JP3876840B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to communication technology, and more particularly to printing technology in a communication apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Examples of information equipment having a printing function include a printer and a facsimile machine. The printer analyzes the printer language included in the print data in, for example, PJL (Printer Job Language) or PDL (Printer Description Language) format, thereby printing each character constituting the document as an image. For this reason, the printer generally needs to have data (hereinafter simply referred to as “font data”) in which the character code of each character is associated with its shape.
[0003]
In order to print a desired document with a printer, font data is required. If there is no font data specified by the print data, the necessary font data is acquired from another computer having the font data and printed. (Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-37932 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For a printer having font data, the facsimile apparatus scans the document and handles it as image data, and therefore does not require font data for printing the document. However, since many facsimile apparatuses are provided with a function of printing, for example, a communication history and various setting contents as a list, the facsimile apparatus generally has a low-resolution bitmap font as font data. For this reason, the list printed by the facsimile apparatus becomes rough characters with low resolution.
[0005]
The present inventor has made the present invention in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for printing a list with less jaggy characters in a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus, and information on information included in the list. The technology is to improve visibility.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One embodiment of the present invention is a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus having a function of printing a communication history or the like as a list. The apparatus includes: first generation means for generating first image data for printing a list with a bitmap font that the communication apparatus has in advance; and second image data for printing the list with an outline font. A second generating means for generating an expansion unit for performing printing based on the printer language, a means for printing a list based on the first image data or the second image data, and the expansion unit are detachably mounted. Means . As a result, the outline font can be used for printing the list, so that the communication apparatus can print the list with a font with less jaggy. Furthermore, the communication device can be equipped with an expansion unit as required.
[0008]
The second generation means may generate print data that causes the extension unit to generate the second image data in a combination of printer languages and provide the extension unit with the print data. Accordingly, the communication device can instruct the expansion unit to generate the second image.
[0009]
The apparatus may further include means for determining whether or not the extension unit is available and instructing to print the list based on the second image data when the extension unit is available. Thereby, when the extension unit is available, the communication apparatus can effectively use the function of the extension unit.
[0010]
It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile apparatus 100 and an expansion unit 200 as communication apparatuses according to an embodiment. The expansion unit 200 is an optional device that is added to expand the function of the facsimile machine 100, and can be attached inside the casing of the facsimile machine 100, for example. The expansion unit 200 in the present embodiment adds a printer function for receiving print data from, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) to the facsimile apparatus 100 and performing printing.
[0012]
The first connector 116 is a connection terminal such as a modular jack for physically connecting to the public line. The modem / NCU 118 is a functional block that transmits and receives facsimile data based on a facsimile protocol, and includes a modem and an NCU, for example. When performing a connection using a public line, the NCU connects the public line to a modem, a DSU (Digital Service Unit), or the like, and establishes communication with another facsimile apparatus. The modem modulates / demodulates facsimile data.
[0013]
Here, the facsimile data is a series of data transmitted and received based on a facsimile protocol. An image read by the scanner of the facsimile apparatus is referred to as “read image” or “read image data”. The transmission side facsimile apparatus generates a page image in which the read image and the transmission source information are added to the paper, and encodes the page image by, for example, the JBIG encoding method or the MMR encoding method. The page image thus encoded is hereinafter referred to as “facsimile image” or “facsimile image data”. The receiving facsimile apparatus can output the original page image, that is, a facsimile document by decoding the facsimile image data.
[0014]
The scanner control unit 132 reads a document to be transmitted as facsimile data, and generates read image data. The scanner page memory 134 is an area for temporarily storing the read image data. For example, the scanner page memory 134 is used as a buffer when sequentially reading the read image data while reading a document with the scanner. The image memory control unit 108 stores the facsimile data received by the modem / NCU 118 and the read image data generated by the scanner control unit 132 in the first image memory 110.
