JP2004104517A - Equipment and method for communicating image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a receiving side to set an optional comparison reference value even when the number of EOL signals which is less than the number of a prescribed communications standard is attached to an image signal and also to receive even an image signal from a facsimile machine, etc., which does not conform to the prescribed communication standard. <P>SOLUTION: Image communication equipment is provided with an EOL receiving counter 51 for detecting the number of EOL signals and outputting a counted value, a determining means 52 for comparing the counted value outputted from the counter 51 with a preset comparison reference value to determine whether an image signal is a termination and a setting means 53 for setting an optional comparison reference value in the determining means 52. The determining means 52 determines an RTC when the counted value showing the number of EOL signals is equal to or greater than the optionally set comparison reference value. According to this configuration, a facsimile machine 100 that does not conform to the prescribed communications standard can receive an image signal from the facsimile machine, etc., which does not confirm to the communications standard. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ITU-T Recommendation T. The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus and an image communication method suitable for being applied to a facsimile apparatus having a function of determining an RTC (control return code signal) at the time of image reception specified in No. 4.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, ITU-T Recommendation T. In many cases, facsimile machines conforming to J. 4 have been used. In this recommendation, the RTC (control return code) signal at the time of facsimile (FAX) image reception is described as "the end of transmission of one message is indicated by the transmission of six consecutive EOL (line end code) signals". .
[0003]
As for a facsimile apparatus that receives such an EOL signal and determines the RTC, Patent Document 1 discloses a “transmission end signal restoration apparatus”. According to this facsimile apparatus, the number of received EOL signals is detected, and when the number of received EOL signals does not reach the specified number, the number of EOL signals is restored to determine the RTC. Patent Document 2 discloses a “method of decoding an MH code”. According to this facsimile apparatus, when decoding the MH code to run length, after recognizing the EOL signal, it is determined whether or not the EOL signal is a part of the RTC. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a “facsimile image data processing method”. According to this facsimile apparatus, when an EOL signal is detected at the end of image data, an RTC signal indicating the end is output.
[0004]
7A and 7B are ladder diagrams showing an example of detection of an EOL signal and determination of an RTC signal according to a conventional example. In FIG. 7A, at the time of facsimile reception, an image signal and an EOL signal are transmitted from the other party's facsimile apparatus (transmitter X) or the like to the facsimile apparatus (receiver Y). If the receiver Y is a facsimile apparatus conforming to this recommendation and the transmitter X is also a facsimile apparatus conforming to this recommendation, the number of EOL signals received is counted by the receiver Y as shown in FIG. 7A. , The RTC signal is generated and the end of the line can be determined.
[0005]
Further, even if the receiver Y is a facsimile apparatus conforming to this recommendation, if the transmitter X 'is a facsimile apparatus not conforming to this recommendation, as shown in FIG. Is counted, six consecutive EOL signals are not detected. For example, it is assumed that only four consecutive EOL signals are detected. In this case, the number of communication of the EOL signal does not reach the specified number (hereinafter also referred to as a comparison reference value), so that the RTC cannot be determined and the end of the line cannot be recognized.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2-237331
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-168093
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-9-163148
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Some conventional facsimile apparatuses transmit less than six consecutive EOL signals to a receiver without transmitting six consecutive EOL signals for determining a control return code. The device is in circulation. Therefore, there are the following problems.
[0008]
{Circle around (1)} An image signal transmitted from such a facsimile apparatus is transmitted according to ITU-T Recommendation T.30. 7B, since the EOL signal cannot be detected six consecutive times as shown in FIG. Is not determined, a communication error occurs, and normal communication cannot be performed.
[0009]
{Circle around (2)} In order to avoid this communication error, a special ROM must be created in the facsimile machine for receiving a facsimile from a facsimile machine that does not conform to the recommendation, or the ROM must be replaced as appropriate to deal with it. .
[0010]
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. Even when a line termination code signal having a smaller number of communications than a predetermined communication standard is added to an image signal, an arbitrary comparison is performed on the receiving side. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication apparatus and an image communication method that can set a reference value and can also receive an image signal from a facsimile apparatus that does not conform to a predetermined communication standard.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an image communication device according to the present invention is a device for communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of communication line end code signals are continuously added to the end, and includes a line end code signal. Detecting means for detecting the number of received signals and outputting a count value; determining means for comparing the count value output from the detecting means with a preset comparison reference value to determine whether or not the image signal is at the end; Setting means for setting an arbitrary comparison reference value to the determination means, wherein the determination means is configured such that when the count value indicating the number of received line termination code signals is equal to or greater than the arbitrarily set comparison reference value, The control return code is determined.
