JP2015119289A - Facsimile apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a FAX apparatus capable of reducing output of plain pages by a receiver's FAX apparatus.SOLUTION: A FAX apparatus 100 reads an original using an image reading unit 20 and determines the size of the acquired image data to be transmitted and a specific area according to an available size of a receiver's FAX apparatus 400. The specific area is an area out of the available size in the image data to be transmitted. The FAX apparatus 100 determines whether the specific area has no image. When determining as no image, the FAX apparatus 100 transmits the image data in the area other than the specific area in the image data to be transmitted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile (FAX) apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technology related to a FAX apparatus, there is known a blank sheet removal function that determines whether or not each page of an FAX transmission target image is blank, and does not transmit an image of a page determined to be blank to a destination FAX apparatus. It has been.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, during FAX transmission, the number of black pixels is counted for each page of a scanned original, and the count value is compared with a threshold value to determine whether or not the page is blank. There is disclosed a FAX apparatus that does not transmit an image of a page that has been sent and transmits only an image of a page that is determined not to be blank to a destination. In the following description, the term “solid” is used, including not only white paper but also a plain color image that does not include image information.

JP-A-5-300313

  However, the conventional technique described above has the following problems. That is, when it is determined whether or not the image data to be transmitted is plain for each page of the manuscript, the image of the manuscript for one page is output in multiple pages depending on the paper used by the destination and the capability of the destination. Is not considered. In the above case, there is a possibility that the plain page is output at the transmission destination even though the plain page is removed at the transmission source.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a FAX apparatus that can be expected to reduce plain page output opportunities in a FAX apparatus as a transmission destination.

  A FAX apparatus made for the purpose of solving this problem includes a communication unit that performs FAX communication and a control unit, and the control unit acquires an acquisition process for acquiring a corresponding size of a FAX apparatus as a transmission destination, and the transmission destination. If the specific area determined according to the corresponding size of the FAX machine is determined to be plain or not, and the specific area is determined to be plain by the plain determination process. , And transmission processing for transmitting image data of an area other than the specific area of the image data to be transmitted.

The FAX apparatus disclosed in the present specification acquires a corresponding size of a destination FAX apparatus, and determines a specific area from the size of image data to be transmitted and the acquired corresponding size. Further, it is determined whether or not the determined specific area is plain. If it is determined that the specific area is plain, image data of an area other than the specific area is transmitted. In this specification, when image data is output to paper without performing processing such as enlargement or reduction, the size of the area occupied by the image data on the paper is simply referred to as “image data size”. To do. The size of the image data to be transmitted corresponds to, for example, the size of the read original paper and the size of the paper based on the print setting of the image data for transmission. Note that the image data to be transmitted may be data read by the reading unit of the own apparatus, or data received from a PC or the like. Also, the destination F
The correspondence size of the AX device may be acquired directly from the FAX device that is the transmission destination, or may be acquired from the database having the database for storing the capability of each partner in the own device or server. Further, the specific area determined in accordance with the size of the image data and the corresponding size corresponds to an area of the image data that may not fit on one sheet of paper at the destination FAX apparatus. For example, the size of the image data is larger than the corresponding size of the destination FAX device, so the image data may not fit in the area that does not fit in the corresponding size or the size of the paper used in the destination FAX device This area is applicable. In addition, as a method of transmitting image data other than the specific area, for example, image data in which the image data in the specific area is removed is generated and transmitted. This corresponds to transmitting the area other than the specific area as one page by simply not transmitting the image data of the area.

  That is, in the FAX apparatus disclosed in this specification, in consideration of the corresponding size of the transmission destination FAX apparatus, the image data to be transmitted is in a specific area that may not fit on the paper in the transmission destination FAX apparatus. On the other hand, a plain color determination is performed, and when it is determined that the color is plain, image data other than the specific area is transmitted. As a result, the output of the plain page in the portion corresponding to the specific area is eliminated, and the opportunity for outputting the plain page in the FAX machine of the transmission destination is reduced.

