JPH06141167A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To print picture information for plural numbers of sheets reduced in shape on a sheet of printing paper and to prevent the wasteful consumption of the printing paper by providing an information compression means for compressing the picture information received from a communication channel by an information reception means and tentatively stored by an information storage means. CONSTITUTION:In a facsimile equipment 1, the information compression means for compressing the picture information tentatively stored by a picture memory 5 is formed by a CPU 4 and an editing and printing means for arranging the two pieces of the picture information compressed in such a manner and printing it on a sheet of the printing paper is formed by the CPU 4 and a laser printer 7. In this case, when a communication MODEM 3 receives the picture information of an A4 size from the communication channel 2, the picture memory 5 tentatively stores the picture information and then the CPU 4 which detects it compresses the picture information inside the picture memory 5 in half in a vertical direction as the information compression means. The editing and printing means rotates it for 90 degree, arranges it in a horizontal direction and improves visibility.

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 printing image information received from a communication line on a printing paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A general facsimile machine is designed to send and receive image information to and from another facsimile machine through a communication line such as a telephone line or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), and is connected to such a communication line. The information transmitting means for transmitting and receiving the image information and the information receiving means are formed by a communication modem or the like. In such a facsimile device, information reading means such as an image reader for transmitting the image information read and scanned from the original document to the communication line by the communication modem, or the image information received by the communication modem from the communication line is printed on a printing paper. It is provided with an edit printing means such as a laser printer.

However, in such a facsimile apparatus, even when unnecessary image information such as direct mail is received, this image information is printed on the printing paper, so that the printing paper is wasted and necessary. Printing paper may run out when image information is received. Therefore, as a facsimile apparatus that solves such a problem, image information received from a communication line is stored in a RAM (Random Ac
For example, there is an information storage unit such as a cess memory) that allows temporary storage and allows the user to select the presence or absence of printing after confirming the contents on the display.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned facsimile machine, since it is possible to select the presence or absence of printing after confirming the image information received from the communication line and temporarily stored in the information storage means on the display, the printing paper It is possible to prevent wasteful consumption.

However, in such a facsimile apparatus, it is inevitably necessary to confirm the image information on the display and then select the presence or absence of printing, which is not preferable because the user's work load increases. Further, in this facsimile apparatus, since the capacity of the information storage means such as the RAM for temporarily storing the image information is limited, the information storage means for storing the unnecessary image information overflows and the necessary image information cannot be stored. There is.

[0006]

Means for solving the problems: An information receiving means is provided which is connected to a communication line and sequentially receives image information for a plurality of images.
An information storage means for temporarily storing the image information received by the information reception means is provided, an information compression means for compressing the image information temporarily stored by the information storage means is provided, and a plurality of images compressed by the information compression means are provided. An edit printing unit is provided for printing information by arranging the information on one sheet of printing paper in a predetermined arrangement.

[0007]

By compressing the image information received by the information receiving means from the communication line and temporarily stored in the information storing means by the information compressing means, the image information can be geometrically reduced and compressed by the information compressing means. By printing the image information of a plurality of sheets by arranging them in a predetermined arrangement on one sheet of printing paper and printing the image information of a plurality of geometrically reduced images on one sheet of printing paper. can do.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, in the facsimile device 1, the telephone line and ISD
An information transmitting means and an information receiving means connected to a communication line 2 such as N for transmitting and receiving image information are formed by a communication modem 3, and the communication modem 3 executes a variety of information processing by a CPU (Central Processing). Unit) 4 is connected. Further, in this facsimile apparatus 1, an image memory 5 which is an information storage means for temporarily storing the image information received by the communication modem 3 from the communication line 2, an image reader 6 which optically scans a document to generate image information, A laser printer 7 for printing image information on printing paper, a keyboard 8 for inputting various information, a display 9 for displaying and outputting various information, a RAM 10 for temporarily storing various information such as a telephone number and the like, a control program, etc. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 in which various information is fixedly stored in advance is connected to the CPU 4.

Therefore, in this facsimile apparatus 1, the information compression means for compressing the image information temporarily stored in the image memory 5 is formed by the CPU 4, and the two image information thus compressed are arranged. An edit printing unit for printing on one sheet of printing paper 12 is formed by the CPU 4 and the laser printer 7. In addition, in this facsimile device 1, CCITT (Comite Consultati
According to the standard of f Information Telegraphique et Telephone), it is designed to process A4 size image information at 1039 x 1728 (dot) in height and width, but in addition to this, processing in 1728 x 2078 (dot) in height and width can also be performed as a fine mode. It has become so.

With this arrangement, the processing operation when the facsimile apparatus 1 receives and prints image information will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. First, in the facsimile device 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, for example, the communication modem 2 is connected to the communication modem 3 in a vertical and horizontal direction 1039 ×
When A4 size image information of 1728 (dot) is received, this image information is temporarily stored in the image memory 5, and then, in FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the CPU 4 that detects this compresses the image information in the image memory 5 in half in the horizontal direction and converts it into 1039 × 864 (dots) vertically and horizontally.

