JPH0548653B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a facsimile device, and more particularly to a facsimile device that performs divisional communication processing of image information.

[Prior Art] Various recording paper sizes are used in facsimile machines, and these are broadly classified into roll paper and cut paper. Devices that use rolled recording paper basically have no limit to the length of image information and can receive long originals, but devices that use cut paper can receive image information depending on the size of the recording paper installed. Size is limited.

Conventionally, when transmitting image information to a receiving device that has a limit on the maximum length of recording paper, a predetermined procedure signal is sent when image information with the maximum number of scanning lines determined according to the recording paper size on the receiving side is sent. to specify the page break, and the information for the following scanning line would be recorded from the beginning of the next recording paper.

This maximum number of scanning lines is determined according to the recording paper size of the receiving side, regardless of the size of the original being sent, so if the image information of the original does not have a standard format, the receiving side In some cases, image information divided at inappropriate locations may be recorded on multiple cut sheets.

In such a case, it is difficult to determine whether the recorded image information is part of a long document or an independent document. Further, even when the image information of the divided long document is to be reproduced by pasting recording sheets together, it is difficult to identify the connection points and the operation is difficult.

[Objective] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile device that allows the receiving side to easily identify recorded image information.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

In Fig. 1, the telephone network designated by 10 is used for data communication, etc., so it is connected to the terminal of the line to control the connection of the telephone exchange network, or to switch to a data communication path. A network control device (hereinafter referred to as
(referred to as NCU). A signal line 10a connected to the NCU 10 is a telephone line.

Moreover, what is indicated by the reference numeral 12 is a hybrid circuit that separates a transmitting signal and a receiving signal.
The signal to be transmitted passes from the signal line 46 to the signal line 10b and is sent out to the telephone line. Also, the received signal passes through the signal line 10b from the telephone line, and then passes through the signal line 12
It is output to a.

The received signal on the signal line 12a is input to the demodulator 14, and the received signal is inputted to the demodulator 14, and the received signal is inputted to the demodulator 14,
demodulated using a method compliant with The demodulation result is led to the binary signal analysis circuit 16 via the signal line 14a.

The binary signal analysis circuit 16 analyzes the signal on the signal line 14a, that is, the binary signal according to the CCITT binary procedure transmitted from the image receiving side device of the other party. Hereinafter, regarding known signals, only the signal names will be described, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

When the binary signal analysis circuit 16 receives a DIS (digital identification) signal via the signal line 14a, it generates a pulse on the signal line 16a. Also, DIS
15 of the signal FIF (Facsimile Information Field),
The information of the 19th and 20th bits is sent to signal line 1, respectively.
6b, 16c and 16d.

Here, the 15th bit of the FIF of the DIS signal indicates the available reception image quality mode of the other party's device, and when this is 0, it means that the other party's device can only use the standard mode. Also, the 15th bit is 1
In this case, reception is possible in both standard and fine (high image quality) modes.

Additionally, the 20th bit of the FIF of the DIS signal indicates the recording paper size of the other party, and when this is 1, it indicates that the other party has a roll of recording paper, etc., and there is no limit to the maximum length of the recording paper. . Further, when the 20th bit is 0, it indicates that the recording paper length is limited. When the 20th bit is 0, 19 bits become valid information. When the 19th bit is 0, it indicates that the maximum recording paper length is equivalent to A4 (297 mm), and when it is 1, it indicates that the maximum recording paper length is equivalent to B4 (364 mm).

Furthermore, when the binary signal analysis circuit 16 receives a CFR (reception readiness confirmation) signal or an MCF (message confirmation) signal, the signal lines 16c and 16f
generates a pulse. The above signal lines 16a to 16f are connected to a control circuit 48.

The control circuit 48 is composed of a microprocessor, a control memory, etc., and is connected to a counter circuit 18, an original size detection circuit 20, an original detection circuit 22, and an image quality mode detection circuit 24 for control described later. .

The counter circuit 18 sets the count value to 0 when a pulse is generated on the signal line 48a, and
The count value is increased by 1 each time a pulse is generated at b. The count value is reported to the control circuit 48 via the signal line 18a.

The document size detection circuit 20 is composed of a known detector such as a photointerrupter, and detects the size of the document mounted on the document table of the scanner section 26. Original size detection circuit 2
0 indicates signal line 20 if the set document is A4.
A signal level 0 is output to the signal line 20a, and if the document is B4, a signal level 1 is output to the signal line 20a.

