JP3983159B2 - Facsimile apparatus and image output method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus and an image output method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional facsimile apparatus, when the document data is transmitted from the other party, the sender's facsimile apparatus such as the date, time, sender name and facsimile number transmitted by the other party is determined. Original data was printed together with the indicated data (source information section).
[0003]
Further, a technique has been proposed in which a blank portion is deleted and transmitted when there is a space between the text of the transmitted document data (Reference 1, page 4, line 44 to page 5, line 11). And FIG. 6).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-69098
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the recording paper of the receiving facsimile apparatus is plain paper, there is a problem that the received data cannot be recorded on one plain paper because the amount of received data is large. In order to avoid such a problem, it is conceivable to compress and record the received image, but when the compressed image is recorded, the transmitted image and the received and recorded image appear to be completely different images. End up. In addition, the technique for deleting a blank part causes a problem that it is very difficult to read because all the blank parts between the text are deleted. However, if there is a blank, the received image may not fit on one page of paper.
[0006]
In order to achieve both the problem of making it as easy to read as possible and the problem of putting the received image on a single page as much as possible, it is necessary to delete the blank part between the sender information part and the text and insert an appropriate blank. preferable.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve such problems, and an image output method according to claim 1 is a facsimile apparatus capable of deleting and outputting a blank portion of a received document. A first step for detecting the presence of a transmission source information portion in which information to be indicated is detected, and a second step for detecting the presence of a blank portion interposed between the transmission source information portion and the text, and When the margin portion is equal to or smaller than a predetermined minimum margin width, a third step of setting and outputting the minimum margin width to the margin portion is executed.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus capable of deleting and outputting a blank portion of a received document, and detecting the presence of a transmission source information section in which information indicating a transmission source of the document is described. Source information detection means, margin detection means for detecting the presence of a margin part interposed between the source information part and the text, and the margin part detected by the margin detection means is a predetermined minimum margin A determination unit that determines whether or not the width is equal to or less than a width; and when the determination unit determines that the margin portion is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum margin width, the minimum margin width is determined as the source information. And setting means for setting as a margin part interposed between the part and the text.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below.
[0013]
In the facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment apparatus to which the present invention is applied, the number of white lines in the text margin part existing between the transmission source information part and the text is counted when the document data is received, and the number of white lines counted in advance is counted. The difference between the maximum number of cuts in the determined body margin is calculated, and the calculated margin is inserted between the sender data and the body for printing. If the calculated difference is equal to or larger than a predetermined minimum margin width, the margin with the minimum margin width is inserted between the sender information part and the text and printed.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus of this embodiment.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, a control unit 101 is formed of a semiconductor microprocessor and controls each circuit described below based on a system program stored in a first storage unit 102 formed of, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory).
[0016]
The control unit 101 has a built-in modem 103 that receives facsimile control signals such as CNG signals and DIS signals.
[0017]
The incoming call detection unit 104 is connected to the line L and detects a 16 Hz incoming signal from the line L, and the polarity inversion detection unit 105 detects the polarity inversion of the line L.
[0018]
The diode bridge 106 connected to the line L prevents an abrupt voltage change from occurring inside the device at the time of polarity reversal.
[0019]
The network control unit 107 closes and opens the line L under the control of the control unit 101.
[0020]
Under the control of the control unit 101, the cross point circuit 108 performs path switching of voice signals and facsimile data with the network control unit 107, a handset 109 and a DAC 110 described later.
[0021]
The handset 109 is connected to the cross point circuit 108, and the hook detection unit 111 detects the hook state of the handset 109.
[0022]
The DAC (Digital Analog Converter) 110 converts the analog signal input from the crosspoint circuit 108 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the modem 103, and converts the digital signal input from the modem 103 into an analog signal. A function of outputting to the crosspoint circuit 108.
[0023]
The reading unit 111 includes, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) reading device, and reads image information under the control of the control unit 101.
[0024]
The printing unit 112 includes a printing device using a known method such as an ink jet method or a thermal paper method, and prints image information under the control of the control unit 101.
[0025]
The display unit 113 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and performs various displays including a telephone number, a facsimile number, and a partner name under the control of the control unit 101.
[0026]
The input unit 114 has keys such as a numeric keypad, a function key, a selection key, a start key for instructing the start of facsimile transmission, and a copy key.
[0027]
The second storage unit 115 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile flash memory, is used as a work memory, and stores facsimile data before decryption received by the modem 103. Further, the second storage unit 115 has an effective processing width for determining whether or not the mode information, black line data, or white line data expressed in four stages from 0 to 3 has a predetermined numerical value. A count value, a white line counter, a black line counter, a print instruction flag, a write pointer (WP), and a read pointer (RP) are stored.