Next, in the facsimile apparatus 1, the above-described lateral compression is also performed on the second received image information and, as illustrated in FIG. The edit printing means of the CPU 4 rotates the two image information compressed in the horizontal direction by 90 degrees and arranges them in the vertical direction, and the visibility is improved by utilizing the density of the pixel density in the vertical and horizontal directions. By doing so, one image information of vertical and horizontal 1728 × 1039 (dot) is generated from the two geometrically compressed image information. Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus 1, the edit printing means is formed together with the CPU 4. The laser printer 7 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the example,
Printing is performed on the A4 size printing paper 12 in the fine mode of 2078 (dots).

By doing so, the facsimile apparatus 1 prints the two pieces of image information received in the A4 size on the single A4 size printing paper 12, so that the printing paper 12 is uselessly consumed. Can be prevented. further,
In the facsimile apparatus 1, since two image information are edited into one image information as described above and then printed by the laser printer 7, the operation time of the laser printer 7 is shortened and the work efficiency is improved. can do. Further, in the facsimile apparatus 1, since the image information is compressed as described above, the pixel density for each of the image information inevitably decreases, but this is finally printed in the fine mode in which the pixel density is high. This reduces the deterioration of image quality.

Moreover, in the facsimile apparatus 1, a large number of image information sequentially received from the communication line 2 is temporarily stored in the image memory 5, but the stored image information is edited by the CPU 4. Since the laser printer 7 prints sequentially, the overflow can be prevented by sequentially erasing the image information in the image memory 5 each time this printing is completed.

Next, the processing operation when the image information of the original is read and scanned by the facsimile apparatus 1 and transmitted to another facsimile apparatus (not shown) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. . First, in the facsimile apparatus 1, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, for example, when the image reader 6 scans and scans A4 size image information of 1039 × 1728 (dots) in vertical and horizontal directions, the image information is stored in the image memory 5. Since it is temporarily stored, the CPU 4 which has detected this temporarily compresses the image information in the image memory 5 in half in the horizontal direction as an information compressing means, as shown in FIG. Convert to.

Next, in the facsimile apparatus 1, the above-described lateral compression is also performed on the second read and scanned image information, as shown in FIG.
The two pieces of image information laterally compressed in this way are stored in the CPU 4
The editing and printing means is rotated 90 degrees and arranged in the vertical direction. By doing so, one image information of vertical and horizontal 1728 × 1039 (dot) is generated from the two geometrically compressed image information. Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus 1, this is illustrated in FIG. Image information as described above,
It will be sent to other facsimile machines in 1728 × 2078 (dot) fine mode.

By doing so, the facsimile apparatus 1 can convert two pieces of image information read and scanned in A4 size into one piece of A4 size image information and transmit the image information. Therefore, the destination facsimile apparatus. It is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of the printing paper. Further, in the facsimile apparatus 1, as described above, two pieces of image information are edited into one piece of image information and then transmitted to another facsimile apparatus, which shortens the transmission time and contributes to the improvement of work efficiency. be able to. Further, in the facsimile apparatus 1, since the image information is compressed as described above, the pixel density for each piece of image information will inevitably decrease.
This is finally transmitted in the fine mode in which the pixel density is high to reduce the deterioration of image quality.

The facsimile apparatus 1 is capable of transmitting and receiving in a normal state by selecting an operation mode, as well as transmitting and receiving by editing image information as described above. Further, although the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is illustrated as performing both transmission and reception of image information, the present invention relates to the editing process of the received image information. It can also be applied to a dedicated facsimile machine or the like. Further, in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it has been illustrated that two pieces of compressed image information are vertically arranged and printed or transmitted as one piece of image information, but two pieces of compressed image information are combined into one piece. It is also possible to sequentially use it for printing or transmission without converting it into image information.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, the information receiving means is provided with the information compressing means for compressing the image information received from the communication line and temporarily stored in the information storing means. A plurality of geometrically reduced images can be reduced, and by providing an edit printing unit that prints the image information of a plurality of sheets compressed by the information compressing unit by arranging the image information in a predetermined arrangement on one printing sheet. Since the image information for one sheet can be printed on one sheet of printing paper, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of the printing paper.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a processing operation at the time of receiving image information.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a processing operation at the time of transmitting image information.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 Facsimile device 2 Communication line 3 Information receiving means 4 Information compressing means 4, 7 Editing / printing means 5 Information storing means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An information receiving means connected to a communication line for sequentially receiving image information for a plurality of images, an information storing means for temporarily storing the image information received by the information receiving means, and the information storing means for temporarily storing the image information. It is characterized by comprising an information compression means for compressing the stored image information and an edit printing means for arranging and printing the plurality of pieces of image information compressed by the information compression means on a single printing paper in a predetermined arrangement. And a facsimile machine.