[0015]
When the facsimile apparatus 100 is the transmission side, the high-speed codec unit 112 reads page image data from the first image memory 110 and encodes it to generate facsimile image data. When the facsimile apparatus 100 is on the receiving side, the high-speed codec unit 112 reads the facsimile image data included in the facsimile data from the first image memory 110 and decodes it to generate page image data. The high-speed codec unit 112 temporarily stores the page image data in the page memory 106. The printing unit 104 reads page image data from the page memory 106 via the printer control unit 102 and performs printing.
[0016]
The first MPU 128 executes various programs stored in the data storage unit 120 and controls hardware components provided in the facsimile apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the first MPU 128 reads the list printing program 122 from the data storage unit 120 and executes it. Thereby, the list print control unit 150 is formed. The list print control unit 150 prints a list of various information (hereinafter simply referred to as “list”) recorded in the facsimile apparatus 100 such as transmission history, reception history, abbreviated number, and setting items. I do. Although details will be described later, when the expansion unit 200 is installed by the list print control unit 150, a list is printed using the outline font of the expansion unit 200, and the expansion unit 200 is not installed. In this case, the list can be printed using the bitmap font stored in the bitmap font storage unit 114.
[0017]
The form storage unit 124 holds two types of templates, for example, when printing with a bitmap font and when printing with an outline font. For example, the template is information necessary for generating various lists. For each type of list, a bitmap font template includes a list name, information for specifying a data item to be inserted (hereinafter simply referred to as “item name”), and information for specifying the arrangement of the data (hereinafter simply referred to as “item name”). (Referred to as “location information”). On the other hand, the outline font template holds the list name, item name, arrangement information, character size for printing, character modification type, and the like for each type of list. In this way, by setting information specifying the character size and the modification type in the template, the visibility can be improved by changing the size according to the importance of the data item or by modifying the character. The list item data storage unit 126 holds various data that can be printed in a list, such as transmission history, reception history, telephone directory, and setting information.
[0018]
The facsimile apparatus 100 can also function as a printer by being electrically connected to the expansion unit 200 via the second connector 130, the third connector 206, the sixth connector 131, and the seventh connector 207. The sixth connector 131 and the seventh connector 207 which are the first system are mainly used for transmission of image data necessary for printing, that is, a bitmap image. The second connector 130 and the third connector 206, which are the second system, are mainly used for transmitting control information for operating the facsimile apparatus 100 and the expansion unit 200 in cooperation, for example. In this figure, there are two connectors, but in another example, they may be combined into one system.
[0019]
The fourth connector 220 is a connection terminal for physically connecting to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network control unit 216 is connected to a computer serving as a client via a PHY core 218 that performs physical layer processing, and accepts print data in, for example, PJL / PDL format. The parallel control unit 222 receives print data from a computer connected via a fifth connector 224 that is a terminal such as USB (registered trademark), parallel, or serial. The network control unit 216 and the parallel control unit 222 serve as input means for receiving print data from other than the facsimile apparatus 100.
[0020]
The codec unit 210 rasterizes the print data to generate bitmap image data. At this time, the codec unit 210 uses the outline font held in the outline font storage unit 214 as necessary. The second image memory 212 may store image data temporarily or print data temporarily. The input / output unit 208 transmits and receives various information for cooperative work between the expansion unit 200 and the facsimile apparatus 100. The image data generated by the codec unit 210 is stored in the page memory 106 of the facsimile apparatus 100 via the seventh connector 207 and the sixth connector 131 and is printed by the printing unit 104. The facsimile apparatus 100 can function as a printer by mounting the expansion unit 200.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, when print data for printing a list is supplied from the facsimile apparatus 100 according to an instruction from the list print control unit 150, the input / output unit 208 accepts input of the print data. Then, the codec unit 210 performs rasterization based on the print data, and generates image data of a list using an outline font. The input / output unit 208 outputs the image data to the facsimile machine 100. The image data is stored in the page memory 106 and printed by the printing unit 104. As a result, a list using the outline font can be printed.
