JPH08293952A - Image communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the operability by a user by obtaining a document, on which data desirable for the user are described, by selectively executing and controlling the transfer mode of information to an expansion means. CONSTITUTION: The image data such as a page description language(PDL) prepared by a computer, etc., are transmitted as they are, and when the reception thereof are completed, the data are transferred from a FAX part 4 to a format part 8 on the reception side. When the power source of the equipment on the reception side is turned off in the middle of data transfer and the power source is turned on again, the expansion processing of image data to be continuously performed is selectively executed and controlled out of 'to perform data transfer from the beginning', 'to perform it from the middle' and 'to abandon it'. Since these processing methods are set and started in the backup memory of the FAX part 4, the data transfer is processed according to that setting.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving image information created by, for example, a document or a computer via a public line, and forming and outputting an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a document created by a computer or the like is transmitted by fax, the computer transmits the code information such as a page description language (hereinafter, referred to as PDL) as it is, and the receiving side expansion means uses the PDL. A method is used in which data is developed into an image image and output by an output means.

The receiving means on the receiving side temporarily stores the received PDL data in the hard disk, and when all the reception is completed, starts the transfer to the developing means. Then, the expanding means expands the data sequentially while transferring the data from the receiving means. The reason why the data is once stored in the hard disk and then expanded is that the data becomes incomplete when the communication is interrupted due to a communication error.

Here, for example, when the power supply to the device is cut off during the data transfer and the power is supplied again, the receiving means restarts the data transfer. At this time, the data is transferred from the data next to the data which has been transferred. are doing. This is the same state for the expansion means as when the data from the computer is transferred from the middle when the power is cut off while receiving the PDL data from the computer through the interface such as Centronics.

Further, conventionally, in a facsimile, a read image is converted into an electric signal and encoded, then transmitted through a public line, and a document created by a computer or a word processor is once printed by a printer. The image is formed and output at, or is encoded after being expanded on the memory. Even in this case, well-known PDLs such as LIPS and Postscript are often used as data to be sent to the printer when outputting a document created by a computer or the like.

In the above case, when the image output by the printer is transferred by the facsimile, the image quality deteriorates considerably,
For example, when outputting from a printer with PDL, 300d
An image with a resolution of pi or 400 dpi also needs to be reduced because the facsimile standard has a standard mode of 8 pels × 3.85 lines / mm. Furthermore, P
Since the encoded data amount increases considerably after the DL data amount has been expanded, conventionally, the PDL data is purposely converted into low resolution, communication time and costly data. I was sending it.

[0007]

However, in the case of data from a computer, since the operator who tried to output the data is near the device, if the power supply to the device is interrupted, the data should be output again by operating the computer. Is easy. On the other hand, after the data is received as the FAX, the transmitting side does not know that the power supply has been cut off, and therefore the operation cannot be performed again without requesting the output from the other side by telephone or the like.

The most problematic point here is that if the expansion is started halfway, in many cases the correct expansion is not performed, and the image that is output thereafter becomes useless. Therefore, it is conceivable to transfer the data from the beginning, but usually when many users want to stop the output due to incorrect output document or wrong setting, many users turn off the printer and reset the computer. To do. Such a user desires to turn off the power of the apparatus to stop the output even if the expanded output of the FAX reception is unnecessary. However, if the data is to be transferred from the beginning, there is a problem that unnecessary output will be output many times.

Further, if the data is expanded after the communication is completed, it takes a long time from the start of communication to the end of expansion, so that it takes a long time to obtain a document on the receiving side. When expanded, when PDL data is input from the computer when the communication line is disconnected due to the occurrence of a communication error and the data is interrupted, the expanded output from the communication line and the output from the computer are overlapped. However, in a device having a stapling function, there is a problem that these outputs are stapled together.

On the other hand, when the image output from the PDL is transferred by facsimile, if the receiving side has PDL data receiving capability, if the PDL data is transmitted as it is and is developed into an image on the receiving side, the communication time is increased. However, if you are using a printer, you may not be able to output one page of the image or go offline due to incorrect settings. The output is being redone by resetting the computer. When such data is sent, the operator cannot see the status of the printer, so he does not know whether the image has been output, and the receiving side also monitors whether or not the data is being received. Since it is not, even if the printer is in an error state, it will be left as it is. Therefore, there is a problem in that even if the user tries to use the printer and notices an error, he / she may not know from which host the output is made. Furthermore, on the transmitting side, unless an error occurs in the communication procedure, the situation is unknown.

In the above case, even if the development of the image is started while receiving the image, if the development of one page takes several minutes, the public line should be held until the completion of the development. Therefore, the communication cost will be incurred, so the line should be disconnected at the end of the data communication, but there is a problem that the transmitting side cannot judge whether the image is surely output on the other side. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to output data in a form desired by a user even when an abnormality occurs in the device or an error occurs. It is to provide an image communication device that can be obtained.

[0013]

[Means for Solving the Problems] and

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a means for storing the received information in an image communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving information represented by code information according to a predetermined procedure through a public line, About the stored information,
Expansion means for expanding the code information, means for setting an information transfer mode to the expansion means in advance, and transfer for transferring the stored information to the expansion means in the set information transfer mode. And means.

The above-mentioned structure functions to obtain a document in which desired data is described.

According to another aspect of the present invention, further, there is provided means for detecting the presence or absence of an operation abnormality in the image communication device, and the transfer means transfers the set information when the operation abnormality is detected. Transfer in mode.

In the above configuration, it functions to avoid the inconvenience of data being lost when an error occurs.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device (hereinafter, referred to as a reader unit) for converting a document into image data, and 2 has plural kinds of recording paper cassettes, and image data can be printed on the recording paper by a print command. An image output device (to be referred to as a printer unit hereinafter) 3 for outputting as a visual image is an external device electrically connected to the reader unit 1 and has various functions described below.

