JPH0292071A - Facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce or eliminate a protocol time for mode change, to reduce the communication time and to reduce the communication cost by arranging plural picture information sets of the same destination in a picture memory and sending the result sequentially for each picture information in the same mode on the communication protocol. CONSTITUTION:A facsimile equipment 1 at first generates a memory area for column signal processing in a picture memory 7, checks whether or not a file of the same destination and the same transmission time as that of a file F1 stored at first and sets its file ID and the mode to a memory area for the column signal processing generated in the picture memory 7 when the file exists. The file at the same transmission time and the same destination in the picture memory 7 is counted by the similar processing and the fill ID and the mode are set in the memory area. The picture information in the picture memory 7 is collected for each file in the same mode and the file IDs are arranged by files off the same mode. The file ID is arranged for each same mode. When the rearrangement is finished, the line is connected with an opposite facsimile equipment by a CC 5 to start the transmission.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile communication system, and particularly to a facsimile communication system in which a plurality of pieces of image information to the same destination are collectively transmitted in one communication.

(Prior Art) Recently, with the spread of facsimile machines and facsimile storage and forwarding devices, facsimile communication systems have also become more sophisticated.

In particular, so-called serial transmission, in which image information stored in the image memory to the same destination is sent all at once, saves the trouble of making calls and exchanging communication protocols for each image information file. Can be done.

Conventionally, in this serial transmission, when transmitting a plurality of image information to the same destination all at once, the image information is read out from the image memory and transmitted in the order in which it was received, that is, in the order in which it was stored in the image memory.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such conventional facsimile communication systems, when transmitting a series of messages, multiple pieces of image information stored in the image memory for the same destination are read out and sent in the order of storage, which reduces the communication time. There have been problems in that the communication cost is not sufficiently shortened, and the communication time becomes longer than when sending each file individually.

In other words, if the image information stored as image information for the same destination is only image information that can be sent in the same mode according to the communication protocol, all the image information can be sent to multiple pages without changing the mode according to the communication protocol during communication. It can be sent as a single sentence, reducing communication time. However, when image information in different modes coexists, it is necessary to change the mode using a communication protocol each time the image information has a different mode. For example, if the image information stored in the image memory is arranged in the order of accumulation, the sizes of the image information will be in the order of A4, B4, A4, A4, B4, etc. When transmitting all of these image information at once, ,When the size of image information changes from A4 size to B4 size, or from B4 size to A4 size, the mode must be changed due to the communication protocol, and communication time is required to change the mode. Become. As a result, there was a problem in that communication time could not be sufficiently shortened and communication costs could not be sufficiently reduced.

(Object of the Invention) Therefore, the invention as claimed in claim 1 provides a method for sequentially arranging and sequentially transmitting a plurality of pieces of image information to the same destination in the image memory for each piece of image information that has the same mode on the communication protocol. Accordingly, the invention according to claim 2 also provides that, upon transmission,
A plurality of pieces of image information for the same destination in the image memory are classified into pieces of image information that are in the same mode according to the communication protocol, a predetermined mode among the modes is set as the communication mode, and image information of other modes is sent to the communication mode. The purpose of this method is to shorten or eliminate the protocol time for changing the mode by transmitting the data after converting to the mode, thereby shortening the communication time and reducing the communication cost.

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 manages the image information stored in the image memory for each file or for each page, and transmits image information for the same destination in one communication. This is a facsimile communication method that sends multiple pieces of image information at once, in which a plurality of pieces of image information sent to the same destination are arranged together according to image information that has the same mode according to the protocol, and the image information that is grouped according to the same mode is sequentially transmitted in one communication. It is characterized by sending.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is a facsimile communication method in which image information stored in an image memory is managed for each file or page, and image information for the same destination is collectively transmitted in one communication, After classifying the plurality of image information of the same destination into image information that has the same mode according to the protocol, setting a predetermined mode among the modes as the communication mode, and converting the image information of other modes to the communication mode. It is characterized by transmitting.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on examples.