[0012]
According to the image communication apparatus of the present invention, when communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of line end code signals are continuously added to the end, an arbitrary comparison reference value is set in advance to the determination means. Set by means. On the premise of this, the detecting means detects the number of received line end code signals and outputs a count value to the judging means. The determination means compares the count value output from the detection means with a preset comparison reference value to determine whether the image signal is at the end. The determining means outputs a control return code signal when the count value indicating the number of received line end code signals is equal to or greater than an arbitrarily set comparison reference value.
[0013]
Therefore, even when a line termination code signal having a smaller number of communications than the predetermined communication standard is added to the image signal, the receiving side can set an arbitrary comparison reference value to the determining means by the setting means on the receiving side. It is possible to normally receive an image signal from the other party without causing an error. As a result, even an image communication apparatus that conforms to a predetermined communication standard can receive an image signal from a facsimile apparatus or the like that does not conform to the communication standard.
[0014]
An image communication method according to the present invention is a method for communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of communication line end code signals are continuously added to the end, wherein an arbitrary comparison reference value is set in advance and the image signal At the time of reception, the number of received line end code signals is detected to determine a count value, and the calculated count value is compared with a preset comparison reference value. Is greater than or equal to an arbitrarily set comparison reference value, a control return code indicating that the image signal is at the end is determined.
[0015]
According to the image communication method of the present invention, when communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of communication line end code signals are continuously added to the end, a smaller number of line termination codes than a predetermined communication standard Even when the signal is added to the image signal, any comparison reference value can be set on the receiving side, so that the image signal from the other party can be normally received without causing a communication error.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image communication device and an image communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
(1) Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus 100 to which an image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
In this embodiment, when communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of line end code signals are continuously added to the end, setting means for setting an arbitrary comparison reference value to the determination means is provided, When the count value indicating the number of received signals is equal to or greater than an arbitrarily set comparison reference value, a control return code signal is output, and a line termination code signal having a smaller number of communications than a predetermined communication standard is output. Even if it is added to a signal, an arbitrary comparison reference value can be set on the receiving side, and an image signal from a facsimile apparatus that does not conform to a predetermined communication standard can be received. .
[0018]
A facsimile apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an image communication apparatus, and is an apparatus for communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of line termination code signals are continuously added to the end. This facsimile apparatus 100 conforms to ITU-T Recommendation T.30. According to this recommendation, according to this recommendation, a control return code (hereinafter referred to as RTC) signal at the time of facsimile (FAX) image reception terminates the transmission of one message by transmitting a 6-line end of line code (EOL) signal. However, in the device 100, a comparison reference value for determining how many consecutive EOL signals have been received is set arbitrarily.
[0019]
The facsimile apparatus 100 has a system bus 59. The communication means 11, the image reading device 12, the image memory 13, the decoding means 14, the control device 15, the coding means 16, and the image forming means 17 are connected to the system bus 59. The communication unit 11 is connected to an existing communication line such as a telephone public line or the Internet, and receives a facsimile reception image signal (also simply referred to as an image signal) from the other party or a facsimile transmission image signal (also simply referred to as an image signal) to the other party. ). The communication means 11 is provided with a network control unit (network control device) for making a call from the facsimile machine 100, receiving a call from an unspecified number of other parties, restoring, disconnecting, etc. with a public telephone line. Connection control is performed. For example, a ring detection is performed by this unit, and a transmission request made by the other party is received.
[0020]
The communication means 11 is provided with a communication modem (not shown) which demodulates an image signal transmitted by a public telephone line and converts it into digital received image data DIN at the time of reception, and a frequency of a public network at the time of transmission. The original image data D1 is modulated so as to match the band and converted into an image signal. The received image data DIN received by the communication unit 11 is stored in the image memory 13.