The external device 3 includes a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, and a computer (PC / WS) 12 as components for executing various functions. A formatter unit 8 for converting information into a visible image, an image memory unit 9 for accumulating information from the reader unit 1 and temporarily accumulating information sent from the computer terminal 12, and the above A core unit 10 that controls each function is provided. Note that 11
Is a hard disk, 12 is a workstation (W
S) or a computer having a function as a personal computer (PC), and 13 is a telephone line.

The functions of the above-mentioned parts will be described in detail below. <Reader Unit> The reader unit 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
Will be explained in detail.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration and operation will be described below.

In FIG. 2, the originals stacked on the original feeding device 101 are sequentially transferred one by one to the original glass platen surface 102.
Transported on. When the document is conveyed, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit lights up and the scanner unit 104
Moves to illuminate the document. Then, the reflected light from the document passes through the lens 108 via the mirrors 105, 106 and 107, and then the CCD image sensor unit 1
09 (hereinafter referred to as CCD).

Next, the image processing in the reader unit 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the signal processing in the reader unit 1. The image information input to the CCD 109 shown in the figure is converted into an electric signal by photoelectric conversion here. Then, the color information from the CCD 109 is sent to the amplifiers 110R, 110G, 110B at the next stage A.
It is amplified according to the input signal level of the / D converter 111. The output signal from the A / D converter 111 is input to the shading circuit 112, where the lamp 103
The uneven light distribution and the uneven sensitivity of the CCD are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is input to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 performs a calculation on the signal from the shading circuit 112 according to the following equation (1) to obtain a Y signal.

Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B (1) The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 further includes R, G, B
It has a color detection circuit that separates the signal of 7 colors into 7 colors and outputs the signal for each color. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to the scaling / repeat circuit 114 to perform scaling in the sub-scanning direction based on the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, and the scaling / repeat circuit 1.
Magnification change in the main scanning direction is performed by 14. Further, the scaling / repeat circuit 114 can output a plurality of identical images.

In the contour / edge emphasis circuit 115, scaling /
By emphasizing the high frequency component of the signal from the repeat circuit 114, edge enhancement and contour information are obtained. The signal from the contour / edge enhancement circuit 115 is input to the marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 and the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117.

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Reads a portion of a document written with a marker pen of a designated color, generates contour information of the marker, and then performs the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 1.
At 17, the thickening, masking, and trimming are performed based on this contour information. In addition, the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113
Patterning is performed by the color detection signal from.

An output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is input to the laser driver circuit 118 and various processed signals are converted into signals for driving a laser. The output signal of the laser driver 118 is input to the printer 2 and image formation is performed as a visible image.

Next, the external I / F switching circuit 119 for interfacing (I / F) with the external device 3 will be described.

When outputting the image information from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3, the external I / F switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 to the connector 120. When the image information from the external device 3 is input to the reader unit 1, the external switching circuit 119 inputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

Each of the above-mentioned image processings is performed according to an instruction from the CPU 122, and the area signal generating circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the above-mentioned image processing according to the value set by the CPU 122. further,
Communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the CPU 122. In addition, SUB / CPU123
Controls the operation unit 124, and
Communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the PU 123. <Printer Unit> The signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal by the exposure control unit 201, and the photoconductor 202 is illuminated according to the image signal. This irradiation light causes the photoconductor 2
The latent image formed on 02 is developed by the developing device 203. Then, the transfer sheet is conveyed from the transfer sheet stacking section 204 or the transfer sheet stacking section 205 at the same timing as the latent image, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer section 206.

The image transferred in this manner is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207 and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is discharged to each bin of the sorter 220 when the sort function is working, and to the highest bin of the sorter 220 when the sort function is not working. Is discharged. <External Device> The external device 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 by a cable, and the core unit 10 in the external device 3 controls signals and functions. As described above, the external device 3
Inside, a fax section 4 for transmitting and receiving a fax, a file section 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the electric signals,
Information from the formatter unit 8 that develops the code information from the computer terminal 12 into image information, the computer interface unit 7 that interfaces with the computer terminal 12, the information from the reader unit 1, and the information is sent from the computer terminal 12. An image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing information, and a core unit 10 for controlling each function described above.

The functions of the above-mentioned parts will be described in detail below. <Core Unit> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the core unit according to the embodiment. In the figure, the connector 1001 of the core unit 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader unit 1 by a cable. This connector 1001 has 4
Built-in types of signals, signal 1057 is 8 bits
A multilevel video signal, signal 1055 is a control signal for controlling the video signal, and signal 1051 is a CPU in the reader unit 1.
Signal 1052 for communicating with 122 is a signal for communicating with SUB / CPU 123 in reader unit 1. Of these signals, signal 1051 and signal 105
2 is subjected to communication protocol processing by the communication IC 1002,
Communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1053.

The transmission path of the signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, and the core unit 10 receives information from the reader unit 1 and outputs the information from the core unit 10 to the reader unit 1. Is possible.

The transmission line related to the signal 1057 is connected to the buffer 1010, where the bidirectional signal is separated into the unidirectional signals 1058 and 1070. Of these,
The signal 1058 is an 8-bit multivalued video signal input from the reader unit 1, and is input to the LUT 1011 in the next stage. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value by referring to a built-in lookup table.

Output signal 1059 from LUT 1011
Is input to the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 has a multilevel signal 10
A simple binarization function of binarizing 59 with a fixed slice level, a binarization function of a variable slice level in which the slice level fluctuates from the values of pixels around the pixel of interest, and a binarization function of an error diffusion method. Have. The binarized information is converted into a multilevel signal of 00H when the value is “0” and FFH when the value is “1”, and these are input to the selector 1013 at the next stage.

