JPH07336528A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To print plural pages on one recording paper sheet without increasing the load of an image memory by applying print magnification to data on the way of recording. CONSTITUTION:Image data capable of being synthesized are synthesized based on data stored in a communication management data storage section 115. In this case, image data stored in a storage memory section 111 of plural pages by a print magnification control circuit integrated in a line buffer control section 108 are printed out on one recording paper sheet by a page printer section 110.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine for printing image data of a plurality of pages on one sheet of paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When printing multiple pages on one sheet of paper,
Since the resolutions and paper sizes of the images to be combined do not necessarily match, it is not possible to simply combine them, and it is necessary to once convert each image to the same resolution.

Conventionally, when an attempt is made to print a plurality of pages on one page in a facsimile machine, if the pixel densities in the sub-scanning direction of the images of the plurality of pages stored in the image memory are different, (1) once the image After converting the resolution of the data and making the images of multiple pages have the same resolution, the images are combined and printed. (2) The resolution of the page having the highest resolution is set, and the data of the same line is read and printed a plurality of times in an image having a low resolution according to the resolution of each page. One of the above methods will be used.

Further, the image is reduced so that a plurality of pages are reduced to one.
In the case of printing on a page, in the operation of (1) described above, a method of simultaneously performing the reduction operation at the time of converting the resolution is adopted.

[0005]

However, when a plurality of pages having different resolutions are combined and printed out on one sheet of paper, the resolution of the image data is once converted in the above-mentioned (1) to obtain the image of the plurality of pages. Is processed to the same resolution and then stored again in the image memory, so a space is required in the image memory. Further, in (2) described above,
Since the resolution conversion is usually adjusted to the higher resolution,
That is, since the low-resolution data is converted into the high-resolution data, the capacity of the data to be re-stored becomes larger than that of the first data, and the load on the image memory increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. By performing a print scaling operation during recording, a plurality of pages can be printed on one sheet of recording paper without increasing the load on the image memory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile device capable of printing.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

A facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes storage means for storing image data of a plurality of pages, and data relating to the image data such as the number of lines and pixel density in one page of the image data stored in the storage means. Is stored for each page, and the scaling ratio of the image of each page is obtained from the data stored in the data storage unit, and the scaling process is performed for each page based on the determined scaling ratio, And a print scaling processing unit for performing composite printing. The printing scaling processing unit prints at different magnifications for each page, and the image data of a plurality of pages stored in the storage unit are connected to each other. Print on a piece of recording paper.

[0009]

With the above structure, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the storage means stores the image data of a plurality of pages,
The data storage means stores, for each page, data relating to the image data such as the number of lines and the pixel density in one page of the stored image data, and the print scaling processing means uses the data stored in the data storage means. The scaling ratio of the image on the page is calculated, and the scaling process is performed based on the calculated scaling ratio to perform composite printing of multiple pages. Therefore, when printing multiple pages of image data on one sheet of recording paper, the image memory It is possible to print without increasing the load.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

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

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 is a system control unit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like for controlling the facsimile apparatus.

A reading unit 102 reads a document and outputs pixel data as serial binary data.

A serial-parallel conversion unit (S / S) 103 converts serial data read by the reading unit 102 into parallel data and stores the parallel data in the line memory unit 104.
P conversion unit).

A line memory unit 104 temporarily stores pixel data of a plurality of lines.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a high-speed encoding unit that reads out predetermined pixel data from the line memory unit 104 and performs compression encoding processing.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a high-speed decoding unit that decodes the encoded data from the storage memory unit 111 and stores the decoded pixel data in the line memory unit 104.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a parallel-serial conversion unit (P / S conversion unit) which reads out predetermined pixel data from the line memory unit 104 and outputs it as a serial signal. By thinning out pixels for each predetermined pixel as necessary. Main scanning reduction is also performed.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a first process for storing the output of the P / S conversion unit 107 as input data in the line buffer 109 and a line synchronization signal from the page printer unit 110 in synchronization with the line buffer memory 109. It is a line buffer control unit that executes in parallel the second processing of reading the stored pixel data, converting it into serial data, and outputting the serial data.