  Further, in the acquisition process, the control unit may acquire the corresponding size of the device from the destination FAX device via the communication unit. By acquiring from the transmission destination FAX apparatus, it is possible to expect acquisition of a corresponding size that matches the actual capability of the transmission destination FAX apparatus.

  Further, the control unit includes a non-corresponding area that is an area that does not fit in a corresponding size of the transmission destination FAX apparatus in the image data to be transmitted in the specific area. If it is determined that the non-corresponding area is plain on the condition that there is a non-corresponding area, the image data of the area other than the non-corresponding area is transmitted among the image data to be transmitted, If it is determined that it is not plain, the image data to be transmitted may be divided into a plurality of pieces and transmitted in accordance with the corresponding size of the destination FAX apparatus. If the non-corresponding area is plain, the image data of the area other than the non-corresponding area is transmitted among the image data to be transmitted in accordance with the corresponding size of the destination FAX apparatus. As a result, the image data of the non-corresponding area is not transmitted, and the output on the plain page of the specific area can be avoided.

  In addition, when the size of the image data to be transmitted is a specific size among the corresponding sizes of the transmission destination FAX apparatus, the control unit may include the transmission destination of the image data to be transmitted in the specific area. It is preferable to include an area outside the paper, which is an area that may not fit on the printing paper used in the FAX apparatus. The corresponding size of the FAX apparatus includes a specific size that allows a plurality of types of paper sizes such as “A4 or letter”. If the corresponding size of the destination FAX device is this specific size and the image data to be sent is one of the allowable sizes, the size of the image data and the destination FAX device are used. The paper size may not match. In this case, in consideration of the possibility of using paper of a specific size that is different from the size of the image data to be transmitted, a plain determination is made for an area outside the paper that may not fit on the paper. This can reduce the chance of outputting plain pages.

  Further, in the transmission process, when it is determined that the out-of-paper area is plain on condition that the out-of-paper area exists, the control unit includes the out-of-paper out of the image data to be transmitted. When image data of an area other than the area is transmitted and it is determined that the area outside the sheet is not plain, it is preferable to transmit the image data to be transmitted without changing it. If the area outside the paper is plain, there is a low possibility that information is lost even if the area outside the paper is removed from the image data to be transmitted. Therefore, by transmitting image data in an area other than the area outside the paper, even if a paper having a size different from the size of the image data to be transmitted out of a specific size is used, the transmitted image data is 1 It can fit on a sheet and avoid outputting plain pages.

  Further, the control unit may determine whether or not to include the area outside the sheet in the specific area according to a destination of the destination FAX apparatus. Depending on the area where the FAX machine of the transmission destination is used, the possibility of using a specific different size of paper varies. Therefore, by determining whether or not to consider the area outside the sheet according to the destination, it is possible to more accurately reduce the opportunity to output plain pages.

  The control unit may select at least one of an upper end, a lower end, a right end, and a left end as a reference position of the specific area for one page of image data to be transmitted. It is easier to extract the specific area when extracting the specific area based on the edge of at least one image data than when extracting the specific area without using the edge of the image data as a reference.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a FAX apparatus that can be expected to reduce the output opportunity of plain pages in a FAX apparatus as a transmission destination.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a FAX apparatus according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of a FAX transmission procedure. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a non-corresponding area | region. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a non-corresponding area | region. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a non-corresponding area | region. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a non-corresponding area | region. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an area | region outside a paper. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an area | region outside a paper. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a FAX transmission process.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying a FAX apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a FAX apparatus having an image data transmission / reception function using FAX communication.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the FAX apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a controller 30 including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM) 34, and an ASIC 35. Further, the FAX apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 10, an image reading unit 20, a network interface 37, a telephone line interface 39, and an operation panel 40, which are electrically connected to the controller 30.

  The ROM 32 stores various control programs for controlling the FAX machine 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 33 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read, or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The NVRAM 34 is used as an area for storing data such as image data and various settings. The CPU 31 controls each component of the FAX apparatus 100 while storing the processing result in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34 according to the control program read from the ROM 32.