The selector 1013 selects either the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012, and the output signal 106 from the selector 1013 is selected.
0 is input to the selector 1014. Selector 101
Reference numeral 4 denotes a connector 100 for receiving output video signals from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9, respectively.
Signals 1064 input to the core unit 10 via the selectors 1, 5, 6, 1007, 1008, and 1009.
The output signal 1060 from 013 is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003.

Output signal 1061 from selector 1014
Is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 has a function of rotating the input image signal by +90 degrees, -90 degrees, and +180 degrees. The rotation circuit 1015 stores the information after the information output from the reader unit 1 is converted into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 1012 as information from the reader unit 1.

Next, according to an instruction from the CPU 1003,
The rotation circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information. The selector 1016 outputs the output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 and the input signal 106 to the rotation circuit 1015.
1 is selected, and as the signal 1063, the connector 1005 with the fax unit 4, the connector 1006 with the file unit 5, the connector 1007 with the computer interface unit 7, and the connector 100 with the formatter unit 8 are selected.
8, a connector 1009 to the image memory unit 9 and a selector 1017.

The path of the signal 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video for transferring image information from the core unit 10 to the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. It's a bus. The path of the signal 1064 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. The video control circuit 100 controls the synchronous bus of the signals 1063 and 1064.
4 and the output signal 1056 from the video control circuit 1004 performs this control.

Connectors 1005, 1006, 1007,
In 1008 and 1009, in addition to the above signals, a signal 105
4 are respectively connected. The path of this signal 1054 is
It is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus, and exchanges data commands asynchronously. Further, the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9, and the core unit 1
For transfer of information to and from 0, the above two video buses 106
3, 1064 and CPU bus 1054 make this possible.

The signal 1064 from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, and image memory unit 9 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. Further, the selector 1014 is the CPU 100.
In accordance with the instruction of No. 3, the signal 1064 is output to the rotation circuit 1015 of the next stage.
To enter.

The selector 1017 selects either the signal 1063 or the signal 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. Output signal 1065 from this selector 1017
Is input to the pattern matching 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching 1018 performs pattern matching with a predetermined pattern on the input signal 1065, and when the patterns match, outputs a predetermined multi-valued signal to the signal line 1066. However, if no match is found in this pattern matching, the input signal 1065
Is output as the signal 1066 as it is.

The selector 1019 selects either the signal 1065 or the signal 1066 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, and the output signal 1067 is input to the LUT 1020 of the next stage. The LUT 1020, when outputting the image information to the printer unit 2, receives the input signal 10 according to the printer characteristics.
Convert 67.

The selector 1021 outputs the output signal 1068 from the LUT 1020 and the above signal 1065 to the CPU.
The output signal from the selector 1021 selected by the instruction of 1003 is input to the enlargement circuit 1022 at the next stage. The enlarging circuit 1022 can set the enlarging magnification independently in the X and Y directions according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, and the enlarging method here is a linear interpolation method of the first order. Then, the output signal 10 from the expansion circuit 1022
70 is input to the buffer 1010.

Signal 107 input to buffer 1010
0 indicates a bidirectional signal 1057 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
And the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001.
Printed out by being sent to.

Next, the signal flow between the core section 10 and each section will be described. <Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Fax Unit 4> (1) When Outputting Information to the Fax Unit 4 When outputting image information from the scanner unit 1 to the fax unit 4, the CPU 1003 uses the communication IC 1002. , Communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 and issues a document scan command. In the reader unit 1, the scan unit 104 scans the document according to this command, and outputs the obtained image information to the connector 120. As described above, the reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by the cable 12, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. Further, the image information input to the connector 1001 is the multi-valued 8-bit signal line 1057.
And is input to the buffer 1010.

Note that the signal 1070 can be input to the buffer 1010 again by an instruction from the CPU 1003.

The buffer circuit 1010 is a CPU 1003.
, The bidirectional signal 1057 is input to the LUT 1011 via the signal line 1058 as a unidirectional signal. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a built-in lookup table. For example, this conversion makes it possible to remove the background of the document.

Output signal 1059 from LUT 1011
Is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage, and the binarization circuit 1012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 1059 into a binarized signal. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the input signal into two multi-level signals, for example, outputs 00H when the binarized signal is “0” and outputs FFH when it is “1”. The output signal from the binarization circuit 1012 is
It is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selector 1013 and the selector 1014.

Output signal 1062 from the rotating circuit 1015
Is also input to the selector 1016, and the selector 101
6 selects either the signal 1061 or the signal 1062. This signal is selected by the CPU bus 1 of the CPU 1003.
It is determined by communicating with the fax unit 4 via 054. Then, the output signal 1 from the selector 1016
063 is sent to the fax unit 4 via the connector 1005. (2) When receiving information from the fax unit 4 and outputting the information The image information from the fax unit 4 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005. This signal 106
4 is input to the selectors 1014 and 1017.

When the image upon fax reception is rotated and output to the printer unit 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the image is input to the selector 1014, and the selected signal 1064 is rotated by the rotation circuit 1015. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is input to the pattern matching 1018 via the selector 1016 and the selector 1017.

When the image at the time of fax reception is output as it is to the printer unit 2 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the signal 10164 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018.

The pattern matching 1018 has a function of smoothing the jaggedness of an image when receiving a fax. The pattern-matched signal is sent to the selector 102.
9 is input to the LUT 1020, and the LUT 1020 is input.
In order to output the image received by fax to the printer unit 2 at a desired density, the contents of the table built therein can be changed by the CPU 1003.

Output signal 1068 from LUT 1020
Is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The expansion circuit 1022 has two values (00H, FF
The 8-bit multivalue having H) is enlarged by the linear interpolation method of the first order.

