JPH07143345A - Image transmission method and image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the transmission efficiency of a page where the color and black/white images are mixed together and also to reduce the running cost of a device by counting the number of pixels having the data contents coincident with each other between the bit planes of each color component at each same pixel position. CONSTITUTION:An image memory 6 is set in a reading mode and the address data AD is changed into the value corresponding to all pixels equivalent to a single page. When these operations are complete, the count value of a counter 31 is equal to the value equivalent to all black/white pixels equivalent to a single page. Therefore the pixels having the data contents coincident with each other between the bit planes of each color component at each same pixel position are counted for the color image data equivalent to a single page. When this count value exceeds a prescribed level, the data on the bit plane of a prescribed color component is transmitted as the black/white image data for a relevant page. Meanwhile the image data on plural bit planes of each color component are transmitted for the relevant page when the count value is less than a prescribed level.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmission method and an image recording method for color images and monochrome images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in the case of transmitting color image data by a facsimile machine, if the amount of information per pixel is set to 24 bits, almost natural images (so-called full-color images) can be expressed. However, in this case, since the information amount of the transmission data becomes enormous, it is considered to apply a highly efficient encoding method such as the JPEG method.

However, in order to exchange such a full-color color image, the resources required for the facsimile apparatus become very large and very expensive, so that the number of colors to be expressed is, for example, 8 colors. Practical application of a facsimile machine that transmits a small number of color images is also considered.

In this case, for one pixel, red,
Each of the three primary colors of green and blue is represented by 1 bit. Therefore, the amount of information per pixel is 3 bits, and device resources are not required so much, so that it is considered that practical application is easy. Furthermore, when improving the image quality, for example, image processing such as an error diffusion method or a dither method may be applied.

On the other hand, not all the images of the transmission document are color images. For example, considering a normal facsimile document, most of them are text originals. In this case,
It is possible to reduce the amount of transmission data by treating it as a black and white image, and since there is no influence such as color fringing or color shift of the image due to the characteristics of the reading system, it is possible to improve the image quality of the image reproduced on the receiving side. .

An example of such a conventional device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-245677.
With this conventional device, the user can specify as a black and white document in page units.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional apparatus, since a color image or a monochrome image is set in page units, the following inconvenience occurs.

For example, a document partially including a color image needs to be processed as a color image page. In this case, one page is transmitted as color image data although the ratio of the color image is small. Therefore, the transmission data amount is large and the transmission efficiency is poor.

Further, as a means for recording a color image in this case, for example, a thermal transfer recording device using a color ribbon of three colors of red, green and blue can be used. When a monochrome image is recorded by this thermal transfer recording apparatus, the recording operation using each color ribbon is performed using the same monochrome image data.

Therefore, if black-and-white image data is frequently received, the consumption of the color ribbon becomes very large and the running cost of the apparatus becomes very large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image transmission method and an image recording method capable of improving the transmission efficiency of a page in which color images and black-and-white images are mixed and reducing the running cost of the apparatus. It is intended to be provided.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an image for transmitting a color image data in which a document image is separated into three predetermined primary colors and each color component is formed of 1 bit plane or a black and white image data representing a black and white image is transmitted. In the transmission method,
For the color image data for one page, the number of pixels whose data contents match for each identical pixel position between bit planes of each color component is counted, and when the counted value exceeds a predetermined value,
For that page, bit plane data of a predetermined color component is transmitted as black-and-white image data, while when the above count value is less than or equal to a predetermined value, for that page, image data of a plurality of bit planes of each color component is transmitted. Are transmitted respectively.

Further, the original image is separated into three predetermined primary colors,
In an image transmission method for transmitting color image data in which each color component is composed of one bit plane or monochrome image data representing a monochrome image, for one line of color image data, the same pixel position is set between bit planes of each color component. When the number of pixels whose data contents coincide with each other is counted and the counted value exceeds a predetermined value, bit line data of a predetermined color component is transmitted as black-and-white image data for that line, while the counted value is a predetermined value. When the value is less than the value, the image data of a plurality of bit planes of each color component is transmitted for each line.

Further, the original image is separated into three predetermined primary colors,
In an image transmission method for transmitting color image data in which each color component is composed of one bit plane or monochrome image data representing a monochrome image, for each page of color image data, the same pixel position is set between bit planes of each color component. The number of pixels whose data contents match is counted, and when the count value exceeds a predetermined value, if the receiving side does not request the transmission of color image data of each color component, the page is displayed with the predetermined color component. When the count value is less than or equal to a predetermined value and the count value exceeds the predetermined value while the bit plane data is transmitted as black and white image data, the receiving side requests transmission of color image data of each color component. For each page, the image data of multiple bit planes for each color component should be transmitted. Those were.

Further, the original image is decomposed into three predetermined primary colors,
In an image transmission method for transmitting color image data in which each color component is composed of 1 bit plane or monochrome image data representing a monochrome image, color image data of a partial image of a predetermined number of lines is the same between bit planes of each color component. The number of pixels whose data contents match for each pixel position is counted, and when the count value exceeds a predetermined value, bit plane data of a predetermined color component is transmitted as monochrome image data for the partial image, while When the count value is less than or equal to the predetermined value, for the partial image,
Image data of a plurality of bit planes for each color component is transmitted.

Also, the original image is decomposed into three predetermined primary colors,
In an image transmission method for transmitting color image data in which each color component is composed of 1 bit plane or monochrome image data representing a monochrome image, a setting operation request is made for a partial color image in a rectangular area, and a bit plane of a predetermined color component One page of data is transmitted as black-and-white image data, and for the rectangular area for which the setting operation has been performed, bit-plane image data of color components other than the color components transmitted as the black-and-white image data is transmitted. is there.

