JP2004140468A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide facsimile equipment more effectively performing facsimile communication of an image file imaged by a digital camera or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile equipment capable of communicating image information discriminates the size of an image denoted by received image information and decides whether the image information is recorded on a recording member or on a storage medium depending on the size. Thus, an (X+1)th bit of a FIF of a DCS signal is assigned for a notice as to faxing in a free size (atypical size) width, and when the bit is set to '1', the facsimile equipment at a receiver side discriminates the image information to have the free size width and stores the received image information to a memory card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to facsimile communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional color facsimile apparatus generally scans an image on a color document, generates image data using a color space Lab, and transmits and receives the image data.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, recently, it is desired to realize a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving not only image data generated by reading a document but also image data generated by photographing with a digital camera or the like using a facsimile protocol as it is. ing. When such a facsimile apparatus is realized, it is desirable that the receiving-side facsimile apparatus performs different processing depending on whether or not the original read image information is received.
[0004]
For example, when image information captured by a digital camera or the like is received, it is often considered that storing the image information in a storage medium such as a memory card is preferable to recording the image information on a recording material.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above demands, and has as its object to perform facsimile communication more effectively.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus according to the present invention determines a size of an image indicated by image information to be received, and records the image information on a recording material according to the size of the image. Is determined.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only thereto.
[0008]
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0009]
Reference numeral 2 denotes an NCU (network control device). In order to use the telephone network for data communication, etc., it is connected to the terminal of the line and performs connection control of the telephone exchange network, switches to the data communication path, and maintains the loop. is there. The NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2a to the telephone (CML off) or connects the telephone line 2a to the facsimile apparatus (CML on) under the control of the bus 26. In a normal state, the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.
[0010]
4 is a telephone. Reference numeral 6 denotes a hybrid circuit which separates a transmission system signal and a reception system signal, sends a transmission signal from the addition circuit 12 to the telephone line 2a via the NCU 2, and receives a signal from the other party via the NCU 2. , To the demodulator 8 via the signal line 6a.
[0011]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a modulator / demodulator. 8, V. 21, V.I. 27ter, V.I. 29, V.I. 17, V.I. This is a modulator / demodulator that performs modulation and demodulation based on the C.34, and each transmission mode is designated by control of the bus 26. The modulator / demodulator 8 receives a transmission signal from the bus 26, outputs modulated data to the signal line 8a, receives a received signal output to the signal line 6a, and outputs demodulated data to the bus 26.
[0012]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a calling circuit, which inputs telephone number information by a signal from the bus 26 and outputs a DTMF selection signal to the signal line 10a. Reference numeral 12 denotes an addition circuit which inputs information of the signal line 8a and information of the signal line 10a, and outputs a result of the addition to the signal line 12a. Reference numeral 14 denotes a reading circuit capable of reading colors, and outputs read data to the bus 26. Reference numeral 16 denotes a recording circuit capable of color recording, which sequentially records information output to the bus 26 line by line.
[0013]
Reference numeral 18 denotes a memory (RAM). In addition to the work area, there is an area for storing raw information of read data or encoded information, and for storing received information or decoded information via the bus 26. Reference numeral 20 denotes an operation unit. One-touch dial, speed dial, numeric keypad, * key, # key, start key, stop key, set key, key for selecting transmission of file information, color original transmission selection key, and other function keys The pressed key information is output to the bus 26. The operation unit 20 has a display unit for inputting and outputting information output to the bus 26.
[0014]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) which controls the entire facsimile and executes a facsimile transmission control procedure. The control program is stored in the ROM 24.
[0015]
26 is a bus. Reference numeral 28 denotes a card interface on which 30 memory cards (for example, a CompactFlash (registered trademark) card storing information captured by a digital camera) are set.
[0016]
A ROM 24 stores a control program for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0017]
In a pre-procedure for facsimile reception, this control program determines whether or not the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus has a function of receiving JPEG encoded information in the color space Lab, whether or not it has a function of receiving full-color information in the color space Lab, It includes a program for causing the CPU to function as a means for notifying function information such as whether or not there is a function of receiving JPEG full-color coded information in sYCC and whether or not there is a function of receiving information of irregular size. In addition, the control program determines whether or not to transmit the JPEG encoded information in the color space Lab and whether or not to transmit the full color information in the color space Lab to the receiving-side facsimile apparatus in the pre-procedure for facsimile transmission. It also includes a program that causes the CPU to function as means for notifying transmission information such as whether to transmit JPEG full-color coded information in the color space sYCC and whether to transmit information of an irregular size.
[0018]
The control program includes a program for receiving the above function information from the facsimile machine on the receiving side and causing the CPU to function as a means for analyzing the contents, and receiving the above transmission information from the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side, and And a program for causing the CPU to function as means for analyzing the data.