When the image information from the fax unit 4 is output to the printer unit 2, 8 bi from the enlargement circuit 1022 is used.
The multi-valued signal 1070 is transmitted to the buffer 1010 and the connector 1
It is sent to the reader unit 1 via 001. The reader unit 1 is
This signal is input to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via the connector 120. Then, the external I / F switching circuit 119 generates a Y signal for the signal from the fax unit 4.
It is input to the color detection circuit 113. In addition, this Y signal generation
The output signal from the color detection circuit 113 is subjected to the above-described processing and then output to the printer unit 2 to form an image on an output sheet. <Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of File Unit 5> (1) When Information from the Reader Unit 1 is Output to the File Unit 5 When image information from the scanner unit 1 is output to the file unit 5, the CPU 1003 performs communication. It communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the IC 1002 for use to issue a document scan command. In the reader unit 1, this command causes
Image information is output to the connector 120 as the scanner unit 104 scans the document.

As described above, the reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by the cable 12, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is further input to the buffer 1010. As a result, the signal 1058, which is a one-way multi-valued 8-bit signal, becomes
It is converted into a desired signal by 1.

Output signal 1059 from LUT 1011
Is input to the connector 1006 via the selector 1013, the selector 1014, and the selector 1016. That is, the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 101
The signal is transferred to the file unit 5 in the 8-bit multi-valued state without using the function of 5.

However, the CPU bus 10 of the CPU 1003
When filing a binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via 54, the binarization circuit 101
2. The function of the rotating circuit 1015 is used. Since the binarization process and the rotation process here are the same as the processes in the above fax, the description thereof will be omitted here. (2) When receiving and outputting information from the file unit 5 The image information from the file unit 5 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1006. The signal 1064 on this signal line corresponds to the selector 1014 and the selector 10
In the case of 8-bit multi-value filing, it can be input to the selector 1017, and in the case of binary filing, it can be input to the selector 1014 or the selector 1017. Note that the processing in the case of binary filing is similar to the above-mentioned fax, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

In the case of multi-value filing, the selector 10
The output signal 1065 from 17 is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. In the LUT 1020, a look-up table is created according to an instruction from the CPU 1003 in accordance with a desired print density. LUT1
The output signal 1068 from 020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021.

Here, when the image signal from the file unit 5 is output to the printer unit 2, the 8-bit multi-value signal 1070 enlarged to a desired enlargement ratio by the enlargement circuit 1022 is
The data is sent to the reader unit 1 via the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001. Then, the information of the file unit 5 sent to the reader unit 1 is output to the printer unit 2 as in the case of the above-mentioned fax, and an image is formed on the output paper there. <Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information of Computer Interface Unit 7> Computer interface unit 7
Interface with the computer terminal 12 connected to the external device 3. The computer interface section 7 includes a plurality of interfaces for communicating with SCSI, RS-232C, and Centronics. Information from the above interfaces is sent to the CPU 100 via the connector 1007 and the data bus 1054.
Sent to 3. Then, the CPU 1003 performs various controls described below based on the content of the sent information. <Operation of Core Unit 10 Based on Information from Formatter Unit 8> The formatter unit 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the computer interface unit 7 into image data. CPU
When determining that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1054 is the data related to the formatter unit 8, the unit 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008. The formatter unit 8 develops in the memory from the transferred data as meaningful images such as characters and figures.

When the information from the formatter unit 8 is image-formed on the output paper, the image information from the formatter unit 8 is multivalued having two values (00H, FFH) on the signal line 1064 via the connector 1008. It is transmitted as a signal. The signal on the signal line 1064 is input to the selectors 1014 and 1017.

Note that these selectors 1014, 1017
Is controlled by an instruction from the CPU 1003, but since this control is the same as that in the above-mentioned fax unit, its description is omitted. <Description of Fax Unit 4> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the fax unit 4.

The fax unit 4 is connected to the core unit 10 via the connector 400 and exchanges various signals.
For example, the binary information from the core unit 10 is stored in the memory A405-
When stored in any of the memories D 408, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is transferred to the memory controller 404.
Under the control of the memory controller 404, the memory A 405, the memory B 406, and the memory C 40.
7, any of the memory D408, or of these,
It is stored in a cascade connection of two sets of memories.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41
2 is a mode for exchanging data between the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, the memory D 408 and the CPU bus 462, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 463 of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function. , The memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408 are controlled by the DMA controller 402 to exchange data with the bus 454 from the scaling circuit 403. The video input data 454 is stored in the memory A405 to the memory D40.
8 mode, and memory A40
5 to a mode in which the memory content is read from any one of the memories D408 and is output to the signal line 452,
It has a total of five functions.

The memory A 405, the memory B 406,
Memory C407 and memory D408 are 2 Mby each
It has a capacity of tes and stores an image corresponding to A4 size at a resolution of 400 dpi.

The timing generation circuit 409 is connected to the connector 4
00 and the signal line 459, the core unit 10
Control signals from (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, V
EN) to generate signals for accomplishing the following two functions. One of them is that the image signal from the core unit 10 is stored in one of the memories A405 to D408.
One memory, or the function of storing in two of these memories, the second function is memory A405 to memory D
A function of reading an image signal from any one of 408 and transmitting it to the signal line 452.

The dual port memory 410 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the signal line 461 and the CP of the fax unit 4 via the signal line 462.
It is connected to U412. And each CPU
Commands are exchanged via the dual port memory 410. In addition, the SCSI controller 413
Interface with the hard disk 11 connected to the fax unit 4, as shown in FIG. The hard disk 11 stores data at the time of fax transmission and fax reception.