Further, the original image is separated into three predetermined primary colors,
In the image recording method of recording and outputting a color image or a black-and-white image in which each color component is composed of 1 bit plane, the data content of the same pixel position is matched between the bit planes of each color component for the color image data for one page. The number of pixels to be counted is counted, and when the counted value exceeds a predetermined value, a black-and-white image corresponding to the data of the bit plane of the predetermined color component is recorded and output for the page,
When the count value is less than or equal to a predetermined value, a color image corresponding to the image data of a plurality of bit planes of each color component is recorded and output for that page.

[0018]

Therefore, since the black-and-white image data and the color image data are switched in line units or in units of a predetermined number of lines, the image quality of an image in which a black-and-white image and a color image are mixed can be improved, and the data of the image data can be improved. The amount can be reduced. Moreover, since the image of the designated rectangular area is transmitted as a color image, the data amount of the image data can be further reduced. In addition, since the monochrome image data is recorded and output as a monochrome image, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the color ribbon of the recording device and the running cost of the device. Further, since the page to which the black-and-white image data is sent and the page to which the color image data is sent are automatically determined, the labor of the user is reduced and the usability of the apparatus is improved.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a color facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color facsimile apparatus has a group 3 facsimile function as a transmission function.

In FIG. 1, the system control unit 1 performs control processing of each unit of the color facsimile apparatus and facsimile transmission control procedure processing, and the system memory 2 performs control processing executed by the system control unit 1. The program and various data necessary for executing the processing program are stored and constitute a work area of the system control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 stores various information unique to this color facsimile apparatus. Is for storing.

The color scanner 4 is for reading a color original image (8 colors) at a predetermined resolution, and the color printer 5 is for recording and outputting a color image (8 colors) and a monochrome image at a predetermined resolution. belongs to.

Here, the color printer 5 is, for example, a thermal transfer printer using four types of ink ribbons of red, green, blue, and black, and when recording and outputting a color image, the color type is specified. , Red image data, green image data, and blue image data are input, and images are recorded using the red ink ribbon, green ink ribbon, and blue ink ribbon, respectively. When recording and outputting a black-and-white image, black-and-white image data is input in a state where black is designated, and an image is recorded using a black ink ribbon.

The image memory 6 stores one page of red image data (1 bit plane), green image data (1 bit plane), and blue image data (1 bit plane). Reference numeral 7 refers to the image data stored in the image memory 6, judges whether all the red image data, the green image data and the blue image data at the same pixel position match, and determines the number of matching pixels. For counting.

The operation display section 8 is for operating the facsimile apparatus, and includes various operation keys and various display devices. The encoding / decoding unit 9 is for encoding and compressing the image data, and for decoding the encoded and compressed image information into the original image data. The image storage device 10 is encoded and compressed. This is for storing a large amount of image information in a closed state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 11 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and has a low speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanging image information. High-speed modem function (V.33 modem,
V. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control device 12 is for connecting the facsimile device to a public telephone line network and has an automatic call originating / receiving function.

These system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, color scanner 4, color plotter 5, image memory 6, match detection unit 7, operation display unit 8, encoding / decoding unit 9, image storage. Device 10, group 3 facsimile modem 11, and network control device 12
Are connected to the system bus 13, and data is exchanged between these respective elements mainly via the system bus 13.

Further, the data exchange between the image memory 6 and the coincidence detecting section 7 and the data exchange between the network control device 12 and the group 3 facsimile modem 11 are performed directly.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the image memory 6 and the coincidence number detecting section 7.

In the figure, the red plane memory 21 is
It stores one page of red image data, the green plane memory 22 stores one page of green image data, and the blue plane memory 23 stores one page of blue image data. It is a thing.

The red plane memory 21, the green plane memory 22 and the blue plane memory 23 are used for data writing and reading via the system bus 13, and at the same time, the red plane memory 21 and the green plane memory 2 are used.
The red image data DTr, the green image data DTg, and the blue image data DTb read from the 2 and blue plane memories 23 are also output to the coincidence detection unit 7, respectively. The address data AD is simultaneously added to the red plane memory 21, the green plane memory 22 and the blue plane memory 23 from the system bus 13.

Further, the red plane memory 21, the green plane memory 22 and the blue plane memory 23 are respectively 1
Store one bit of data for one address. Therefore, in this case, the red image data DTr, the green image data DTg, and the blue image data DTb are each 1-bit data.

In the coincidence detecting section 7, the red image data DTr input from the red plane memory 21 is stored in the AND circuit 2
5 is connected to one input terminal of the inverter 2 and
It is added to one input terminal of the AND circuit 27 in an inverted state via 6.

The green image data DTg input from the green plane memory 22 is applied to one input terminal of the AND circuit 25 and is also inverted by the inverter 28 and applied to one input terminal of the AND circuit 27. Has been.

The blue image data DTb input from the blue plane memory 23 is added to one input end of the AND circuit 25 and also added to one input end of the AND circuit 27 while being inverted via the inverter 29. Has been.

The output signal of the AND circuit 25 is the OR circuit 30.
The output signal of the AND circuit 27 is applied to the other input terminal of the OR circuit 30. The output signal of the OR circuit 30 is added to the counter 31, and the count value of the counter 31 is the coincidence number data DT.
It is output as k.

Here, as described above, since the same address data AD is simultaneously added to the red plane memory 21, the green plane memory 22 and the blue plane memory 23, the red plane memory 21 and the green plane memory 22. The red image data DTr, the green image data DTg, and the blue image data DTb output from the blue plane memory 23 have the same address, that is, the same pixel position.

Therefore, the address data A at that time
When the pixel at the position corresponding to D is a black pixel and the red image data DTr, the green image data DTg and the blue image data DTb at the same pixel position become data 1, the output signal of the AND circuit 25 outputs the data 1 ( AND circuit 27 when the pixel is a white pixel and the red image data DTr, the green image data DTg and the blue image data DTb at the same pixel position become data 1 while changing to the logic H level).
Output signal changes to data 1.

As a result, when the image memory 6 is set to the read mode and the address data AD is changed to a value corresponding to all the pixels for one page, the counter 31 outputs the data when the operation is completed. Count value DTk
Is a value corresponding to the total number of black and white pixels for one page. Therefore, by inputting the count value DTk at that time, the total number of black and white pixels on the page can be known.

