JP2004096511A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus capable of efficiently storing image data in an external memory. <P>SOLUTION: The external memory 16 capable of storing image data to be transmitted and received is detachably attached on a recording/reading unit 15. A control unit 21 recognizes information about the image data to be transmitted and received, determines an image data format for storing the data in the memory 16 attached on the unit 15 on the basis of the result of recognition, and stores the image data to be transmitted and received in the memory 16 attached on the unit 15 in the determined data format. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving image data in a predetermined communication image data format via a communication line, and more particularly to a communication device capable of efficiently storing image data to be transmitted and received as a backup.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a normal facsimile machine, when printing received image data, the image data is deleted without being stored. Therefore, the received image cannot be backed up as data. However, those having a memory transmission function can be backed up. On the other hand, there is known a facsimile apparatus configured such that an external memory such as a smart media (R) or a compact flash (R) can be attached and detached. In such a facsimile apparatus, the received image data can be backed up and stored in an external memory.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in communication between facsimile machines, a data system with a low compression ratio such as MH, MR, or MMR is used. If image data is stored in an external memory with this data system, the number of images that can be stored is reduced. There is a problem of being restricted.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that can efficiently store image data in an external memory.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A communication device according to the present invention is a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving image data in a predetermined communication image data format via a communication line, wherein an external memory capable of storing transmitted and received image data is detachably mounted. Recognizing means for recognizing information related to the transmitted and received image data, and data format determining means for determining an image data format to be stored in an external memory mounted on the mounting means based on a recognition result by the recognizing means. And storage means for storing the transmitted and received image data in an external memory mounted on the mounting means in a data format determined by the data format determining means.
[0006]
According to this communication device, the image data is stored in the external memory according to the purpose in the data format determined by the data format determining means based on the information of the image data, so that the image data is efficiently stored in the external memory. Can be stored.
[0007]
The communication device includes condition setting means for selecting the information, and the data format determining means selects the information based on a condition set by the condition setting means and determines a data format to be stored. May be.
[0008]
In this case, information is selected based on the conditions set by the condition setting means, and its data format is determined.
[0009]
The information may be at least one of source information, transmission / reception time zone, transmission / reception data capacity, transmission / reception data color information, and password information.
[0010]
In this case, the image data is stored in the external memory in a data format determined based on one of the following conditions: source information, transmission / reception time zone, transmission / reception data capacity, transmission / reception data color information, and password information. Since the data is saved, the data format at the time of saving can be rationally selected.
[0011]
The communication device further includes an internal memory for storing transmission / reception data, and includes a storage location selection unit for determining to store the transmission / reception data in at least one of the external memory and the internal memory. Is also good.
[0012]
In this case, since the transmission / reception data is stored in at least one of the external memory and the internal memory according to the situation, it is possible to widely cope with the situation when storing the data.
[0013]
The data format determining unit may determine a data format to be stored based on a result of the selection by the storage location selecting unit and a condition set by the condition setting unit.
[0014]
In this case, since the data format is determined based on the selection result by the storage location selecting means and the condition set by the condition setting means, the data format can be set more rationally.
[0015]
If the data meets the conditions set by the condition setting means, the data format determining means determines the data format to be reconverted by a compression method having a high compression speed when storing the information in the internal memory, and stores the data format in the external memory. Is determined to the data format re-converted by the compression method with a high compression ratio, if the conditions are not satisfied, the image data for communication is determined, and the storage means is re-converted to the determined data format and stored. Is also good.
[0016]
In this case, since the image data can be stored in a data format that takes into account not only the storage location of the image data but also the conditions, the processing speed can be improved when storing the image data in the internal memory.
[0017]
The storage means, when the data format determination means determines the data format re-converted by a compression method having a high compression rate, restores the communication image data format to the original image, compresses the data, and compresses the data. If the data format is determined to be a data format reconverted by the fast compression method, the communication image data format may be compressed without restoring the original image, so that the communication device can even restore the image data to be written to the internal memory. In this case, the processing speed can be improved by compressing the data in the FAX transmission / reception format as it is.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication device which is a peripheral device of the present embodiment.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, a communication device 100 includes a document reading unit 11 that reads a document, an internal memory 12 that stores image data, an input unit 13 that receives a user operation, and a device that transmits and receives image data via a telephone line. Communication unit 14, a recording / reading unit 15 having a slot in which an external memory 16 is detachably mounted, a display unit 17 for presenting necessary information to a user, and printing for executing printing using image data. And a control unit 21 that controls the document reading unit 11, the internal memory 12, the input unit 13, the communication unit 14, the recording / reading unit 15, the display unit 17, and the printing unit 18.
[0021]
The control means 21 also has a function of converting the data format of the image data.
[0022]
The recording / reading unit 15 has a function of storing data in the external memory 16, a function of erasing data from the external memory 16, and a function of reading data in the external memory 16. As the external memory 16, a compact flash (R), a smart media (R), or the like can be used.