Reference numeral 109 is a line buffer memory for temporarily storing print pixel data of a plurality of lines.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a page printer unit which outputs a synchronization signal of a constant cycle for each print line and prints the serial pixel data output from the line buffer memory.

110a is a 1-line vertical synchronizing signal from the page printer unit 110.

A storage memory unit 111 stores image data as compressed code data.

Reference numeral 112 is a modem unit for transmitting and receiving data via a line.

Reference numeral 113 is an NCU unit (network control unit) that controls an electrical interface with a line.

Reference numeral 114 denotes an operation console section including operation buttons, a selection switch for selecting a mode for synthesizing images, a display and the like.

Reference numeral 115 is a communication management data storage unit composed of a RAM for storing various data relating to communication.

Next, the normal receiving and printing operations will be described.

In the receiving operation, since the arrival speed of the code data from the line and the printing speed of the page printer unit 110 do not match, the process of storing the received code data in the storage memory unit 111 and the storage memory unit 111 are stored. The two processes, that is, the process of printing the one-page image thus formed, are independently executed.

First, regarding the processing of accumulating the received code data, the received code data obtained through the NCU section 113 and the modem section 112 is sequentially decoded by the system control section 101 to detect an error code, and at the same time, The number of normal lines forming one page is counted and stored in the communication management data storage unit 115. The received image that has been successfully decoded is sequentially encoded by the system control unit 101 according to a predetermined encoding format, and stored in the storage memory unit 111.

Here, the number of normal lines is counted and stored. Since the printing unit is the page printer, the number of pages on the recording paper for dividing one page of the received data should be printed before starting the printing. This is to decide.

In this way, when one page of received images to be printed are stored in the storage memory unit 111, the image printing process is started.

First, the image code data in the storage memory unit 111 is decoded by the decoder 106, and the decoding result is sequentially stored in the line memory unit 104. One line of the stored pixel data is converted into serial data by the P / S conversion unit 107 and sent to the line buffer control unit 108, and the line buffer control unit 108 stores the data in the line buffer memory 109.

The above decoding, parallel-serial conversion, and storage in the line buffer memory 109 are sequentially executed every time the line buffer memory 109 becomes available. on the other hand,
In parallel with the above processing, the line buffer control unit 108 synchronizes the received image stored in the line buffer 109 in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal 110a of a constant cycle that requests output of print data for one line from the page printer 110. Data is sequentially read and output. At this time, if necessary, the same line is read out a plurality of times and output according to the resolution of the received image.

As described above, since the operation speed of the page printer 110, which is the printing unit, is constant, decoding, parallel-serial is performed so that print data does not run out in the line buffer memory 109 during the printing period of one page of recording paper. By processing the conversion and the storage in the line buffer memory 109, printing is performed to a page printer that prints at a constant speed without having a page buffer.

In the above receiving operation, memory reception can be performed by performing only the process of storing in the storage memory unit 111 without performing the printing process.

Next, the copy operation will be described.

The data read by the reading unit 102 is converted into parallel data by the S / P conversion unit 103 and sequentially stored in the line memory unit 104. Meanwhile, the encoding unit 10
Reference numeral 5 sequentially encodes the read data stored in the line memory unit 104 and stores the read data in the storage memory unit 111.
In this way, all originals are stored in the storage memory unit 111. At this time, the number of lines of the read original data is counted and stored in the communication management data storage unit 115.

The printing operation is the same as the printing processing in the reception operation described above.

Next, the image synthesizing printing operation will be described by taking as an example the case of printing an image of two pages on one recording sheet.

First, the mode for synthesizing images is selected by the selection switch of the console 114, and the system controller 101 is selected.
Reads out the data for the two images to be combined from the communication management data storage unit 115. Insert a certain length of blank space between pages or a mark that serves as a mark between pages.