[0022]
The second MPU 202 executes various programs held in the program storage unit 204 and forms a predetermined function. For example, the codec unit 210 may be formed by executing a program.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the list print control unit 150 of FIG. The first generation unit 160 generates list image data using the bitmap font stored in the bitmap font storage unit 114 of FIG. 1 and the bitmap font template stored in the form storage unit 124. To do. Then, the first generation unit 160 supplies the generated page image data to the output unit 166. The output unit 166 stores the image data in the page memory 106. This makes it possible to print a list using bitmap fonts.
[0024]
The second generation unit 162 generates print data in, for example, PJL / PDL format based on the outline font template held in the form storage unit 124 and outputs the print data to the extension unit 200. The input unit 164 receives an input of image data generated based on the print data from the expansion unit 200 and supplies it to the output unit 166. The output unit 166 stores the image data in the page memory 106. This makes it possible to print a list using outline fonts.
[0025]
The detection unit 152 detects whether or not the connectors of the facsimile apparatus 100 and the expansion unit 200 are electrically connected. For example, this detection may be performed by detecting voltage values of predetermined pins of the second connector 130 and the sixth connector 131 of FIG. The instruction unit 154 instructs one of the first generation unit 160 and the second generation unit 162 to print the list depending on whether or not the expansion unit 200 is connected. The instruction unit 154 receives the list print instruction from the user, and when receiving the print instruction, the instruction unit 154 selects either the first generation unit 160 or the second generation unit 162 depending on whether or not the expansion unit 200 is connected. One of them has a switching unit 156 for executing a list printing process. When the expansion unit 200 is not connected, the switching unit 156 instructs the first generation unit 160 to execute a list printing process. When the expansion unit 200 is connected, the switching unit 156 instructs the second generation unit 162 to execute a list printing process. Accordingly, when the expansion unit 200 is connected to the facsimile machine 100, the facsimile machine 100 can print a beautiful list using outline fonts.
[0026]
FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a list that is printed when the first generation unit 160 of FIG. 2 performs list printing processing. Since this list uses bitmap fonts, it is difficult to read characters because jaggy has occurred. Further, the size of the characters is constant, and important data cannot be highlighted.
[0027]
FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a list that is printed when the second generation unit 162 of FIG. 2 performs list printing processing. This list uses outline fonts, so there is little jaggy and the characters are easy to read. Further, it is possible to perform character modification so that important information is emphasized as in the highlighted display portion 300, or to display information that is not frequently used by general users as in the reduced display portion 302. Thereby, the visibility of the information in a list can be improved. It is preferable that the user can arbitrarily set the data item to be modified and the type of modification.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of list printing processing in the facsimile apparatus 100. When a list print instruction is received from the user, the list print process is started. First, the instruction unit 154 in FIG. 2 determines whether or not the expansion unit 200 in FIG. 1 is attached to the facsimile machine 100 (S10). When the expansion unit 200 is not attached (N in S10), the instruction unit 154 instructs the first generation unit 160 of FIG. The first generation unit 160 generates first image data for printing a list using a bitmap font (S12). Thereafter, the output unit 166 in FIG. 2 transfers the first image data to the page memory 106 in FIG. 1 (S14). The printer control unit 102 in FIG. 1 outputs the first image data held in the page memory 106 to the printing unit 104 (S16), and the printing unit 104 performs printing based on the first image data. The printer control unit 102 determines whether all pages have been printed out (S18). If all pages are not printed out (N in S18), the process returns to S12. If all pages have been printed out (Y in S18), the process ends.