  The CPU 31 is an example of a control unit. The controller 30 may be a control unit, and the ASIC 35 may be a control unit. The controller 30 in FIG. 1 is a collective term for hardware used for controlling the FAX apparatus 100, such as the CPU 31, and is not necessarily a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the FAX apparatus 100. Absent.

  The image forming unit 10 is configured to print an image on a sheet. The image forming method of the image forming unit 10 may be an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method. Further, even if a color image can be formed, it may be dedicated to a monochrome image. The image reading unit 20 has a configuration for reading an image of a document. The reading method may be a CCD method or a CIS method. Further, even if color reading is possible, only monochrome reading may be performed. The operation panel 40 includes a liquid crystal display and a group of buttons including a start key, a stop key, a numeric keypad, etc., and performs various displays and accepts an instruction input by a user.

  The network interface 37 is hardware for communicating with a network via a LAN cable or the like. The telephone line interface 39 is hardware for communicating with the telephone network via a telephone line. The telephone line interface 39 is an example of a communication unit. Note that, when performing FAX communication via a network, the network interface 37 is an example of a communication unit. FIG. 1 shows a FAX apparatus 400 connected to a telephone network as an example of a partner apparatus that performs FAX communication with the FAX apparatus 100.

  Next, a FAX communication procedure executed by the FAX apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an outline of a procedure executed when image data is transmitted by FAX communication from the calling FAX apparatus 100 to the called FAX apparatus 400. Note that the procedure of FAX communication is determined by an international standard, and only an outline will be described here.

  For example, when the FAX apparatus 100 receives an instruction to transmit an image by FAX in a state where a document is set on the image reading unit 20, the image reading unit 20 reads the document and generates image data. The FAX apparatus 100 can acquire the paper size of the original by reading the original with the image reading unit 20. Therefore, the paper size of the document is set as the size of the image data to be transmitted. Alternatively, the size of image data to be transmitted may be determined from the reading setting.

  The image data to be transmitted is not limited to the data read and acquired by the image reading unit 20, but may be read from the RAM 33 or may be received from a PC or the like. The reading of the original and the generation of the image data may be executed before the image data transmission procedure described later, or may be started after the procedure such as the connection of the line is completed.

  The FAX apparatus 100 is connected to the telephone network through the telephone line interface 39. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the destination FAX apparatus 400 is called based on the destination information of the transmission instruction. The telephone line is connected when the destination FAX machine 400 responds to this call.

  When the telephone line is connected, the FAX apparatus 100 transmits a signal for notifying FAX communication and receives a signal for accepting FAX communication from the FAX apparatus 400. In other words, the FAX apparatus 100 transmits a signal indicating that transmission of image data by FAX communication is started to the FAX apparatus 400, and the FAX apparatus 400 that receives the signal can receive image data by FAX communication. Returns a signal indicating. Accordingly, it is confirmed that both the FAX apparatus 100 and the FAX apparatus 400 start the FAX communication. Actually, the FAX communication notification signal and the FAX communication approval signal are not a single signal, but signals are transmitted and received several times during this period.

  Next, information for determining communication settings such as communication speed and resolution is transmitted and received between the FAX apparatus 100 and the FAX apparatus 400. First, a reception side capability notification (DIS) is transmitted from the FAX apparatus 400. The DIS includes, for example, information on the maximum reception capability that can be handled by the FAX apparatus 400. The FAX apparatus 100 can transmit by the own apparatus based on the conditions such as the size of image data to be transmitted, the communication capability of the own apparatus, and the contents of the received DIS, and the FAX apparatus 400 Determine the transmission conditions that can be received. Further, the determined transmission condition is notified to the FAX apparatus 400 as a transmission side transmission condition (DCS).

  DIS is digital information of a predetermined number of bits determined by international standards, and each bit includes information such as communication speed at which communication is possible, image resolution that can be processed, and the size of image data that can be received. Assigned. For example, the FAX apparatus 400 notifies the information of the size of the maximum receivable image data by DIS. That is, the FAX apparatus 400 may not be able to normally receive image data having a size larger than the maximum size notified by DIS. Therefore, if the size of the image data to be transmitted is a size that may not be properly received by the FAX device 400, the FAX device 100 adjusts the size of the image data. The adjustment of the image data size will be described later.