1 to 6 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim 1. FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile machine 1, and the facsimile machine 1 includes a ROM (Read Only Me
2, RAM (Random Access
ss Memory) 3, CPU (Centr
al Processing Unit) 4, CC (
Co-mo+unication Control)
5, line buffer 6, image memory 7, OCRI (
Data Compression and Recon
striction) 8, DCRII 9, line buffer 10, IPU (Image Process
ing Unit) 11, plotter 12, scanner 1
It is equipped with 3rd class.

ROM2, RAM3, CPU4 and IPUII etc. are S
CU (System+ Control Unit
) consists of a line buffer 6, an image memory 7,
DCR18, DCRII9, and line buffer 10
etc. constitute an image processing unit.

The CPU 4 controls each part according to the program stored in the ROM 2 to execute the sequence of the facsimile machine l, and also executes the transmission processing of the present invention, and performs the RA
A work area is formed in M3.

A line is connected to CC5, and CC5 controls communication. The DCR 1B and the DCR II 9 compress (encode) the image data using a predetermined encoding method and reproduce the image data in order to reduce the amount of data stored in the image memory 7 and transmitted over the line.

The line buffer 6 stores image data compressed by DCRI 8 during memory transmission, and adjusts the processing speed of image data between image processing by DCRI 8 and transmission processing. The image memory 7 has a capacity to store image data for a plurality of pages, and stores image data compressed by the DCR 9.

The line buffer 10 temporarily stores image data read by the scanner 13 and also temporarily stores image data recorded by the plotter 12. IPU II performs scaling processing of image data, etc. For example, if the original to be read is 84 size, but the receiving facsimile device only has an A4 size plotter, the B4 size read by the scanner 13 The image data of is reduced to A4 size and output.

As the plotter 12, for example, a thermal recording device equipped with a thermal element is used, and the plotter 12 records directly on heat-sensitive recording paper or indirectly on ordinary recording paper via an ink ribbon.

As the scanner 13, for example, COD (Charg
A line image sensor using an eCoupled Device is used, which reads image information for each line and outputs it as image data.

Next, the effect will be explained.

In this embodiment, during serial transmission, a plurality of pieces of image information in the image memory to the same destination are grouped into pieces of image information that have the same mode on the communication protocol, and are sequentially transmitted. This transmission process will be explained below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

When a transmission document is set on the scanner 13, the facsimile device 1 reads the transmission document with the scanner 13, compresses it by a predetermined encoding method in the DCRn9 via the line buffer 10, and stores it in the image memory 7 as image information. do.

Currently, there are two image information modes: mode A and mode B.
There are different types, and the image memory 7 contains image information for the same destination in 3 files for each mode, a total of 6 files F l' = F b
It is assumed that . These 6 files F, -F
It is assumed that the image information No. 6 is stored in the order shown in FIG. 3 (in the order of subscripts).

The mode A and mode B are, for example, document size (A4
size, B4 size, etc.) and cotton density, etc.
Based on the communication protocol, modes are classified depending on whether they are the same mode or not. Furthermore, the number of pages in each file is not limited.

Now, when transmitting a plurality of pieces of image information stored in the image memory 7 in this way to the same destination in one communication, the facsimile machine 1 first creates a memory area in the image memory 7 for serial transmission processing. Generate step S,) and reset the file counter C that counts the number of files to 1 (
Step St).

Next, it is checked whether there is a file with the same destination and the same transmission time as the first stored file F (step S3), and if there is a file, the transmission process generates the file ID and mode in the image memory 7. At the same time, the count value C of the file counter C is incremented by 1 (step Ss). Through similar processing, all files in the image memory 7 having the same destination and the same transmission time are counted, and their file IDs and modes are set in the memory area. Now, as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that there are six files F1 to F with the same destination and the same transmission time.

