JPH0884267A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To attain proper transmission in response to the result of selection of the transmission mode even when a color image and a black/white image are stored in mixture by providing a management function storing the color image and the black/-white image in mixture in the case of reading the color image to the facsimile equipment. CONSTITUTION: A CPU 101 controls the entire circuit according to the storage program of a ROM 102 and a setting value or the like in a RAM 103 and communicates an image with an equipment of an opposite party via a MODEM 109 and a communication line 119 or the like. The CPU sets the mode that a color signal or a black/white signal and a color signal in mixture is stored in an image memory 104 before preset read waiting or communication. Then based on a DIS signal received from the opposite party, the color or black/white transmission or color data transmission or black/white transmission, an interrupted line to stop the transmission is selected automatically or manually. Thus, the data are sent properly depending on the result of selection of the transmission mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting color originals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the most popular G3 facsimile machine is the ITU-T (formerly CCITT) recommended T.70. 4,
T. 30, T.I. 5, T.W. 6 and the standardization of new functions will continue. In this process, IT is currently being considered.
UT Recommendation T.T. It is an introduction to the G3 standard related to color defined in 81.

[0003]

However, at present, most facsimile apparatuses do not have a color function, and therefore, in the communication between a device capable of handling both color and black and white and a conventional device dedicated to black and white, the following problem occurs. There are some points that have not been improved yet.

(1) The usability for communicating with a monochrome communication device is poor.

Communication between color machines is currently carried out in individual mode by each maker, but as the ITU's recommendation progresses, compatibility with other companies' machines is improved, and color machines of different makers are communicated. Communication will begin.

[0006] Therefore, a problem is that, when a color original is desired to be sent, if the other machine is a black-and-white machine, the usability of the user becomes complicated. Specifically, for example, when unilaterally transmitting from a color machine on the sending side to a black-and-white machine on the receiving side, it is unknown whether the color original was actually sent in color or black and white. As for the transmission mode, it is expected that there will be many cases of color transmission, monochrome transmission, and monochrome transmission of color data, and appropriate measures will be required.

(2) The expandability of specifications for communicating with a monochrome communication device is poor.

Most existing facsimile machines have a color function, and even if they have, they often carry out their own color communication. Since it is sent using the black and white communication function, both the color communication function and the black and white communication function must be provided, and it is impossible to communicate a mixed original of color and black and white.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of effectively handling mixed originals of color and black and white in an apparatus capable of color communication.

[0010]

The present invention has the following means in order to improve the drawbacks of the above-mentioned conventional example.

(1) Judging means for judging whether the color original is read before receiving the information of the other party or read after receiving the information.

(2) Judging means for judging whether the user should select a communication means or not and automatically communicate when the partner machine cannot receive color.

(3) Control means for branching to color transmission processing, line disconnection processing, black-and-white transmission processing, and black-and-white transmission processing for color data, based on the information of the DIS signal sent from the other device

(4) Notification means for notifying the operator of the fact that the other machine judges that it cannot receive the color.

(5) Delay means for delaying the next operation until the operator gives an instruction.

(6) Control means for performing the delay time of the delay means by the ITU recommended T1 timer.

(7) Control means for deciding whether to read a color original in color or in color and black and white when it is determined that the other machine cannot receive color.

(8) Image management means for storing color images and monochrome images in a mixed manner.

[0019]

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

The CPU 101 is a system control unit,
Control the entire device. The ROM 102 stores the control program of the CPU 101. RAM103
Is composed of an SRAM or the like and is for storing program control variables and the like. Further, setting values registered by the operator, device management data, and various work buffers are also stored in the RAM. The image memory 104 is
It is composed of a DRAM or the like and is for accumulating image data.

The resolution conversion processing unit 105 performs resolution conversion control such as milli-inch resolution conversion of raster data.

A communication encoding / decoding processing unit (communication codec) 106 and a reading / recording encoding / decoding processing unit (reading / recording codec) 107 encode / decode image data handled by a facsimile apparatus. Process.

The JPEG processing section 114 encodes a color image and is composed of a DSP or the like. Timing part 10
Reference numeral 8 measures an operation interval and the like, and is composed of a clock IC or the like.

A MODEM (modulation / demodulation device) 109 modulates / demodulates a facsimile transmission / reception signal.
The U (network control device) 110 has a function of sending a selection signal (dial pulse or tone dialer) to the communication line 119, and performs an automatic incoming call operation and a line control operation by detecting a ringing tone.

Sheet scanner 112, book scanner 1
Reference numeral 13 is composed of a CS image sensor, a document conveying mechanism, etc., and optically reads a document and converts it into electrical image data. This image data is stored in the image processing unit 1.
The correction processing 11 is performed to output high-definition image data.

