JP3266948B2 - Facsimile machine - 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 more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus capable of securing a waiting time between pages until a next page of a transmission document can be transmitted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile apparatus, when transmitting a document of a plurality of pages, it is necessary to identify a break of each page. For this reason, for example, when a document read by a reading device is immediately transmitted, the first document is read and then the next document is transported to a reading position at a predetermined interval.

By the way, the original of the next page may not reach the reading position within the scheduled time provided between the pages due to an original feeding trouble such as a slip. If the document does not reach the reading position within the scheduled time due to such a problem, the facsimile apparatus detects an abnormality and interrupts the transmission.

[0004] If the transmission is interrupted even if the trouble cannot be repaired in a short time, but the normal state may be restored in a short time, the transmission procedure must be executed again from the beginning. Is troublesome.

[0005] Such a problem is not limited to an apparatus configured to transfer a document to a predetermined reading position in an automatic document feeder (ADF). Even when transmitting documents stored in the disk device or image information supplied from the host computer, it may take a long time to prepare for the transmission of image information depending on the drive control of the disk device and the communication procedure with the host computer. However, transmission may be interrupted by detecting an error.

To cope with such a problem, there has been proposed a facsimile apparatus in which the preamble of a post message command is lengthened to secure a time until the preparation for transmission of the next page of the original is completed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 2 (1990)). -123871).

[0007]

The above-mentioned conventional facsimile machine has the following problems. The sending time of the preamble of the post message command is CCITT.
T. According to 30 Recommendations, it is specified as 1 ± 0.15 seconds. Therefore, when trying to secure the scheduled time between pages by lengthening the preamble transmission time, the time specified in the above-mentioned recommendation may be exceeded, and an abnormality may be detected and communication may not be continued. Depending on the other device, a longer time (for example, about 15 seconds) than specified in the recommendation may be set as the preamble waiting time.
This is not a standard. Therefore, there is no guarantee that communication can always be normally continued even if a long preamble is transmitted. In other words, it is difficult to secure a long time between pages depending on the partner device, and when the preparation of a transmission document takes an extremely long time, the problem that an abnormality is detected and communication is interrupted still remains. Was.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus which can secure a sufficient time for preparing a document of a next page regardless of the type of a partner machine.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a preparation detecting means for judging whether or not a transmission document of the next page is ready for transmission, and Communication control means for executing a protocol procedure for time acquisition when the transmission document of the page is not in a transmittable state , wherein the communication control means
With multiple types of protocol procedures
Determined by procedure setting means and protocol communication with the partner station
Communication mode detection method to detect the specified communication mode
The communication mode detected is the ECM communication mode.
Is set in the protocol procedure setting means depending on whether or not
Means for selecting different types of protocol procedures.
This has a first feature.

[0010] The present invention also provides the above-mentioned protocol procedure setting.
The means is a protocol procedure for gaining time,
Post message frame forcibly regardless of whether
Command and the post message command.
Set the transmission procedure and return the communication mode
Is in ECM communication mode or not.
There is a second feature that is configured to select one of the.

Further, according to the present invention, the type of the post message command to be transmitted,
A third feature is that the present invention is configured to be executed by a combination of a sent post message command and a received post message response command.

[0012]

According to the present invention having the above characteristics, the time required for executing the protocol procedure for time acquisition can be secured between pages. Moreover, since this protocol procedure is in accordance with the recommendation of CCITT, even if the partner machine is a model of a special specification, there is no trouble in communication to secure the time.

According to the present invention having the first and second features, the time between pages can be secured by selecting an optimal protocol procedure according to whether the communication mode is the ECM communication mode .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is determined only when necessary whether or not the next page of the transmission document is ready.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a main block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a reading device 1 reads a document fed from an automatic document feeder (ADF) 2 and converts the document into an electric signal (image information).
The image information is encoded by the encoding / decoding device 3 and then transmitted to a line via a modem 4 and a network control unit (NCU) 5.

The modem 4 has a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode interface. In the low-speed mode, the transmission procedure signal interface V.V. 21. The high-speed mode is the interface for transmitting / receiving image information. 27ter, V.A. 29, V.S. 3
3, V. 17 and so on. The NCU 5 controls transmission of a dial signal and connection with a network.

The image information read by the reading device 1 can be temporarily stored in the image information memory 6, and can be sent out to the line in response to a separately specified transmission instruction. On the other hand, image information received from the outside is decoded by the encoding / decoding device 3 and then recorded by the printing device 7.

