JP3266773B2 - Facsimile apparatus and facsimile transmission method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile transmission method, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile transmission method having a memory transmission function of temporarily storing input image data in a memory and transmitting the image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus having a memory transmission function of temporarily storing image data read by an image reading section in a memory and then transmitting the image data has been known. When transmitting image data of a plurality of originals, image data read from one original is transmitted as image data for one page regardless of the sub-scanning length of the image data of each original.
Even if the length of the document in the sub-scanning direction is short and the number of read lines is small, the image data is transmitted as one page of image data.
The image is recorded only in the upper part of the, and a large margin is formed in the lower part, which not only wastes the recording paper,
When recording the received image data of a plurality of pages, it is necessary to extraly feed the paper by an amount corresponding to the margin, which causes a disadvantage such as impairing the speed of recording and increases the running cost.

Therefore, a combined transmission method has been proposed in which a plurality of continuous image data within the range of the number of recordable lines of the recording paper are combined and transmitted as image data for one page.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned combined transmission method, although the running cost can be reduced on the receiving side, when the transmitting side outputs the transmission result information as a report, is it necessary to output only the transmission result information as a report? Alternatively, only the first page of the stored image data related to reading is added to the transmission result information and a report is output.

For this reason, the recording paper for report output includes:
The image is recorded only at the upper part and a large margin is formed at the lower part, which not only wastes the recording paper,
The content of the transmission could not be fully grasped.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to combine a plurality of continuous image data within the range of the number of recordable lines of a recording sheet to form one page of image data. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to output a report of a transmission result in a format in which the contents of the transmission can be sufficiently grasped by effectively utilizing the recording paper for report output when the report is transmitted.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus comprising: a plurality of pages of image data input by an image input unit and stored in a storage unit; Transmission control means for combining image data of a plurality of continuous pages related to storage within a range not exceeding the number of recordable lines per page of a transmission destination terminal, and transmitting the combined data as image data of one page; Creating means for creating transmission result information representing a transmission result under the control of the means; and transmitting the transmission result information created by the creating means by combining the transmission result information as the first page by the transmission control means. Report output control means for adding a plurality of pages of image data and outputting a report.

In order to achieve the above object, in the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect, the report output control means according to the first aspect is characterized in that the report output control means transmits the continuous image data combined with the transmission result information as a first page. If the sum of the lengths in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length of the recording paper for report output in the sub-scanning direction, the transmission result information is combined with the continuous image data transmitted as the first page. The combined image data transmitted and reduced is added to the transmission result information and output as a report so as to fit in the output recording paper.

In order to achieve the above object, in the facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect, the report output control means according to the first aspect is configured such that the report output control means transmits the continuous image data combined with the transmission result information as a first page. If the sum of the lengths in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length of the recording paper for report output in the sub-scanning direction, it is combined and transmitted as the first page within the range of the recording paper for report output. It is configured to output a report by adding continuous image data to the transmission result information.

[0010]

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the fourth aspect , the report output control means according to any one of the first to third aspects includes a report output control means for outputting a report by a selection means. It is configured to record the report output content on the recording paper of the size selected as.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the image input unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects includes an image reading unit such as a CCD scanner. It is configured.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile transmission method according to the sixth aspect, wherein the number of input lines of a plurality of pages of image data input by the image input means and stored in the storage means is determined by the transmission destination terminal. A transmission control step of combining image data of a plurality of continuous pages related to accumulation within a range not exceeding the number of recordable lines per page and transmitting the combined image data as image data of one page, and control by the transmission control step A creation step of creating transmission result information representing a transmission result; and, for the transmission result information created in the creation step, a plurality of continuous pages transmitted and combined as the first page in the transmission control step. A report output control step of outputting a report by adding image data.

[0014] To achieve the above object, in the facsimile transmission method according to claim 7, wherein in the report output control step of claim 6, wherein the transmission result information and the successive images are transmitted coupled to the first page If the sum of the data and the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length of the report output recording paper in the sub-scanning direction, the transmission result information is combined with the continuous image data transmitted as the first page. The combined image data transmitted and reduced is added to the transmission result information and output as a report so that the image data can be accommodated in the report output recording paper.