Therefore, the count value C is 6. After counting up all the files, check whether the count value C is greater than 1, that is, whether there are two or more files (step S). If there are two or more files, the memory area of the image memory 7 is After setting the file ID of Fl (step S), the image information in the image memory 7 is compiled for each mode (steps 88 to 3).
13). That is, first, check whether files with the same mode as file F1 are set in the memory area (step S8), and if there are files with the same mode, set their file IDs together (step S8).
Step S9). When the setting of files (F3, Fs) in the same mode as file F1 is completed, it is checked in step S4 whether there are other file IDs set in the memory area (step S1゜), and if there are, they are set in a mode different from that of file F+. The file ID of the first stored file (file F2 in this embodiment) is stored in the memory area (step S1).

File I in the same mode as the file you just set ■D
Check if there are any other Ds (step S+g),
If there is a file ID, the file ID is stored in the memory area (step S, 3). When all cents of file IDs in the same mode as file F2 are completed (step Sl
! , 513), and checks whether the file ID of another mode exists in the memory area (Step 7 S1°). If not, the process moves to transmission processing (Steps SI4 to S2°).

In this way, the image information in the image memory 7 is grouped into files of the same mode, and the file IDs are arranged by the same mode, as shown in FIG. When the rearranging of the file IDs in the memory area for transmission processing in the image memory 7 is completed, the CC 5 connects a line to the other party's facsimile machine (step 314) and starts transmission (step S+s). This image information is transmitted in accordance with the order of the files D set in the memory area (the order shown in FIG. 4). That is, first, the image information of the file F1 is read out from the image memory 7', and the DCR
After being decoded into raw data by n9, it is sent to DCRI 8 via line buffer lO. The image information sent to the DCRI 8 is encoded by the DCRI 8 using a predetermined encoding method, and then sent to the CC 5 via the line buffer 6.
from there to the destination via a line not shown. File F
When the transmission of image information of 1 is completed, the count value C of the counter is decremented by 1" (step S1), and it is checked whether the count value C is "0" (step S1).
+y). Since only the image information of file F has been transmitted, the count value C is C=5, and the image information to be transmitted is stored in the image memory 7. therefore,
The facsimile machine is an MPS signal (multipage signal)
(Step 5III), the next file ID stored in the memory area of the image memory 7 (in this embodiment, it is file F3 as shown in FIG. 4).
The image information is read out from the image memory 7 and similarly sent out (step S+s). That is, as shown in the time chart of the control signal in FIG.
It is only necessary to exchange the PS signal and the MCFCF3H message confirmation signal, and then the training check (RET
RAIN) to transmit the image information of the next file.

When the transmission of the image information up to file 5 is completed, the facsimile machine 1 sends out the ROM signal (message end signal) as shown in the time chart of the control signal in FIG. (non-standard function identification signal), DIS signal (digital identification signal), NSS signal (non-standard function setting signal), DO3 signal (
After exchanging digital command signals), training is performed, and when preparation for reception is completed (CFR signal), image information of file F2 is transmitted. And file F4
As for file F6 and file F6, it can be performed continuously just by converting the MPS signal and MCFCF3H as in the case of FIG.
at) and sends an EOP signal (procedure end signal) (step S19).

When the other party successfully receives the image information and sends MCFCF3H, a DCN signal (disconnection command signal) is sent to disconnect the line, and this flow ends (step S2°). Therefore, compared to the conventional case of transmitting image information containing a mixture of different modes in the order of accumulation as shown in Fig. 2, and converting the protocol for mode change every time the mode changes,
Protocol exchange time for mode changes can be significantly reduced. As a result, communication time can be shortened and communication costs can be further reduced.

In the above embodiment, each file is treated as being in the same mode, but the facsimile communication method of the present invention can be used even when image information in different modes is mixed for each page within one file. Can be applied.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that files F1 to F have a mixture of modes A and B for each page. In this case, with the conventional facsimile communication method, it is necessary to communicate a protocol for changing the mode for each page. Therefore, in this embodiment, the image information in the image memory 7 is managed page by page, and the image information in the image memory 7 is managed page by page.
File information for each page of each file is registered in the memory area in page units. Image information is transmitted page by page based on this file information for each page. This transmission process will be explained below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

At the time of transmission, a memory area for transmission processing is generated in the image memory 7 (step P,), and the count value C of the file counter is reset to "1" (step pg). Next, search for a file with the same destination and same transmission time as the first accumulated file F1, store that file 10 and the mode of each page in the memory area, and store the count value C.
Increment by the number of pages (step P
3, Pa, Ps). When the search for the file to be transmitted and the writing to the memory area is completed, and there are multiple files to be transmitted (step P), the lth page (file F + Pt) of file F is selected from among the files to be transmitted. The mode of all pages of all files is searched to see if there is a page with the same mode as the mode (A mode), and if there is a page with the same mode, the file information of that page, for example, file F, -P, , file F,
-P.