[0029]
When the expansion unit is attached to the facsimile apparatus 100 in S10 (Y in S10), the instruction unit 154 instructs the second generation unit 162 to perform list printing processing. The second generation unit 162 generates print data in, for example, PJL / PDL format (S20). Then, the second generation unit 162 transfers the print data to the expansion unit 200 (S22). The codec unit 210 in FIG. 1 rasterizes the print data to generate second image data (S24). Thereafter, the expansion unit 200 transfers the second image data to the page memory 106 of the facsimile apparatus 100 via the input / output unit 208 (S26). Next, the printer control unit 102 outputs the second image data held in the page memory 106 to the printing unit 104 (S28), and the printing unit 104 performs printing based on the second image data. The printer control unit 102 determines whether all pages have been printed out (S30). If all pages are not printed out (N in S30), the process returns to S20. If all pages have been printed out (Y in S30), the process ends.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of another list printing process. A different part from the flowchart of FIG. 4 is demonstrated. When the expansion unit 200 is attached to the facsimile apparatus 100 (Y in S10), the second generation unit 162 generates print data (S40). Then, the second generation unit 162 transfers the print data to the expansion unit 200 (S42). The codec unit 210 rasterizes the print data to generate second image data (S44). Next, the codec unit 210 encodes and compresses the second image data as facsimile image data (S46). The input / output unit 208 transfers the facsimile image data to the first image memory 110 of FIG. 1 (S48).
[0031]
The second generation unit 162 in FIG. 2 determines whether print data for all pages has been generated (S50). If print data for all pages has not been generated (N in S50), the process returns to S40 to generate print data for pages that have not yet been generated. When print data for all pages is generated (Y in S50), the high-speed codec unit 112 in FIG. 1 decodes the facsimile image data stored in the first image memory 110 and transfers the page image data to the page memory 106. (S52). As a result, page image data, that is, second image data is stored in the page memory 106. Then, the printer control unit 102 outputs the second image data stored in the page memory 106 to the printing unit 104 (S54), and the printing unit 104 performs printing based on the second image data. The printer control unit 102 determines whether all pages have been printed out (S56). If all pages have not been printed out (N in S56), the process returns to S52. If all pages have been printed out (Y in S56), the process ends.
[0032]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when an expansion unit for adding a printer function for performing printing based on print data is installed in the facsimile apparatus, the list can be printed in a beautiful typeface.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile apparatus and an expansion unit according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a list print control unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a list printed by the printing unit of FIG. 1 when an expansion unit is not attached. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a list printed by the printing unit in FIG. 1 when an expansion unit is attached.
4 is an example of a flowchart of list printing processing in the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an example of another flowchart of list printing processing;
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Facsimile Machine, 102 Printer Control Unit, 104 Printing Unit, 114 Bitmap Font Storage Unit, 122 List Print Program, 124 Form Storage Unit, 126 List Item Data Storage Unit, 130 Second Connector, 150 List Print Control Unit, 152 Detection Part, 154 instruction part, 160 first generation part, 162 second generation part, 200 expansion unit, 206 third connector, 210 codec part, 214 outline font storage part.

Claims (5)

A communication device having a function of printing a list of retained data,
First generation means for generating first image data for printing the list using a bitmap font that the communication apparatus has in advance;
Second generation means for generating, on an extension unit for performing printing based on a printer language, second image data for printing the list in outline font;
Means for printing the list based on the first image data or the second image data;
Means for detachably mounting the extension unit;
A communication apparatus comprising: 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second generation unit generates print data that causes the extension unit to generate the second image data in a combination of the printer languages and provides the extension unit with the print data. . Wherein the expansion unit determines whether available, the case extension unit is available, which is characterized, further comprising means for instructing to print the list on the basis of the second image data Item 3. The communication device according to Item 1 or 2 . A form storage unit that holds two types of templates for printing with the bitmap font and printing with the outline font;
  The first generation means generates the first image data by using the bitmap font template,
  The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second generation unit causes the extension unit to generate the second image data using the outline font template. The communication device is formed as a facsimile device,
  The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the extension unit adds a printer function for receiving print data and performing printing.

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