JP2004140781A - Color image communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color image communication apparatus which can simply transmit/receive color image data taken by a digital camera, etc. at a low cost, without converting, compressing or processing the data. <P>SOLUTION: For transmitting image data, the apparatus dials a party (ST1), decides the presence or absence of a reply from the party (called party) (ST2). In the presence of the reply, the apparatus receives a signal from the called party (ST3) and decides whether or not the received signal is a DIS signal (ST4). If the receives signal is the DIS signal, the apparatus decides whether or not a manuscript (image) to be sent is color image data and sYCC-JPEG data (ST5, ST6). When the manuscript is the sYCC, the apparatus transmits the data, without setting nothing on the manuscript size information of the DSC signal (ST7). When the manuscript is of CIELAB data, the apparatus transmits it according to the conventional communication procedure (ST11). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a color image communication device used for a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral thereof, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a color facsimile apparatus equipped with a color reading device and transmitting a read color image via a telephone line has been developed. Image transmission of this type of color facsimile apparatus is described in ITU-T Recommendation T.30. 81, and only color image data of a predetermined size can be transmitted. Therefore, image data photographed by a digital camera cannot be transmitted by fax. In other words, in data files such as digital cameras, the data size specification is a pure number of pixels (vertical x horizontal dot number), and the number of pixels calculated from the recording size and resolution as conventionally handled by facsimile Cannot be transmitted because it is not
[0003]
This is because image data captured by a digital camera is usually represented by JPEG image data in the s (standard) YCC color space (hereinafter referred to as sYCC-JPEG image data). This is because it is prescribed in J.81 that color image data is transmitted as JPEG image data in the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) color system LAB color space (hereinafter referred to as CIELAB-JPEG image data).
[0004]
Therefore, in order to transfer existing high-quality color image data such as an image captured by a digital camera to a destination device via a telephone line, function information (resolution, output, etc.) of a printer of the destination or source device is provided. (For example, when the resolution and the number of output colors of the acquired printer are lower than those of the printer itself), a technique for generating image transmission data in accordance with the lower resolution and the number of output colors has been proposed (for example, And Patent Document 1).
[0005]
Further, a facsimile apparatus is provided with a slot of a recording medium such as used in a digital camera or the like, and YCC-JPEG image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera or the like is temporarily read from the recording medium to a memory, and is read out from the facsimile apparatus. After the image data is expanded as RGB image data in a memory, white pixels are added so that the horizontal width of the image data becomes a predetermined number of pixels, and then compressed again into LAB-JPEG image data. For example, a technique for transmitting data in accordance with No. 81 has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0006]
Furthermore, when communicating color information handled by a personal computer or color information handled by a digital camera, a function of transmitting color information in a binary file transfer mode is provided. And a function for executing facsimile communication based on the T.81, and when the receiver does not have a receiving function of the binary file transfer mode, the color information is transmitted to the T.81. A technique has been proposed in which facsimile information is converted into facsimile information based on the information 81 and the color information is transmitted in a binary file transfer mode when the receiver has a receiving function in a binary file transfer mode (for example, Patent Document 3).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-332933
[0008]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2001-285647
[0009]
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2002-204361
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, image transmission data is generated in accordance with the function information of the printer of the transmission destination or transmission source device. When the resolution or the number of output colors of the printer of the destination or the source device is lower than that of the own device, the image transmission data is generated in accordance with the lower resolution or the number of output colors. It is not assumed that image data captured by the camera will be transmitted as it is.
[0011]
According to the technique described in Patent Document 2, instead of directly transmitting image data from a digital camera or the like from a facsimile apparatus, a recording medium (such as a smart media) is inserted into a slot of the apparatus, and YCC-JPEG image data is converted into RGB image data. The data is converted, white pixels are added, and the data is further compressed to LAB-JPEG image data before transmission, which is complicated and costly.
[0012]
According to the technology described in Patent Document 3, when the receiver does not have a binary file transfer mode receiving function, color information is transmitted to the T.264 file. Since the facsimile information is converted into facsimile information based on the data 81 and transmitted, image data from a digital camera or the like is not transmitted as it is.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and is a color image communication apparatus that can easily transmit and receive color image data taken by a digital camera or the like at low cost without performing conversion, compression, or the like. It is intended to provide.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a color image communication apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is sYCC-JPEG capable of receiving and processing image data in at least sYCC-JPEG color space, If the image data is image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space, the function information attached to the image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space has priority, regardless of the size information of the facsimile communication procedure, and the sYCC-JPEG color space is given priority. It is characterized by processing spatial image data.