The document detection circuit 22 is also composed of a detector such as a photo interrupter, and detects the reading position of the scanner unit 26 and whether or not a document exists a certain distance before the reading position. The original detection circuit 22 outputs level 1 to the signal line 22a when the original is detected at the reading position, and outputs level 0 to the signal line 22a when the original is not detected. Further, when the document detection circuit 22 detects the document a certain length before the reading position, the signal line 22
A level 1 is output to the signal line b, and if no detection is detected, a level 0 is output to the same signal line.

The image quality mode detection circuit 24 detects the operating state of an image quality mode switch provided on an operation panel or the like. When the standard mode is selected, level 1 is output to the signal line 24a, and when the fine mode is selected, level 0 is output to the signal line 24a.

The scanner section 26 is composed of a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD sensor, and reads images using a known method. The scanner unit 26 scans the original image while conveying the original, and scans the original image along the main scanning line 1.
The image signal is read line by line to form a black and white binary signal string, and this signal string is output to the signal line 26a. When the reading of one line is completed, the scanner section 26 generates a pulse on the signal line 26b.

The image signal string on the signal line 26a is mixed with the image pattern generated by the pattern generator 28 in an adder 30. The pattern generator 28 forms identification information indicating the break of the page to be transmitted when the image signal is dividedly transmitted to a plurality of recording sheets. The pattern generator 28 is composed of a character generator or the like. In this embodiment, the pattern generator 2
8 forms the identification information as character string image information and outputs it to the signal line 28a.

For example, this character string consists of 32 scanning lines in standard mode and 64 scanning lines in fine mode. In this case, if the scanning line density is 3.85 lines/mm, the width of each character string is approximately 8.3 mm,
It becomes 16.6mm. The mode is specified by the control circuit 48 via signal lines 48d and 48e.

That is, when a pulse is generated on the signal line 48d, the pattern generator 28 inputs the signal on the signal line 48e and reads information regarding the image quality mode. The signal line 48e is set to level 0 in the standard mode, and set to level 1 in the fine mode.

Further, the pattern generator 28 outputs a pulse to the signal line 28b every time one line of information is output, and outputs a pulse to the signal line 28c when all the pulses have been output.

The image signal of the scanned original and the image information of the identification information are added by an adder 30, and the addition result is sent to the signal line 30a.
The signal is output to the encoder 32 via the encoder 32.

The encoder 32 is configured as shown in CCITT Recommendation T4.
Encoding is performed using the MH (Modified Huffman) encoding method. The encoding result is output to the modulator 34 via the signal line 32a. The encoder 32 also outputs an encoded procedure signal, and outputs an RTC (control return) signal when a pulse is sent from the control circuit 48 via the signal line 48k.

The modulator 34 is a modulator that performs phase modulation or quadrature modulation using a known method as shown in CCITT recommendations V27ter to V29. The modulation result is output to the adder 46 via the signal line 34a.

The adder 46 is the same adder as described above, and is connected to the signal line 3.
6a, 38a, 40a, 42a, and 44a from the following signal sending circuits are added and the result is input to the hybrid circuit 12 via a signal line 46a.

The DCS signal sending circuit 36 receives a pulse from the control circuit 48 via the signal line 48f.
It outputs a DCS (digital command) signal to the signal line 36a.

The training/TCF signal sending circuit 38 outputs a training/TCF (training check) signal to the signal line 38a when a pulse is input from the control circuit 48 via the signal line 48g.

The MPS signal sending circuit 40 receives a pulse from the control circuit 48 via the signal line 48h.
It outputs an MPS (multipage) signal to the signal line 40a.

The EOP signal sending circuit 42 receives a pulse from the control circuit 48 via the signal line 48i.
It outputs the EOP signal to the signal line 42a.

The DCN signal sending circuit 44 receives a pulse from the control circuit 48 via the signal line 48j.
It outputs a DCN (disconnection command) signal to the signal line 44a.

Next, an outline of the control performed by the control circuit 48 will be explained. In order to simplify the explanation below, it is assumed that during the procedure, the reception side does not report poor reception of training signals or image signals using known procedure signals such as FTT, RTN, and RTP. It is also assumed that telephone modes such as telephone reservations are not used, and furthermore, there is no change in the communication mode from the transmitting side. It is also assumed that the timings of various procedure signals are the same as those known in the art.