The CODEC 411 is the memory A40 described above.
5 to read the image information stored in any one of the memories D 408, encode the image information in a desired one of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then store it in the memory A 405 to
It is stored in one of the memories D408 as encoded information. In addition, after the encoded information stored in the memories A405 to D408 is read and decoded by a desired one of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, it is decoded into any of the memories A405 to D408. It is stored as converted information, that is, image information.

The MODEM 414 has a function of modulating a signal for transmitting the coded information from the hard disk connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413 on the telephone line, and the information sent from the telephone line via the NCU 415. The coded information is demodulated, converted into coded information, and the coded information is transferred to the hard disk connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413. The NCU 415 is directly connected to a telephone line and exchanges information with an exchange installed in a telephone office or the like according to a predetermined procedure. (1) Description of Fax Transmission The binarized image signal from the reader unit 1 is input from the connector 400 and reaches the memory controller 404 through the signal line 453. This signal 453 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. The timing to be stored in the memory A 405 is based on the timing signal 459 from the reader unit 1 and the timing generation circuit 4
It is generated in 09.

The CPU 412 is the memory controller 40.
Memory A 405 and memory B 406 connected to
It is connected to the bus line 463 of the CODEC 411. CO
The DEC 411 reads the image information from the memory A 405, performs encoding by the MR method, for example, and writes the encoded information in the memory B 406. When CODEC 411 encodes A4 size image information, CP
U412 is the memory B40 of the memory controller 404.
6 is connected to the CPU bus 462. And the CPU 41
2 sequentially reads the coded information from the memory B 406 and transfers it to the MODEM 414. MODEM414
Modulates the encoded information and sends it as fax information over the telephone line via the NCU 415. (2) Description of Fax Reception Information sent from the telephone line is input to the NCU 415 and is connected to the fax unit 4 by the NCU 415 according to a predetermined procedure. The information from NCU415 is MODEM414
Demodulated at. The CPU 412 transfers the information from the MODEM 414 to the memory C407 via the CPU bus 462.
To memorize. When the information of one screen is stored in the memory C407, the CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 to cause the data line 45 of the memory C407.
7 to line 463 of CODEC 411. Then, the CODEC 411 sequentially reads the encoded information in the memory C407 and decodes it, that is, stores it in the memory D408 as image information.

The CPU 412 is the dual port memory 4
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the CPU 10, and makes settings for printing an image from the memory D 408 through the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2.
When this setting is completed, the CPU 412 activates the timing generation circuit 409 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 460 to the memory controller 404. The memory controller 404 reads the image information from the memory D408 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 409, transmits it to the signal line 452, and outputs it to the connector 400.

Since the method of outputting from the connector 400 to the printer unit 2 is the same as that in the core unit 10, its explanation is omitted. <Description of the computer interface section 7> FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer interface unit 7.

In FIG. 6, a connector A700 and a connector B701 are SCSI interface connectors, a connector C702 is a Centronics interface connector, and a connector D703 is RS-232S.
Interface connector and connector E70
Reference numeral 7 is a connector for connecting to the core portion 10.

The SCSI interface has two connectors (connector A700, connector B701),
When connecting a device having a plurality of SCSI interfaces, a connector A700 and a connector B701 are used for cascade connection. When the external device 3 and the computer are connected one-to-one, the connector A700 is connected to the computer with a cable, and the connector B701 is connected to a terminator (terminator) or the connector B7.
01 and the computer with a cable, connector A7
Connect a terminator to 00.

Information input from the connector A 700 or the connector B 701 is sent to the SCSI I / F-A 704 or the SCSI interface via the signal line 751.
-Input to I / F-B708. SCSI I / F-
A704 or SCSI I / F-B708 is S
After performing the procedure according to the CSI protocol, the data is output to the connector 707E via the signal line 754. The connector E707 is the CPU bus 1 of the core unit 10.
054 and is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10.
Receives from the CPU bus 1054 the information input to the SCSI / I / F connector (connector A700, connector B701).

When data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is output to the SCSI connector (connector A700, connector B701), the procedure is reversed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector C702 and input to the Centronics I / F 705 via the signal line 752. The Centronics I / F 705 receives data according to a predetermined protocol and outputs it to the connector E707 via the signal line 754. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10, and the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 receives the information input to the Centronics I / F connector (connector C702) from the CPU bus 1054.

The RS-232C interface is connected to the connector D703 and is connected to the R via the signal line 753.
It is input to the S-232C I / F 706. This RS-
The 232C I / F 706 also receives data according to a predetermined protocol and sends the signal to the signal line 754.
To the connector E707. Connector E70
7 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10, and the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is connected to the CPU bus 1054.
4 receives the information input to the RS-232C I / F connector (connector D703).

When data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is output to the RS-232C I / F connector (connector D703), the procedure is reversed. <Description of Formatter Unit 8> FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

The data from the computer interface unit 7 is discriminated by the core unit 10. If the data is data relating to the formatter unit 8, the core unit 1
The CPU 1003 of 0 has a connector 1008 of the core unit 10.
Also, the data from the computer terminal 12 is transferred to the dual port memory 803 via the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8.

The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 receives the code data sent via the dual port memory 803. The CPU 809 sequentially develops this code data into image data and transfers it to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 via the memory controller 808. In addition, these memory A80
6, the memory B807 has a capacity of 1 Mbytes each, 1
One memory can handle up to A4 size paper with a resolution of 300dpi. Further, in the case of supporting a paper size of A3 with a resolution of 300 dpi, the memory A806 and the memory B807 are connected in cascade to develop the image data.

The above memory control is performed by the memory controller 808 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 809.
If it is necessary to rotate characters or figures when expanding the image data, after rotating by the rotation circuit 804, the memory A8
06 or the memory B807. When the expansion of the image data in the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is completed, the CPU 809 controls the memory controller 808 to cause the data bus line 858 of the memory A 806 or the data bus line 85 of the memory B 807.
9 is connected to the output line 851 of the memory controller 808.