[0028]
The white line counter is a white line count value, and the black line counter is a black line count value.
[0029]
The print instruction flag is a flag for instructing whether or not to issue a print instruction.
[0030]
Each time one line data is stored in a line memory (third storage unit 116) to be described later, the write pointer is sequentially changed so as to indicate an address at which the latest line data is stored. The read pointer indicates an address from which data for one line is next read from the line memory, and the address indicated by the read pointer is sequentially changed each time data for one line is read from the line memory and printed.
[0031]
The third storage unit 116 is a line memory that temporarily stores the decoded image data.
[0032]
Next, the operation of the apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described based on the operation of the control unit 101.
[0033]
2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation of the apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing received data recorded on a sheet.
[0034]
The received data shown in FIG. 4 has four areas. From the leading edge side of the document, a leading margin portion, a transmission source information portion in which a transmission date and a sender's name, a facsimile number, etc. are described, a margin portion of a text, There is a body.
[0035]
The apparatus of this embodiment has four modes, but mainly performs three mode operations, and processing is performed in order from mode 1 to mode 3. First, the number of lines of black line data is counted, and it is determined that there is a transmission source information section when the number of black lines is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (mode 1). Subsequently, when the number of white lines is counted and the number of white lines is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, it is determined that there is a text blank portion following the source information portion (mode 2). Further, by determining that there are more than a predetermined number of black lines, it is determined that there is text data, and unnecessary white lines are cut out from the white lines counted in the mode 2 and the minimum necessary blank space Is set as the body margin (mode 3). In mode 0, printing is performed.
[0036]
Next, the operation of the apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0037]
First, in step S1, the control unit 101 initializes various counters, flags, and the like stored in the second storage unit 115.
[0038]
Note that the processing effective width counter stored in the second storage unit 115 is represented by 50 mm × mode pitch. In the super fine mode, for example, 50 mm × 15.4 = 770 lines, and in the fine mode, for example, 50 mm × 7. In the standard mode, 7 = 385 lines, for example, 50 mm × 3.85 = 193 lines are set.
As described above, when the work RAM (second storage unit 115) is initialized, the effective processing width counter is set, and every time one line data is decoded, the effective processing width counter is decremented by 1. When the effective processing width counter becomes 0, The body margin is set to a predetermined width or less, and the printing process is executed. In initialization, the mode is set to 1.
[0039]
In the subsequent step S2, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the data before being stored in the third storage unit 116 (before decoding) remains in the second storage unit 115, and determines that the data is stored. If so, the process proceeds to step S4, and if not, the process proceeds to step S3.
[0040]
Note that the data before decryption stored in the second storage unit 115 in the step S2 is image data received from the line at the time of facsimile reception.
[0041]
In step S3, the control unit 101 enters a standby state and monitors an instruction input from the input unit or an incoming call from the line. Further, the processing is shifted to a main routine (not shown) of the facsimile apparatus.
[0042]
In step S4, the control unit 101 reads and decodes one line of the image information stored in the second storage unit 115, stores it in the third storage unit 116, and sets the read pointer of the third storage unit 116 as the read pointer. Switching to the address at which data is stored in the third storage unit 116 is performed.
[0043]
Since the number of lines that can be stored in the third storage unit 116 is up to 15 lines, the write pointer indicates the 0th address when the write pointer exceeds the 15th address which is the maximum value. Change the pointer.
[0044]
In the subsequent step S5, the control unit 101 decrements the processing effective width counter stored in the second storage unit 115 by 1 and determines that the processed effective width counter after decrementing is 0 or the second storage unit 115. If it is determined that the mode information stored in mode 3 indicates mode 3, the process proceeds to step S6, and if not, the process proceeds to step S35.
[0045]
In step S6, if the control unit 101 determines that the mode information stored in the second storage unit 115 is 0, the process proceeds to step S35, and if not, the process proceeds to step S7.
[0046]
In step S7, the control unit 101 performs main scanning effective dot determination. Specifically, the control unit 101 searches within a range excluding 20 mm at both ends in the main scanning direction by blocks of 8 dots horizontally, and determines that a pixel line is a pixel line when the number of continuous dots reaches a specified level or more. To do.
[0047]
In step S8, if the control unit 101 determines that the mode information stored in the second storage unit 115 is mode 1, the process proceeds to step S9. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S15 shown in FIG. .
[0048]
When the S8 step is processed after the second storage unit 115 is initialized in the S1 step, since the mode is 1, the process proceeds to the S9 step.
[0049]
In step S9, the control unit 101 reads one line of data stored in the third storage unit 116. If it is determined that the data is a black line, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S12, and otherwise proceeds to step S10.