[0015]
In this device, when image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space is received, regardless of the size information of the facsimile communication procedure, the function information attached to the image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space (a digital camera image). Of the sYCC-JPEG color space is processed (for example, stored in a memory). That is, the image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space is received as it is.
[0016]
The color image communication apparatus according to the second aspect is capable of supporting sYCC-JPEG for transmitting image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space, and the color image data to be transmitted is image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space. In some cases, the image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space is transmitted with function information relating to the image data attached.
[0017]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the color image apparatus according to the second aspect, when the color image data to be transmitted is sYCC-JPEG color space image data, nothing is set in the digital command signal DCS. You may make it transmit without transmitting.
[0018]
In this apparatus, when transmitting image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space, function information (information indicating that the image is a digital camera image) related to the image data is transmitted. That is, image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space is transmitted as it is with its function information.
[0019]
According to the apparatus according to the first and second aspects, color image data captured by a digital camera or the like is transmitted and received as it is, so that the configuration is simpler than in the case of performing conversion, compression, and the like as in the related art. Image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space can be easily transmitted and received at low cost.
[0020]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, an image of a digital camera can be easily transmitted in a facsimile communication procedure.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the color image communication device according to the embodiment. This color image communication device is configured as a multifunction device that also serves as a copy device and a facsimile device.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 1 as a main control unit has a function of integrally controlling each unit constituting the device.
[0024]
The CPU 1 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit: Network Control Unit) 2, a MODEM 3, a ROM 4, a RAM 5, an image memory 6, a display unit 7, an operation unit 8, an image reading unit 9, an image recording unit 10, a CODEC (encoding / coding). A decoder: Coder and Decoder 11 and a LAN I / F 12 are connected via a bus 13.
[0025]
The NCU 2 is controlled by the CPU 1 to control connection with a telephone line network (PSTN) 14, which is a communication line, and to send a dial pulse corresponding to a telephone number (including a FAX number) of a communication partner and to receive a call. Has the function of detecting MODEM3 is based on ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T Recommendation T.30. 30, T.I. 4 based on the facsimile transmission control procedure according to V.4. 17, V.I. 27ter, V.I. The modulation of the transmission data and the demodulation of the reception data are performed according to V.29 or the like. 8, V. V.34 using V.34. 34 FAX is also applicable. Specifically, transmission data, which is originally a digital signal, is modulated into an analog voice signal and transmitted to the telephone network 14 via the NCU 2, and conversely, analog voice received from the telephone network 14 via the NCU 2 Demodulate the signal into a digital signal.
[0026]
The ROM 4 stores a program and the like for controlling the operation of the entire device. The RAM 5 stores data necessary for control by the CPU 1 and data that need to be temporarily stored during the control operation. The image memory 6 stores the image data read by the image reading unit 9 in a compressed state, and also stores the image data received from the outside via the telephone network 14 and the MODEM 3 in a compressed state.
[0027]
The display unit 7 displays icons, key buttons, message contents necessary for data transmission / reception, a telephone number, a facsimile number, and the like input by operating the operation unit 8. As the display unit 7, a CRT display or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used. The operation unit 8 includes a numeric keypad for inputting a telephone number and a FAX number, a one-touch key for calling the telephone number and the FAX number of the other party with one touch, a registration key for shortening and registering the telephone number and the FAX number of the other party, FAX and copy. Key for instructing the start of operation and the like, an operation mode switching key for performing mode switching for a plurality of operation modes such as a FAX mode, a copy mode, and a scanner mode.
[0028]
The image reading section 9 optically scans and reads the image data of the document when transmitting or copying by facsimile. The image reading unit 9 can also read a color image. The image recording unit 10 includes an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data and image data of a document read by the image reading unit 9 in a copy operation on recording paper. The image recording unit 10 can also perform color printing.