When the image is printed by performing the scaling processing in the sub-scanning direction, the number of lines of image 1 (n1) and the number of lines of image 2 (n stored in the communication management data storage unit 115).
2), the pixel density of image 1 (d1), the pixel density of image 2 (d2), the recording pixel density of the recording unit (d3), the size of recording paper (L), and the length of image loss at the front and rear edges of the recording paper ( □ 1),
The scaling factors (reduction ratios) R1 and R2 of the images 1 and 2 are determined from the inter-page margin (□ 2), for example, as in the following formula. (1) R1 = (L- □ 1- □ 2) / [n1 / d1 + n2 /
d2] × (d3 / d1) (2) R2 = (L- □ 1- □ 2) / [n1 / d1 + n2 /
d2] × (d3 / d2)

The line buffer controller 108 incorporates the print scaling control circuit shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 201 is a ring counter for counting data input addresses to the line buffer 109.

A ring counter 202 counts the data output address from the line buffer 109.

Reference numeral 203 is a latch circuit for latching the address of the ring counter 201 by the STROBE signal.

An AND gate 204 compares the input address latched in the latch circuit 203 with the output address of the ring counter 202 and outputs a REDUCE signal when they match.

Reference numeral 205 is an address control circuit for controlling the input / output address of data to / from the line buffer 109.

The STROBE signal is a 1st page end address holding signal which is transmitted with the completion of the decoding process of the image of the 1st page and the transfer to the line buffer 109.

The REDUCE signal is a signal for applying a scaling process to the subsequent data when the transfer of the pixel data of the first page to the printer unit is completed.

The print scaling processing between pages is performed as follows.

First, the image code data of the first page of the storage memory unit 111 is decoded by the decoder 106, and the decoding result is sequentially stored in the line memory unit 104. One line of the stored pixel data is converted into serial data by the P / S conversion unit 107, and the line buffer control unit 1
08, the line buffer control unit 108 and the like store the data in the line buffer memory 109.

The above decoding, parallel-serial conversion, and storage in the line buffer memory 109 are sequentially executed each time a space is created in the line buffer memory 109. When this process is repeated and expansion into the pixel data of the first page and storage in the line buffer memory 109 are completed, the system control unit 101 stores the data of the final line of the first page in the line buffer control unit 108. Address of the line buffer memory 109 (ring counter 2
The STROBE signal is transmitted so as to strobe (01 data), and the input address is latched by the latch circuit 203. When the development into the pixel data of the first page is completed, the image of the second page is similarly developed into the pixel data and stored in the line buffer memory 109.

The timing of the scaling process is as follows.

Address for reading data from line buffer memory 109 (data of ring counter 202)
And the data in the latch circuit 203 are compared with each other, and when they are equal to each other, a scaling signal is transmitted and scaling processing is performed from the next line.

Here, the method of synthesizing the images by selecting the mode for synthesizing the images with the selection switch has been described, but it is determined that the data should be synthesized by the data stored in the communication management data storage unit 115. It is also possible to automatically perform composite printing when the printing is performed.

Further, here, the case where the image of two pages is printed on one recording sheet has been described as an example, but it is also possible to combine a plurality of pages more than that.

The variable magnification processing in the sub-scanning direction has been described above.
In the scaling processing in the main scanning direction, the image code data in the storage memory unit 111 is decoded by the decoder 106, and when the decoding results are sequentially stored in the line memory unit 104, pixels are thinned according to a predetermined scaling ratio. It becomes possible by doing.

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the page printer section 110.

From the page printer section 110, a synchronization signal 110a is output at every time T every time one line is printed. Each time the synchronization signal 110a is received, the line buffer control unit reads out and outputs the print data of one line from the line buffer memory 109 with a delay of a predetermined time T.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which the resolution of the page printer and that of the print image are the same. When the resolution of the print image is 1/2, each print line is divided twice. Try to write each one.

(Second Embodiment) The configuration of the system and the receiving, memory receiving and copying operations are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

The line buffer controller 108 incorporates the print scaling control circuit shown in FIG. A ring memory 206 and a ring memory 207 for storing print data for one line are further added to the print scaling control circuit of the above-described embodiment. Those denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 perform the same operation. And

A ring memory 206 stores the data read from the line buffer memory 109 and bit-converted by the bit converter 208.