At the same time, when the image memory 6 is set to the read mode and the address data AD is changed to a value corresponding to all the pixels for one line, the counter 31 outputs the data when the operation is completed. Count value DT
The value of k is a value corresponding to the total number of black and white pixels for one line. Therefore, by inputting the count value DTk at that time, it is possible to know the total number of black and white pixels in the line.

In this embodiment, as the image information exchanged with the partner terminal, the line sequential type shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) and the image information shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). Either of the two types of frame sequential type shown in FIG.

In the line-sequential type, when it is judged that the line is a line for black and white images only, as shown in FIG. 3A, only the red image data of the line (hereinafter referred to as red line data) is obtained. When it is transmitted and it is determined that the line is a color image line, as shown in FIG.
Red line data, green image data (hereinafter referred to as green line data), and blue image data (hereinafter,
Blue line data)).

Here, the red line data, the green line data, and the blue line data are data in a state in which they are coded and compressed by a predetermined coding method, and at the end of each, one line worth of data is stored. A line end code (EOL) representing a break is added. Further, an attribute bit is added to the beginning of the red line data, and the value of the attribute bit is set to 1 for the line consisting of only the red line data, and the red line data, the green line data, and The value of the attribute bit is set to 0 for the line consisting of blue line data.

Therefore, when decoding the original red image data, green image data, and blue image data from this image information, first, the attribute bit is searched for to see if its value is 0 or 1. .

When the value of the attribute bit is 1,
Decode the image information until the next line termination code is detected,
The image data obtained thereby is input as monochrome image data for one line.

When the value of the attribute bit is 0, the image information is decoded until the next line terminal code is detected, the image data obtained by this is input as red image data for one line, and , The image information is decoded until the next line terminal code is detected, the image data obtained thereby is input as green image data for one line, and the image information is decoded until the next line terminal code is detected. , And the image data obtained thereby is input as blue image data for one line.

Further, in the case of the frame-sequential type, if it is judged that the page is a page containing only black and white images, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, if only red image data of the page (hereinafter referred to as red page data) is transmitted and it is determined that the page is a color image page, as shown in FIG. Red page data, green image data (hereinafter referred to as green page data), and blue image data (hereinafter referred to as blue page data) are transmitted.

Here, the red page data, the green page data, and the blue page data are data in a state in which they are coded and compressed by a predetermined coding method, and at the end of the red page data and the green page data, A delimiter code indicating the delimiter of data for one page is added, and a control return signal (RTC) indicating the end of three-color image information for one page is added at the end of the blue page data. Also,
Attribute bits are added to the beginning of the red page data. For pages consisting only of red page data, the value of the attribute bit is set to 1, and red page data, green page data, and blue page data are set. For pages of data, the value of the attribute bit is set to 0.

Therefore, when decoding the original red image data, green image data, and blue image data from this image information, first, the attribute bit is searched for to see if its value is 0 or 1. .

When the value of the attribute bit is 1,
Image information is decoded until the next delimiter code is detected, and the image data obtained thereby is input as one page of monochrome image data.

When the value of the attribute bit is 0, the image information is decoded until the next delimiter code is detected, and the image data obtained thereby is input as one page of red image data. The image information is decoded until the delimiter code is detected, the image data obtained thereby is input as one page of green image data, and the image information is decoded until the next control return code is detected. The input image data is input as one page of blue image data.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the transmission procedure of the group 3 facsimile machine. This transmission procedure is C
CITT Recommendation T.M. It is based on the transmission procedure defined by 30.

First, the calling terminal makes a call to the designated called terminal, and when the called terminal detects an incoming call, the called terminal
A called station identification signal CED (tone signal) for indicating that the terminal itself is a non-voice terminal, a non-standard function identification signal NSF (binary signal) for notifying a non-standard function of the terminal itself, and , And sends a digital identification signal DIS (binary signal) for notifying the standard function of its own terminal.

The calling terminal sends the called station identification signal CE from the called terminal.
When D, the non-standard function identification signal NSF and the digital identification signal DIS are received, the transmission function set by the user of the terminal at that time and the transmission function notified by the non-standard function identification signal NSF and the digital identification signal DIS are detected. Based on this, a transmission function such as a modem speed to be used at that time is determined, and a non-standard function setting signal NSS (binary signal) is transmitted to notify the determined transmission function. Then, in order to execute the modem training procedure at the modem speed set at that time, a predetermined training check signal TCF (image information signal) is transmitted.

Upon receiving the non-standard function setting signal NSS, the destination terminal sets the transmission function and the device function specified by the non-standard function setting signal NSS in each element within the self-terminal, and is specified at that time. The training check signal TCF is received at a different modem speed. Then, when the reception result of the training check signal TCF is good, the reception preparation confirmation signal CFR (binary signal) is sent out as a response signal to shift to the image information receiving state.

When the calling terminal receives the reception preparation confirmation signal CFR, it shifts to the image information transmission state. In this case,
Image information for two pages is transmitted.

That is, at the modem speed determined by the modem training procedure at that time, the image information P of the first page is displayed.
IX1 is sent out. In this case, since there is image information of the second page, a multi-page signal MPS (binary signal) is sent out as a post-message command.

If the receiving result of the image information PIX1 at that time is good, the destination terminal sends the message confirmation signal MC
F (binary signal) is transmitted, and since the post-message command received at this time is the multi-page signal MPS, the reception state of the second page is entered.

When the calling terminal receives the response signal from the called terminal, it sends the image information PIX2 for the second page. In this case, since there is no image information for the next page, the procedure end signal is sent as a post-message command. EOP (binary signal) is transmitted.

If the receiving result of the image information PIX2 at that time is good, the destination terminal sends the message confirmation signal MC
F is sent out, and the post-message command received at this time is the procedure end signal EOP, so the state shifts to the end state of the image information receiving operation.