Next, the CPU 809 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 803 and sets the mode in which the image information is output from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807. C of the core part 10
The PU 1003 sets the print output mode in the CPU 122 using the communication function built in the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002 in the core unit 10.

When this print output mode is set,
The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 activates the timing generation circuit 802 via the connector 1008 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8. The timing generation circuit 802 sends the memory A 806 or the memory B 8 to the memory controller 808 according to the signal from the core unit 10.
The timing signal for reading the image information is generated from 07. As a result, the memory A806 or the memory B
Image information from 807 is input to the memory controller 808 via the signal line 858 or the signal line 859.

The output image information from the memory controller 808 is transferred to the core unit 10 via the signal line 851 and the connector 800, and the output from the core unit 10 to the printer unit 2 is the same as that of the core unit 10 described above. Since they are the same, description thereof will be omitted. Next, an operation in the case where the PDL data from the computer in the present embodiment is transmitted by facsimile and the data is transferred to the formatter unit 8 on the receiving side will be described.

PDL data, for example, LIPS data, from the computer terminal 12 reaches the core unit 10 via the SCSI interface of the interface unit 7.
Then, the data is sent to the fax unit 4 and transferred to the dual port memory 410. Further, prior to the data, it is set in the fax section 4 that the data is transmitted by the SCSI command and the telephone number of the other party is set.

Therefore, the fax unit 4 creates transmission document information including a telephone number, a reference number, etc. of the other party and PDL data to be transmitted as a transmission document management table.
It is registered in the hard disk 11 or the like connected to the fax unit 4. After this, a facsimile call is started.

FIG. 8 shows ITU-T recommendation T.264. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a procedure of a facsimile call according to 30. Therefore, FIG.
A procedure of data transmission / reception in the present embodiment will be described in accordance with

When the calling side dials the telephone number and the called side connects the line, the procedure shown in FIG. 8 is started. First, in phase A, the called party issues CED.
Then, it shifts to phase B and outputs NSF, CSI, and DIS. Here, in the NSF FIF 4th octet,
Information necessary for the operation of this embodiment is assigned.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of a control signal for a facsimile call. The first and the second from the top of the figure,
The first and second octets of the control signal are CCITT member codes, and the third octet is a manufacturer code. And in bits 0, 1, 2 of the 4th octet,
The presence / absence of LIPS, PS, and PCL deployment capabilities is assigned to each. Here, if "1" is assigned, it is assumed to have the capability.

The CPU 412 on the calling side stores the capability of the other party in the backup memory 417. Although not shown, the fifth octet is assigned as an area of a mode in which the present operation mode of the formatter unit 8, for example, the LIPS or PR201 emulation mode is set.

Subsequently, the calling side sends NSS, TSI, DCS
Give out. Here, the operation mode and PDL are designated.
For example, if the mode is LIPS, bit 0 of the fourth octet of NSS is set to "1". Here, if the other side is set in the emulation mode as the setting on the transmitting side, if it is set not to transmit, DCN is sent to disconnect the line, and an error report is output.

On the other hand, if transmission is possible, training is performed and the line status is checked. At this time, first 1
Training is performed at 4.4 Kbps, and if a good condition can be confirmed, the process moves to the phase, and if not, the baud rate is reduced. The telephone number of the other party and the state of the line corresponding to the telephone number are stored in the backup memory 417.
To memorize it.

As the LIPS data, the data in the dual port memory 410 is temporarily transferred to the area between the memories A to D, and then the MODEM 414, NCU 4
It is transferred to the line via 15.

When all the image signals or PDL data have been transmitted, the procedure moves to phase D. Then, the calling side issues EOP, and when it indicates the end, the called side issues MCF. Then, in phase E, the line is closed by the DCN and the facsimile call ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure on the receiving side in this embodiment. Here, when the reception is completed, the receiving side performs a data transfer operation from the fax unit 4 to the formatter unit 8.

In step S1001 of FIG. 10, it is determined whether the data transfer from the fax unit 4 to the formatter unit 8 is in progress. That is, if the received data has not been transferred at all, the process proceeds to step S1004, and if the transfer is interrupted, step S100.
Proceed to 2. Note that these states are stored in the backup memory 417 of the fax unit 4.

In step S1002, the operation unit of the apparatus main body sets any of "from the beginning", "from the middle", and "stale" of the data as a data processing method at the time of restart, and these are set in the fax unit. Since it is stored in the backup memory 417 of No. 4, the process proceeds to each processing step according to the setting.

When transferring data from the middle, the pointer at the time when the transfer is interrupted is read in step S1003. In the fax unit 4, since the received data is stored in the hard disk, the data is transferred from the hard disk to the memories (DRAM) A to D (405 to 408) before being transferred, and the dual data is stored from the memories A to D (405 to 408). Transfer several kilobytes to the port memory 410. At this time, the above-mentioned pointer indicates to what extent the data has been transferred. That is, in step S1003, the pointer that has advanced halfway is read.

When data is transferred from the beginning, the process proceeds to step S1004. This is a mode set especially when the user wants to output data completely due to unexpected power failure or the like. On the other hand, in the case of discarding the data, the data in the hard disk is discarded in step S1010, the transfer end state is set, and this processing ends.
This is a mode set when the user wants to erase the data promptly with unnecessary output.

In step S1004, the pointer is cleared to transfer the data from the beginning. Then, in step S1005, the data on the hard disk is deleted.
Transfer to AMA-D (405-408).

In step S1006, the data indicated by the pointer is transferred to the dual port memory 410, whereby the core unit 10 reads the dual port memory 410 and the dual port memory 803 of the formatter unit 8 is read.
Write data to. The formatter unit 8 receives the data similarly to the data from the computer interface unit 7 described above, and starts the expansion. Continuing step S10
In 07, the fax unit 4 uses the dual port memory 41
The pointer is updated by the amount transferred to 0.