In order to achieve the above object, in the facsimile transmission method according to claim 8 , in the report output control step according to claim 6, a continuous image transmitted in combination with the transmission result information as the first page is transmitted. If the sum of the length in the sub-scanning direction and the data is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction of the recording paper for report output, it is combined and transmitted as the first page within the range of the recording paper for report output. It is configured to add the continuous image data to the transmission result information and output a report.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, the facsimile transmission method according to the ninth aspect provides a facsimile transmission method according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects.
In the report output control step, the report output content is recorded on recording paper of a size selected for report output by the selection means.

[0018] To achieve the above object, in the facsimile transmission method according to claim 10, what claims 6 to claim 9
The image input means described in any one of the claims is constituted by an image reading means such as a CCD scanner.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment.

The facsimile apparatus performs various processes related to facsimile transmission with a CPU (central processing unit) 1 as a core. The CPU (central processing unit) 1 includes a ROM (read only memory). 2, first, second, third RAM (random access memory) 3,
4, 5, operation panel control gate array 6, reading control gate array 10, recording control gate array 11, image memory 13, modem 14, and encoding device (codec)
16 are connected. Although not shown, the encoding device 16 includes an encoder, a multiplexing circuit, a demultiplexing circuit, a decoder, and the like.

A display 7 and a keyboard 8 are connected to the operation panel control gate array 6, and a contact sensor 9 is connected to the reading control gate array 10.
A laser printer 12 is connected to the recording control gate array 11, and a network controller 15 is connected to the modem 14.

The CPU 1 controls a binary code control procedure recommended by the ITU-T and various processes corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 while controlling other components according to various programs preset in the ROM 2. Execute. At this time, the CPU 1 uses the first RAM 3 as a work area.

The contact sensor 9 is constituted by a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and converts an optically read original image into an electric signal under the control of the read control gate array 10 and outputs it as image data. Read control gate array 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes an image memory 1 configured by compressing and encoding image data read by the contact sensor 9 and comprising a DRAM or the like.
3 is stored.

At this time, as the management information of the image data stored in the image memory 13, the reception number, the destination information, the number of pages, the stored image memory block information, the resolution, the image size, the number of read lines of each page, etc. It is stored in the second RAM 4 under control. The read control gate array 10 recognizes and outputs the number of read lines when compressing and encoding the image data. Further, when the image data stored in the image memory 13 is transmitted, information on the transmission result is also stored in the second RAM 4 in order to record and output a transmission result report.

When the image data stored in the image memory 13 is transmitted, the image data is encoded by the encoder in the encoder 16 under the control of the CPU 1 in accordance with the mode of the destination facsimile machine. And compressed,
The signal is further modulated by the modulator / demodulator 14 and output to the line N via the network controller 15. When transmitting the image data, the management information is read from the second RAM 4 and multiplexed with the image data by the multiplexing circuit in the encoding device 16 so as to transmit the management information of the image data together. Sent.

The image memory 13 stores read image data read by the contact sensor 9, transmission image data to be transmitted, received image data to be received, and recorded image data to be recorded. , A buffer for transmission, a buffer for transmission, a buffer for reception, and an area for recording are formed.

On the other hand, the line N, the network controller 15
Under the control of the CPU 1, the data is demodulated by the modulator / demodulator 14 to check and correct data errors, and is decoded and decompressed by the decoder in the encoding device 16; 13 is stored in the laser printer 1 under the control of the recording control gate array 11.
2 is printed and recorded. At this time, the management information received together with the image data is separated by the demultiplexing circuit in the encoding device 16 and stored in the second RAM 4, and then printed and recorded by the laser printer 12.

Although not shown, a numeric keypad for inputting destination information (FAX number), a resolution setting key for setting resolutions such as standard, fine, superfine, etc., a start key for instructing transmission start, Various function keys such as a done mark key for stamping a done mark indicating that the sent document has been sent are provided.

Further, on the keyboard 8, as function keys unique to this embodiment, an additional key for switching transmission image data to transmission result information and setting whether or not to output a report, and reading the transmission result information. Image data 1
Whether to output a report by adding only the page or to output a report by adding the first page of transmission image data (including a case where a plurality of pages of read image data are combined: details will be described later) The sum of the additional image type setting key for switching setting, the transmission result information, and the length of the image data to be added to the information in the sub-scanning direction is determined by the recording paper length of the report recording paper (sub-scanning direction length). )
A reduction addition key for setting whether to reduce the length of image data to be added in the sub-scanning direction and for adding the image data, and a recording paper selection key for selecting a recording paper for report output are provided.