[0021]
The image reading device 12 is connected to the system bus 59, selects a copying function and a facsimile function, and sets these operating conditions. When the operating conditions are set, the image of the original is read based on the operating conditions, and the original image data D1 is generated. Is done. As the image reading device 12, an automatic document reading device (scanner) or the like is used.
[0022]
The decoding means 15 is connected to the communication means 11 via the system bus 59, and upon reception, the received image data DIN is decoded and expanded. The image reading device 12 is connected to an image memory 13 under the control of the reading and writing control of the control device 15 via a system bus 59, and the document image data D1 read by the image reading device 12 is temporarily recorded. Of course, the received image data DIN received by facsimile is also stored.
[0023]
The received image data DIN input to the image memory 13 is managed, for example, on a page basis, and includes items such as a file name No, a function type #, a start time, an end time, a transmission destination, a confidential ID, a processing type, and a progress state. Recorded for each file. As the image memory 13, a hard disk (HDD) or a DRAM requiring a storage holding operation is used. The encoding means 16 is connected to the system bus 59 in addition to the decoding means 15, so that the transmission image data DOUT is compressed and encoded at the time of transmission.
[0024]
The control device 15 is connected to the communication means 11 described above. The control device 15 includes an EOL reception counter 51, a determination unit 52, a setting unit 53, a CPU (central processing unit) 55, an I / O interface 56, a ROM 57, and a RAM 58. An EOL reception counter 51, which is an example of a detection unit, is connected to the communication unit 11, and detects the number of received EOL signals and outputs a count value.
[0025]
A determination means 52 is connected to the EOL reception counter 51, and compares the count value output from the counter 51 with a preset comparison reference value to determine whether or not the image signal is the end of transmission of one message. It is done as follows. When the count value indicating the number of EOL signals received is equal to or greater than the arbitrarily set comparison reference value, the determination means 52 determines that the RTC is performed, and outputs a determination result signal S1 to the CPU 55. A comparison circuit is used for the determination means 52. At the same time, when the EOL signal determined to be the RTC is continuously detected, it is determined whether or not several lines of the correct image signal have already been received. If not, the image signal is continuously received. Is made.
[0026]
A setting means 53 is connected to the judging means 52, and an arbitrary comparison reference value is set for the judging means 52. The setting unit 53 has, for example, an EEPROM 54 which is an example of a nonvolatile storage unit. This EEPROM 54 constitutes a software switch SW. The writing of the comparison reference value to the software switch SW and the reading of the value are controlled in the EEPROM 54 based on the address signal S2 from the CPU 55. A one-byte memory area is allocated to the EEPROM 54, and any one of “1” to “6” can be stored as an arbitrary comparison reference value. This is because any one of these comparison reference values is used in determining how many consecutive EOL signals have been received.
[0027]
The ROM 57 stores a system program for controlling the entire facsimile machine. For example, a predetermined communication control procedure is stored in the ROM 57, and when the facsimile function is selected and the operation conditions are set, the CPU 55 performs data communication according to the communication control procedure by the ROM 57 based on the operation conditions.
[0028]
The RAM 58 is used as a work memory. For example, the judgment result signal S1 and the like sent from the judgment means 52 to the CPU 55 are held. This is for the CPU 55 to recognize the transmission end of one message. An I / O interface 56 is connected to the CPU 55.
[0029]
An operation (operating) panel 18 and a display device 19 are connected to the I / O interface 56. The operation panel 18 is an example of an input unit, and is operated to manually change the software switch SW at the time of initial setting of the apparatus 100. The operation panel 18 is also used to set the operation conditions of the facsimile function. When the software switch SW is changed, the operation information D2 is output to the CPU 55.
[0030]
In the facsimile apparatus 100, two methods are prepared as means for changing the values of "1" to "6" of the software SW. The first method is a manual setting mode, and the second method is an automatic setting mode. An example of reading the software switch SW will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation panel 18 is provided with a display device 19 for displaying the telephone number of the other party, facsimile operation conditions, and the like based on the display information D3.
[0031]
The image forming means 17 is connected to the above-mentioned system bus 59, and when the facsimile function is selected and these operating conditions are set, the original image data D1 or the received image data DIN is transferred from the image memory 13 based on the operating conditions. The data is read out and an image is formed on a predetermined recording sheet based on the data D1 or DIN. The image forming unit 17 has a paper cassette, a developing device, a photoconductor, a fixing device, a cartridge, and the like (not shown).