The operation unit 115 is composed of a keyboard or the like and is used by the operator to perform various input operations. The line buffer 116 is a line buffer used when controlling transfer of image data.

The printer 118 is an LBP that records received images and file data on plain paper. The printer formatter 117 analyzes the printer description language and converts it into image data when printing file data from a workstation or the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment.

The operation section 115 has a display section for instructing an operation and confirming the contents. Sheet reading unit 202
Is equipped with an ADF mechanism. The sheet reading unit 203 has a structure in which a book document is sandwiched between itself and the unit for reading, and also serves as a book document pressing cover when reading a book. A recording paper is set in the recording paper holder 204.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the operation section 115.

The operation unit 115 includes a ten key 301 for making a call and various settings, and an LCD for confirming the contents.
A display unit 302 configured by, etc., a one-touch key 303 that allows one-touch selection of the other party, a start key 304 that instructs the start of an operation, a stop key 305 that instructs the interruption of the operation, an instruction for color transmission, or an instruction for monochrome transmission And a special key 306 for instructing monochrome transmission of color data, an operation display unit 307 including an LED for displaying a color reading state, and the like.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of operations and apparatus operations of this embodiment.

First, the operator sets a color original on a sheet or a book reading unit (401). Next, a color transmission button (special key 30
6) is pressed (402), and a telephone number for calling the partner machine is input using the ten-key pad 301, the one-touch key 303 or the like, and the facsimile machine calls the partner machine by this number (403).

When the connection with the partner machine is established, the start key is pressed (404). After that, according to the switch etc. set in advance, whether communication is carried out while waiting for reading (405), reading in color before communication (415), or reading in both color and black and white before communication It will be divided into each mode of (425).

Then, the DIS signal from the other party is received (4
06, 416, 426), it is possible to determine whether color transmission is possible (407, 417, 427) or only black and white (409, 419, 429) depending on the content, so color transmission (408, 418, 428). Or do
Black-and-white transmission (410), black-and-white transmission with color data (420), black-and-white transmission with black-and-white (430), and disconnection by disconnecting the line (411, 42)
1, 431) or automatically separate, or
Waiting for the operator's instruction (412, 422, 432), black-and-white transmission (413), black-and-white transmission with color data (423), black-and-white transmission with black and white (433), and Disconnects the line and cancels (414, 42
4, 434) or manually separate.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory storage state of a monochrome image and a color image in this embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 501 shows an example in which an image management area for distinguishing a color image and a monochrome image stored mixedly is included in the color image storage area and the monochrome image storage area. Reference numeral 502 shows an example in which the storage states of the color image storage area and the monochrome image storage area are managed by independent image management areas. With such a storage method, it is possible to discriminate between a color image and a black-and-white image in various processes of reading and transmitting image data, and smooth processing can be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, these storage methods can be selected and used by initial setting such as a soft switch.

That is, in the former method (501), it is not necessary to set an independent image management area, which is advantageous in terms of memory capacity, but when reading and writing image data, mixed color images and monochrome images are mixed. For each of them, the image management area is referred to determine whether it is color or black and white, and thus the operation becomes slower. On the other hand, in the latter method (502), mixed color images and monochrome images can be collectively managed in independent image management areas, and color images and monochrome images can be classified and organized by logical addresses. Data can be read and written quickly.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the memory capacity is small, the former method (501) is adopted, and when the memory capacity is sufficient, the latter method (502) is adopted so that the optimum control can be achieved. It will be possible.

Although it is inferior in terms of memory efficiency, it is also possible to provide a color image storage area and a monochrome image storage area completely independently of each other, and distinguish the color image and the monochrome image by their physical addresses. is there.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the color information bits in the signal during communication in this embodiment.

In the figure, 601 is DIS / DTC / DCS.
It means the 68th bit of the signal, and is information for determining whether the color function is present or absent. Further, 602 is DIS / DTC
/ It means the 69th bit of the DCS signal, and is information for judging whether or not color communication is possible.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the timing of reading a color original in the normal one-page communication protocol.

In the figure, reference numeral 701 indicates a timing position for reading a color original before receiving information from the other party,
Reference numeral 702 indicates a timing position at which a color original is read after receiving information from the other device.

Next, the detailed operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the control flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation in the case of selecting whether to read after recognizing the partner function at the time of transmission in this embodiment.

First, after setting a color original and receiving a color transmission instruction (S801), the preset switch is referred to (S802) to receive the signal of the other party and then read operation (S804). Or the immediate read operation (S803) is determined.

As described above, in this embodiment, the specification can be improved by selecting two kinds of reading timings.
Further, there is an effect that usability can be improved by simplifying the operation.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation in the case of reading after the partner function is recognized in S804.