[0019]
Further, the control program includes a program that causes the CPU to function as a unit that determines the size of the image indicated by the received image information from the transmission information notified at the time of facsimile reception, and a case where the image size is an irregular size. And a program for causing the CPU to function as storage means for storing the image information in a predetermined storage medium after reception.
[0020]
Specifically, the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment can notify the above-described function information and transmission information by exchanging the DIS / DTC signal and the DCS signal shown in FIG.
[0021]
FIG. 2 shows color-related bit information and a new ITU-T Recommendation T.30. It is a figure showing information added to 30.
[0022]
The presence / absence of a reception function in JPEG encoding in the color space Lab is reported in 68 bits of the FIF (Facsimili Information Field) of the DIS / DTC signal. When the 68 bits of the FIF of the DIS / DTC signal is 1, it indicates that a signal obtained by JPEG-encoding data represented by the color space Lab can be received. Also, transmission by JPEG encoding in the color space Lab is designated by 68 bits of the FIF of the DCS signal. When the 68 bits of the FIF of the DCS signal is 1, it indicates that transmission by JPEG encoding is performed in the color space Lab.
[0023]
Also, the presence / absence of a full color receiving function in which the color space is Lab is notified by 69 bits of the FIF of the DIS / DTC signal, and full color transmission in the color space Lab is specified by the 69 bits of the FIF of the DCS signal. When the 69 bits of the FIF of the DIS / DTC signal are 1, it indicates that full color data represented by the color space Lab can be received. On the other hand, when the 68 bits of the FIF of the DCS signal is 1, it indicates that full color data represented by the color space Lab is transmitted.
[0024]
The presence / absence of the JPEG encoding / full color receiving function in the color space sYCC is notified by the X bit of the FIF of the DIS / DTC signal, and the JPEG encoding / full color transmission in the color space sYCC is notified by the X bit of the FIF of the DCS signal. specify. Note that X is a number that is not currently determined in the recommendation. Here, as an example, when the X bit of the FIF of the DIS / DTC signal is 1, it indicates that full-color image information JPEG-encoded in the color space sYCC can be received, and the X bit of the FIF of the DCS signal Is 1, it indicates that JPEG encoded full-color image information in the color space sYCC is transmitted.
[0025]
Also, the presence / absence of a function capable of receiving image information of a free size (irregular size) width is notified by the X + 1 bit of the FIF of the DIS / DTC signal, and the X + 1 bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is used to notify the presence of a function of the image information of the free size. Specify transmission. Here, as an example, when the X + 1 bit of the FIF of the DIS / DTC signal is 1, it indicates that image information having a free size width can be received, and when the X + 1 bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is 1, the free size image can be received. Indicates that image information having a width is transmitted.
[0026]
Note that the above X is the current ITU-T Recommendation T. 30 may be any bit number of the FIF not used, for example, 100 bits. Here, for example, X + 1 bits are used together with X bits, but the bits need not always be adjacent to each other, and the bits relating to image information in the free size are bit numbers completely unrelated to X. Is also good.
[0027]
By exchanging the DIS / DTC signal and the DCS signal as shown in FIG. 2, in the pre-processing of facsimile reception, it is determined whether or not JPEG full-color image information of the color space sYCC and image information of an irregular size are transmitted. Can be determined, and when it is determined that such image information is transmitted, the received image information is stored in a medium (storage medium).
[0028]
That is, when the X bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is 1 and the X + 1 bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is also 1, the JPEG full-color image information of the color space sYCC and the image information of an irregular size Is transmitted, it is determined that the image information is not a document read image by a normal facsimile transmission operation, and the image information is stored in a predetermined medium. When the image information of the fixed size is transmitted, it is determined that the image is a document read image, and the received information is printed.
[0029]
FIGS. 3 to 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing when the CPU 18 of the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment executes a control program stored in the ROM 24.
[0030]
First, in step S2, the CPU 22 initializes the memory 18 via the bus 26. Next, in step S4, the CPU 22 clears the display unit of the operation unit 20 via the bus 26. Further, in step S6, the CML of the NCU 2 is turned off via the bus 26. That is, here, the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.
[0031]
Subsequently, in step S8, it is determined whether or not facsimile reception has been selected, and if YES, the process proceeds to S12. If NO, the process proceeds to S10, and if a process other than facsimile reception is selected, the process is performed and the process returns to step S6. If nothing is selected, the process returns to step S6.
[0032]
When facsimile reception is selected, in step S12, the CML of the NCU 2 is turned on via the bus 26, and the telephone line 2a is connected to the facsimile apparatus. Then, in step S14, a general pre-procedure for facsimile reception is performed. Here, it is assumed that the 68, 69, X, and X + 1 bits of the FIF of the DIS signal are 1.