In the pre-transmission procedure, the DIS signal is transmitted from the image receiving side, so the control circuit 48 obtains information regarding the recording paper length of the other party by checking the output of the binary signal analysis circuit 16. If there is a limit on the maximum length, recognize whether it is equivalent to A4 or B4.
Further, the control circuit 48 determines the image quality mode to be used by comparing the possible image quality mode of the other party in the DIS signal with the operator's desired image quality mode inputted via the image quality mode detection circuit 24.

Then, the maximum number of main scanning lines per sheet of recording paper is determined from the determined image quality mode and the maximum length of recording paper. This number of lines is stored in a predetermined area of a control memory (not shown). This area is defined below as TLINE
This is indicated by the label .

The control circuit 48 controls the counter circuit 1 every time one line is read by the scanner section 26.
While counting the number of processing lines using 8, the image information is encoded, modulated, and transmitted. At this time, the count value in the counter circuit 18 and the number of lines in the TLINE are compared, and if they match and there is still a document to be read, a page change is performed and transmission is continued. In the case of this divided transmission, the identification information formed by the pattern generator 28 is recorded at the beginning of the next recording paper.

Next, the control procedure of the control circuit 48 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Here, an example is shown in which a macro processor is used as the control circuit 48, and the control circuit 48 uses the B register as a flag indicating whether or not to transmit identification information. A predetermined area of memory may be used instead of this register. Also,
The same numbers in FIGS. 2A and 2B indicate that the flow is continuous there.

At step 50 in FIG. 2A, control circuit 48 stores 0 in the B register. When transmitting an image signal, this register switches whether or not to transmit identification information representing divided communication that is a continuation of the previous page. B register value is 0
If so, no identification information will be sent. Further, if the value of the B register is not 0, identification information indicating that the page is a continuation of the previous page is sent. Since there is no need to send out this identification information for the first page, 0 is set in the B register.

Next, in step 52, control circuit 48 generates a pulse on signal line 48a, ie, clears counter circuit 18.

In step 54, it is determined whether a pulse is generated on the signal line 16a, that is, whether a DIS signal sent from the other party's facsimile device has been received. When a pulse is generated on the signal line 16a, that is, when a DIS signal sent from the other party's facsimile machine is received, the process proceeds to step 56.

In step 56, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48f, that is, in response to the other party's DIS signal.
Sends DCS signal.

In step 58, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48g, that is, a training/TCF signal is sent, and a known training operation is performed.

In step 60, it is determined whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 16e, that is, whether a CFR signal sent from the other party's facsimile machine has been received. When a pulse is generated on the signal line 16e, that is, when a CFR signal sent from the other party's facsimile machine is received, the process proceeds to step 62.

In step 62, it is determined whether the signal level of the signal line 16d is 0, that is, whether there is a limit on the maximum length of the recording paper. If the signal level of the signal line 16d is 0, that is, there is a limit on the maximum length of recording paper, the process advances to step 66, and the signal level of the signal line 16d is 1, that is, the other party is using roll paper or the like, and there is a limit to the maximum length of the recording paper. If there is no limit to the maximum length of the paper, proceed to step 64.

Therefore, in step 64, image transmission similar to that known in the art is performed. Here, even long originals are not divided and sent as they are.

In step 66, the signal level of the signal line 16c is 0, that is, the maximum length of the recording paper is limited.
It will be determined whether it is A4 or not. The signal level of the signal line 16c is 0, that is, the maximum length of the recording paper is limited.
If it is A4, proceed to step 68. Signal line 16c
If the signal level is 1, that is, the maximum length limit of the recording paper is B4, the process advances to step 80.

In the next step 68, it is determined whether the signal level of the signal line 24a is 0, that is, whether the standard mode is selected. If the signal level of the signal line 24a is 0, that is, the operator has selected the standard mode, the process advances to step 70. Further, when the signal level of the signal line 24a is 1, that is, the fine mode is selected, the process advances to step 74.

In step 70, the number of lines corresponding to the maximum length of recording paper in the A4 standard mode (1143 lines) is stored in the memory area TLINE.

In step 72, a signal level 0 is output to the signal line 48e. That is, the pattern generator 28 is instructed to transmit in standard mode.

In step 74, it is determined whether the signal level of the signal line 16b is "0", that is, whether the other party's facsimile device does not have a fine mode. If the signal level of the signal line 16b is 0, that is, the other party's facsimile device cannot receive data in fine mode, the step
Proceed to 70. If the signal level of the signal line 16b is 1, that is, the other party's facsimile device can receive in fine mode, the process advances to step 76.