When the calling terminal receives the response signal from the called terminal, it sends a disconnection command signal DCN (binary signal),
The line is restored, and the series of image information transmission operations is completed. When the destination terminal receives the disconnection command signal DCN, it restores the line and ends the series of image information receiving operations.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the signal format of a binary signal used in the transmission procedure described above. Note that this signal format is based on CCITT Recommendation T.264. It complies with 30 signal formats.

Basically, the signal format of the binary signal is H
It is specified in the frame structure specified in the DLC procedure. This frame has a head flag (F) consisting of a predetermined bit pattern (8 bits) indicating the head of the frame,
An address field (A) consisting of a predetermined bit pattern (8 bits), a control field (C) consisting of a predetermined bit pattern (8 bits), an information field (I) corresponding to the contents of a binary signal, and an address field to an information field Predetermined frame check sequence (FC
S) and an end flag (F) having a predetermined bit pattern indicating the end of the frame.

Here, in the information field, a facsimile control field (FCF) consisting of an 8-bit pattern representing the type of the binary signal, and a facsimile information field (FIF) added when the binary signal has a parameter. Consists of.

FIG. 6 shows an example of processing performed by the group 3 facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when making a call.

First, the designated destination is called (process 10).
1) When the other terminal responds to the incoming call, a predetermined pre-transmission procedure (at the time of calling) is executed (process 102) to determine the transmission function for transmitting the image information.

Then, the transmission page is selected (process 10).
3) The image information of the page is transmitted (process 104).
At this time, it is checked whether or not there is image information for the next page (decision 105).
Is transmitted (process 106), and a response signal from the partner terminal is received (process 107). Then, the process returns to step 103, and the image information of the remaining pages is transmitted.

When the result of the judgment 105 is NO, the procedure end signal EOP is sent as a post-message command (process 108) and the response signal from the partner terminal is received (process 109). Then, the disconnection command signal DCN is transmitted (process 110) and the line is restored (process 111).

FIG. 7 shows an example of processing performed by the group 3 facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when an incoming call is received.

When the incoming call is detected, the incoming call is answered (process 20).
1) Execute a predetermined transmission procedure (at the time of incoming call) (process 20)
2) Prepare for receiving image information (process 203).

Next, when the image information for one page is received and the error is checked, the received image information is accumulated (process 203), and when the image information for one page is received,
The post-message command is received (process 204). It is checked whether the post-message command received at this time is the procedure end signal EOP (decision 205), and when the result of the decision 205 is NO, a response signal indicating the reception result of the image information of the page at that time is transmitted. After doing (Process 20
6) The process returns to step 203, and the image information of the next page is received.

When the result of the determination 205 is YES, a response signal indicating the reception result of the image information of the page at that time is transmitted (process 206), and the disconnection command signal DC
N is received (process 208) and the line is restored (process 20).
9).

FIG. 8 shows an example of a process executed by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when transmitting the image information for one page when the color image information is transmitted in the line-sequential type.

First, the image of the transmission original for one page is read and input by the color scanner 4, and the color image data obtained by the reading is stored in the image memory 6 (process 3).
01).

Then, the processing line to be encoded at that time is selected (process 302), and the image memory 6 is selected.
Is set to the read mode, the address data AD is sequentially changed to a value corresponding to all the pixels of the processing line, and the count value output from the coincidence detection unit 7 at the time when the read operation for the one line is completed. DTk is input, and thereby the total number of black and white pixels in the processing line is detected (processing 303).

Then, it is determined whether the count value DTk is larger than the predetermined value KA (decision 304). When the result of this judgment 304 is YES, it is judged that the processing line at that time is a line of a monochrome image, and the image data for one line corresponding to the processing line is read from the red plane memory 21 and The image data for one line is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the attribute flag of the data 1 is added to the beginning of the image information for one line obtained thereby, and the transmission data for one line is formed. Then, the transmission data for one line is sent to the partner terminal (processing 306).

When the result of judgment 304 is NO, it means that the processing line at that time is a non-monochrome image. In this case, one line of image data corresponding to the processing line is read from the red plane memory 21,
The image data for one line is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, the attribute flag of data 0 is added to the beginning of the red line data for one line obtained thereby, and then from the green plane memory 22. One line of image data corresponding to the processing line is read out, the one line of image data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the obtained one line of green line data is formed first. The image data for one line corresponding to the processing line is read from the blue plane memory 23, and the image data for one line is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, The blue line data for one line obtained thereby is continued to the green line data previously formed,
As a result, transmission data for one line is formed (process 307). Then, the formed transmission data for one line is transmitted to the partner terminal (process 308).

In this way, when the transmission of the transmission data for one line is completed, it is checked whether the transmission of all the lines for one page is completed at that time (decision 309).
When the result of determination 309 is NO, the process returns to step 302 and the image information of the next line is transmitted. Also, judgment 3
When the result of 09 is YES, the operation of transmitting the image information for one page is completed.

The above-mentioned predetermined value KA is set to an appropriate value corresponding to the image resolution and the reading characteristics of the color scanner 4. This value may be determined experimentally.

FIG. 9 shows an example of processing executed when recording and outputting the accumulated line-sequential color image information for one page.

First, the attribute bit added to the beginning of one line is searched (process 401) and it is checked whether the value is 1 (decision 402). The result of judgment 402 is YE
When S is reached, the image information is decoded until the next line termination code is detected, and the image data obtained thereby is input as monochrome image data for one line (process 40).
3). Then, with the black data specified as the color attribute of the data to be transferred, the image data for one line is transferred to the color printer 5 (process 404),
A black and white image for one line is recorded and output.