  After the transmission and reception between the DIS and the DCS, the FAX apparatus 100 transmits a training signal in order to confirm the establishment of communication under the conditions notified by the DCS. When the FAX apparatus 400 successfully receives the training signal, the FAX apparatus 400 notifies the training success. After confirming the establishment of communication, the FAX apparatus 100 transmits image data based on the image of the document to the FAX apparatus 400 under the determined transmission condition. When the size of the image data is adjusted, the adjusted image data is transmitted. Furthermore, when the transmission of data for one page is completed, the FAX apparatus 100 notifies the end of the page. If there is a next page, the image data of the next page is transmitted.

  When the transmission of all the image data is completed, the FAX apparatus 100 transmits a signal for disconnecting the telephone line. When the information confirming the disconnection of the FAX apparatus 400 is received, the connection with the telephone network is disconnected and the FAX communication procedure is terminated.

  Next, adjustment of the size of image data in FAX communication will be described. As described above, the DIS includes information on the size of image data that can be received by the FAX apparatus 400. The size information that can be acquired by DIS includes, for example, the width of an image that can be received by the FAX apparatus 400.

  In DIS, for example, “215 mm”, “215 mm, or 255 mm” is acquired as the width of the image. The width of the image is the length in the direction of the main scanning direction at the time of printing, and corresponds to continuous image data divided by end-of-line information. Note that the length of the image in the sub-scanning direction during printing is delimited by end-of-page information.

  The FAX apparatus 400 can handle image data up to the size notified by DIS. Then, the FAX apparatus 100 estimates the size of the paper used when printing the image data received by the FAX apparatus 400 based on the image width information acquired by the DIS. For example, if the width of the image acquired by DIS is “215 mm”, it is estimated that A4 size paper is used as printing paper. That is, the FAX apparatus 400 is estimated to be capable of handling image data up to A4 size per page. In the following, the maximum size of image data that can be handled by the FAX apparatus 400 is assumed to be the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400. That is, the FAX apparatus 100 can acquire the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400 based on the received DIS.

  When the FAX apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment acquires the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400, the FAX apparatus 100 compares the corresponding size with the size of the image data to be transmitted. Then, it is determined whether or not the size of the image data to be transmitted falls within the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400. Note that the size of the image data to be transmitted is acquired, for example, in the process of reading a document or in the reading setting of a transmission instruction.

  When the size of the image data to be transmitted does not exceed the size supported by the FAX apparatus 400 in both width and length, the FAX apparatus 400 can receive the image data to be transmitted. In that case, if the FAX apparatus 100 transmits the image data as it is without being processed, the FAX apparatus 400 can receive appropriately. In addition, even when image data received by the FAX apparatus 400 is printed, it is estimated that printing can be performed on one sheet.

  On the other hand, if the size of the image data to be transmitted exceeds the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400 in at least one of the width and the length, it is not preferable to transmit the image data to be transmitted as it is. In that case, the FAX apparatus 100 adjusts the image data to be transmitted according to the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus, and transmits the adjusted image data.

  In order to adjust the image data, the FAX apparatus 100 determines a non-corresponding area that is an area that does not fit in the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400 in the image data to be transmitted. For example, FIGS. 3 to 6 show examples of non-corresponding areas when the size of image data to be transmitted is B4 and the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400 is A4 size. In these drawings, the non-corresponding region W indicated by diagonal lines is a portion of the image data R indicated by solid lines that protrudes outside the corresponding size Q indicated by broken lines. In these figures, four examples of non-corresponding regions W are shown by changing the positional relationship between the image data R and the corresponding size Q.