In step S1008, it is determined whether or not the transfer of all data has been completed. If it has not been completed, the process returns to step S1006, and the processes of steps S1006 to S1008 are repeated until the data is completed. Then, in step S1009, the data in the hard disk is cleared, and the transfer end state is set to end this operation.

Here, when the power of the apparatus is cut off while the processes of steps S1006 to S1008 are repeatedly executed, the backup RAM stores the state of the midway of the transfer and the pointer during the midway of the execution. . Then, when the power is turned on again, the process is executed from step S1001 and the data can be transferred from the middle or from the beginning.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
If the image data such as PDL created by a computer is transmitted as it is, and the power supply of the device is cut off at the receiving side during the data transfer and the power supply is turned on again, the data is processed in the image data expansion process that is continuously performed. By selectively controlling execution of transfer from "start from the beginning", "start in the middle", and "discard", it is possible to obtain a document in which the data desired by the user is described, which is convenient for the user. It is possible to provide a device according to. <Modification> A modification of the first embodiment will be described below.

In this modification, processing on the receiving side when the image communication apparatus has a stapling function will be described. In the apparatus according to the present modification, the PDL data includes a job start command at the beginning of a series of data, a printer control command for sorting, stapling, etc., a telephone number, image expansion data, and a job. It has a structure called an end command. Here, the formatter unit 8 issues a staple command to the printer unit 2 by this job end command, so the printer unit 2 performs stapling.

Some PDL data from Centronics cannot use the stapling function because the job start and job end commands are not issued. In this case, since the telephone number cannot be specified, it becomes impossible to perform data communication.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the data transfer operation on the receiving side of the apparatus according to this modification. In the figure, in step S2001, it is determined whether or not the data transfer from the fax unit 4 to the formatter unit 8 is "while receiving". Here, if it is determined that the setting is such that the transfer is after completion of reception, the process proceeds to step S2010, and if the transfer is being received, the process proceeds to step S2002. Note that these states are the backup RA of the fax unit 4.
Stored in M.

In step S2002, it is determined whether the printer unit 2 or the formatter unit 8 is operating. Then, if they are in operation, data transfer cannot be performed, so the flow advances to step S2010, in which the operation is performed in a mode in which data is automatically transferred when communication is completed.

On the other hand, if the printer unit 2 or the formatter unit 8 is not in operation and data transfer is possible, the flow advances to step S2003 to wait until the received data is completed in 64 kilobytes. What are these 64 kilobytes?
Old CCITT Recommendation T.P. It is the data amount of one block in the error correction mode defined in No. 4, and when reception of one block is completed, it can be determined that the block is an error-free block.

When the reception of the data for one block is completed, in step S2004, the data is transferred to the formatter unit 8 via the dual port memory 410 while receiving the next block. The formatter unit 8 starts expanding the data transferred from the core unit 10 to the dual port memory 803 as described above.
As a result, the data transfer through the telephone line is completed, the data can be sequentially expanded, and the completion of output can be expedited.

In step S2005, it is determined whether or not the communication is completed, and if it is not completed, the process is returned to step S2003 and the above reception / transfer is repeated. Then, when the reception is completed, step S2006
Proceed to.

In step S2006, the presence or absence of a communication error is checked. If there is no communication error, the following step S200
The data is transferred at 7, and this processing ends. However, if there is a communication error, the data has not been completed due to the communication error, so in step S2008, the job end command data is transferred to the formatter unit 8 and the data transfer is completed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the stapling function from overlapping with the next output. Then, in step S2009, an error report is output, the reception side operator is notified of the occurrence of a communication error, and this processing ends.

If it is set in step S2001 that the data transfer is to be performed after the reception is completed, or if the printer unit 2 or the formatter unit 8 is in operation in step S2002, the completion of communication is waited in step S2010. Then, after the communication is completed, it is determined in step S2011 whether a communication error has occurred. Here, if the occurrence of an error is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S2009, an error report is output, and this process ends. In this case, all received data is cleared.

However, if no error occurs, it is checked in step S2012 whether data can be further transferred to the formatter unit 8, and the process waits until data can be transferred to that. When the data transfer is possible, in step S2013, all the data is converted to the formatter unit 8
To end the present process. The formatter unit 8 completes the operation by expanding the data and outputting it.

As described above, it is possible to set the data transfer from the fax unit 4 to the formatter unit 8 while receiving or after completion of reception. By shifting to the transfer mode, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of data being lost in the event of an error and improve the usability of the device.

Further, by issuing the job end command at the data receiving side when a communication error occurs, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the fax reception output and the printer output are mixed. [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below. The entire image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment and each unit thereof have the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, and a facsimile call procedure is also illustrated. Since it is the same as the procedure according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8, its illustration and description are omitted here.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of a control signal for a facsimile call according to this embodiment. In the figure, the first and second octets of the control signal are ITU-T member codes, and the third octet is a manufacturer code. Then, the presence or absence of the expansion capability of LIPS, PS, and PCL is assigned to bits 0, 1 and 2 of the fourth octet, respectively. Here, if "1" is assigned, it is assumed to have the capability. The calling side CPU 412 stores the capability of the other party in the backup memory 417. Also,
Bit 7 indicates the communication mode when the error occurs.

The fifth octet is assigned as an area of the current operation mode of the formatter unit 8, for example, the mode in which the LIPS or PR201 emulation mode is set, and the sixth octet has a different number for each data. Assign On the receiving side, this number identifies the data on the transmitting side when an error occurs.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure on the receiving side in this embodiment. Step S in FIG.
In 3001, the fax unit 4 performs the same operation as the receiving operation in the first embodiment described above, and step S3002.
Then, the received data is transferred from the fax unit 4 to the formatter unit 8 via the core unit 10. Here, even if data of 1 megabyte is transferred between the fax unit 4 on the transmitting side and the fax unit 4 on the receiving side, the formatter unit 8 transfers here several kilobytes at a time. Then, in step S3003, the transferred image of several kilobytes is expanded.