[0050]
In step S10, the control unit 101 sets the pixel line counter to 0, and proceeds to step S11.
[0051]
In step S11, the control unit 101 turns on the print flag stored in the second storage unit 115, and proceeds to step S36.
[0052]
On the other hand, in step S12, the control unit 101 increments the pixel line counter by 1, and proceeds to step S13.
[0053]
In step S13, the control unit 101 determines whether the pixel line counter has exceeded a predetermined effective width. Specifically, if the control unit 101 determines that the counter value of the pixel line counter is 13 lines or more in the super fine mode, 7 lines or more in the fine mode, and 4 lines or more in the standard mode, the process proceeds to step S14. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S11.
[0054]
In step S14, the control unit 101 sets the mode stored in the second storage unit 115 to 2, and then proceeds to step S11.
[0055]
As described above, in the processing in mode 1, when the number of effective pixel lines, that is, the number of black lines is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of lines, it is determined that there is a sender printing.
[0056]
Next, processing in mode 2 will be described.
[0057]
In step S15 of FIG. 3, if the control unit 101 determines that the mode information stored in the second storage unit 115 indicates mode 2, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S16, and if not, proceeds to step S23. To proceed.
[0058]
In step S16, if the control unit 101 determines that the reading unit has read the effective pixel line (black line), the process proceeds to step S17, and if not, the process proceeds to step S19.
[0059]
In step S17, the control unit 101 clears the white line counter stored in the second storage unit 115, and proceeds to step S18.
[0060]
In step S18, the control unit 101 turns on the print instruction flag stored in the second storage unit 115, and returns the process to step S36 shown in FIG.
[0061]
In step S19, the control unit 101 increments the white line counter stored in the second storage unit 115 by 1, and advances the process to step S20.
[0062]
In step S20, when the control unit 101 determines that the value of the white line counter has reached a predetermined value (9 or more in the super fine mode, 5 or more in the fine mode, and 3 or more in the standard mode), the process proceeds to step S21. If not, the process proceeds to step S22.
[0063]
In step S21, the control unit 101 sets the mode information stored in the second storage unit 115 to 3, and advances the process to step S22.
[0064]
In step S22, the control unit 101 returns the process to step S36 shown in FIG. 3 after turning off the print instruction flag stored in the second storage unit 115.
[0065]
As described above, in steps S15 to S22 in FIG. 3, when the number of white lines exceeds a predetermined number, it is determined that the text margin exists between the sender print and the text, and the mode 3 is entered. .
[0066]
In step S23, if the control unit 101 determines that the received data is a valid pixel line (black line), the process proceeds to step S24, and if not, the process proceeds to step S27.
[0067]
In step S24, the control unit 101 increments the pixel line counter stored in the second storage unit 115 by 1, and advances the process to step S25.
[0068]
In step S25, the control unit 101 reaches a predetermined value (13 or more in the super fine mode, 7 or more in the fine mode, 4 or more in the standard mode) stored in the second storage unit 115. If it is determined that the process has been performed, the process proceeds to step S30. If not, the process proceeds to step S26.
[0069]
In step S26, the control unit 101 turns off the print instruction flag stored in the second storage unit 115, and returns the process to step S36 shown in FIG.
[0070]
In step S27, the control unit 101 increments the value of the white line counter stored in the second storage unit 115 by 1, and advances the process to step S28.
[0071]
In step S28, the control unit 101 discards the accumulated lines and adds the number of discarded lines to the white line counter. Specifically, the control unit 101 matches the address in the buffer memory indicated by the read pointer stored in the second storage unit 115 with the address in the buffer memory indicated by the write pointer. That is, data corresponding to the difference between the write pointer address and the write pointer address is added to the white line counter as white line data.
[0072]
The reason why such processing is performed will be described in detail. Each time one-line decoding is performed, an image is stored in the address area indicated by the write pointer, and the write pointer indicates the next address. Further, every time one line is printed, the image in the line memory indicated by the read pointer is read, and the read pointer indicates the next address. When printing is paused during such processing, the decoded line data continues to be stored in the line memory, and the write pointer continues to be updated to indicate the address where the line data is stored. Since it is stopped, the read pointer is not updated to indicate the next address, and continues to indicate the address indicated immediately before the stop of printing.
[0073]
For this reason, while reading data from the sender information part to the text margin part, black line data such as dust that is not character data existing between the sender information part and the text is read (steps S23 to S26). Next, when the white line data is read, black line data such as dust can be printed as white line data.
[0074]
In step S29, when the control unit 101 determines that the count value of the white line counter exceeds a predetermined maximum cut width (for example, 20 mm) and minimum margin (for example, 4 mm), the process proceeds to step S30. If not, the process proceeds to step S26.
