether or not the image data transmitted at the start of transmission needs to be re-converted. 2. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of processing lines is declared by a BIH header. An internet facsimile apparatus comprising: means for transmitting image data encoded by the JBIG method by G3 facsimile; and means for transmitting the image data by Internet facsimile. The apparatus includes a NEWLEN marker and a BIH header for each destination. A declaring means registering means for registering which of the means to declare the number of processing lines, and declaring the number of processing lines of the image data encoded by the JBIG system according to the declaring means registered by the means. Internet facsimile machine characterized.

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