  Next, the FAX apparatus 100 determines whether or not the determined non-corresponding area W is plain. Solid color means that the image data of the area is composed of data of only one color. For example, if the entire area is blank with only white, it is determined that the area is plain. The plain color does not have to be white. In addition, the color of this area may or may not be the same as the background color of other areas. That is, regardless of the color, if there is only one color, it may be determined to be plain. In this case, the non-corresponding area W is an example of a specific area.

  If it is determined that the non-corresponding region W is plain, the image data of the region other than the non-corresponding region is transmitted among the image data to be transmitted. That is, the image data within the range of the corresponding size Q of the FAX apparatus 400 excluding the non-corresponding region W from the image data R is transmitted. Therefore, for example, the FAX apparatus 100 deletes the non-corresponding area W from the image data R, and generates image data of the size corresponding to the FAX apparatus 400. In this case, the DCS notifies the FAX apparatus 400 of the corresponding size Q of the FAX apparatus 400 as the size of the image data to be transmitted.

  In this way, when the image data to be transmitted is larger than the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400, the FAX apparatus 100 transmits it excluding the protruding plain part. Therefore, the image data to be transmitted can be transmitted as one page of image data without losing image information. If the corresponding size Q does not include image information, the transmission itself may not be performed.

  On the other hand, the FAX apparatus 400 can appropriately receive the image data of the corresponding size Q since it is transmitted. The received image data is image data of an area excluding the non-corresponding area W that is plain among the original image data to be transmitted. Accordingly, since the FAX apparatus 400 receives only image data of an area including image information as one page of image data, there is little possibility that an area outside the range of the corresponding size Q is discharged as a plain page. .

  The disposition of the non-corresponding region W is determined with respect to one page of image data R with at least one of the upper end, the lower end, the right end, and the left end as a reference position. In particular, either the upper end or the lower end and either the right end or the left end may be set as the reference position. When the arrangement of the non-corresponding area W is determined in advance, it is determined whether or not the area is plain. If the arrangement of the non-corresponding area W is not determined in advance, for example, the four non-corresponding areas W described above are sequentially determined, and if there is a plain area, the arrangement is set as the non-corresponding area W. That is, the FAX apparatus 100 may select an arrangement so that the non-corresponding area W is plain from a plurality of arrangements and determine the non-corresponding area W as the non-corresponding area W.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the non-corresponding region W is not plain, the image data R to be transmitted is divided into a plurality of pages and transmitted. That is, by dividing the image data R, the size of the image data of each page is adjusted so as to be within the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400. For example, when the non-corresponding region W is not plain in any arrangement, the protruding portion in the width direction and the protruding portion in the length direction are transmitted as separate image data. Alternatively, the B4 image is divided into two B5 images and transmitted.

  The FAX apparatus 400 receives image data as a plurality of divided pages. Since the size of each page of the divided image data is within the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400, the FAX apparatus 400 can receive appropriately. Since each page is not plain but includes image information, the possibility of the plain page being discharged by the FAX apparatus 400 is small.

  By doing so, it can be expected to prevent the loss of image information. When only the protruding portion in either the width direction or the length direction is not plain, only the protruding portion that is not plain may be transmitted and the plain portion may not be transmitted. Further, instead of dividing the image data R into a plurality of pieces, the image data R may be transmitted in a reduced size so as to have a size within the corresponding size Q.

  Next, processing when image data has a specific size will be described. The specific size is a size in which the size of the paper actually used for printing cannot be accurately specified among the corresponding sizes of the transmission destination FAX apparatus.

  Since the types of paper size information that can be notified by DIS are limited, when using paper of other sizes, DIS may notify another paper size that is close in size. For example, information such as “A4 or letter”, “A4 or legal” is notified by DIS from a letter size which is a paper size mainly used in the United States or a FAX apparatus 400 using a legal size. . Alternatively, it may be simply notified as “A4”.

  Upon receiving these notifications, the FAX apparatus 100 can recognize that the transmission destination FAX apparatus 400 can receive A4 size image data, but cannot specify the size of the paper actually used for printing. Therefore, for example, when the size of the image data to be transmitted is A4 size, processing is performed in consideration of the possibility that letter-size paper is used in the FAX apparatus 400 of the transmission destination. In other words, when the size of the image data to be transmitted is a specific size among the corresponding sizes of the transmission destination FAX device, the FAX device 100 also considers the possibility of using paper of a different size. Adjust the image data to be used. The A4 size is an example of a specific size.