When the result of the determination 402 is NO, the line is a color image. At this time, the image information is decoded until the next line termination code is detected, the image data obtained thereby is input as red image data for one line (process 405), and the red data is used as the color attribute of the data to be transferred. In the designated state, the image data for one line is transferred to the color printer 5 (process 406), the red image for one line is recorded and output, and the image is printed until the next line termination code is detected. Decoding information, inputting the image data obtained thereby as one line of green image data (process 407), and specifying green data as the color attribute of the data to be transferred,
The image data for one line is transferred to the color printer 5 (process 408), a green image for one line is recorded and output, and image information is decoded until the next line end code is detected. , The image data obtained by this
Input as blue image data for line (process 409),
With the blue data designated as the color attribute of the data to be transferred, the image data for one line is transferred to the color printer 5 (process 410), and a blue image for one line is recorded and output. To record and output a color image for one line of red, green, and blue.

In this way, when the image recording for one line is completed, it is checked whether or not the recording operation for one page is completed (decision 411). When the result of the judgment 411 is NO, the process returns to the step 401. Then, the recording operation for the next line is executed. When the result of determination 411 is YES, the image recording operation for one page is completed.

In this way, in this embodiment, it is judged line by line whether it is a monochrome image or a color image,
Since only the red line data is transmitted for the line of the monochrome image, the data amount of the image information can be significantly reduced especially when there are many monochrome images.
Further, since the black-and-white image and the color image are distinguished line by line, it is possible to efficiently transmit an original image in which a color image is included in a part of the black-and-white image.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a process executed by the apparatus of FIG. 1 when transmitting image information for one page when transmitting color image information in the frame sequential type.

First, the color scanner 4 reads and inputs an image of a transmission original for one page, and the color image data obtained by the reading is stored in the image memory 6 (process 5).
01).

Then, the image memory 6 is set to the read mode, the address data AD is sequentially changed to a value corresponding to all the pixels for one page, and when the read operation for one page is completed, the coincidence detection unit The count value DTk output from 7 is input, and the total number of black and white pixels in the processed page is detected (step 502).

Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the count value DTk is larger than the predetermined value KB (decision 503). When the result of this determination 503 is YES, it is determined that the processing page at that time is a monochrome image page, the image data of the processing page is read from the red plane memory 21, and the image data for the one page is read. 1 obtained by encoding and compressing by the encoding / decoding unit 9
The attribute flag of the data 1 is added to the head of the image information for one page to form the transmission data for one page (process 50).
4), the transmission data for one page is sent to the partner terminal (process 505), and this process ends.

When the result of the judgment 503 is NO, it means that the processing page at that time is a non-monochrome image. In this case, one page of image data is read from the red plane memory 21, the one page of image data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the data is added to the beginning of the red page data obtained thereby. An attribute flag of 0 is added, then one page of image data is read from the green plane memory 22, the one page of image data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the obtained green page is obtained. The image data for one page is read out from the blue plane memory 23 and is further encoded with the red page data previously formed with a predetermined delimiter code added to the beginning of the data, and the image data for the one page is encoded. The blue page data obtained by the compression and decoding by the decoding section 9 is continuously added to the previously formed green page data with a predetermined delimiter code added to the beginning of the blue page data. By forming a transmission data of one page (processing 506). And formed 1
The page transmission data is transmitted to the other terminal (process 50
7) and this process ends.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a process executed when recording and outputting the accumulated frame-sequential type color image information for one page.

First, the attribute bit added to the head of one page is searched (process 601) and it is checked whether the value is 1 (decision 602). The result of judgment 602 is YE
When S is reached, the image information for one page is decoded, and the image data obtained thereby is input as monochrome image data for one page (process 603). Then, in a state where the black data is designated as the color attribute of the data to be transferred, the image data for one page is transferred to the color printer 5 (process 604), and a monochrome image for one page is recorded and output. , This process ends.

When the result of the judgment 602 is NO, the page is a color image. At this time, the image information is decoded until the next delimiter code is detected, the image data obtained thereby is input as red image data for one page (process 605), and red data is designated as the color attribute of the data to be transferred. In this state, the image data for one page is transferred to the color printer 5 (process 606), the red image for one line is recorded and output, and the image information is displayed until the next delimiter code is detected. The image data obtained by the decoding is input as one page of green image data (process 607), and one page of the color printer 5 is designated with the green data specified as the color attribute of the data to be transferred. Minute image data is transferred (process 608), one page of green image is recorded and output, and image information is decoded until the next control return code is detected. The image data thus obtained is input as blue image data for one page (step 609), and the blue data is designated as the color attribute of the data to be transferred. The data is transferred (process 610) to record and output one page of blue image, thereby recording and output of one page of red, green, and blue color image, and this process ends.

Therefore, in this embodiment, since the black-and-white image and the color image are determined page by page, the user does not have to input the color attribute of the original, which improves the usability of the apparatus. Further, since the determination of the monochrome image and the color image is performed in page units, the processing speed is improved as compared with the line sequential type.

By the way, when transmitting color image information,
Depending on the partner terminal, the image information of three colors of red, green, and blue may be requested without fail. This is the case, for example, when the partner terminal has no means for directly recording the monochrome image data.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a process of transmitting image information for one page so that such a case can be dealt with. In this case, frame sequential color image information is transmitted.

First, the color scanner 4 reads and inputs an image of a transmission original for one page, and the color image data obtained by the reading is stored in the image memory 6 (process 7).
01).

Then, the image memory 6 is set to the read mode, the address data AD is sequentially changed to a value corresponding to all the pixels for one page, and when the read operation for one page is completed, the coincidence detection unit is detected. The count value DTk output from 7 is input, and the total number of black and white pixels in the processed page is detected by this (process 702).

Then, it is determined whether the count value DTk is larger than the predetermined value KB (decision 703). When the result of this determination 703 is NO, it means that the processing page at that time is a non-monochrome image.
In this case, one page of image data is read from the red plane memory 21, the one page of image data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the data is added to the beginning of the red page data obtained thereby. Add an attribute flag of 0,
Next, the image data for one page is read from the green plane memory 22, the image data for one page is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and a predetermined delimiter code is added to the head of the green page data obtained thereby. Is added to the previously formed red page data, and further, one page of image data is read from the blue plane memory 23, and the one page of image data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9. Then, the blue page data thus obtained is continued to the previously formed green page data with a predetermined delimiter code added to the beginning thereof, whereby one page of transmission data is formed (process 704). Then, the one-page transmission data thus formed is transmitted to the partner terminal (processing 705), and this processing ends.