[0023]
In the communication device 100, the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 11 or the image data received by the communication unit is stored in the internal memory 12 or recorded in the external memory 16 by the recording / reading unit 15. Alternatively, printing can be performed by the printing unit 18. Further, the recording / reading unit 15 can read the image data stored in the internal memory 12 or the image data stored in the external memory 16. The read image data can be transmitted to, for example, a destination of a specific telephone number via the communication unit 14, and the printing unit 18 can perform printing using the image data.
[0024]
Next, the operation of the communication device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing processing for backing up image data when image data is received. The following processing is executed based on the control of the control unit 21.
[0026]
In step S1 of FIG. 2, upon receiving an incoming call, the communication unit 14 is instructed to start receiving image data. Next, in step S2, the communication unit 14 is caused to execute a process of receiving image data. Upon completion of the reception, in step S3, an inquiry is made to the printing unit 18 as to whether printing is possible, and a response from the printing unit 18 is waited. In response to the inquiry, the printing unit 18 detects whether the paper has run out or the ink has run out and replies whether printing is possible. Based on the reply, if it is determined in step S3 that printing is possible, the process proceeds to step S4, and if it is determined that printing is not possible, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0027]
In step S4, printing is executed in the printing unit 18 based on the received image data. After the printing is completed, in a step S6, it is determined whether or not the backup mode is set. Here, the backup mode is a mode for performing processing for backing up image data even when printing is performed. If it is determined in step S6 that the backup mode has been set, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined that the backup mode has not been set, the process proceeds to step S7 (FIG. 4).
[0028]
In step S5, it is determined whether or not the external memory 16 is mounted on the recording / reading unit 15. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S8A (FIG. 3), and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S9 (FIG. 4).
[0029]
On the other hand, in step S8A, the telephone number of the caller is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the telephone number is included in a specific telephone number for which backup storage is to be performed. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S11, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S8B. Here, the specific telephone number is specified in advance by the user, and a table describing the specific telephone number is stored in the internal memory 12. Therefore, in step S8A, the above determination is made by searching this table.
[0030]
Next, in step S8B, the reception time is acquired, and it is determined whether the reception time is included in a specific time zone. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S11, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S8C. Here, it is determined whether the reception time is, for example, a business hours. Thus, for example, the presence or absence of backup storage can be selected depending on whether or not the image data is received during an important time period.
[0031]
Next, in step S8C, the data size of the image data is obtained. If the data size is equal to or larger than the specified size, the process proceeds to step S11. If the data size is equal to or smaller than the specified size, the process proceeds to step S8D. Here, the presence or absence of backup storage is selected according to the size of the data size.
[0032]
Next, in step S8D, it is determined whether the image data is color data or monochrome data. If it is determined that the image data is monochrome data, the process proceeds to step S11. If it is determined that the image data is color data, the process proceeds to step S8E. Here, the presence or absence of backup storage is selected according to whether the image data is color or monochrome (according to the color information).
[0033]
Next, in a step S8E, it is determined whether or not the original mode is set. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S11. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S8F.
[0034]
Next, in step S8F, it is determined whether or not the received image data is received by password communication. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S11, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S9. In the password communication, the password communication mode is set on both the transmission side and the reception side, and communication is performed only when the password IDs match, so that image data with high importance and confidentiality is received. In step S8F, if the received image data is obtained by password communication, it is determined that backup storage is to be performed.
[0035]
In step S9, the received image data is stored in the internal memory 12, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S9, the received image data itself is stored without compressing the image data. This is because when the conditions set in steps 8A to 8F are not satisfied, there is no need to store the information in a removable external memory.
[0036]
On the other hand, in step S11, the data format at the time of storing the image data and the storage location of the image data are determined, and the process proceeds to step S12.
[0037]
In step S11, when determining the data format and storage location of the image data when storing the image data, the relationship between the data format and the storage location may be predetermined according to a compression procedure. For example, data in a data format such as GIF, JBIG, JPEG, or TIFF is obtained by temporarily expanding data in a data format used for data communication such as MH, MR, or MMR into a bitmap (after restoring an original image) and then recompressing. Otherwise, the data cannot be obtained, and the data can be compressed at a high compression ratio although the compression speed is slow. On the other hand, data in a data format such as ZIP, LZH, or LHA can be obtained by directly compressing data in a data format used for data communication without restoring an original image. Stay at the rate. Therefore, when the data is stored in the external memory 16, the former data format that provides a high compression ratio is employed to effectively utilize the storage capacity, and when the data is stored in the internal memory 12, quick processing is performed. A possible latter series of relatively low compression data formats can be employed.
[0038]
Next, in step S12, the storage location of the image data determined in step S11 is read. If the storage location is the external memory 16, the process proceeds to step S13. If the storage location is the internal memory 12, the process proceeds to step S14.
[0039]
Next, in step S13, after the received image data in the data format such as MH, MR, and MMR is expanded into a bitmap, the image data is recompressed and converted into a high compression rate data format such as GIF, JBIG, JPEG, and TIFF. I do. Next, in step S15, the recording / reading unit 15 is operated to store the converted image data in the external memory 16 in the data format. After storing the image data, the process proceeds to step S7.