  Specifically, the letter size has a slightly larger short side length and a slightly smaller long side length than the A4 size. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, when A4 size image data R is printed on letter size paper L, an out-of-paper area Z that is an area that does not fit on the paper L is formed at the end on the long side. Arise. Since the size of the legal size is larger than the A4 size for both the short side and the long side, the area Z outside the paper does not occur when A4 size image data is printed on the legal size paper.

  The FAX apparatus 400 that uses letter-size paper notifies, for example, “A4 or letter” using the DIS paper size. When A4 size image data is received, for example, a part that does not fit on the printing paper is printed on another paper, or reduced to fit into the letter size and printed. However, as for the FAX apparatus 100, it is unknown which process is performed. For this reason, if the processing of the FAX apparatus 400 prints a portion that does not fit on another sheet, a plain page may be ejected if image information is not included in the portion that does not fit.

  Therefore, when the FAX transmission destination is a number in the United States and the image data to be transmitted is A4 size, the FAX apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the above-described area Z outside the sheet is plain. judge. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a paper outside area Z is set at the lower end portion of the image data, and it is determined whether or not the area Z is plain. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper end portion may be a paper outside area Z. In this case, the out-of-paper area Z is an example of a specific area.

  If it is determined that the outside-paper area Z is plain, the image data from which the outside-paper area Z is removed is transmitted. In this case, the size of the image data to be transmitted notified by DCS is “A4”, and the length of the image data in the sub-scanning direction is changed for transmission. For example, if the sheet outside area Z at the lower end portion is plain, the page end signal is transmitted after the area before the sheet outside area Z is transmitted as image data. Also, if the sheet outer area Z at the upper end portion is plain, image data is transmitted from a line after the sheet outer area Z. In this way, the transmitted image data is printed on one sheet regardless of whether the paper set in the FAX apparatus 400 is A4 size or letter size. That is, no matter what processing is performed, the plain page is not discharged.

  On the other hand, if the outside paper area Z is not plain, the image data R is transmitted without being changed. That is, the image data R is transmitted in the A4 size. In this way, the FAX apparatus 400 appropriately processes and prints an image including all image information. For example, if the paper set in the FAX apparatus 400 is A4 size, the image data is printed as it is. If the paper set in the FAX apparatus 400 is letter size, it is reduced or printed in two sheets. Even if it is divided into two sheets, the image information is also included in that part, so that the plain page is not discharged.

  Next, a procedure of FAX transmission processing in which the FAX apparatus 100 transmits image data by FAX communication will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This FAX transmission process is executed by the CPU 31 when a document is set in the image reading unit 20 and a transmission instruction by FAX communication is received.

  In the FAX transmission process, first, reading of a document is started (S101). Also, as described above, information for preparing for FAX communication is transmitted / received to / from the destination FAX apparatus 400. Then, by receiving the DIS, the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400 is acquired (S102). Although not explicitly shown in the flowchart, before S102, as described above, the telephone line is connected and a procedure for starting FAX communication is executed.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the reading of the document is completed (S103). If not completed (S103: NO), reading is continued. If it is determined that the process has been completed (S103: YES), a document size that is the size of the image data of the read document is acquired (S104). If the read original is a plain original that does not include image information, the FAX transmission process is terminated without transmitting data.

  Next, the corresponding size acquired in S102 is compared with the document size acquired in S104. Then, it is determined whether or not the corresponding size is larger than the document size (S106). If it is determined that the corresponding size is larger than the document size (S106: YES), the document size is notified by DCS as the size of the image data to be transmitted (S107). Further, the image data of the read original is transmitted (S108), and the FAX transmission process is terminated. If there is a document of the next page, reading and transmission are further executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the corresponding size is not larger than the document size (S106: NO), it is determined whether the corresponding size is the same as the document size (S110). If it is determined that they are the same (S110: YES), it is determined whether or not the transmission destination is the United States and the same size is “A4” (S111). As described above, when the transmission destination is the United States, even if notified in A4 size, there is a possibility of printing on letter size paper. Whether or not the transmission destination is the United States can be determined based on, for example, the country code included in the destination telephone number.