[0029]
The CODEC 11 encodes (reads) the read image data by MH, MR, MMR method or the like for transmission or storage, and decodes (decodes) the received image data for recording by the image recording unit 10. The LAN I / F 12 is connected to a PC (personal computer) and other external devices constituting a LAN (local area network) 15, and exchanges data with the external devices via the LAN I / F 12.
[0030]
Next, the operation of transmitting color image data in the color image communication device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step ST1, dial the fax number of the other party (the called party). Next, in step ST2, it is determined whether or not there is a response from the called device. If not, in step ST8, it is determined whether or not a preset T0 time has elapsed. If the time T0 has elapsed, redial processing is performed in step ST10. That is, the process returns to step ST1. If the time T0 has not elapsed, a call signal (CNG: Calling Tone) is transmitted in step ST9, and the process returns to step ST2.
[0031]
In step ST2, when there is a response from the called device, in step ST3, a signal from the other party is received. Then, in step ST4, it is determined whether the received signal is a digital identification signal (DIS: Digital Identification Signal), and if not, the process returns to step ST2.
[0032]
If it is a DIS signal, it is determined in step ST5 whether the document (image) to be transmitted is color image data. If it is color image data, the color image data is further converted to CIELAB-JPEG in step ST6. It is determined whether the data is image data or sYCC-JPEG image data. If it is sYCC-JPEG image data, in step ST7, the document size information (main scanning width, sub-scanning line density, resolution, etc.) of the digital command signal (DCS: Digital Command Signal) is not set, and the sYCC-JPEG image data is not set. -Transmit JPEG image data.
[0033]
On the other hand, if the original is not color image data in step ST5, the process proceeds to step ST11 because it is monochrome image data. In step ST6, when the color image data is CIELAB-JPEG image data, if the color image data is ITU-T Rec. 81, the process proceeds to step ST11. In step ST11, transmission is performed according to a conventional facsimile communication procedure.
[0034]
Next, the operation of receiving color image data in the color image communication device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step ST21, when there is a CNG signal from the call destination device, a DIS signal is output to the call destination device. Next, in step ST22, it is determined whether or not the signal received from the call destination device is a DCS signal. If the signal is not a DCS signal, the process returns to step ST21 to transmit the DIS signal again.
[0035]
If the received signal is a DCS signal, it is determined in step ST23 whether the document (image) to be received is color image data. If the received signal is color image data, the color image data is further processed in step ST24. It is determined whether the data is CIELAB-JPEG image data or sYCC-JPEG image data. If the data is sYCC-JPEG image data, in step ST25, the sYCC-JPEG image data is received ignoring the original size information of the DCS signal.
[0036]
On the other hand, if the document is not color image data in step ST23, the process proceeds to step ST26 because the document is monochrome image data. In step ST24, when the color image data is CIELAB-JPEG image data, if the color image data is ITU-T Recommendation T.30. 81, the process proceeds to step ST26. In step ST26, reception is performed according to the conventional facsimile communication procedure.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, color image data captured by a digital camera or the like is transmitted and received as it is, so that the configuration is simpler than in the case of performing conversion or compression as in the related art, Image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space can be easily transmitted and received at low cost. In particular, when transmitting image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space, by transmitting the digital command signal DCS without setting anything, a digital camera image can be easily transmitted by a facsimile communication procedure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a color image communication apparatus (a multifunction peripheral that serves both as a copying apparatus and a facsimile apparatus) according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of transmitting color image data in the color image communication device.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of receiving color image data in the color image communication device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main control unit (CPU)
2 NCU
3 MODEM
4 ROM
5 RAM
6 Image memory 7 Display unit 8 Operation unit 9 Image reading unit 10 Image recording unit 11 CODEC
12 LAN I / F
13 Bus 14 Telephone network 15 LAN

Claims (3)

An sYCC-JPEG compatible color image communication device that receives and processes at least image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space,
If the received color image data is image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space, the function information attached to the image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space is given priority, regardless of the size information of the facsimile communication procedure, and the sYCCC A color image communication apparatus for processing image data in a JPEG color space; An sYCC-JPEG compatible color image communication device for transmitting image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space,
When the color image data to be transmitted is image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space, the image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space is transmitted with function information relating to the image data attached. apparatus. 3. The color image communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the color image data to be transmitted is image data in the sYCC-JPEG color space, the image data is transmitted without setting anything in the digital command signal DCS.

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