JPH0583444A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To call a transmitting person's attention to an erroneous insertion of a documentby giving a warning in the case the number of picture element of continuous black levels of the document is smaller than the number of picture elements of the black level set in advance. CONSTITUTION:An image reading means 10 reads information mentioned in a document, while sending the document and outputs an image signal to a control means 15. The control means 15 compresses the inputted image signal, and outputs it to a black level detecting means 8. The black level detecting means 8 stores the number of picture elements of the largest black level continued in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction in one page, and outputs this number of picture elements to the control means 15. The control means 15 the number of picture elements of the continued black levels with the number of picture elements stored in advance in a storage means 16. As a result of this comparison, in the case a ratio of the number of picture element of the black level is smaller than a ratio of the number of picture elements stored in advance, the control means 15 controls a warning sound generating means 12, and generates a warning sound.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus has been used as an apparatus for communicating image signals. This is to read the information recorded on the original by the device on the transmitting side, convert it into an electric signal, and transmit it to the device on the receiving side via the telephone line,
The device on the receiving side prints the information recorded in the original on the recording paper.

[0003]

However, the recent facsimile apparatus has a limitation in the position where the document reading means (image sensor) is arranged as the size of the facsimile apparatus becomes smaller. Therefore, the apparatus inserts the document face-up. Or insert it face down. Therefore, when inserting a document, there is a possibility that the front side and the back side may be inserted reversely, and there is a problem that necessary information is not transmitted to the destination. In addition, if the sender does not notice the incorrect insertion, he / she will not be aware that the transmission is incorrect unless the sender confirms.

The present invention has been made in view of the above prior art, and can alert the sender by detecting the information amount of the original and issuing an alarm when there is a possibility of erroneous insertion. A facsimile machine is provided.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention has an image reading unit and an image signal read from the image reading unit that are continuous in the main scanning direction. The black level detecting means for detecting the number of black level pixels, the warning sound generating means for issuing a warning, the number of continuous black level pixels output from the black level detecting means and the preset number of black level pixels are displayed. In comparison, if the number of pixels of the black level is smaller than the preset number, the control means is provided for controlling the warning sound generating means to generate a warning.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus in which the image reading means and the black level detecting means for detecting the number of black level pixels consecutive in the sub-scanning direction of the image signal read by the image reading means. Means, a warning sound generating means for issuing a warning, and the number of continuous black level lines output from the black level detecting means and a preset black level line number are compared, and a preset black level line When the number is smaller than the number, the control means is provided for controlling the warning sound generating means to generate a warning.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the image reading means and the main scanning direction for detecting the number of black level pixels continuous in the main scanning direction of the image signal read from the image reading means. Output from the black level detecting means, the sub scanning direction black level detecting means for detecting the number of black level lines continuous in the sub scanning direction, the warning sound generating means for issuing a warning, and the main scanning direction black level detecting means. The number of consecutive black level pixels is compared with the preset number of black level pixels, and when the number is smaller than the preset number of black level pixels, or the continuous black level detecting means outputs the consecutive black level detection means. Compare the number of black level lines with the preset number of black level lines, and if the number of black level lines is less than the preset number, And a control means for controlling so as to generate a warning to the warning sound generating means.

[0008]

With the above construction, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means compares the number of continuous black level pixels output from the black level detection means with the preset number of black level pixels. When the number of pixels of the black level is smaller than the preset number, the warning sound generating means is caused to generate a warning.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means compares the number of continuous black level lines output from the black level detection means with a preset black level line number, and When the number of lines of the set black level is smaller than the set number of lines, the warning sound generating means is caused to generate a warning.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the number of continuous black level pixels output from the main scanning direction black level detecting means is compared with a preset number of black level pixels, If the number of pixels of the black level is smaller than the set number of black levels, or if the number of continuous black level lines output from the sub scanning direction black level detection means is compared with the preset number of black level lines, the preset black level is determined. When the number of lines is smaller than the number of lines of the level, the warning sound generating means is caused to generate a warning.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing its operation. In FIG. 1, 1 is a telephone line, 2 is an incoming signal detecting means, 3 is an interface circuit, 4 is a dialing means, 5 is a facsimile signal transmitting means, 6 is a facsimile signal receiving means, 7 is an image signal accumulating means, and 8 is black. Level detection means, 9 is telephone number input means,
Reference numeral 10 is an image reading means, 11 is a printing means, 12 is a warning sound generating means, 13 is a display means composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display device), 14 is an operation unit, 15 is a control means, and 16 is a storage means. ..