When the result of judgment 703 is YES, it means that the processing page at that time is a monochrome image page. At this time, it is checked whether the partner terminal requests data of three colors of red, green and blue (decision 70).
6).

When the result of the judgment 706 is YES,
The image data of the processed page is read from the red plane memory 21, and the image data of the one page is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the data 1 is added to the head of the image information of the one page obtained thereby. Attribute flag is added and a predetermined delimiter code is added to the end thereof, and the same one page of image information formed at that time is continued, and a predetermined delimiter code is added to the end of the image information. The same one page of image information formed at this time is made continuous and a predetermined control return code is added to the end thereof to form one page of transmission data (process 707).
The transmission data for one page is sent to the partner terminal (process 708) and this process ends.

When the result of the judgment 706 is NO, the image data of the processing page is read from the red plane memory 21, the image data of one page is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and The attribute flag of data 1 is added to the head of the image information for one page obtained by the above to form transmission data for one page (process 709), and the transmission data for one page is sent to the partner terminal. (Process 710) and this process is completed.

Thus, in this case, when the transmission page is a monochrome image page and the partner terminal always requests image information of three colors of red, green and blue, the red plane data is Since the image information for one page is continuously formed, the processing time for forming the image information can be shortened.

Further, some users may always want to transmit color images, and in such a case, it is preferable that the user can forcibly transmit color data of three colors. FIG. 1 shows an example of processing at the time of transmission in this case
3 shows. In this case, the frame sequential color image information is transmitted.

First, the color scanner 4 reads and inputs an image of a transmission original for one page, and the color image data obtained by the reading is stored in the image memory 6 (process 8).
01).

Then, the image memory 6 is set to the read mode, the address data AD is sequentially changed to a value corresponding to all pixels for one page, and at the time when the read operation for one page is completed, the coincidence detection unit The count value DTk output from No. 7 is input, and the total number of black and white pixels in the processed page is detected (step 802).

Then, it is judged whether or not the value of the count value DTk is larger than the predetermined value KB (judgment 8).
03), when the result of determination 803 is YES, it is checked whether the user has set the mode for transmitting the color data of three colors (determination 804).

When the result of the judgment 804 is NO,
The image data of the processed page is read from the red plane memory 21, and the image data of the one page is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the data 1 is added to the head of the image information of the one page obtained thereby. With the attribute flag of 1
Form transmission data for pages (process 805), part 1
Send the page of transmission data to the other terminal (process 80
6) and this process ends.

When the result of judgment 803 is NO and when the result of judgment 804 is YES, one page of image data is read from the red plane memory 21, and the one page of image data is encoded. An encoding flag is added to the head of the red page data obtained by the compression / decoding by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and then one page of image data is read from the green plane memory 22 and the one page is read. Encoding / decoding unit 9
Is encoded and compressed, and the green page data obtained thereby is continued to the previously formed red page data with a predetermined delimiter code added to the beginning of the green page data.
The image data for one page is read out, the image data for one page is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and a predetermined delimiter code is added to the beginning of the blue page data obtained thereby Then, the green page data formed in step 1 is continued, and thereby the transmission data for one page is formed (process 807). Then, the formed transmission data for one page is transmitted to the partner terminal (process 808), and this process ends.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether the image is a monochrome image or a color image on a line-by-line or page-by-page basis. However, the processing of the determination operation is complicated and takes a long processing time, and there is a possibility that the determination result is frequently inverted and the image quality is deteriorated, and when the determination operation is performed on a page-by-page basis. ,
An image in which a color image is partially included in a monochrome image cannot be dealt with.

In this case, an effective color image determination operation can be performed by determining whether the partial image is a color image or a monochrome image for each partial image unit consisting of a plurality of continuous lines. it can. Here, the partial image may have a size of, for example, about 1 to 2 mm in the sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the encoding process of the original image for one page in this case.

First, the color scanner 4 reads and inputs an image of a transmission original for one page, and the color image data obtained by the reading is stored in the image memory 6 (process 9).
01).

Next, a variable i for distinguishing partial images
Is initialized to 0 (process 902). Then, the value of the variable i is incremented by 1 (process 903), the processing line to be processed at that time is selected (process 904), the image memory 6 is set to the read mode, and the address data AD is set.
Is sequentially changed to a value corresponding to all the pixels of the processing line, and when the reading operation for one line is completed,
The count value DTk output from the coincidence detection unit 7 is input, whereby the total number of black and white pixels in the processing line is detected (processing 905), and the integrated value of the detection values in the partial image at that time is calculated ( Process 906).

Then, it is checked whether or not the value of the variable i is equal to the constant n that defines the size of the partial image (decision 90
7), when the result of the judgment 907 is NO, the processing 9
Returning to step 03, the detection of the black and white pixels of the next line is executed.

When the result of the judgment 907 is YES, the integrated value of the black and white image is divided by the total number of pixels of the line included in the partial image to calculate the black and white pixel ratio (coincidence rate) (process 908). It is checked whether or not the matching rate is larger than the predetermined value RA (decision 909).

When the result of determination 909 is YES, it is determined that the partial image at that time is a line of a monochrome image, and the image data for n lines corresponding to the partial image is read from the red plane memory 21. The image data of each line is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9,
The attribute flag of the data 1 is added to the beginning of the image information for one line obtained thereby, and transmission data for n lines is formed and stored (process 910).