[0075]
In step S30, the control unit 101 subtracts the maximum cut width from the count value of the white line counter and advances the process to step S31.
[0076]
In step S31, when the control unit 101 determines that the value subtracted in step S30 is equal to or less than the minimum margin, the process proceeds to step S32.
[0077]
In step S32, the control unit 101 sets the value of the white line counter stored in the second storage unit 115 to the minimum margin width stored in advance in the second storage unit 115, and advances the process to step S33.
[0078]
If the margin width calculated in step S30 is less than or equal to the minimum margin width, the margin width is set to the minimum margin width in step S32 because there is no body margin between the sender information portion and the body. This is because a certain amount is easier for the user to see. Also, when the margin width is larger than the minimum margin width in the step S31, the margin width is left as it is when the transmission side wants to leave a lot of margin between the sender information part and the text. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable to set the text margin part as the margin width in the data sent from the transmission side.
[0079]
In step S33, the control unit 101 sets the mode information stored in the second storage unit 115 to 0, and proceeds to step S34.
[0080]
In step S34, the control unit 101 turns on the print instruction flag stored in the second storage unit 115, and proceeds to step S36 in FIG.
[0081]
As described above, in mode 3, the white line continuing from the transmission source information part is counted, and when the counted number of white lines exceeds the predetermined maximum cut width and minimum margin, the maximum cut from the white line counter is performed. By subtracting the width, it is possible to leave at least a blank space between the sender print and the text (steps S23 to S30).
[0082]
If the effective pixel counter exceeds the predetermined value (YES in step S25), it is determined that the text is present, and then the maximum cut width is subtracted from the value of the white line counter (step S30). Is equal to or less than the minimum margin (YES in step S31), the white line count is set to the minimum margin width (step S32), so that at least a margin corresponding to the minimum margin is left between the sender print and the text. Can do.
[0083]
Steps S35 to S40 in FIG. 2 indicate printing processing.
[0084]
In step S35 of FIG. 2, the control unit 101 turns on the print instruction flag stored in the second storage unit 115, and proceeds to step S36.
[0085]
In step S36, if the control unit 101 determines that the print instruction flag stored in the second storage unit 115 is on, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S37, and otherwise returns to step S2.
[0086]
In step S37, if the control unit 101 determines that the white line counter indicates a count value of one or more white lines, the process proceeds to step S38, and if not, the process proceeds to step S39.
[0087]
In step S <b> 38, the control unit 101 controls the printing unit 112 to print one white line and decrements the white line counter stored in the second storage unit 115 by one. Further, the read pointer of the third storage unit 116 is incremented by one. That is, the address of data to be read next is set in the read pointer.
[0088]
In step S39, if the control unit 101 determines that the write pointer stored in the second storage unit 115 matches the read pointer, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S40, and if not, returns the processing to step S2.
[0089]
In step S40, the control unit 101 prints one line of the line data stored in the third storage unit 116, decrements the black line counter by 1, further increments the read pointer by 1, and returns the process to step S39.
[0090]
As described above, in the apparatus of this embodiment, it is possible to delete a blank portion between the transmission source information section and the text and insert a suitable blank, so that the received document can be a sheet of one page as much as possible. It is possible to output a received image that is easy to see for the user.
[0091]
In this embodiment, the maximum cut width is 20 mm and the minimum margin is 4 mm. However, these values may be set by the user or may be set by the manufacturer at the time of factory shipment.
[0092]
Further, the value of the processing effective width counter may be set by the user or set by the manufacturer.
[0093]
【The invention's effect】
In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the received image information can be contained on one sheet as much as possible, and the received original can be easily viewed by the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing output data.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Control Unit 112 Printing Unit 115 Second Storage Unit 116 Third Storage Unit

Claims (2)

In a facsimile machine that can delete the blank part of the received document and output it,
A first step for detecting the presence of a transmission source information portion in which information indicating the transmission source of the document is described, and a second step for detecting the presence of a blank portion interposed between the transmission source information portion and the text. And a third step of setting and outputting the minimum margin width as a margin portion when the detected margin portion is equal to or smaller than a predetermined minimum margin width. . In a facsimile machine that can delete the blank part of the received document and output it,
Source information detection means for detecting the presence of a source information section in which information indicating the source of the document is described, and margin detection means for detecting the presence of a blank portion interposed between the source information section and the text Determining means for determining whether or not the margin portion detected by the margin detection means is equal to or smaller than a predetermined minimum margin width; and by the determining means, the margin portion is determined to be the predetermined minimum margin. And a setting unit configured to set the minimum margin width as a margin portion interposed between the transmission source information portion and the text when it is determined that the width is equal to or less than the width.

Images