The operation of the facsimile apparatus of the first embodiment constructed as described above will be described below. First,
When transmitting, the telephone number of the transmission destination is input from the telephone number input means 9 with the original inserted in the original insertion slot (step 1). The input telephone number is stored in the storage means 16 and displayed on the display means 13. After inputting all the digits of the telephone number, when the start button of the operation unit 14 is pressed (step 2), the image reading means 10 reads the information written on the original while feeding the original, and the image signal to the control means 15. Output (step 3). The control means 15 compresses the input image signal by the MH method and outputs it to the black level detection means 8. Here, the MH method is 1 in the main scanning direction.
The image signal of the line is converted into a signal of information that the number of white level pixels continues and the number of black level pixels continues. The black level detecting means 8 stores the maximum number of pixels of consecutive black levels in one line, and this stored number of pixels is updated to a new value if more black pixels continue in the subsequent reading. (Step 4). The compressed signal is also output to and stored in the image signal storage means 7 (step 5). When the reading of one page is completed (step 6), the black level detecting means 8 stores the maximum number of consecutive black level pixels in one page, and outputs this pixel number to the controlling means 15. The control means 15 compares the number of continuous black level pixels with the number of pixels stored in advance in the storage means 16 (step 7).

Here, a method for determining the front and back sides of a document will be described. Facsimile device is 1 mm in the main scanning direction of the original
The hit is read with 8 bits. Therefore, if the number of pixels stored in advance is 8 bits, 1 m per page
The front side and the back side will be determined by whether or not there is a continuous black level signal on the side of m or more.

If the number of pixels detected by the black level detecting means 8 in step 7 is larger than the number of pixels stored in advance, it is judged whether or not there is a next document (step 8). If there is a document, the document is read. Take action. If there is no original in step 8, the telephone line 1 is closed to the interface circuit 3 (step 9), and the telephone number stored in the storage means 16 is sent to the dial means 4 (step 10). When a call state is established with the destination, the image signal stored in the image signal storage means 7 is transmitted from the facsimile signal transmission means 5 (step 11).

When the ratio of the number of pixels of the black level is smaller than the ratio of the number of pixels stored in advance in step 7, the control means 15 controls the alarm sound generating means 12 to generate the alarm sound (step 12). The display means 13 is controlled to display the document check (step 13). By this warning, the sender notices that the front side and the back side of the document are reversed, and if the stop button of the operation unit 14 is pressed within a certain time (step 14), the image signal stored in the image signal storage means 7 is reversed. Erase (step 15). When the sender inserts the original again and presses the send button again (step 2), the reading operation of the original is started (step 3).

If a warning is issued in step 14 such as when the number of characters in the original is small, and the sender does not press the stop button within a certain period of time, the warning sound and display are stopped (step 16), and the process proceeds to step 8 for transmission operation I do.

In the present embodiment, the number of continuous black level pixels, which serves as a criterion for determination, is stored in advance, but the sender may set it by a program.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the number of pixels of the black level of the original document is smaller than the predetermined set value, the warning is issued and the front and back sides of the original document are transmitted without error. You can

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Is a flowchart showing the operation. This Example 2
A block diagram showing the configuration of the facsimile apparatus in
Since this is the same as the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the drawings and the description of the configuration is omitted.

The operation peculiar to the second embodiment will be described below.
The control means 15 of the second embodiment compresses the input image signal by the MR method and outputs it to the black level detecting means 8. Here, the MR method first converts the first line into the MH method, that is, the image signal of one line in the main scanning direction is converted into a signal of information indicating how many white level pixels continue and how many black level pixels continue. Next, when the next line in the sub-scanning direction of the document is read, it is converted into a signal of information indicating where the change point from black to white or from white to black has moved with respect to the previous line.
Next, the black level detecting means 8 determines that the black level is continuous in the sub-scanning direction if the change point is moved within ± 3 bits, and stores this line number, and the stored line number is the following number. If more black lines continue to be read, the value is updated to a new value (step 4). The compressed signal is also output to and stored in the image signal storage means 7 (step 5). When the reading of one page is completed (step 6), the black level detecting means 8 stores the maximum number of consecutive black level lines in one page, and outputs this number of lines to the control means 15. The control means 15 compares the number of continuous black level lines with the number of pixels stored in advance in the storage means 16 (step 7).

Here, the facsimile apparatus reads an original with 8 bits per 1 mm in the main scanning direction, and reads 1 in the sub scanning direction.
Reads 4 lines per mm in normal mode and 8 lines in fine mode. Here, if the number of lines stored in advance is set to 4 in the normal mode and 8 in the fine mode, it is possible to determine the front and back sides based on whether there is a continuous black level signal of 1 mm or more in one page.

If the number of lines detected by the black level detecting means 8 in step 7 is larger than the number of lines stored in advance, it is judged whether there is a next original (step 8). Read operation. The transmission operation when there is no original in step 8 is the same as that in the first embodiment (steps 10 to 11).

Further, when the ratio of the number of black level lines in step 7 is smaller than the number of lines stored in advance, operations such as generation of a warning sound from steps 12 to 16 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment as well, the number of continuous black level lines serving as a criterion for determination is stored in advance, but the sender may set it by a program.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Is a flowchart showing the operation. This Example 3
Block diagram showing the configuration of the facsimile machine in,
The block diagrams of the first and second embodiments are different from each other in the main scanning direction black level detecting means 8 and the sub scanning direction black level detecting means 17.