. . . are sequentially sent to the transmission processing memory area of the image memory 7 (step P7). File F.

- When all the file information of the page with the same mode as P is sent to the memory area, the mode of the second page of file F (file F + Pg) (B mode F
), and if there is a page with the same mode, the file information of that page,
For example, file F2 P Z , file Ft
P+, . . . , etc. are sequentially set in the transmission processing memory area of the image memory 7 (step 2). The file information of the page in the same mode as files F and -Pg is stored in the 9th page.
As shown in the figure, when the file information of the page in the same mode as that of the file F+P+ is subsequently set, the CC5 calls the destination facsimile machine and connects the line (step P9). And the 10th
As shown in the figure, control signals are exchanged, but at this time,
When the facsimile machine on the receiving side has the identification function of this embodiment, it declares this in the NSF signal and sends it. If the facsimile machine l declares in the NSF signal that it has the serial transmission function of this embodiment, it declares in the NSS signal that it will transmit using the serial transmission function of this embodiment, and instructs the transmission function mode. Thereafter, the facsimile device 1 sequentially reads out file information from the memory area for serial processing in the image memory 7 and transmits it using the NSS signal.

When the destination facsimile device confirms the file information using the NSS signal, it sends out the CFR signal, and when the sending of the file information for all pages is completed, it performs a training check and then transfers the information to the pages arranged in the memory area of the image memory 7. Image information is read from the image memory 7 and transmitted (step Pro).

When the transmission of image information for one page is completed, the count value C of the counter is decremented by 1 in step P,)
, unless the count value C is “0” (step P+z)
, MPS signal and subsequently transmit the image information (steps P13, P, 4). Now, the file F h P
When the transmission of image information is completed up to page t, the mode changes, but since the file information is first transmitted as information regarding the mode, there is no need to exchange protocols for mode conversion (MPS signal Then, the image information transmission of the file Fl-P! is started.When all the information transmission is completed (step PI, step P14, which sends the EOP signal), the MCF signal is returned. Then, the DCN signal is sent and the line is disconnected (Step P1.).Therefore, there is no need to insert protocol time for mode change in the middle of image information transmission, and communication time can be further reduced. As a result, communication costs can be further reduced.

In this case, the facsimile machine on the receiving side, based on the file information of the NSS signal from the facsimile machine 1,
The received page-by-page image information is edited for each file, size and other mode adjustments are made, and each file is output from the scanner.

Therefore, on the receiving side, the page structure of the image information is organized without being confused, and the received information can be easily managed.

Further, in the second embodiment, one page is transmitted as a unit, but the transmission is not limited to this, and a plurality of predetermined pages may be transmitted as one unit. The transmission processing in this case will be explained below based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In explaining the flowchart of FIG. 11, only the same step numbers are shown for steps and knobs that are the same as those shown in FIG. 8, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