The operation status of the keys arranged on the keyboard 8 is detected by the operation panel control gate array 6, and the corresponding input information, setting information, commands and the like are stored in the third RAM 5 under the control of the CPU 1.

The display 7 is constituted by a liquid crystal display, and information corresponding to the operation keys of the keyboard 8 and timing information are displayed by the operation panel control gate array 6 under the control of the CPU 1.

Under the above components, the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment performs the memory transmission as shown in FIG.

That is, in the present embodiment, the read image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 13 and transmitted, but at this time, the number of recordable lines (recording paper length) of the facsimile machine on the receiving side is not exceeded. The image data of a plurality of continuous pages within the range are combined and transmitted as image data of one page.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, when a report of the transmission result is output, for example, when the first page of the transmission image data is set by the additional image type setting key, As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission result information corresponds to one of the transmission image data.
The page is added and the report is output.

Next, the memory transmission operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

This flow is a flow on the assumption that the width of the document to be read and the reading resolution are the same for all pages. Further, facsimile transmission and reception are performed according to a signal sequence conforming to the binary code control procedure of ITU-T Recommendation 30.

First, the CPU 1 initially sets "1" as a page number in the page counter i (step S40).
1) Initially set page counter n and variable Xi to "0" (step S402). Here, the page counter n is a page counter indicating the number of pages from the i-th page of the image data to be stored in the transmission buffer, and the variable Xi is the total reading of the image data already stored in the transmission buffer. Number of lines.

Then, the image data of the page of the number (hereinafter, referred to as i) indicated by the page counter i is read out from the image data stored in the reading buffer in the image memory 13 and the transmission buffer (image (Formed in the memory 13) (step S403).

Next, the page counter n is incremented by "1" (step S404), and it is determined whether or not the image data of the (i + n) th page is stored in the image memory 13 (step S405). As a result, (i
+ N) If the image data of the page is stored, the sum of the total read line number Xi of the image data already stored in the transmission buffer and the read line number Xi + n of the image data of the (i + n) page ( It is determined whether or not (Xi + Xi + n) is less than or equal to the number y of recordable lines per page of the destination terminal (step S406). For example, if the read original width is A4 size and the read resolution is standard, the number of recordable lines y is the number of recordable lines y that can be recorded at standard resolution on A4 size recording paper.

As a result, if the number of recordable lines is equal to or less than y, the image data of the (i + n) th page is stored in the image memory 13.
And stores it in the transmission buffer (step S4).
07). Then, the variable Xi is incremented by Xi + n (step S408), and by returning to step S404, the total read line number Xi of the image data already stored in the transmission buffer and the image data of the (i + n) th page are obtained. Until the sum (Xi + Xi + n) of the number of read lines Xi + j exceeds the number of recordable lines y, accumulation in the transmission buffer is performed.

In step S406, the sum (Xi + Xi)
If it is determined that (+ n) exceeds the recordable line number y, the image data for a plurality of pages accumulated in the transmission buffer up to that time is transmitted as image data for one page (step S409). . Then, whether the page counter i is "1", that is, step S4
The image data transmitted in step 09 is the transmitted image data of the first page (including a case where a plurality of read image data are combined)
Is determined (step S410).

As a result, if it is the transmission image data of the first page, the contents of the page counter n are set in the variable N (step S411), and the flow advances to step S412. On the other hand, if it is not the transmission image data of the first page, the process skips step S411 and proceeds to step S412. In this step S412, the page counter i is incremented by "n". Then, the process returns to step S402. Note that the variable N indicates the number of pages of the read image data to be added to the transmission result information at the time of report output.

If it is determined in step S405 that the (i + n) th page is not stored in the image memory 13, the image data stored in the transmission buffer is transmitted (step S413). ),finish.
At this time, if image data for a plurality of pages is stored in the transmission buffer, the image data for the plurality of pages is transmitted as image data for one page, and only the image data for one page is stored. If not, the image data for one page is transmitted as image data for one page. In order to make the transmission destination terminal recognize as one page of image data, step S
409, S413, after transmitting the image data,
A control return signal (RTC signal) specified in the binary code control procedure of UT recommendation 30 is transmitted.