The operation peculiar to the third embodiment will be described below.
The control means 15 of the third embodiment compresses the input image signal by the MR method and outputs it to the main scanning direction black level detecting means 8 and the sub scanning direction black level detecting means 17. Where M
The R method first converts the first line into the MH method, that is, the image signal of one line in the main scanning direction is converted into a signal of information indicating how many white level pixels continue and how many black level pixels continue. Next, when the next line in the sub-scanning direction of the original is read, it is converted into a signal of information indicating where the change point from black to white and from white to black has moved with respect to the previous line. Next, the sub-scanning direction black level detection means 17 determines that the black level is a continuous black level in the sub-scanning direction if the change point moves within ± 3 bits, and stores the number of lines, and the stored number of lines. Is updated to a new value if more black lines continue in the subsequent reading (step 4).
Alternatively, the main scanning direction black level detection means 8 stores the maximum number of pixels of continuous black levels in one line, and this stored number of pixels is new if a larger number of black pixels continue in the subsequent reading. The value is updated (step 5).
The compressed signal is also output to and stored in the image signal storage means (step 6). When the reading of one page is completed (step 7), the sub-scanning direction black level detecting means 17 stores the maximum number of consecutive black level lines in one page, and outputs this number of lines to the controlling means 18. To do. The main scanning direction black level detecting means 8 stores the maximum number of consecutive black level pixels in one page, and outputs this number of pixels to the controlling means 18. The control means 18 compares the number of continuous black level pixels and the number of lines with the number of pixels and the number of lines stored in advance in the storage means 16 (steps 8 and 9).

Here, the facsimile apparatus reads an original with 8 bits per 1 mm in the main scanning direction and with 4 lines per 1 mm in the sub scanning direction in the normal mode and 8 lines in the fine mode. If the number of pre-stored pixels in the main scanning direction is 8 bits, the number of lines is 4 lines in the normal mode, and 8 lines in the fine mode, there is a black level signal continuous horizontally or vertically for 1 mm or more per page. The front side and the back side will be judged depending on whether or not it is.

When the number of lines detected by the black level detecting means 8 in the sub-scanning direction in step 8 is larger than the number of lines stored in advance, and in step 9, the pixel output from the black level detecting means in the main scanning direction If the number is larger than the number of pixels stored in advance, it is determined whether or not there is a document next (step 10). If there is a document, the document reading operation is performed. The subsequent transmission operation when there is no original in step 10 is the same as that in the first embodiment (steps 11 to 12).

When the number of black level lines or the number of pixels is smaller than the number of lines or pixels stored in advance in step 8 or step 9, the operation after the warning sound is generated is the same as that in the first embodiment (step 14). ~ Step
18).

In the third embodiment, the number of continuous black level lines and the number of pixels, which serve as a criterion for determination, are stored in advance. However, the sender can also set this by a program. Good.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, with the above-mentioned configuration, the sender can be alerted to the mistaken insertion of the original, and the practical effect thereof is great.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Telephone Line 2 Incoming Signal Detection Means 3 Interface Circuit 4 Dialing Means 5 Facsimile Signal Sending Means 6 Facsimile Signal Receiving Means 7 Image Signal Accumulating Means 8 Black Level Detecting Means (Main Scanning Direction Black Level Detecting Means) 9 Telephone Number Input Means 10 Images Reading means 11 Printing means 12 Warning sound generating means 13 Displaying means 14 Operating part 15 Control means 16 Storage means 17 Sub scanning direction black level detecting means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image reading means, a black level detecting means for detecting the number of pixels of a black level continuous in a main scanning direction of an image signal read from the image reading means, and a warning sound generating means for issuing a warning. The number of continuous black level pixels output from the black level detecting means is compared with the preset black level pixel number, and if the number is less than the preset black level pixel number, the warning sound generating means is notified. A facsimile machine equipped with control means for controlling to generate a warning. 2. An image reading means, a black level detecting means for detecting the number of black level pixels continuous in the sub-scanning direction of an image signal read from the image reading means, and a warning sound generating means for issuing a warning. The number of continuous black level lines output from the black level detecting means is compared with the preset black level line number, and when the number is smaller than the preset black level line number, the warning sound generating means is activated. A facsimile machine equipped with control means for controlling to generate a warning. 3. An image reading unit, a main scanning direction black level detecting unit for detecting the number of black level pixels continuous in the main scanning direction of an image signal read from the image reading unit, and a continuous black level detecting unit in the sub scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction black level detecting means for detecting the number of black level lines, the warning sound generating means for issuing a warning, and the number of continuous black level pixels output from the main scanning direction black level detecting means are set in advance. If the number of black level pixels is compared and the number of black level pixels is less than the preset black level pixel number, or if the number of continuous black level lines output from the sub-scanning direction black level detection means is set to the preset black level. The number of lines of the black level is smaller than the preset number of lines of the black level, and a control for controlling the warning sound generating means to generate a warning. Facsimile machine equipped with means.