  The FAX apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment considers the possibility of the above-described outside area only when the FAX transmission destination is the United States and the document size is A4 size. In other cases, if the document size and the corresponding size are equal, it is determined that reception and printing are possible. Therefore, if it is determined that at least one of the destination is not the United States or the document size is not A4 size (S111: NO), the document size is notified (S107), and the image data is transmitted ( S108), the FAX transmission process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the destination is the United States, and the corresponding size and the document size are both A4 sizes (S111: YES), it is determined whether the area outside the sheet is plain (S113). The area outside the paper is a portion that does not fit on the letter size paper because the long side of A4 size is longer than the letter size, and may be either the upper end or the lower end of the long side. Which end is used may be determined and set in advance, or may be determined by both plain color determinations. For example, it may be determined whether or not the area outside the sheet at one end is plain, and the other end may be further determined only when it is determined that it is not plain.

  If it is determined that the area outside the sheet is not plain (S113: NO), the image data of the read original is transmitted as it is. That is, the document size is notified (S107), image data is transmitted (S108), and the FAX transmission process is terminated. In this case, the document size notified in S107 is A4 size.

  If it is determined that the area outside the sheet is plain (S113: YES), first, the A4 size is notified (S114). In S114, not the A4 size but a size corresponding to the overlapping portion of the A4 size and the letter size may be notified. The FAX apparatus 400 that has received the notification in this size can determine from the notification that image data that can be printed on one sheet is transmitted regardless of whether the sheet used is A4 size or letter size. Then, the FAX apparatus 100 transmits the image data that has been changed to a small size from the image data of the original, excluding the non-paper area that is a plain portion (S115), and ends the FAX transmission process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S110 that the corresponding size and the document size are not the same (S110: NO), it means that the document size is larger than the corresponding size. In this case, there is a high possibility that the FAX apparatus 400 cannot properly receive the image data if it is transmitted in the original size. Accordingly, it is determined whether or not the non-corresponding area, which is an area that does not fit in the corresponding size among the document sizes, is plain (S117).

  If it is determined that the non-corresponding area is plain (S117: YES), the image data of the area other than the non-corresponding area is transmitted among the image data to be transmitted. That is, the corresponding size is notified as the size of the image data to be transmitted (S118). Further, the image data having the corresponding size is transmitted excluding the non-corresponding area (S119).

  If it is determined that the non-corresponding region is not plain (S117: NO), the image data to be transmitted is divided into a plurality of image data so that each size is within the corresponding size of the FAX apparatus 400. (S121). Further, the size of the divided image data is notified as the size of the image data to be transmitted (S122). Then, all pages of the divided image data are transmitted (S123), and the FAX transmission process is terminated.

  As described above in detail, the FAX apparatus 100 acquires the corresponding size of the destination FAX apparatus 400, and the specific area determined according to the size of the image data to be transmitted and the corresponding size is plain. It is determined whether or not. When it is determined that the specific area is plain, image data of an area other than the specific area is transmitted. Accordingly, it is possible to expect a reduction in output opportunities of plain pages in the destination FAX apparatus 400.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the present invention is not limited to a FAX apparatus, and can be applied to any apparatus having a FAX communication function such as a multifunction machine.

  For example, in the embodiment, the processing corresponding to both the non-corresponding area and the non-paper area has been described, but only one of them may be supported. Even in this case, it is possible to reduce the chance of outputting plain pages based on at least one area.

  In the above-described FAX transmission process, the size is acquired after the reading of one page of the document is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the size information may be acquired in advance in the reading setting, or the document size may be acquired during reading after the start of reading. If the document size information is acquired, the process may proceed to S106 without waiting for the end of reading.