[0033]
In step S16, it is determined whether the X bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is 1 or not. If YES, the process proceeds to step S28 in FIG. 4C, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S18.
[0034]
In step S18, it is determined whether or not the 68 and 69 bits of the FIF of the DCS signal are 1, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S20 in FIG. 4A, and if NO, the process in FIG. Proceed to S24.
[0035]
Step S20 represents receiving and recording JPEG encoded full color information of the color space Lab. Step S22 represents a post-procedure.
[0036]
Step S24 indicates that the monochrome information is received and recorded. Step S26 represents a post-procedure.
[0037]
In step S28, it is determined whether or not the X + 1 bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is 1. If YES, the process proceeds to step S34 in FIG. 5, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S30.
[0038]
Step S30 represents receiving and recording JPEG encoded full color information in the color space sYCC. Step S32 represents a post-procedure.
[0039]
Step S34 in FIG. 5 represents that the full color information of the JPEG encoding of the color space sYCC is received and stored in the memory card set in the card interface. Step S36 represents a post-procedure.
[0040]
Here, the data is stored in the memory card in step S34, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to any storage medium. However, a removable storage medium that can supply data to an imaging device such as a digital camera is more preferable. This is because the image data captured by the imaging device is transferred to another imaging device via facsimile communication, and the usability of the user of the imaging device is greatly improved.
[0041]
Here, only when the data is in the color space sYCC, it is determined whether or not the data is of the non-standard size. The data in the color space Lab is the data obtained by reading the original as the standard size by the reading unit of the transmitting apparatus. Therefore, the processing load can be reduced.
[0042]
By performing the processing as described above, in the present embodiment, even if JPEG full-color information in the color space sYCC is received, if it is determined that the reception is of a standard size, that is, the reception of document information, the reception information is printed. If it is determined that the received image is not a fixed-size image, that is, it is not a document information but a photo (for example, information captured by a digital camera) or the like, the received information is stored in a medium. Thus, the user of the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment can immediately obtain a print when receiving the read information of the fixed-form document as usual, and when the user does not receive the document information, the user can receive the data. This has the effect that reuse becomes possible. That is, it is possible to reliably process the received information on the receiver side, and it is easy to use.
[0043]
(Second embodiment)
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that even when JPEG full color in the color space Lab is received, if image data of an irregular size is transmitted, the received image information is stored in a medium. It is.
[0044]
The other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.
[0045]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a portion different from the first embodiment.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, if YES is determined in step S18 of FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S42. That is, if it is determined that the full-color image information JPEG-encoded in the color space Lab is not transmitted but the full-color image information JPEG-encoded in the color space Lab is transmitted, in step S42, the DCS signal It is determined whether or not the X + 1 bit of the FIF is 1, that is, whether or not the received image has an irregular size. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S46. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S20 of FIG.
[0047]
Step S46 indicates that the full color information of the JPEG encoding of the color space Lab is received and stored in the memory card 30 set in the card interface 28. Step S48 represents a post-procedure. Thereafter, the process returns to step S6 in FIG.
[0048]
As described above, in the present embodiment, not only when the JPEG full-color information in the color space sYCC is received but also when the JPEG full-color information in the color space Lab is received, if a photo (for example, a digital camera) Is determined to be received. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, there is an effect that data can be reused even when information such as a photograph size is communicated in the conventional color space Lab.
[0049]
(Third embodiment)
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that even when JPEG full color in the color space Lab is received, if image data of an irregular size is transmitted, the received image information is stored in a medium. It is.
[0050]
The other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.
[0051]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a portion different from the first embodiment.
[0052]
In this embodiment, if YES is determined in step S16 of FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S50. That is, when it is determined that the JPEG encoded full color image information has been transmitted in the color space sYCC, the received image information is temporarily stored in the RAM 18 in step S50.
[0053]
Next, the process proceeds to step S52, where the JPEG header of the received image information is analyzed. Then, it is determined whether or not the X parameter of the JPEG header, that is, the number of dots in the main scanning direction is 1728 or 2048. If the number of pixels in the main scanning direction is one of these values, it is determined that the image information is image information generated by reading a document image, and the process proceeds to steps S30 and S32. As in the process shown in FIG. 4C, step S30 represents receiving and recording JPEG encoded full color information in the color space sYCC. Step S32 represents a post-procedure.
[0054]
If the X parameter of the JPEG header is neither 1728 nor 2048, it is determined that the information is image information captured by an imaging device such as a digital camera, and the process proceeds to steps S34 and S36. As in the processing shown in FIG. 5, step S34 represents receiving the full-color information of the JPEG encoding of the color space sYCC and storing it in the memory card set in the card interface. Step S36 represents a post-procedure.