In step S3004, the formatter unit 8 outputs an image to the printer unit 2 in step S3005 if there is a paper discharge command. In the following step S3006, when the formatter unit 8 determines that the fax unit 4 still has data, the process returns to step S3002,
The above data transfer and image expansion are repeated. Then, if all the data is processed, that is, step S3006.
If it is determined that there is no data, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3004 that there is no paper discharge command, it is determined in step S3007 whether or not there is data in the fax unit 4. If there is data, the process returns to step S3002. Repeats the transfer of the next data. However, if the page developed at the end ends without a paper discharge command even though all the data received by the fax unit 4 has been processed, it is determined that there is an error in the data, and the process proceeds to step S3008.

A normal printer does not immediately generate an error because data may be sent again from the host computer even after all the data has been developed. But,
When the fax unit 4 is used as in the present embodiment, the data is complete and does not continue. Therefore, the fact that there is no paper discharge command at the end means that the data is in error.

Note that in step S3004, an error check may be performed together with the determination of the paper discharge command. For example, the printer causes an error when the memory overflows and does not perform the subsequent processing. When the error as described above occurs a predetermined number of times in advance, it may be detected and the process may proceed to step S3008 described below.

In step S3008, unprocessed data in the fax section 4 and the formatter section 8 is cleared as error processing. Then, the occurrence of an error is displayed on the display unit of the reader unit 1, or an error notification report of a predetermined format is output from the printer unit 2.

In the next step S3009, the receiving side becomes the calling side in order to notify the sender of the error, and dials the called side of the sending side to notify the sender of the error, together with the number of the document in error. To do. In this case, the bit 7 of the fourth octet of the NSS shown in FIG. 12 is set to "1" to notify that the communication is an error notification. Also, the sixth
The number sent from the transmission side is set as is in Octet. Then, the phases C and D are omitted and the DNC is transmitted to disconnect the line.

At the transmission source that has received the error notification, based on the number of the document in error, the corresponding transmission document information is specified from the transmission document management table registered in the hard disk 11 and retransmitted.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Image data such as PDL created by a computer or the like is transmitted as it is, and when an error occurs, an error notification is sent to the transmission destination, and the image data is retransmitted by the transmission side which has received this error notification. By doing so, it is possible to easily retransmit the image data without requiring the operator on the receiving side as well as the operator on the transmitting side to perform a complicated operation.

In the second embodiment, the case where the PDL fax transmission is normally terminated is not mentioned. For example, when the PDL fax transmission is normally terminated, the sender is notified of the fact and the notification is received. The transmission side may delete the transmission document information from the transmission document management table. Alternatively, the transmission destination may not be notified upon normal termination, and the transmission document information may be deleted on the transmission side after a lapse of a predetermined time.

Furthermore, the transmission document management table may be registered in the external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5 instead of the hard disk 11 of the fax unit 4, and the transmission document information may be managed by the file unit 5. .

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0133]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By selectively controlling the transfer mode of information to the developing means, a document in which the data desired by the user is described can be obtained, and an apparatus suitable for the user's convenience can be provided.

According to another invention, an error notification is issued from the receiving side, and the receiving side receives the error notification and retransmits the image data, so that a complicated operation is not performed. The image data can be easily retransmitted.

[0135]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of signal processing in a reader unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit 10.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fax unit 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer interface unit 7.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a formatter unit 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure of a facsimile call.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of a control signal for a facsimile call.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing on the receiving side.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a data transfer operation on the receiving side of the device according to the modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a structure of a control signal of a facsimile call according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the receiving side in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 image input device (reader unit) 2 image output device (printer unit) 3 communication controller 4 fax unit 5 file unit 6 external storage device 7 computer interface unit 8 formatter unit 9 image memory unit 10 core unit 11 hard disk 12 computer terminal 13 telephone line

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving information represented by code information according to a predetermined procedure via a public line, a means for storing the received information, and the stored information regarding the code information. The developing means includes a developing means for developing, a means for setting an information transfer mode to the developing means in advance, and a transfer means for transferring the stored information to the developing means in the set information transfer mode. An image communication device characterized by the above. 2. A means for detecting the presence or absence of an operation abnormality in the image communication apparatus, wherein the transfer means performs the transfer in the set information transfer mode when the operation abnormality is detected. The image communication device according to claim 1. 3. The information transfer mode includes a mode in which the information is transferred each time it is received, and a mode in which the information is transferred after the transmission of the information through the public line is completed. 1. The image communication device according to 1. 4. The information transfer mode includes a mode in which the information is transferred from the beginning after the abnormality is detected, a mode in which the information is transferred midway after the abnormality is detected, and a mode in which the information is not transferred. The image communication device according to claim 2. 5. The abnormal condition includes a case where the image communication apparatus is once powered off and then powered again while the information is being transferred to the expanding means. 4. The image communication device according to item 4. 6. The image communication apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for issuing a job end command on the receiving side of the information when the abnormality is detected. 7. A means for detecting an error occurrence at the time of expanding the image by the expanding means; and, when the error occurrence is detected, the error is transmitted to a transmitting side of the information via the public line. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying occurrence. 8. The image communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when a notification of the occurrence of the error is received, a sender of the information resends the information. 9. The image communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the error occurrence is notified, the sender of the information visually displays the occurrence of the error. 10. The image communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the visual display is a process of developing and outputting the occurrence of the error in an image.