As described above, in this embodiment,
When transmitting a plurality of stored image data, if the receiving side can record a plurality of pages of the image data to be transmitted on one sheet of recording paper, the receiving side records the image data on one sheet of recording paper. Since the maximum obtainable image data of an arbitrary page is transmitted as image data of one page, the margin of the recording paper can be reduced as much as possible, and the paper is additionally fed by the margin. No longer needed, can record more quickly,
The running cost can be further reduced.

Next, the transmission result report output operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 1 first transmits the transmission result information to the second R
The data is read from AM4, converted into image data in accordance with the report format, and stored in the recording buffer (step S501). Next, it is determined whether the addition of the transmission image data to the transmission result information is set by an additional key (step S502). As a result, if the setting to add the transmission image data is not set, the process proceeds to step S511, where the transmission result information in the recording buffer is printed by the laser printer 12, and the report is output.

On the other hand, when the setting to add the transmission image data is set, either the addition of the first page of the read image data or the addition of the first page of the transmission image data is performed by adding the additional image. It is determined whether or not the key is set by the seed setting key (step S503).

As a result, if the addition of the read image data is set, "1" is set to the variable N (step S504), and the variable N is set from the first page of the read image data.
(Step S50)
5). On the other hand, if transmission image data addition is set, step S504 is skipped and step S50 is skipped.
Go to 5. If the variable N is set to “1” and the process proceeds to step S505, only the first page of the read image data is combined, and the process proceeds to step S505 without setting the variable N to “1”. Corresponds to step S411 in FIG.
As is clear from the above processing, the read image data for the number of pages transmitted as the first page is combined.

Next, the image data combined in step S505, that is, the number of lines yb of the additional image data is set to the remaining number excluding the recording area of the transmission result information on the report output recording paper selected by the recording paper selection key. It is determined whether or not the number of recordable lines in the area is larger than ya (step S506). As a result, the number of lines yb of the additional image data
Is less than or equal to the number ya of recordable lines in the remaining area, by storing the additional image data in the recording buffer,
The transmission result information and the additional image data are combined (step S510).

On the other hand, if the number of lines yb of the additional image data is larger than the number of recordable lines ya of the remaining area, it is further determined whether or not it is set to reduce and add by the reduction additional key (step). S507). as a result,
If the setting to reduce and add is set, step S
The image data (additional image data) combined in 505 is y
The data is reduced to a / yb (step S508) and stored in the recording buffer (step S510). On the other hand, if the reduction addition is not set, the portion of the additional image data that protrudes from the recording paper, that is, the (ya-yb) line is cut off (step S509), and only the amount that fits on the remaining recording paper is recorded. (Step S51)
0).

After the addition processing in step S510 is completed, data including at least the transmission result information in the recording buffer is printed by the laser printer 12, and a report is output (step S511).

As described above, when a report is output, (1) only the transmission result information is output as a report.
(2) adding a first page of the read image data to the transmission result information and outputting a report; (3) adding a first page of the transmission image data to the transmission result information and outputting a report;
(4) If the recording paper for the report is exceeded when the image data is added as it is, various methods such as reducing the image data to be added or cutting off the excess part to fit on the recording paper. The report output process can be arbitrarily selected and executed by key operation.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be applied not only to image data read and input by a CCD scanner or the like but also to image data input by a computer or the like. Similar transmission control can be performed. Also, it is possible to recognize the recording paper length by using a non-standard function (NSF signal) without recognizing the recording paper length by the DIS signal which is a standard function defined by the ITU-T. In this case, it is possible to use letter paper or legal paper used in North America as recording paper.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With respect to the image data of a plurality of pages input by the image input means and stored in the storage means, a plurality of continuous data related to the storage within a range where the number of input lines does not exceed the number of recordable lines per page of the transmission destination terminal. Transmission control means for combining the image data of the pages and transmitting as one page of image data; generating means for generating transmission result information representing a transmission result under the control of the transmission control means; Report output control means for adding a plurality of continuous pages of image data transmitted and combined as the first page by the transmission control means to the transmission result information, and outputting a report. When a plurality of continuous image data within the range of the number of recordable lines are combined and transmitted as image data for one page, a recording paper for report output is used. Making effective use, it is possible to send the results to the report output the transmission contents in a sufficiently prehensible form.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of combining transmission image data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a report output example of a transmission result according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a memory transmission operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a report output operation of a transmission result according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU (transmission control means, creation means, report output control means) 2 ... ROM (transmission control means, creation means, report output control means) 3 ... 1st RAM 4 ... 2nd RAM 5 ... 3rd RAM 6 ... operation panel control gate Array (report output control means) 8 ... keyboard 9 ... contact sensor (image input means) 10 ... read control gate array 11 ... recording control gate array (report output control means) 12 ... laser printer (report output control means) 13 ... image Memory 14: Modem 15: Network controller 16: Encoder (codec)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasushi Morimoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Makoto Kobayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Satoshi Imai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tohru Fujino 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Kazuhiro Sugawara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Saito 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-5-153312 (JP, A) JP-A-4-188945 (JP, A) JP-A-3-201771 (JP, A) JP-A-1-135179 (JP, A) JP-A-59-926 65 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 1-93873 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/32-1/393