Numeral 207 is a ring memory 2 for reading the data read from the line buffer memory 109 and bit-converting the data by the bit converter 208 alternately with the ring memory 206.
It is 07.

Reference numeral 208 is a bit conversion unit for converting the data read from the line buffer memory 109 into bits.

Reference numeral 209 is a gate circuit for alternately outputting the data in the ring memory 206 and the ring memory 207 to the page printer section 110.

By providing the two ring memories 206 and 207, the scaling process in the main scanning direction can be performed as follows.

The line buffer control unit 108 sequentially reads the received image data stored in the line buffer memory in synchronization with the vertical synchronizing signal 110a of a constant cycle that requests the print data of one line from the page printer unit 110. . At this time, in the case of equal-size printing, only a conversion process that matches the resolution of the page printer unit 110 is performed according to the resolution of the printed image. (Conversion of original pixel bit into multiple bit data) When performing the scaling process, the main scanning density of the print image, the main scanning density of the recording unit, and the scaling factor of the image are used according to the scaling factor determined by the following formula (1). ,
Magnification processing is performed at the time of bit conversion, the image data is alternately stored in two ring memories, and print pixel data is alternately output from the two ring memories to the page printer unit 110. Magnification ratio = (main scanning recording density of recording unit) / (main scanning density of printed image) × (magnification ratio of image) (1)

For example, main scanning density of printed image = 100d
pi, main scanning recording density of recording unit = 400 dpi, image scaling factor = 0.7, scaling factor = 400/1000 × 0.7 = 2.8 In other words, the scaling factor of the image is 0.7. Although it seems that reduction processing is performed, the actual processing is the original pixel 1b.
An enlargement processing operation of performing bit conversion is performed at a ratio such that it becomes 2.8 bits.

Incidentally, the condition of whether or not plural files can be combined is as follows.
Reduced printing in the main scanning direction is enabled / disabled, reduced printing in the sub-scanning direction is enabled / disabled, only files from the same partner can be combined,
It can be performed by combining various conditions such as “not possible”, “composition of files having a length equal to or more than ½ of the standard size paper”, “composition possible”, and the like.

Further, in the case of a facsimile having a display device for image images, or a facsimile having an external interface and connected to a computer terminal, the image image is developed on the display, and the operator individually designates the instruction to synthesize each image. You can also choose to do so.

According to the embodiment described above, a plurality of pages are printed on one sheet of paper, so that the paper is prevented from being wasted, and by selecting a recording paper of a certain size, filing becomes easy. In addition, since it has a print scaling circuit that performs a scaling operation during printing, it is not necessary to store the composite image in the memory anew, and it is possible to combine multiple files to the image memory even if the resolution and reduction rate of each file are different. This can be performed without increasing the load and easily without impairing the image quality.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of pages can be printed on one recording sheet without increasing the load on the image memory by performing the print scaling operation during the recording. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a print scaling control circuit in a sub-scanning direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a print scaling control circuit in a main / sub scanning direction according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a timing of print scaling control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 system control unit 102 reading unit 103 S / P conversion unit 104 line memory unit 105 encoding unit 106 decoding unit 107 P / S conversion unit 108 line buffer control unit 109 line buffer memory 110 page printer unit 110a vertical synchronization signal 111 accumulation Memory unit 112 Modem unit 113 NCU unit 114 Operation console unit 115 Communication management data storage unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing image data of a plurality of pages, and data related to the image data such as the number of lines and pixel density in one page of the image data stored in the storage means are stored for each page. A print scaling processing unit that obtains a scaling ratio of an image on each page based on the data storage unit and the data stored in the data storage unit, performs scaling processing based on the determined scaling ratio, and performs composite printing of a plurality of pages. The print scaling processing means performs printing at different magnifications for each page, and connects the image data of a plurality of pages stored in the storage means to print on one recording sheet. Characteristic facsimile machine.