  In the above-described FAX transmission apparatus, the size of the original is acquired after acquiring the information on the corresponding size of the transmission destination apparatus, but this order may be reversed. For example, after reading is started (S101), the end of reading is waited (S103), the size of the document is acquired (S104), communication with the transmission destination apparatus is started, and the corresponding size is acquired (S102). May be. In this way, it can be expected to shorten the time from the start of communication with the transmission destination to the start of data transmission.

  In addition, the arrangement of the non-corresponding region W is based on at least one of the upper end, the lower end, the right end, and the left end, but is not limited thereto, and may be a central portion of the image data R, for example. If all areas that are not plain can be arranged within the range of the corresponding size Q, the other areas may be designated as non-corresponding areas W.

  Further, for example, the acquisition of the corresponding size of the destination FAX apparatus 400 is not limited to the reception of DIS. For example, the FAX apparatus 100 may store information on the corresponding size for each transmission destination apparatus. Alternatively, the server or the like may have a database that stores the capability of each destination device, and may be acquired from the database. The DIS may also include size information of paper used in the FAX apparatus 400. In that case, the non-corresponding area W may be further determined based on the sheet size information.

  Further, for example, as an example of the specific size, the case where the size of the image data to be transmitted is A4 size has been described, but if the size of the paper used in the destination FAX apparatus 400 is unspecified, other It can also be applied to other sizes. In other words, even if reception is possible, there is a possibility that paper of a different size may be used during printing, and if there is an area that may not fit on the printing paper, that area may be set as an area outside the paper.

  Further, even if the destination is not the United States, it may be possible to consider the area outside the sheet as in the above-described form even in other countries. Further, for example, it may be stored for each destination whether or not there is a possibility that a sheet of a different size is used, and it may be determined whether or not to consider the area outside the sheet for each destination. In addition, the area outside the sheet may be considered regardless of the destination.

  The processing disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the processing disclosed in the embodiment can be realized in various modes such as a recording medium or a method recording a program for executing the processing.

20 Image reading unit 31 CPU
39 Telephone line interface 100,400 FAX machine

Claims (7)

A communication unit for facsimile communication;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
An acquisition process to acquire the corresponding size of the destination facsimile machine;
A plain area determination process for determining whether or not the specific area is determined according to the corresponding size of the destination facsimile machine;
A transmission process for transmitting image data of an area other than the specific area of the image data to be transmitted when the specific area is determined to be plain in the plain determination process;
A facsimile machine characterized by executing In the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
The controller is
In the acquisition process, the corresponding size of the apparatus is acquired from a destination facsimile apparatus via the communication unit. In the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The controller is
The specific area includes a non-corresponding area that is an area that does not fit in a corresponding size of the destination facsimile apparatus in the image data to be transmitted,
In the transmission process, when it is determined that the non-corresponding area is plain on condition that the non-corresponding area exists, image data of an area other than the non-corresponding area among the image data to be transmitted When the non-corresponding area is determined to be non-solid, the image data to be transmitted is divided into a plurality of pieces and transmitted in accordance with the corresponding size of the destination facsimile apparatus. Facsimile machine to do. In the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The controller is
When the size of the image data to be transmitted is a specific size among the corresponding sizes of the destination facsimile device, the image data to be transmitted is used in the specific area by the destination facsimile device. A facsimile apparatus comprising an area outside the paper, which is an area that may not fit on a print paper. In the facsimile apparatus according to claim 4,
The controller is
In the transmission process, when it is determined that the area outside the sheet is plain on condition that the area outside the sheet exists, the image data of the area other than the area outside the sheet among the image data to be transmitted Is transmitted, and the image data to be transmitted is transmitted without change when it is determined that the area outside the sheet is not plain. In the facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
The controller is
2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether to include the out-of-paper area in the specific area according to a destination of the destination facsimile apparatus. In the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The controller is
A facsimile apparatus, wherein at least one of an upper end, a lower end, a right end, and a left end is selected as a reference position of the specific area for one page of image data to be transmitted.

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