The operation / display device 8 includes operation switches for giving an instruction to the facsimile machine by an operator,
And a panel of a liquid crystal display system or the like for displaying an operation state. The ROM 9 stores a program for controlling the entire facsimile machine and a program for controlling the modem 4 and the NCU 5. RAM10
Is a work area used for executing the program.

The CPU 11 includes the ROM 9 and the RAM
In accordance with the program and control data stored in 10 and the instruction input from operation / display device 8, control processing and transmission control procedure processing of the entire facsimile apparatus are executed. The transmission and reception of data between the above components is performed via the system bus 12.

Further, a host computer 13 and a disk device 14 are connected to the facsimile apparatus, and the image information supplied from these can be transmitted to the other station.
Note that the host computer 13 and the disk device 14 are
The connection can be made via an appropriate interface (not shown).

In the facsimile apparatus having the above-described configuration, when a document over a plurality of pages is transmitted, there is a problem in document transmission between the pages, or it takes time to read image information, and preparation for transmission is completed. The processing in the case where it is not performed will be described below. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the image information of the document supplied from the ADF 2 is transmitted.

[0022] First of all time with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 3
A first operation example including a first example of a earning protocol procedure will be described. In step S1, a calling operation is performed. The outgoing call is made by dialing the dial number input from the operation / display device 8 into the NCU 5.
By sending it to the line via

In steps S2 to S5, a phase B protocol procedure is executed. This procedure is described in CCITT Recommendation T. Since this is a standard procedure based on No. 30, detailed description is omitted.

When the procedure of steps S2 to S5 is completed,
The reading of the document is started by the reading device 1, and in step S6, the image information of the read document is transmitted. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the image information for one page has been transmitted. If the determination in step S7 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S8, where the presence or absence of a document on the next page is determined based on an output signal of a document detection sensor provided in the ADF 2. The document detection sensor is provided on a document tray constituting the ADF 2, for example.

If it is determined that there is a document in the ADF 2, the process proceeds to step S9, where the ADF 2 is driven to start transferring the document, and in step S10, transmission of the preamble is started. Under normal conditions, the original of the next page is transported to the reading position within the time (1 ± 0.15 seconds) during which this preamble is sent. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that there is no original in the ADF 2, step S9 is skipped.

In step S11, the end of preamble transmission is determined. If the determination is affirmative, in step S12, the presence or absence of an original in the ADF 2 is determined again to determine whether to end communication. If there is no original, the flow advances to step S13 to execute a normal protocol procedure for terminating communication.

If there is an original of the next page, step S
Proceeding to 14, it is determined whether or not the original of the next page is prepared. This determination is made based on whether or not the leading edge of the document has been detected based on the output signal of the position sensor provided at the reading position.

If the original has been transported to the reading position within the scheduled time, that is, within the preamble sending time, step S
Proceed to 15 to send out a post message command. Post message command is MPS (multi-page signal)
Or EOM (end of message). Step S16
Now, the usual protocol procedures corresponding to these post message commands are executed.

When the post-message command MPS is transmitted after the processing in step S16 is completed, after receiving the MCF (message confirmation) from the partner station, the process proceeds to the beginning of phase C, ie, step S6. On the other hand, when the post message command EOM is transmitted, after receiving the MCF from the partner station, the process proceeds to the beginning of phase B, that is, step S2.

If the original of the next page has not advanced to the reading position due to a feeding trouble such as slippage,
The determination in step S14 is negative, the process proceeds to step S17, and a post message command EOM is transmitted. In step S18, a protocol procedure corresponding to the post message command EOM is executed, and the process proceeds to the beginning of the phase B, that is, step S2.

The post message command EOM is used after the image information transmission when the mode is changed, and the post message command MPS is used after the image information transmission when the mode is not changed. However, in step S17, the post message command EOM is forcibly transmitted regardless of the presence or absence of the mode change in order to secure the time between pages. As a result, the process shifts to the phase B, and the time for preparing the document can be secured for the time for executing the phase B.

In the first operation example, the protocol procedure is CC
Since it complies with the recommendations of the ITT, it can correspond to any partner station, and time can be surely saved between pages.

Next, a time with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4
A second operation example including a second example of the protocol procedure of the interim gain will be described. In the second operation example, after receiving the response command to the post message command, it is determined whether or not the original of the next page is at the reading position, that is, whether or not the transmission is ready, and time is earned based on the result. Perform the protocol steps in

At step S20, a calling operation is performed. In step S21, the process of phase B is performed. The contents of this phase B are the same as those in steps S2 to S5.