[0032]
(2) First embodiment
FIGS. 2A and 2B are circuit diagrams showing an example of reading the value of the software switch SW (manual mode) according to the first embodiment. In this example, six comparison reference values "1" to "6" can be written in the EEPROM 54 of the setting means 53 as the value of the software switch SW. This is to determine how many consecutive EOL signals have been received. In this setting means 53, the ITU-T Recommendation T. In order to comply with No. 4, "6" is described as the value of the software switch SW shown in FIG. 2A, and the comparison reference value "6" is output to the judgment means 52 in the initial state.
[0033]
According to the first method, when the operation information D2 = "5" is input to the CPU 55 as the value of the software switch SW shown in FIG. The value of the software switch SW is changed so as to overwrite the comparison reference value “5” for “6”. As a result of this overwriting, the comparison reference value "5" is set from the EEPROM 54 to the determination means 52 thereafter.
[0034]
Next, an image communication method in the facsimile apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration at the time of detecting the EOL signal and determining the RTC from FIG. It is a figure which supplements the flowchart explained below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing example in the facsimile apparatus 100 as the first embodiment according to the present invention.
[0035]
In this example, there is provided a software switch SW for determining how many consecutive EOL signals are received to determine an RTC (control return code). For example, it is assumed that an image signal is received in which an EOL signal having a nonstandard communication number “4” is continuously added to the end with respect to a predetermined communication number “6”. Further, it is assumed that the manual setting mode is applied and the comparison reference value “4” is set in advance from the setting unit 53 to the determination unit 52. By setting the comparison reference value “4”, it is possible to determine the communication numbers “5” and “4” including the communication number “6” of the communication standard.
[0036]
With this as a processing condition, "4" is set in advance as a comparison reference value in step A1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. At this time, the operation panel 18 is operated to change the value of the software switch SW from “6” to “4” as shown in FIG. 2B. Then, the address signal S2 is input from the CPU 55 to the EEPROM 54, and the value of the software switch SW is overwritten. Thereby, the comparison reference value “4” is set from the setting unit 53 to the determination unit 52.
[0037]
Then, in step A2, FAX reception is awaited. If the facsimile apparatus 100 receives a facsimile after receiving a call from the other party, the process proceeds to step A3. In step A3, an off-hook operation is performed to input an image signal. At this time, in FIG. 3, an image signal and an EOL signal are received from the other party's facsimile apparatus (transmitter X) or the like to the facsimile apparatus (receiver Y) 100.
[0038]
In the communication means 11, an image signal transmitted through a public telephone line is demodulated by a communication modem (not shown) and converted into digital received image data DIN. The received image data DIN is stored in the image memory 13. The received image data DIN is decoded and expanded by the decoding means 15. In the image memory 13, received image data DIN is recorded for each file. The file is managed in page units, and items such as name No, function type #, reception time, end time, destination, confidential ID, processing type, reception status, and the like are recorded.
[0039]
In step A4, an EOL signal detection process is performed. At this time, the EOL reception counter 51 shown in FIG. 3 detects the number of received EOL signals and calculates a count value. The count value is output to the determination means 52. Thereafter, in step A5, the count value "4" output from the EOL reception counter 51 is compared with a preset comparison reference value "4" by the judgment means 52, and the count value of the EOL signal is compared based on the comparison result. It is checked whether it is equal to or higher than the reference value. This is to determine whether or not the image signal is at the end. In this example, the condition that the count value “4” indicating the number of received EOL signals matches the comparison reference value “4” set by the operation panel 18 and the count value “4” of the EOL signal is equal to or greater than the comparison reference value. It will be a satisfactory form.
[0040]
Accordingly, the determining means 52 proceeds to step A6 to determine the RTC (control return code), and outputs the determination result signal S1 to the CPU 55. If the count value is less than the comparison reference value "4", the process proceeds to step A7 to perform a reception error process. In this example, when the EOL signal of the predetermined number of communication “6” is smaller than the nonstandard communication number “4”, for example, “3”, “2”, and “1”, the reception is performed. An error occurs.