At the time of transmission, first step P is performed to generate a memory area for transmission processing in the image memory 7, as in the second embodiment.
), after resetting the count value C of the file counter to 61'' (step P2), the number of files and pages of the same destination stored in the 100L memory 7 are checked and set in the memory area (step P2). , ~ps).Next, when there are multiple pages of image information, (step P
6) Check the mode for each page, collect the file information of the pages in the same mode, and set it in the memory area (steps P7 and P8). When the creation of this file information is completed, the CC 5 connects the destination and the line (step P), and predetermined control signals are exchanged. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the facsimile machine on the receiving side declares with the NSF signal that it has the transmission function of this embodiment, and upon receiving this NSF signal, the facsimile machine 1
Instructs the mode of the serial transmission function of this embodiment using the NSS signal. After that, after training, the image memory 7
The file information for all pages of all files is read out from the memory area of , and sent out as a formant shown in FIG. 13 (step P g+). This file information is arranged for each mode, and is arranged in the order in which the image information is transmitted. When the sending of the file information is completed, the image information is sequentially read out from the image memory 7 starting with the image information of the file F+ P+ based on the file information arranged by mode in the memory area, and the encoded information is changed and sent out. (Step P2□). At this time, the image information is
As shown in FIG.
Pro, 7ri), and the space between each page is 6.
Insert and send continuous EOL signals. The number of pages in one unit can be set as appropriate, and is set as appropriate depending on, for example, line conditions. When the transmission for n pages is completed, the count value C of the file counter is decremented by n (step P23), and it is checked whether the count value C is zero (step Pza). If the count value C is not zero, the process returns to step ptz and the image information for the next n pages is transmitted all at once (step P).

When the transmission of all image information is completed (step P24),
When the EOP signal is sent (Stella 7"Pzs), MCF Nobuhide returns (then the DCN signal is sent and the line is disconnected (Step Pih)). Then, when the destination facsimile machine receives the image information, it first Based on the received file information, image information is edited for each file, and the mode is adjusted and output.

Therefore, before transmitting image information, file information is transmitted all at once, and when transmitting image information, it is only necessary to insert 6 consecutive EOL signals for each page (protocol time can be further shortened, and Communication time can be further shortened. As a result, communication costs can be further reduced.

Note that in the second embodiment above, if the destination facsimile device does not have the serial transmission function according to the embodiment,
Ordinary transmission processing is performed, or when the transmission function of the first embodiment can be used, processing is performed using the transmission method of the first embodiment. In addition, in the third embodiment, if the destination facsimile device does not have the series transmission function according to the embodiment, the normal series transmission function, the series transmission function of the first embodiment, and the second
Processing is performed using the available transmission function among the transmission functions of the embodiment.

15 and 16 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim 2, which is applied to a facsimile storage and forwarding device.

In FIG. 15, the facsimile storage and forwarding device 21 is
It includes a main body 22 and an exchange 23, and the main body 22 includes a system control section 24, an image memory 25, a communication control section 26, and the like.

The exchange 23 has extensions L11 to LIn and external lines LOI to L.
OI11, and extensions LII to LIn are connected to each other and extensions L1. ~LIn is connected to external lines LO7 to LOI11. Extension LI+-Lln has a facsimile machine FX,
~FXn is connected.

The communication control unit 26 is equipped with a modulator/demodulator, a compressor/regenerator, a variable scaler, a double buffer memory, etc., and performs demodulation and redundancy reduction encoding of the image information transmitted from the terminal, while using one side of the double buffer memory. and when it becomes a cup,
An input operation of transferring the image information to the image memory 25 and an output operation of storing the image information transferred from the image memory 25 in one side of the double buffer memory, modulating it, and sending it to the terminal are performed. Further, the communication control unit 26 uses its magnification converter to perform main scanning magnification, sub-scanning magnification, and linear density conversion to change the size of image information.

The system control unit 24 controls the exchange 23, the communication control unit 26, and the image memory 25 to execute the sequence as the storage and forwarding device 21, and also performs the transmission processing according to the present invention.

The image memory 25 stores image information sent from the facsimile machine, manages files for each designated destination, and also stores various management information such as the designated destination name, telephone number, and mode type such as image information size. .

Next, the effect will be explained.

The facsimile storage and forwarding device 21 has extensions LI, ~LI r
After the communication control unit 26 reproduces and compresses the originals sent from the facsimile machines WFX and ~FXn connected to If image information for the same destination includes image information in different modes, the image information is unified to a predetermined mode and transmitted.

This transmission process will be explained below based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 16.