In step 76, the number of lines corresponding to the maximum length of recording paper in A4 fine mode (2287
line) in the memory area TLINE.

In step 78, the pattern generator 28 is instructed to output a signal level "1" to the signal line 48e, that is, to transmit in fine mode.

In step 80, it is determined whether the signal level of the signal line 24a is 0, that is, whether the standard mode is selected. If the signal level of the signal line 24a is 0, that is, the standard mode is selected, the process advances to step 82. When the signal level of the signal line 24a is 1, that is, the fine mode is selected, the process advances to step 86.

In step 82, the number of lines (1401 lines) corresponding to the maximum length of the recording paper is stored in the memory area.
Store in TLINE.

In step 84, a signal level 0 is output to the signal line 48a to instruct the pattern generator 28 to transmit in the standard mode.

In step 86, it is determined whether the signal level of the signal line 16b is 0, that is, whether the other party's facsimile device has the fine mode. When the signal level of the signal line 16b is 0, that is,
If the other party's facsimile device is unable to receive in fine mode, the process advances to step 82.
If the signal level of the signal line 16b is 1, that is, the other party's facsimile device can receive in fine mode, the process advances to step 88.

In step 88, the number of lines (2803
line) in the memory area TLINE.

In step 90, a signal level "1" is output to the signal line 48e to instruct the pattern generator 48 to transmit in fine mode.

In step 92, the value of the B register is 0.
In other words, when transmitting an image signal, it is determined whether identification information indicating divided communication is not transmitted. If the value of the B register is 0, the process advances to step 102.
If the value of the B register is not 0, the process advances to step 94.

In step 94, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48d, and furthermore, the pattern generator 28 starts sending out identification information indicating split communication.

In step 96, it is determined whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 28b, that is, whether the pattern generator 28 has finished transmitting one line of data. If a pulse is generated on the signal line 28b, the process advances to step 98. If no pulse is generated on the signal line 28b, the process advances to step 100.

In step 98, a pulse is generated on signal line 48b, ie, the value of the counter is increased by one.

In step 100, it is determined whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 28c, that is, whether the transmission of signals from all lines stored in the pattern generator 28 has been completed. When a pulse is generated on the signal line 28c, that is, when the transmission of this signal is completed, the process advances to step 102. If no pulse is generated on the signal line 28c, the process advances to step 96.

In step 102 of FIG. 2B, the signal line 4
A pulse is generated at 8c, that is, the scanner section 2
6 starts outputting the image signal.

In step 104, it is determined whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 26b, that is, whether reading of one line of image by the scanner section 26 has been completed. A pulse is generated on the signal line 26b, that is,
When one line has been read, the step
Proceed to 106. No pulse is generated on the signal line 26b,
That is, if reading of one line has not been completed, the process advances to step 120.

In step 106, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48b, that is, the value of the counter circuit 18 is set to 1.
increase by one.

In step 108, it is determined whether the value of the signal line 18a exceeds the value of the memory area TLINE, that is, whether the number of lines actually sent out exceeds the number of lines corresponding to the maximum length of the recording paper. If the value of signal line 18a exceeds the value of TLINE, the process proceeds to step 110. If the value of signal line 18a does not exceed the value of TLINE, proceed to step 120.

In step 110, a pulse is generated on signal line 48k, ie, to return to the procedure phase.
Send RTC signal to the other party.

In step 112, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48h, indicating communication of multiple pages.
Send the MPS signal to the other party.

In step 114, it is determined whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 16f, that is, whether an MCF signal corresponding to the above procedure signal has been received from the other party's facsimile machine. A pulse is generated on signal line 16f,
That is, upon receiving the MCF signal sent from the other party's facsimile machine, the process advances to step 116.

In step 116, 1 is stored in the B register, that is, identification information indicating divided communication is sent at the beginning of the next page.

In step 118, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48a, that is, the value of the counter circuit 18 is cleared.

In step 120, it is determined whether the signal level of the signal line 22a is 0, that is, whether there is no document in the reading device. If the signal level of the signal line 22a is 0, that is, if there is no document at the reading position, the process advances to step 122. If the signal level of the signal line 22a is 1, that is, if there is a document at the reading position, the process advances to step 104.

In step 122, a pulse is generated on signal line 48k, ie, an RTC signal is sent to return to the procedure.