First, the communication is started, the DIS signal sent from the partner machine is received (S901), and it is judged whether both the 68th bit and the 69th bit of the DIS signal are "1" (S902). If both are "1", color transmission by color reading (S906) is performed. If at least one of them is "0", it is determined whether to refer to the switch set in advance (S903) and perform the process by the automatic determination (S904) or the process by the manual determination (S905). decide.

As described above, in the present embodiment, there is an effect that the specification can be improved by selecting two kinds of (automatic / manual selection) reading methods.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation when the automatic determination is made in S904.

First, referring to the switch set in advance (S1001), if it is set not to transmit in black and white when the partner machine does not have the color function, the process of disconnecting the line (S1003) is performed.

In addition, 6 of the DIS signal received from the other device
It is determined whether both the 8th bit and the 69th bit are "0" (S1002), and if both are "0", monochrome transmission is performed (S1004).

In addition, 6 of the DIS signal received from the other device
It is determined whether the 8th bit and the 69th bit are "1" and "0" (S1002). If they are "1" and "0", black and white transmission with color data is performed (S1005).

As described above, in this embodiment, the communication means is determined by automatically judging the function of the partner machine,
There is an effect that the usability can be improved by simplifying the operation.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation when a manual determination is made in S905.

When it is determined that the partner machine cannot receive color, the operator is informed by a display unit (visual display or audible expression) to prompt the operator for input (S1101).
Here, the time waiting for input from the operator is ITU
It is shared with the T1 time in the recommendation, and when the T1 time is over (S1103), line disconnection processing is performed (S1104).

When there is an input (S1102), if the instruction is a disconnection instruction (S1105), a process of disconnecting the line (S1104) is performed. Further, if the instruction is to perform monochrome transmission with the color function (S1106), the color is read and monochrome transmission is performed (S1108). Otherwise, read in black and white and send in black and white (S110
7) Do.

As described above, in this embodiment, the input waiting time of the operator is shared with the ITU T1 time,
Since a new timer function is not required, there is an effect that it is possible to improve a specification that does not cost much for improving the function.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation in the case of reading before recognizing the partner function.

First, by referring to a switch set in advance (S1201), a color original is read as color information (S1202) or color information and black and white information are set.
It is determined whether one piece of information is read (S1203). When reading in two pieces of information of color information and black and white information, a method of dividing a black and white area and a color area in a memory and a method of managing by a management area and storing them in a mixed manner can be selected.

By storing the color image and the black-and-white image in a mixed manner, there is an effect that the cost can be improved by effectively using the storage capacity.

Further, the processing after the reading can be performed almost the same as the processing in FIGS. That is, the difference is that the reading process is eliminated,
As shown in FIG. 4, although transmission is performed based on the image data that has already been read at the time when the partner function is recognized, some restrictions are placed between the transmission image data and the transmission mode, but basically the same is true. is there.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a color image and a monochrome image are stored together because an image management means having an image management area for managing the storage of the color image and the monochrome image together when reading the color image is provided. However, there is an effect that proper transmission can be performed according to the selection result of the transmission mode.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the facsimile apparatus in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation unit in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of operations and apparatus operations of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory storage state of a monochrome image and a color image in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing color information bits inside a procedure signal at the time of communication in the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a timing of reading a color original document in a normal one-page communication protocol.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation in the case of selecting whether to read after recognizing a partner function at the time of transmission in the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation in the case of reading after recognizing a partner function in the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when automatic determination of a transmission mode is performed in the above embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when a manual determination of a transmission mode is performed in the above embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation when reading is performed before recognizing a partner function in the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 ... CPU, 102 ... ROM, 103 ... RAM, 104 ... Image memory, 105 ... Resolution conversion processing unit, 106 ... Communication encoding / decoding processing unit, 107 ... Read / record encoding / decoding processing unit, 108 ... Clock unit, 109 ... Modulator / demodulator, 110 ... Network control unit, 111 ... Image processing unit, 112 ... Sheet scanner, 113 ... Book scanner, 114 ... JPEG processing unit, 115 ... Operation unit, 116 ... Line buffer, 117 ... Printer formatter , 118 ... Printer, 119 ... Communication line.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A color image reading unit for reading a color original document, a color image processing unit for converting the read color image information into information for communication, and another facsimile device through the line for the converted color image information. And a facsimile communication unit that communicates between them, and when the color image is read, the image management unit has an image management area that manages storage of a mixture of a color image and a monochrome image. And a facsimile machine. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image management area is provided separately from the color image storage area and the monochrome image storage area. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image management area is provided in a color image storage area and a monochrome image storage area.