[0041]
Then, the process goes to step A8 to go on-hook to "cut off" the communication line, and goes to step A9 to check whether the facsimile receiving process is completed. If the facsimile reception process is to be continued, the process returns to step A2 to wait for FAX reception.
[0042]
As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus and the image communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when an image signal in which a predetermined number of EOL signals are continuously added to the end is received, a predetermined number of EOL signals are received. Even when an EOL signal with the number of communication “4” smaller than the communication standard of “4” is added to the image signal, an arbitrary comparison reference value can be set in the determination unit 52 by the setting unit 53 on the receiving side. .
[0043]
Therefore, it is possible to normally receive an image signal from the other party without causing a communication error as compared with a facsimile apparatus in which the number of communications “6” of a predetermined communication standard is fixedly set. By setting the comparison reference value “4”, it is possible to determine the numbers of communication “5” and “4” including the number of communication “6” of the communication standard. As a result, the facsimile apparatus 100 that conforms to a predetermined communication standard can also receive image signals from a facsimile apparatus that does not conform to the communication standard.
[0044]
(3) Second embodiment
FIGS. 5A and 5B are circuit diagrams showing an example of reading the value of the software switch SW (automatic setting mode) as a second embodiment according to the present invention. Note that the components having the same name and the same reference numeral have the same function, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0045]
The second method is an automatic setting mode, in which the CPU 55 automatically changes the value of the software switch SW. In the EEPROM 54 shown in FIG. 5A, a comparison reference value “6”, which is a communication standard, is described as a value of the software switch SW as a default value, and the comparison reference value “6” can be read out to the determination means 52.
[0046]
The value of the software switch SW can be appropriately rewritten by the CPU 55. This is for automatically writing a comparison reference value corresponding to the number of communications of the facsimile apparatus 100 to match the facsimile apparatus 100 of the other party connected to the facsimile apparatus 100 later.
[0047]
In this mode, for example, the EOL reception counter 51 detects the number of received EOL signals to obtain a count value, and the CPU 55 writes the count value into the EEPROM 54 as a comparison reference value, and reads the comparison reference value read from the EEPROM 54 at the time of reception. The value of the software switch SW is changed from, for example, “6” to “4” so as to be set in the judging means 52 (automatic setting mode). In this example, the learning function of the CPU 55 executes the automatic setting mode.
[0048]
Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the comparison reference values “6”, “5”, “4”, “3”, “2”, “1”, etc. are described in the EEPROM 54 and the EOL The reception counter 51 counts the number of EOL signals received, and the CPU 55 monitors the number of reception errors in which EOL signals having a smaller number of communications than a predetermined communication standard are detected. The CPU 55 compares the number of reception errors with a predetermined number of monitoring, and when the number of reception errors exceeds the predetermined number of monitoring, determines the number of receptions of the EOL signal at the time of the reception error as an arbitrary comparison reference value. The value of the software switch SW may be changed so as to be set to 52. Even in this case, the comparison reference value “6” can be changed to “4”.
[0049]
Subsequently, another image communication method in the facsimile apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example in the facsimile apparatus 100 as the second embodiment according to the present invention.
[0050]
In this example, there is provided a software switch SW for determining how many consecutive EOL signals are received to determine the RTC (control return code). As shown in FIG. 5A, a comparison reference value “6”, which is a communication standard, is described in the EEPROM 54 as a default value, and the comparison reference value “6” is readable as a value of the software switch SW.
[0051]
Also in this example, it is assumed that an image signal in which an EOL signal having a non-standardized communication number “4” is continuously added to the end with respect to a predetermined communication number “6”. In this example, the automatic setting mode is applied, the EOL reception counter 51 detects the number of received EOL signals, obtains a count value, and the CPU 55 writes the count value “4” into the EEPROM 54 as a comparison reference value. It is assumed that the value of the software switch SW is changed so that the comparison reference value “4” read from the EEPROM 54 is set in the determination means 52.
[0052]
With this as a processing condition, FAX reception is awaited in step B1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. If the facsimile apparatus 100 receives a facsimile after receiving a call from the other party, the process proceeds to step B2. At step B2, the image signal is input by going on-hook. At this time, the EOL reception counter 51 is cleared to zero. As shown in FIG. 3, an image signal and an EOL signal are received from the other party's facsimile apparatus (transmitter) or the like to the facsimile apparatus (receiver) 100.