When the result of the judgment 909 is NO, the partial image at that time is a non-monochrome image.
In this case, one line of image data corresponding to the partial image is read from the red plane memory 21, and
The image data of the line is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, the attribute flag of data 0 is added to the head of the red line data of one line obtained thereby, and then the processing is performed from the green plane memory 22. The image data for one line corresponding to the line is read out, the image data for one line is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the green line data for one line obtained thereby is the red formed earlier. The image data for one line which is continuous with the line data and further corresponds to the processing line is read from the blue plane memory 23, and the image data for one line is coded and compressed by the coding / decoding unit 9, whereby The obtained blue line data for one line is connected to the previously formed green line data to form the transmission data for one line. Forming the image information of the n lines are sequentially performed for n lines of an image, stores the image information of the n lines (process 911).

When the processing of one partial image is completed in this way, it is checked whether or not the transmission of all the lines for one page is completed at that time (decision 912).
When the result of 2 is NO, the process returns to step 902 to process the next partial image. Further, the result of the judgment 912 is Y
When it becomes ES, this processing is ended.

The above-mentioned predetermined value KC is set to an appropriate value corresponding to the image resolution, the number n of lines forming a partial image, and the reading characteristics of the color scanner 4. This value may be determined experimentally. Also, the predetermined value RA
Can be set experimentally.

By the way, in each of the above-described embodiments, since the determination operation of the color image and the monochrome image is performed in line units, partial image units, or page units, an image intended by the user is transmitted to the partner terminal. It may not be done.
Further, since the judgment is made on a line-by-line basis, the accuracy of the judgment is rough.

Therefore, for example, if the rectangular area appropriately designated by the user within one page can be transmitted as a color image, the image intended by the user can be appropriately reproduced on the partner terminal.

In this case, for example, as shown in FIG.
The user selects a plurality of rectangular areas BLK1, BLK within the page.
2 can be specified.

The image information for one page in this case is
As shown in FIG. 16A, it is composed of one page of red plane data and data of one or more designated rectangular areas. Further, the data of each rectangular area has a reference point (points RP1 and RP of the rectangular areas BLK1 and BLK2) representing the upper left point of the rectangular area, as shown in FIG.
2) The coordinates, the dimension in the X direction parallel to the main scanning direction, the dimension in the Y direction parallel to the sub scanning direction, the green plane data of the rectangular area, and the blue plane data.

FIG. 17 shows an example of processing when forming image information for one page in such a case.

First, the image of the transmission original for one page is read and input by the color scanner 4, and the color image data obtained by the reading is stored in the image memory 6 (process 10).
01), the data for one page of the red plane memory 21 is encoded and compressed and stored (process 1002).

Then, the image at that time is displayed on the operation display unit 8 (process 1003), and the operation guidance for selecting whether to operate the area designated as the color image or to end the operation is displayed. (Process 1004), the user is prompted to input any item.

It is checked whether or not the user has selected to end (decision 1005). When the result of decision 1005 is NO, an area to be treated as a color image in the display image is designated and input (process 1006).

Then, the data in the green plane memory 22 in the designated area is encoded (process 1007), the data in the blue plane memory 23 in the designated region is coded (process 1008), and these encoded and compressed data are encoded. To create and save the data in the specified area (Process 1
009) and the procedure returns to processing 1004.

When the user chooses to end and the result of determination 1005 is YES, the above-described processing is performed based on the image information of the red plane formed at that time and the data of each area. Image information for one page is formed (process 1010), and this process ends.

FIG. 18 shows an image recording process according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

First, the red plane data of the received image information is decoded, and the red image data obtained thereby is stored in the red plane memory 21 of the image memory 6 (process 110).
1) Decode the received green plane data of the image information,
The green image data obtained thereby is stored in the green plane memory 22 of the image memory 6 (process 1102), the blue plane data of the received image information is decoded, and the blue image data obtained thereby is stored in the image plane of the image memory 6. Blue plane memory 2
It is stored in 3 (process 1103).

Next, the image memory 6 is set to the read mode, the address data AD is sequentially changed to a value corresponding to all the pixels for one page, and when the read operation for one page is completed, the coincidence detection unit The count value DTk output from 7 is input, and the total number of black and white pixels in the processed page is detected (step 1104).

Then, it is determined whether the count value DTk is larger than the predetermined value KC (decision 1105). When the result of determination 1105 is YES, the red image data for one page of the red plane memory 21 is transferred to the color printer 5 with black data specified as the color attribute of the data to be transferred ( (Processing 1106) A monochrome image for one page is recorded and output, and this process ends.

When the result of determination 1105 is NO, the page is a color image. At this time, one page of red image data in the red plane memory 21 is transferred to the color printer 5 with the red data specified as the color attribute of the data to be transferred (process 1107), and then transferred. In the state where the green data is designated as the color attribute of the data, the green image data for one page of the green plane memory 22 is transferred to the color printer 5 (process 1108), and the blue color is used as the color attribute of the transferred data. With the data specified, one page of blue image data in the blue plane memory 23 is transferred to the color printer 5 (process 1109), whereby a color image is recorded and output from the color printer 5. The process ends.

In this way, when the received image is a monochrome image, the data of one color is recorded as the black image data, so that the consumption of the color ribbon of the color printer 5 can be reduced and the apparatus can be reduced. The running cost of can be reduced.

FIG. 19 shows an image recording process according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

First, the red plane data of the received image information is decoded, and the red image data obtained thereby is stored in the red plane memory 21 of the image memory 6 (process 120).
1) Decode the received green plane data of the image information,
The green image data obtained thereby is stored in the green plane memory 22 of the image memory 6 (process 1202), the blue plane data of the received image information is decoded, and the blue image data obtained thereby is stored in the image memory 6 Blue plane memory 2
It is stored in 3 (process 1203).

Then, it is checked whether or not the image data created for the page in the pseudo halftone mode is notified from the partner terminal (sending terminal) (decision 12).
04).

When the result of determination 1204 is NO, then the image memory 6 is set to the read mode,
The address data AD is sequentially changed to a value corresponding to all pixels for one page, and when the read operation for one page is completed, the count value DTk output from the coincidence detection unit 7
Is input, thereby detecting the total number of black and white pixels in the processed page (process 1205).