[0040]
On the other hand, in step S14, the received image data is converted into a data format such as ZIP, LZH, LHA, etc. by compressing the image data as it is. Next, in step S16, the image data in the converted data format is stored in the internal memory 12. After storing the image data, the process proceeds to step S7.
[0041]
In step S7, various processes necessary for ending the storage of the image data are executed, and all the processes are ended.
[0042]
As described above, in the processing of FIGS. 2 to 4, the data compression method is determined according to the storage location of the image data. Further details may be determined in consideration of the condition determination in step S8F.
[0043]
FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing another example of the method of determining the data format and the storage location in step S11. In this example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a table that prescribes a data format (JPEG, JBIG...) And a storage location for each caller corresponding to a specific telephone number is stored in the internal memory 12. ing. Therefore, when the telephone number of the caller corresponds to a specific telephone number, the data format and the storage location can be determined with reference to the table shown in FIG.
[0044]
Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, a table that prescribes a data format and a storage location for each time zone of the reception time of the image data is stored in the internal memory 12. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the reception time belongs to a specific time zone by referring to the table shown in FIG. 6B, and determine the data format and the storage location.
[0045]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, a table that prescribes a data format and a storage location for the data size of the received image data is stored in the internal memory 12. Therefore, based on the data size of the image data, the data format and the storage location can be determined with reference to the table shown in FIG.
[0046]
As described above, in the example of FIG. 6, the data format of the data to be stored uniformly is not determined according to the storage location of the image data, but the data format is determined according to a predetermined condition based on a plurality of condition determinations. When selecting the data format, the data format can be selected in consideration of the standard of the destination facsimile machine, the time required for data compression, the effect of capacity reduction by compression, and the like.
[0047]
Next, a process for transmitting image data stored in the internal memory 12 or the external memory 16 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S21 in FIG. 5, image data is read from the internal memory 12 or the external memory 16, and the communication unit 14 is instructed to start transmitting image data. Next, in step S22, a communication mode setting process is executed. Specifically, it communicates (exchanges commands) with the destination facsimile machine and sets the data format at the time of communication.
[0048]
Next, in step S23, it is determined whether or not the image data read from the internal memory 12 or the external memory 16 matches the data format (encoding method) set in step S22. If the determination is affirmative, the process skips to step S25, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S24. When the image data is read from the external memory 16, this determination is normally denied. In step S24, a re-encoding process is executed to convert the data format of the image data into the data format set in step S22, and the process proceeds to step S25.
[0049]
Next, in step S25, the image data converted into a predetermined data format (encoding method) is transmitted to the transmission destination by the operation of the communication unit 14. Next, in step S26, processing necessary for terminating the transmission is executed, and all processing ends.
[0050]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the compressed image data is stored in the external memory, so that the storage capacity of the external memory can be effectively used. Further, since the data format after compression is determined according to a predetermined condition, it is possible to always select an appropriate data format.
[0051]
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which backup storage is executed when image data is received. However, the present invention can be applied to backup image data to be transmitted or transmitted image data. In this case, information on the transmission source may be replaced with information on the transmission destination.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the communication device of the present invention, since the image data is stored in the external memory in the data format determined by the data format determining unit, the image data can be efficiently stored in the external memory. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a communication device that is a peripheral device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing for backing up image data.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing for backing up image data.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing for backing up image data.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting image data.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining a data format and a storage location, and (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating details.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Internal memory 15 Recording / reading unit (mounting means)
21 control unit (recognition means, data format determination means, storage means, condition setting means)

Claims (7)

In a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving image data in a predetermined communication image data format via a communication line,
Mounting means for detachably mounting an external memory capable of storing image data to be transmitted and received,
Recognition means for recognizing information on the transmitted and received image data,
A data format determining unit that determines an image data format to be stored in an external memory mounted on the mounting unit based on a recognition result by the recognition unit;
Storage means for storing the transmitted and received image data in an external memory mounted on the mounting means in a data format determined by the data format determination means,
A communication device comprising: The communication device includes condition setting means for selecting the information, and the data format determining means selects the information based on a condition set by the condition setting means and determines a data format to be stored. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the information is at least one of source information, transmission / reception time zone, transmission / reception data capacity, transmission / reception data color information, and password information. . The communication device further includes an internal memory for storing transmission / reception data, and storage location selection means for determining to store the transmission / reception data in at least one of the external memory and the internal memory. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data format determining unit determines a data format to be stored based on a selection result by the storage location selecting unit and a condition set by the condition setting unit. . If the information satisfies the conditions set by the condition setting means, the data format determining means determines the data format reconverted by a compression method having a high compression speed when storing the information in an internal memory, and stores the data format in an external memory. If so, determine the data format re-converted by a high compression rate compression method, if the conditions are not satisfied, determine the communication image data format, and the storage means re-converted to the determined data format The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the communication device is stored. The storage means, when the data format determination means determines the data format reconverted by a compression method having a high compression ratio, restores the communication image data formation period to the original image, compresses the data, and compresses the data. 7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein when the data format is determined to be a data format reconverted by a fast compression method, the communication image data format is compressed without restoring the original image.

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