At the time of transmission, the system control unit 24 searches for image information for the sequence stored in the image memory 25, that is, image information for the same destination and the same transmission time, and checks the mode of the image information. The system control unit 24 registers a mode with a large amount of column image information as a communication mode (Step QI), and upon receiving a Dis signal (digital identification signal) from the other party's facsimile machine (Step Q2), the system control unit 24 selects the registered communication mode as the current communication mode. The communication mode for the column is determined (step Q,). The determined column-based communication mode is registered (step Q4), and transmission of image information of the file in the communication mode is started (step Qs). During the transmission of this image information, the modes of other files, ie, the image information width, image information length, line density, etc., are searched (step Q,) and compared with the communication mode (step Q?). If the mode is different (step Q8), the magnification changer of the communication control unit 26 performs main scanning magnification change, sub-scanning magnification change, linear density conversion, etc., and changes the mode to the communication mode (step Q). Image memory 2
The same procedure is executed until all the column image information for the destination stored in Step 5 is transmitted, and when the transmission of all the image information is completed, this flow ends (Step Q+o
). Therefore, the protocol time for changing the mode can be deleted, and the communication time can be further shortened. As a result, communication costs can be further reduced.

In the above embodiment, the most common communication mode is the column credit image information mode, but the mode is not limited to this. In this case, the operator may set it manually, for example, by key operation or depth inch, or it may be selected by software under certain conditions.

Furthermore, although the above embodiments have been described with reference to the case where the application is applied to the facsimile storage and forwarding device 21, the present invention is not limited to this. The same can be applied. In this case, scaling processing etc. may be performed using IPU II.

(Effects) As described above, according to the inventions of the present application, the protocol time for changing the mode in serial communication can be shortened or deleted, and the communication time can be further shortened. As a result, communication costs can be further reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 6 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the facsimile communication system of the invention as claimed in claim 1, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile device to which the facsimile communication system is applied, and FIG. A flowchart showing the sequence processing; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the sequence image information in the order of reception; FIG. 4 is a diagram arranging the sequence image information in the same mode;
FIG. 5 is a time chart of the control procedure between pages in the same mode, and FIG. 6 is a time chart of the control procedure between pages in different modes. 7 to 10 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the facsimile communication system according to the invention as claimed in claim 1, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the page structure of column image information and its mode, and FIG. The figure is a flowchart showing the series transmission process, and FIG. 9 is a diagram arranging the file information of the series picture information for each same mode.
FIG. 10 is a time chart of control signals for the transmission process. 11 to 14 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the facsimile communication system of the invention as claimed in claim 1, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the transmission processing, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the transmission processing. A time chart of control signals, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the format of the file information, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the format of the page structure of the image information at the time of serial transmission. 15 and 16 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the facsimile communication system of the invention as claimed in claim 2, FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a facsimile storage and forwarding device to which the facsimile communication system is applied, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating transmission processing. 1...Facsimile machine, 2...ROM. 3...RAM. 4...cpu. 5...CC1 6...Line buffer, 7...Image memory, 8...DCRI. 9...DCRI[, lO... Line buffer, 11... IPU. 12...Plotter, 13...Scanner, 21...Facsimile storage and exchange device, 22...
... Main body, 23 ... Switching machine, 24 ... System control section, 25 ... Image memory, 26 ... Communication control section. Agent Patent Attorney Yugagun Department Figure Figure T wing X Figure T× R× Ft Ft Figure F. F. F. F. Figure Figure

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A facsimile communication method that manages image information stored in an image memory on a file-by-file or page-by-page basis and sends image information to the same destination all at once in one communication,
A facsimile communication system characterized in that a plurality of pieces of image information for the same destination are arranged together for each piece of image information that is in the same mode according to the protocol, and the image information grouped for each same mode is sequentially transmitted in one communication. (2) A facsimile communication method in which image information stored in image memory is managed file by file or page by page, and image information for the same destination is collectively transmitted in one communication, and the image information for multiple images for the same destination is The information is classified into image information that has the same mode according to the protocol, a predetermined mode among the modes is set as a communication mode, and image information in other modes is converted to the communication mode before being transmitted. Facsimile communication method.