[0055]
In step S52, if the X parameter of the JPEG header, that is, the number of dots in the main scanning direction is a predetermined number (here, either 1728 or 2048), it is determined that the image is a document read image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is determined whether the X parameter of the JPEG header corresponds to a predetermined number (for example, any of 640, 1024, or 1600). May be determined not to be a document read image, and the process may proceed to step 34.
[0056]
Further, it is determined whether or not the X and Y parameters of the JPEG header correspond to predetermined values (for example, any of (640, 480), (1024, 768), or (1600, 1200)). May be determined not to be a document read image, and the process may proceed to step 34.
[0057]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when JPEG full-color information in the color space sYCC is received, it is determined whether or not image information read from a document image has been received according to the number of pixels in the main scanning direction. The storage / recording of the received image information is determined.
When the user of the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment receives the document information, the user can immediately obtain a print as before, and when the document information is not received, the user can reuse the data. This has the effect. That is, it is possible to reliably process the received information on the receiver side, and it is easy to use.
[0058]
(Other embodiments)
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus including a single device.
[0059]
According to the present invention, a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. Including the case that is also achieved by In that case, the form need not be a program as long as it has the function of the program.
[0060]
Therefore, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.
[0061]
In this case, any form of the program, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS, is applicable as long as the program has the function of the program.
[0062]
As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card , ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.
[0063]
Other methods of supplying the program include connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer, and downloading the computer program itself of the present invention or a file containing a compressed automatic installation function from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. Further, the present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. In other words, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.
[0064]
In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and downloaded to a user who satisfies predetermined conditions from a homepage via the Internet to download key information for decryption. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer to realize the program.
[0065]
The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the read program, and an OS or the like running on the computer executes a part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. Alternatively, all the operations are performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.
[0066]
Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the A CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing also realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0067]
Note that, in the present embodiment, the function expressed as being realized by the control program may be configured to be realized by hardware such as an electronic circuit.
[0068]
Examples of embodiments of the present invention are listed below.
[0069]
Embodiment 1
In a facsimile machine capable of communicating image information,
Determine the size of the image indicated by the received image information,
A facsimile apparatus which determines whether to record the image information on a recording material or store the image information in a storage medium according to the size of the image.
[0070]
Embodiment 2
The image information received after receiving the notification that the non-standard-size image information is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side is stored in a storage medium, and the image information of the standard size is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side. The facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the image information received after receiving the notification is recorded on a recording material.
[0071]
Embodiment 3
The image information received after receiving a notification from the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side that image information of an irregular size using the color space sYCC is transmitted is stored in a storage medium. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1.
[0072]
Embodiment 4
The image information received after receiving a notification from the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side that JPEG encoded information in the color space sYCC and transmitting image information of an irregular size is stored in a storage medium. The facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment, characterized in that:
[0073]
Embodiment 5
The image information received from the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side after receiving the notification that the JPEG full-color encoded information in the color space sYCC and image information of an irregular size are transmitted is stored in a storage medium. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
[0074]
Embodiment 6
The image information received after receiving a notification from the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side that JPEG encoded information in the color space Lab and image information of an irregular size are to be transmitted is stored in a storage medium. The facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment, characterized in that:
[0075]
Embodiment 7
The image information received after receiving from the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side a notification that the image information is JPEG full-color coded information in the color space Lab and has an irregular size is transmitted is stored in a storage medium. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
[0076]
Embodiment 8
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether to store the image information in a storage medium is determined based on the number of pixels of the received image information in the main scanning direction.
[0077]
Embodiment 9
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether to store the image information in a storage medium is determined based on the number of pixels in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the received image information.
[0078]
Embodiment 10
A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating image information,
Determine the size of the image indicated by the received image information,
A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus, comprising determining whether to record the image information on a recording material or to store the image information in a storage medium according to the size of the image.
[0079]
Embodiment 11
A control program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to the tenth embodiment.
[0080]
Embodiment 12
A storage medium storing the control program according to the eleventh embodiment.
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, facsimile communication can be performed more effectively.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus as a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a specific example of FIF information of DIS / DTC and DCS signals according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2. NCU
4. Telephone 6. Hybrid circuit8. Modem 10 Calling circuit 12. Adder circuit 14. Read circuit 16. Recording circuit 18. Memory circuit 20. Operation unit 22. CPU
24. ROM
26. Bus 28. Card interface 30. Memory card

Claims (1)

In a facsimile machine capable of communicating image information,
Determine the size of the image indicated by the received image information,
A facsimile apparatus which determines whether to record the image information on a recording material or store the image information in a storage medium according to the size of the image.

Images