[0053]
Then, in step B3, the CPU 55 determines whether only the EOL signal has been continuously received. If only the EOL signal is continuously received, the process goes to step B4 to count (increment) the EOL reception counter 51 by +1. Then, the process proceeds to step B5, where the count value of the EOL reception counter 51, in this example, "4" is compared with the comparison reference value "6" by the software switch SW1.
[0054]
In this example, the count value “4” does not match the comparison reference value “6”, and the condition that the count value of the EOL signal is equal to or greater than the comparison reference value does not satisfy the condition. The CPU 55 detects whether the data DIN has been turned off (OFF). When the carrier of the received image data DIN is off, the process proceeds to step B9.
[0055]
In step B9, the address signal S2 is input from the CPU 55 to the EEPROM 54, and the count value "4" of the EOL reception counter 51 is overwritten on the comparison reference value "6" of the EEPROM 54 as the comparison reference value. Since the value of the software switch SW is changed by overwriting the comparison reference value, “4” can be read as the comparison reference value from the next time. By setting the comparison reference value “4”, it is possible to determine the communication numbers “5” and “4” including the communication number “6” of the communication standard. Then, the process proceeds to step B10, where other processing is performed.
[0056]
Here, the process includes a process of on-hook to disconnect the communication line, and a process of forming an image on predetermined recording paper based on the received image data DIN by the image forming unit 17. Thereafter, the process shifts to step B11 to check whether the facsimile reception process is to be ended. If the facsimile reception process is to be continued, the flow returns to step B2 to wait for FAX reception.
[0057]
In this example, the EOL signal is detected using the comparison reference value “4” that was automatically set last time. For example, when a facsimile is received from the other party in step B1, the process proceeds to step B2 to perform an image signal input process. At this time, the EOL reception counter 51 is cleared to zero, and an image signal and an EOL signal are received from the other party's facsimile apparatus (transmitter) to the facsimile apparatus (receiver) 100.
[0058]
Then, in step B3, the CPU 55 determines whether only the EOL signal has been continuously received. In this example, since only the EOL signal is continuously received four times, the process proceeds to step B4 and the EOL reception counter 51 counts “4”. Then, the process proceeds to step B5, where the count value “4” of the EOL reception counter 51 matches the comparison reference value “4” of the software switch SW2, and whether the count value of the EOL signal is equal to or greater than the comparison reference value. Are satisfied, the process proceeds to step B6 to judge the RTC, and outputs the judgment result signal S1 to the CPU 55.
[0059]
After that, the processing shifts to step B10 to execute other processing as described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B11, where it is checked whether the facsimile reception process is to be ended. If the facsimile reception process is to be continued, the process returns to step B2 to wait for FAX reception.
[0060]
As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus and the image communication method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when receiving an image signal in which a predetermined number of EOL signals are continuously added to the end, a predetermined number of EOL signals are received. Even if the EOL signal of the number of communication "4" is added to the image signal, the EOL reception counter 51 detects the number of received EOL signals when the automatic setting mode is applied. The CPU 55 writes the count value “4” as a comparison reference value into the EEPROM 54 and sets the comparison reference value “4” read from the EEPROM 54 to the determination means 52 so that the determination value 52 is set. Is automatically changed from “6” to “4” (the learning function of the CPU 55 in the automatic setting mode).
[0061]
Therefore, it is possible to normally receive the image signal from the other party without causing a communication error as compared with the facsimile apparatus in which the communication number "6" of the predetermined communication standard is fixedly set as in the first embodiment. Can be. As a result, the facsimile apparatus 100 that conforms to a predetermined communication standard can also receive image signals from a facsimile apparatus that does not conform to the communication standard. In addition, the comparison reference value can be automatically set in the determination means 52 as compared with the first embodiment.
[0062]
Further, it is possible to save the trouble of creating a special ROM as in the conventional method. By the way, it took about one month to create a special ROM and attach it to the facsimile apparatus 100. However, for a facsimile apparatus that does not conform to the communication standard, it takes several minutes only by changing the value of the software switch SW. And the trouble response time was greatly reduced.
[0063]
In this example, the case of the facsimile apparatus 100 has been described with respect to the image communication apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a copying machine having a facsimile function and a multifunction machine having a facsimile function and a printer function. .