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] An image data of a plurality of pages input by an image input means and stored in a storage means is stored within a range in which the number of input lines does not exceed the number of recordable lines per page of a transmission destination terminal. Transmission control means for combining the image data of a plurality of continuous pages according to the above and transmitting the image data as one page of image data; generating means for generating transmission result information representing a transmission result under the control of the transmission control means; Report output control means for adding, to the transmission result information created by the means, image data of a plurality of continuous pages transmitted by being combined as the first page by the transmission control means and outputting a report. Facsimile machine. 2. The report output control means according to claim 1, wherein the sum of the lengths in the sub-scanning direction of the transmission result information and continuous image data transmitted and combined as the first page is a sub-output of a report output recording paper. If the length is longer than the length in the scanning direction, the transmission result information is combined with the continuous image data transmitted and combined as the first page so as to fit on the report output recording paper. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is reduced, added to the transmission result information, and output as a report. 3. The report output control means according to claim 1, wherein the sum of the lengths in the sub-scanning direction of the transmission result information and the continuous image data transmitted and combined as the first page is a sub-output of the recording paper for report output. If the length is longer than the length in the scanning direction, continuous image data combined and transmitted as the first page within a range that can be accommodated in the report output recording paper is added to the transmission result information to output a report. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Wherein said report output control means, any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that to record the report output content to the recording paper is selected for the report output by the selection means Size facsimile apparatus of crab described. Wherein said image input means, a facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is constituted by the image reading means such as a CCD scanner. 6. The image data of a plurality of pages input by the image input means and stored in the storage means within a range in which the number of input lines does not exceed the number of recordable lines per page of the destination terminal. A transmission control step of combining image data of a plurality of continuous pages and transmitting as one page of image data, a transmission step of generating transmission result information representing a transmission result by the control in the transmission control step, A report output control step of adding, to the transmission result information created in the creation step, image data of a plurality of continuous pages transmitted by being combined as the first page in the transmission control step, and outputting a report; A facsimile transmission method comprising: 7. The report output control step, wherein the sum of the length in the sub-scanning direction of the transmission result information and continuous image data combined and transmitted as the first page is determined by the sub-output of the report output recording paper. If the length is longer than the length in the scanning direction, the transmission result information is combined with the continuous image data transmitted and combined as the first page so as to fit on the report output recording paper. 7. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 6, wherein the image data is reduced, added to the transmission result information, and output as a report. The method according to claim 8, wherein the report output control step, the transmission result information and the sub-scanning direction of the sum of the lengths of the image data is recording paper for report output successive transmitted coupled to the first page sub If the length is longer than the length in the scanning direction, continuous image data combined and transmitted as the first page within a range that can be accommodated in the report output recording paper is added to the transmission result information to output a report. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 6, wherein: The method according to claim 9, wherein the report output control step, any claim 6 to claim 8, characterized in that to record the report output content to the recording paper is selected for the report output by the selection means Size facsimile transmission method of crab described. Wherein said image input means, a facsimile transmission method according to any of claims 6 to claim 9, characterized in that it is constituted by the image reading means such as a CCD scanner.