JPH04256275A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a function as a video printer to the facsimile equipment. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile equipment is provided with a 1st picture signal conversion circuit 14 converting a video signal into a facsimile signal, a 2nd picture signal conversion circuit 15 converting the facsimile signal into the video signal, a video input terminal 16 and a video output terminal 17. Thus, not only the function as the video printer but also various functions such as facsimile transmission of a television picture, monitor display of the facsimile picture and VTR recording of the facsimile picture are enhanced.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, video printers, which are dedicated devices for printing images displayed on a television screen, have been provided.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above-mentioned video printer has the disadvantage that it is expensive, and
It has the disadvantage that it requires a space to install it. In view of the above circumstances, the present invention not only functions as a video printer, but also performs facsimile transmission of television images, display of facsimile images on a monitor, and VTR (video tape recorder) recording of facsimile images. The purpose is to provide a facsimile device that can perform various functions.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention has a video signal input/output terminal and signal conversion means for mutually converting a video signal and a facsimile signal. It is characterized by having

[0005]

[Function] According to the above structure, it is possible to print out television images using the recording section of the facsimile, so that the facsimile apparatus can function as a video printer. Therefore, there is no need to purchase an expensive video printer, and it is sufficient to secure only the installation space for the facsimile machine, so there is no need for a space for installing the video printer.

Further, by utilizing the communication function of the facsimile device, it is possible to perform various functions such as facsimile transmission of television images, display of facsimile images on a monitor, and recording of facsimile images on a VTR.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of a facsimile machine. 8, ROM 9, operation panel 10, display section 11, codec 12, first image signal conversion circuit 14, second image signal conversion circuit 15, video input terminal 16,
and a video output terminal 17.

The control unit 1 is a control center that controls the entire transmission and reception operation of this facsimile machine based on the control program stored in the ROM 9, and the basic transmission operation is roughly as follows. This is how it is done. When the operator turns on a communication key or one-touch dial key (not shown), the control unit 1 reads out the telephone number of the other party stored in the RAM 2, and the read telephone number is sent to the telephone via the auto dialer 3 and NCU 4. A call is dialed to line 5. After dialing, the image data of the original read by the reading section 6 is encoded by the codec 12, and further sent to the telephone line 5 via the modem 7 and NCU 4, and a transmission operation is performed.

On the other hand, the receiving operation is performed as follows. That is, when receiving information is received from the other party via the telephone line 5, NCU 4, and modem 7, the received image data is decoded by the codec 12, and the control unit 1 drives the recording unit 8 based on this decoded data. Allows recording of received information. The first image signal conversion circuit 14 is configured to convert a video signal input from the video input terminal 16 into a facsimile signal. This conversion involves, for example, extracting a luminance signal from a video signal, sampling it at a predetermined timing, and converting this sampling data into multivalued data, or by comparing it with a preset reference value and performing binarization processing. This is done by The aspect ratio of the image is
Adjustments can be made by thinning out pixels, adding pixels, etc.

The second image signal conversion circuit 15 converts the facsimile signal into a video signal and sends it to the video output terminal 17.
It is designed to output from. Conversion to a video signal can be performed by performing the opposite process to the binarization process described above. The video input terminal 16 is connected to a tuner or a television equipped with a video terminal, and the video output terminal 17 is connected to a television equipped with a video terminal or a VTR.

The operation panel 10 includes a group of keys such as a numeric keypad required for normal facsimile communication, as well as a copy key, a video signal input switch, a video signal output switch, and a screen scroll key (all of which are not shown). ) are arranged. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing when copying the image on the television screen or transmitting the image on the television screen to the other party's facsimile device. First, it is determined whether the video signal input switch is turned on (S1), and if it is turned on, the video signal input from the video input terminal 16 is converted into black and white by the first image signal conversion circuit 14. This black-and-white binary data or encoded and compressed data is stored in the RAM 2 (S2).

Next, it is determined whether or not dial input has been made (S3), and if there is no dial input, the copy key is turned on.
It is determined whether or not it has been done (S4). When the copy key is turned on, the recording unit 8 is driven based on the image data stored in the RAM 2 to print (S5), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the copy key is not turned on,
Proceed to step 3.

In step 3, if a dial input is made, it is determined whether or not an original is set on the original tray (S6), and if an original is set, the original is first transmitted (S7). ), after sending this manuscript, RA
Transmission of the image data stored in M2 is executed (S8)
,finish. On the other hand, if no original is set on the original tray, the image data stored in the RAM 2 is immediately transmitted (S8), and the process ends.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of displaying image data received from the other party's facsimile machine on the monitor screen. First, it is determined whether or not the video signal output switch has been turned on (S11). If it has been turned on, image data in a range corresponding to one screen out of the received image data stored in advance in the RAM 2 is transferred to the second screen. It is converted into a video signal by the image signal conversion circuit 15, and this video signal is output from the video output terminal 16 (S12). At this time, the facsimile reception image is displayed on the television screen connected to the video output terminal 16.

Next, it is determined whether or not the screen scroll key has been turned on (S13), and if it has been turned on, the image data for one screen shifted by one line is converted into a video signal and output (S14). ). At this time, 1 appears on the TV screen.
The image scrolled by the line is displayed. Next, it is determined whether or not the screen scroll key is still on (S15). If it is still on, the process proceeds to step 14 to continue scrolling, whereas if it is not on, the process proceeds to step 16.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 13 that the screen scroll key is not turned on, the process proceeds to step 16. In step 16, it is determined whether the video signal output switch is turned off. Then, if the switch is turned OFF, the process ends, while the OFF
If F has not been pressed, the process returns to step 13 and it is determined whether the screen scroll key is turned on or off.

[0017] According to the above configuration, it is possible to print out television images using the facsimile recording section 8, so that the facsimile apparatus can function as a video printer. Therefore, there is no need to purchase an expensive video printer, and it is sufficient to secure only the installation space for the facsimile machine, so there is no need for a space for installing the video printer.

Furthermore, by utilizing the communication function of the facsimile device, various functions such as facsimile transmission of television images, display of facsimile images on a monitor, and recording of facsimile images on a VTR can be performed.

[0019]

As described above, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention not only functions as a video printer, but also performs various functions such as facsimile transmission of television images, display of facsimile images on a monitor, and VTR recording of facsimile images. It has the effect of being able to perform its functions.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile machine as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing when copying a television screen image or transmitting a television screen image to a destination facsimile device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying image data received from the other party's facsimile device on a monitor screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 First image signal conversion circuit 15 Second image signal conversion circuit 16 Video input terminal 17 Video output terminal

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising a video signal input/output terminal and signal conversion means for mutually converting a video signal and a facsimile signal.