In step S22, image information is transmitted.
In step S23, it is determined whether or not the image information for one page has been transmitted. If the determination in step S23 is affirmative, the flow advances to step S24 to determine whether there is a document for the next page.

If there is a document of the next page, step S25
To start the transfer of the original (start preparation). If there is no manuscript of the next page, the flow advances to step S30 to execute a normal protocol procedure for terminating communication.

In step S26, a post message command is sent. In step S27, it is determined whether a response command to the transmitted post message command has been received. If a response command has been received from the partner station, the flow advances to step S28 to determine whether or not the original of the next page has been prepared. If the determination in step S28 is affirmative, the flow advances to step S29 to execute a normal protocol procedure.

If the original of the next page has not been prepared, the determination in step S28 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S2.
Proceed to 6. Steps S26 and S27 are executed, and the time for this processing can be set as the document preparation waiting time.

As described above, in the second operation example, it is possible to increase the time by repeatedly transmitting the post message until the next page of the document is prepared.

It is possible to prepare both of the protocol procedures for time acquisition explained in the first and second operation examples, and to select and use one of them. In the embodiment of the present invention described below, one of the two types of protocol procedures is selected depending on the communication mode.
That is, when the ECM (error correction mode) communication mode is used, the protocol procedure described in the second operation example is selected, and in the other communication modes, the protocol procedure described in the first operation example is selected. .

By providing such a selection criterion, the following problems can be avoided. That is, the second motion
The protocol procedure described in work example, despite the retransmission of the post-message command actually, on the receiving side,
It cannot be determined whether the post message command was retransmitted or the post command message was received because the image information could not be received. Some receivers interpret that the latter case has occurred, so that the counter indicating the number of pages of the document is updated irrespective of the actual number of pages. On the other hand, in the ECM communication mode, the above-mentioned problem does not occur because the post message command can be transmitted by including the page number information corresponding to the document actually transmitted, that is, the value of the page counter.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S40, a calling operation is performed. In step S41, the process of phase B is performed. In the communication in this phase B, the capability of the partner device is detected, and a communication mode that matches each other is selected.

In step S42, image information is transmitted.
In step S43, it is determined whether or not the transmission of the image information for one page has been completed. If the determination in step S43 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S44 to determine whether the communication mode is ECM.

If the communication mode is ECM, step S4
4 Affirmatively, the process proceeds to the step S24 (FIG. 4), and selects a process including a procedure of repeatedly transmitting a post message command as a protocol procedure for gaining time between pages.

On the other hand, if the communication mode is other than ECM, the determination in step S44 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S8 (FIG. 3), and the protocol procedure for forcibly shifting to phase B to gain time between pages is performed. Select the process to include.

The above embodiment can be modified as follows. That is, in the first operation example, after it is confirmed that there is a document of the next page, that is, when the determination in step S12 (FIG. 3) is affirmative, it is determined whether or not the post message command transmitted from the own station is MPS. Judgment "Figure 3
Step S100 of (b) "is performed. Then, only when this determination is affirmative, the determination as to whether or not the original of the next page is prepared (step S14) can be executed.

In the second operation example, when a response command to the post message command transmitted from the own station is received, that is, when the determination in step S27 (FIG. 4) is affirmative, the transmitted post message command is The combination of the received response commands is MPS-MC
It is determined whether it is F or not (Step S200 in FIG. 4B). Only when this determination is affirmative, it is determined whether or not the next page of the document is prepared (step S28).
Can be executed.

As described above, the protocol procedure for gaining time between pages is performed based on the combination of the post message command sent from the own station, the post message command sent from the own station, and the response command received from the partner station. Can be performed. In other words, only when shifting to the phase C immediately after receiving the post message command response command, it may be necessary to increase the time for preparing the original document. You can do it.

Next, essential functions required for the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same or equivalent parts. In the figure, a procedure setting unit 22 stores a program and control data for executing a normal protocol procedure. Further, the time earning procedure setting unit 23 stores a program and control data for executing a protocol procedure for securing time for preparing a document between pages. Normally, communication is performed by the communication control unit 15 using the program and control data of the procedure setting unit 22.

The next page preparation detecting section 18 judges the preparation state of the next page based on the output of a position sensor (not shown) for detecting whether or not the leading end of the document is at the reading position, and switches the detection signal. Output to the unit 17.