Then, it is determined whether the count value DTk is larger than the predetermined value KC (decision 1206). When the result of determination 1206 is YES, the red image data for one page of the red plane memory 21 is transferred to the color printer 5 with black data specified as the color attribute of the data to be transferred ( (Processing 1207) A black and white image for one page is recorded and output, and this process ends.

When the result of the determination 1204 is YES, the image is read in the pseudo halftone mode, and therefore the monochrome image determination operation is not performed and the color image is recorded as it is. When the result of determination 1206 is NO, it means that the page is a color image.

In these cases, one page of red image data in the red plane memory 21 is transferred to the color printer 5 with the red data specified as the color attribute of the data to be transferred (process 1208). , Next, with green data specified as the color attribute of the data to be transferred,
1 of green plane memory 22 for color printer 5
One page of blue image data in the blue plane memory 23 is transferred to the color printer 5 with the page of green image data transferred (step 1209) and with blue data specified as the color attribute of the transferred data. Is transferred (process 1210), whereby a color image is recorded and output from the color printer 5, and this process ends.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the image is read in the pseudo halftone mode, it is recorded as a color image. Here, when the image is read in the pseudo halftone mode, even if it is a black image, the same image does not appear in the three primary colors, so it is always judged that it is a color image, and as a result, the processing time is shortened. can do.

Although the present invention is applied to the group 3 facsimile machine in the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied to the group 4 facsimile machine.

As the color printer, it is possible to use a color printer device other than the thermal transfer recording system, for example, an ink jet system color printer device.

[0147]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since black and white image data and color image data are switched in line units or in units of a predetermined number of lines, it is possible to improve the image quality of images in which black and white images and color images are mixed and to reduce the amount of image data. You can Moreover, since the image of the designated rectangular area is transmitted as a color image, the data amount of the image data can be further reduced. In addition, since the monochrome image data is recorded and output as a monochrome image, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the color ribbon of the recording device and the running cost of the device. Also,
Since the page to which the black-and-white image data is sent and the page to which the color image data is sent are automatically determined, the user's labor is reduced and the usability of the apparatus is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a match detection unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a format of color image data (line sequential type) to be transmitted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a format of color image data (frame sequential type) to be transmitted.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an example of a transmission procedure of the group 3 facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a signal format of a binary signal.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing example at the time of transmission.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing example at the time of reception.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing example when a document for one page is transmitted.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing example when recording an image for one page.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of processing when transmitting one page of a document.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of processing when recording an image for one page.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing still another processing example when transmitting one page of a document.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing still another processing example when a document for one page is transmitted.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another processing example when transmitting one page of a document.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a rectangular area.

17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of image information of the image of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of processing a document of one page.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of recording processing of a received image.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another example of recording processing of a received image.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image transmission method for separating an original image into three predetermined primary colors and transmitting color image data in which each color component is composed of 1 bit plane or monochrome image data representing a monochrome image, For color image data, the number of pixels whose data contents match for each same pixel position between bit planes of each color component is counted, and when the count value exceeds a predetermined value,
For that page, the bit plane data of the specified color component is transmitted as black and white image data, while when the above count value is less than or equal to the specified value, for that page, the image data of multiple bit planes of each color component An image transmission method, characterized in that each of them is transmitted. 2. An image transmission method for transmitting color image data in which an original image is separated into three predetermined primary colors and each color component is composed of 1 bit plane or black and white image data representing a black and white image, For color image data, the number of pixels whose data contents match for each same pixel position between bit planes of each color component is counted, and when the count value exceeds a predetermined value,
While the bit plane data of a predetermined color component is transmitted as black-and-white image data for the line, when the count value is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the line of the image data of a plurality of bit planes of each color component is transmitted. An image transmission method, characterized in that each of them is transmitted. 3. An image transmission method for separating an original image into three predetermined primary colors and transmitting color image data in which each color component is composed of 1 bit plane or monochrome image data representing a monochrome image, For color image data, the number of pixels whose data contents match for each same pixel position between bit planes of each color component is counted, and when the count value exceeds a predetermined value,
When the receiving side does not request the transmission of color image data of each color component, the bit plane data of the predetermined color component is transmitted as monochrome image data for the page, while the count value is below the predetermined value. When, and when the above count value exceeds a predetermined value, the receiving side requests transmission of color image data of each color component, for that page, the image data of multiple bit planes of each color component is An image transmission method characterized by transmitting. 4. An image transmission method for separating a manuscript image into predetermined three primary colors and transmitting color image data in which each color component is composed of a 1-bit plane or black-and-white image data representing a black-and-white image in a predetermined number of lines. About color image data of partial image,
The number of pixels whose data contents match at the same pixel position between the bit planes of each color component is counted, and when the count value exceeds a predetermined value, the bit plane data of the predetermined color component is black and white for the partial image. While transmitting as image data, when the count value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, image data of a plurality of bit planes of each color component is transmitted for each partial image. 5. An image transmission method for transmitting a color image data in which an original image is separated into predetermined three primary colors and each color component is composed of 1 bit plane or black and white image data representing a black and white image, and a rectangular area portion A color image setting operation request is made, and data for one page of a bit plane of a predetermined color component is transmitted as black and white image data, and the rectangular area for which the setting operation has been performed excludes the color components transmitted as the above black and white image data. An image transmission method comprising transmitting image data of a bit-plane of color components. 6. An image recording method of separating a document image into predetermined three primary colors and recording and outputting a color image or a black-and-white image in which each color component is composed of 1 bit plane. When the number of pixels whose data contents are the same for each pixel position between the bit planes of each color component is counted and the counted value exceeds a predetermined value,
A black-and-white image corresponding to the data of the bit plane of the predetermined color component is recorded and output for the page, while when the count value is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the page of the plurality of bit planes of each color component is recorded. An image recording method characterized by recording and outputting a color image corresponding to image data.