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image communication apparatus of the present invention, when communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of line end code signals are continuously added to the end, an arbitrary comparison reference value is determined. The determination means is provided with a setting means for setting, and when the count value indicating the number of received line end code signals is equal to or greater than an arbitrarily set comparison reference value, the control return code signal is output.
[0065]
With this configuration, even when a line termination code signal having a smaller number of communications than the predetermined communication standard is added to the image signal, an arbitrary comparison reference value can be set in the determination unit by the setting unit on the receiving side. Thus, an image signal from the other party can be normally received without causing a communication error. Therefore, even in an image communication apparatus conforming to a predetermined communication standard, it is possible to receive an image signal from a facsimile apparatus or the like which does not conform to the communication standard.
[0066]
According to the image communication method of the present invention, when communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of line termination code signals are continuously added to the end, an arbitrary comparison reference value is set in advance, and the At the time of reception, the number of received line end code signals is detected to determine a count value, and the calculated count value is compared with a preset comparison reference value. When the count value indicating the number is equal to or greater than the arbitrarily set comparison reference value, it is determined that the image signal is at the end, and a control return code signal is generated.
[0067]
According to this configuration, even when a line termination code signal having a smaller number of communications than the predetermined communication standard is added to the image signal, an arbitrary comparison reference value can be set on the receiving side, which causes a communication error. Therefore, the image signal from the other party can be normally received.
[0068]
The present invention is based on ITU-T Recommendation T. It is very suitable to be applied to a facsimile apparatus provided with a function of determining an RTC (control return code) signal at the time of image reception specified in 4 above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus 100 to which an image communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are circuit diagrams showing an example of reading the value of a software switch SW (manual mode) according to the first embodiment; FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a configuration at the time of detecting an EOL signal and determining an RTC from FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example (manual setting mode) in the facsimile apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are circuit diagrams showing an example of reading a value of a software switch SW (automatic setting mode) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example (automatic setting mode) in the facsimile apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a ladder diagram showing an example of EOL signal detection and RTC determination according to a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Communication means
12 Image reading device
13 Image memory
14 Decoding means
15 Control device
16 Encoding means
17 Image forming means
18 Operation panel
19 Display device
51 EOL reception counter (detection means)
52 Judgment means
53 Setting means
54 EEPROM (non-volatile storage device)
55 CPU
100 Facsimile machine (image communication device)

Claims (6)

An apparatus for communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of communication line end code signals are continuously added to an end,
Detecting means for detecting the number of received line termination code signals and outputting a count value;
Determining means for comparing the count value output from the detecting means with a preset comparison reference value to determine whether the image signal is at the end,
Setting means for setting an arbitrary comparison reference value for the determination means,
The determining means includes:
An image communication apparatus, wherein a control return code is determined when a count value indicating the number of receptions of the line end code signal is equal to or greater than an arbitrarily set comparison reference value. A software switch having nonvolatile storage means for recording the comparison reference value,
2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit for manually changing the software switch. A software switch having nonvolatile storage means for recording the comparison reference value,
A control device for automatically changing the software switch,
The control device includes:
A count value is obtained by detecting the number of receptions of the line end code signal, and the count value is written to the storage unit as a comparison reference value,
2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the software switch is changed so that the comparison reference value read from the storage unit is set in the determination unit. A method for communicating an image signal in which a predetermined number of communication line end code signals are continuously added to an end,
An arbitrary comparison reference value for determining the number of the line end code signals is set in advance,
Upon receiving the image signal,
Calculate the count value by detecting the number of reception of the line end code signal,
Comparing the calculated count value and a preset comparison reference value,
When the count value indicating the number of receptions of the line end code signal is equal to or greater than an arbitrarily set comparison reference value according to the comparison result, a control return code indicating that the image signal is the end is determined. Communication method. In setting the comparison reference value,
Prepare a software switch for reading the comparison reference value in advance,
5. The image communication method according to claim 4, wherein the software switch is manually changed. In setting the comparison reference value,
Prepare a software switch for reading the comparison reference value in advance,
Upon receiving the image signal,
5. The image communication method according to claim 4, wherein a count value is obtained by detecting a reception number of the line end code signal, and the software switch is changed so that the count value is used as a comparison reference value. .

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