The image information transmission detection section 19 detects that one page of image information has been transmitted, and outputs an image information transmission end detection signal to the switching control section 17. The switching control unit 17
When the image information transmission end detection signal is supplied, the switching control of the switching unit 16 is performed based on the detection signal supplied from the next page preparation detection unit 18.

That is, when the original of the next page is not prepared, the switching control unit 17 is controlled so as to close the switching unit 16, and the program and control data of the time gain procedure setting unit 23 are transmitted to the communication control unit 15. Supplied. On the other hand, when the next page document is prepared, the switching unit 16 is opened, and the protocol is executed in a normal procedure. The output signal of the image information transmission detection unit 19 is
Reset when the time-gain protocol procedure is executed.

[0053] Incidentally, buy time protocol as described above, so that it can be selected from a plurality communication mode depending on whether ECM communication mode, Keru set the communication mode detection section 20. The communication mode detection unit 20 determines whether the communication mode determined by the communication control unit 15 by communication with the partner station is
The selection signal SL is output according to whether the mode is the ECM communication mode or not . A plurality of time acquisition protocol procedures are set in advance in the time acquisition procedure setting unit 23, and one of them can be selected by the selection signal SL.

In order to determine whether or not the next page of the original is ready based on the type of the post message command or the post message command and its response command, the command discriminating section 21 is used. Provide. The command determining unit 21 determines the type of the post message command or the combination of the post message command and its response command. Based on this determination result, the operation instruction signal Cm is output to the next page preparation detection unit 18 only when a post message command or a combination of a post message command and a response command that requires time-consuming processing is detected.

Whether to output the operation instruction signal Cm based on the determination result of the post message command or to output the operation instruction signal Cm based on the determination result of the combination of the post message command and the response command depends on the communication mode. That is, when the communication mode is ECM, the operation instruction signal Cm is output based on the determination result of the combination of the post message command and the response command. In other communication modes, the operation instruction signal Cm is output based on the determination result of the post message command. Output.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after transmitting the image information of one page, if the original of the next page is not in a transmittable state, the protocol procedure for gaining time is executed to execute the procedure between the pages. To ensure time. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the case where the original supplied by the ADF 2 is read by the reading device and transmitted is described. However, the case where the image information stored in the disk device 14 or the image information supplied from the host computer 13 is transmitted. The present invention can be applied in the same manner.

When the image information stored in the disk device 14 is transmitted, for example, based on the state of a flag indicating that a predetermined amount of image information has been transferred from the disk device to the buffer for transmission, It is possible to recognize whether or not the page document has been prepared. When the image information supplied from the host computer 13 is transmitted, it is determined whether or not the original of the next page is prepared based on, for example, a transfer end command of the image information for one page supplied from the host computer 13. can do.

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the time between pages can be secured by controlling the protocol procedure. Therefore, even if it takes longer than usual to set a document to be sent to a transmittable state due to the problem of document feeding and the control procedure, the next page can be detected without detecting a communication error. You can wait for your manuscript to be ready.

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the communication mode
In the ECM communication mode, an optimal protocol procedure for time acquisition can be selected to secure time between pages.

Further, according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the execution of the protocol procedure for gaining time can be suppressed to the necessary minimum, so that the communication time can be increased while avoiding unnecessarily long communication time. In such a case, time between pages can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main function of a facsimile machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 includes a first example of a time gain protocol procedure.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example .

FIG. 4 includes a second example of a protocol procedure for earning time .
9 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention .

Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/32-1/34 H04N 1/21

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus for sequentially transmitting a plurality of pages of a document to a partner station, a preparation detecting means for determining whether or not the next page of the transmission document is ready for transmission, and a next page transmission document. Communication control means for executing a protocol procedure for time acquisition different from the normal time when the transmission is not in a transmittable state , wherein the communication control means comprises a protocol procedure for time acquisition.
Protocol procedure setting means for setting multiple types of
The communication mode determined by protocol communication with
Communication mode detecting means for outputting
Depending on whether the card is in ECM communication mode or not,
Protocols set in the protocol procedure setting means
Means for selecting a col procedure . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said protocol procedure setting means is configured to calculate time.
As a protocol procedure for
Force post message command regardless
Sending out the procedure and post message command repeatedly
Procedure and set the detected communication mode to the ECM communication mode.
Select one of them depending on whether
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is configured to be configured as follows. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination by said preparation detecting means is executed according to the type of post message command to be sent. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination by said preparation detecting means is executed by a combination of a sent post message command and a received post message response command.