In step 124, it is determined whether the signal level of the signal line 22b is "0", that is, whether there is no document a certain length ahead of the reading position. When the signal level of the signal line 22b is 0, that is,
If there is no original document a certain length ahead of the reading position, the process advances to step 126. If the signal level of the signal line 22b is 1, that is, if there is a document a certain length ahead of the reading position, the process advances to step 134.

In step 126, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48i, that is, an EOP signal indicating the end of image information is generated.
Send a signal.

In step 128, it is determined whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 16f, that is, whether an MCF signal related to the previous procedure signal has been received from the other party's facsimile machine. A pulse is generated on signal line 16f,
That is, upon receiving the MCF signal sent from the other party's facsimile machine, the process proceeds to step 130.

In step 130, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48j, that is, a DCN signal is sent out to disconnect the line, and in step 132, the communication is terminated.

In step 134, a pulse is generated on the signal line 48h, indicating the transmission of multiple pages.
Send the MPS signal to the other party.

In step 136, it is determined whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 16f, that is, whether an MCF signal corresponding to the previous procedure signal has been received from the other party's facsimile machine. A pulse is generated on signal line 16f,
That is, upon receiving the MCF signal sent from the other party's facsimile machine, the process proceeds to step 138.

In step 138, 0 is stored in the B vegister. In other words, since there is no more document, the identification information is not sent at the top of the next page.

Next, FIGS. 3A to 3C show communication performed by the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a long document 1 that does not have a standard format, and has image information over its entire surface. In the above configuration, when the image information of this long document is transmitted, a page change is performed according to the size and image quality mode of the recording paper on the receiving side, and the image information is transmitted in divisions. In this case, identification information is recorded in the divided portions of the recording paper using characters or the like generated by the pattern generator 28. This character string may be determined as appropriate, or the operator on the transmitting side may be able to select from a plurality of types of character strings as described below.

FIGS. 3B and 3C each show examples of different character strings. Here, the image information of the long original 1 is divided and recorded on recording sheets 2 to 4 and 5 to 7. In the case of Figure 3B, a character string is recorded at the beginning of the divided recording sheets 3 and 4 as character identification information such as ``This is a continuation of the previous page.''
In the case of FIG. 3C, a character string ``margin part'' is recorded with a dotted line at the beginning of the recording sheets 6 and 7.

Although FIGS. 3B and 3C show an example in which the identification information is recorded at the beginning of the divided recording paper, it is of course possible to record the identification information at the end of the previous page.

According to the above embodiment, when divided transmission is performed, the receiving side always records the identification information in the form of characters indicating the division at the top of the next page, making it easy to identify the recorded paper. , it becomes easier to restore the manuscript. According to this embodiment, since the identification information is transmitted from the transmitting side as character string image information, there is no restriction on the communication function of the receiving side. However, it is also possible to provide a pattern generator for identification information on the receiving side, and to transmit only a predetermined signal from the transmitting side when changing pages.

In the above embodiment, the case where divisional transmission is performed according to the recording paper size on the transmitting side is illustrated, but the above-mentioned case may also be used when performing divisional communication processing of image information due to other reasons, such as an overflow of the memory on the transmitting side. Of course, this technology can be applied.

[Effects] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a facsimile device that performs division communication processing of image information employs a configuration in which a means for recording character information indicating the division locations of recording paper is provided. Therefore, it is possible to provide an excellent facsimile device that allows easy identification of recording paper on the receiving side and also facilitates restoration work for long originals.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram explaining the configuration of the facsimile device of the present invention, and FIGS.
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are flowchart diagrams illustrating the control procedure in the configuration shown in the figure, and are explanatory diagrams illustrating communication operations by the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. 1... Long manuscript, 2-7... Recording paper, 10...
NCU, 18...Counter circuit, 20...Document size detection circuit, 22...Document detection circuit, 24...
Mode detection circuit, 26...Scanner section, 36...
...DCS signal sending circuit, 38...Training/
TCF signal sending circuit, 40...MPS signal sending circuit,
42... EOP signal sending circuit, 44... DCN signal sending circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. means for detecting the size of recording paper; means for comparing the size of the original image with the size of the recording paper; and dividing and recording the original image on a plurality of sheets of recording paper according to the comparison result. What is claimed is: 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising: means for outputting a document image in a divided manner; and means for recording image information indicating that a document image has been divided and output on recording paper on which the divided images are recorded.