JPH0898003A - Facsimile communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the cost required for communication by detecting a communication time. CONSTITUTION: A sender side sets a total page number of read image data, an original size corresponding to each page of image data and data of read line density to an NSS signal prior to start of transmission of image data and the NSS signal is sent to a receiver side. Then the receiver side recognizes in advance the total page number of received image data, an original size and a line density corresponding to each page of the image data before the start of reception of the image data based on the page number data, original size data and read line density data in the NSS signal. Then the sender side sends image data of a succeeding page immediately upon the receipt of an MCF signal or an RTN signal from the receiver side after the transmission of the image data by one page. Furthermore, the RTC signal is added to the end of the image data by one page and the receiver side detects the RTC signal to recognize the end of reception of the image data by one page.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication method capable of shortening communication time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional standard facsimile communication procedure, an MPS signal (multipage signal), an EOM signal (message end signal) or an EOP signal (procedure) is sent every time image data for one page of a document is transmitted. Any one of the control procedure signals such as the end signal) is transmitted to the receiving side. The receiving side recognizes whether or not the image data of the next page is transmitted from the transmitting side based on the detection of the control procedure signals.

[0003]

As described above, in the above-described facsimile communication procedure, the control procedure signal is also transmitted every time the image data for one page is transmitted. When transmitting, there is a problem that the communication time becomes long and the communication cost becomes high. In particular, when the size of the read document, the read line density, etc. are different on each page of the transmitted image data, the EOM signal as a control procedure signal is transmitted as the control procedure signal before transmitting the image data of the page whose document size etc. changes. The transmission is done. However, when this EOM signal is transmitted, DI is performed when facsimile communication is started in order to reset various parameters relating to transmission image data.
Communication of control procedure signals such as S signals and DCS signals, and training of modems are performed again, which further lengthens the communication time.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile communication method capable of shortening the communication time and reducing the cost required for communication. To provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, at least the total number of pages of the transmission image data is notified to the receiving side before the transmission of the image data is started, and one page is transmitted. The minute image data is transmitted with the RTC signal indicating the end of the page added to the end thereof, and when there is the image data of the next page, the process immediately shifts to the transmission of the image data of the next page.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the total number of pages of the transmission image data, the size and the reading linear density of the read original corresponding to each page of the transmission image data are transmitted to the receiving side before the transmission of the image data is started. It is a notification.

According to the third aspect of the invention, after detecting the RTC signal, a response signal indicating the reception result of the image data for one page is transmitted to the transmitting side.

[0008]

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the total number of pages of the transmission image data is notified to the receiving side in advance before the transmission of the image data is started, so that the image data for one page is transmitted every time. , MPS signal or the like to send a control procedure signal to notify the receiving side whether or not there is image data for the next page. Therefore, after transmitting one page of image data,
It is possible to immediately shift to the transmission of the next image data without transmitting the control procedure signal such as the MPS signal, and as a result, the communication time is shortened. On the receiving side,
By detecting the RTC signal, the reception end of the image data for one page can be surely recognized, and as a result, the number of pages of the received image data can be accurately grasped.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the size of the read document and the read line density are different for each page of the transmission image data, the information is sent to the receiving side before the transmission of the image data is started. The communication time is shortened because the notification only needs to be made once.

According to the third aspect of the invention, every time one page of image data is received, the result of the reception, for example, whether the received image data is normal or not is sent to the transmitting side by a response signal. Will be notified. Therefore, the transmitting side can take appropriate measures such as retransmitting the image data of the page that was not normally transmitted, based on the notification result.

[0011]

Embodiment An embodiment of a facsimile apparatus embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the circuit configuration of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. CPU
Connected to the (central processing unit) 1 are a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2 which stores programs for controlling the operation of the entire device, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3 which temporarily stores various information. There is. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 4 controls connection with a telephone line. The modem 5 modulates and demodulates transmitted / received data, and also generates and detects various control procedure signals used during facsimile communication, such as DCS signals (digital command signals) and DIS signals (digital identification signals).

The reading unit 6 reads an image on a document. The image memory 7 stores the received image data and the image data read by the reading unit 6. The recording unit 8 includes the image memory 7
Printing is performed on the recording paper based on the received image data and the like.
The operation unit 9 sets and registers in the RAM 3 the numeric keypad 9a for inputting a telephone number, a retransmission count value described later, etc., the start key 9b for starting a facsimile operation, and the retransmission count value input by the numeric keypad 9a. Various operation keys such as a registration key 9c for storing are provided.

Next, the operation of the CPU 1 at the time of transmitting image data will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Now, as shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 1 firstly
The retransmission count value input by the ten key 9a on the operation unit 9 is set and registered in the RAM 3 in accordance with the operation of the registration key 9c. As the retransmission count value, for example, a value of "2" or "3" is suitable. In this state, when the CPU 1 inputs the telephone number and operates the start key 9b using the ten-key 9a in step S102, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S103. And CP
In step S103, the U1 operates the reading unit 6 to read the image on the document set in the apparatus,
The read image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 7.
At the time of reading the image, the CPU 1 counts the number of pages of the read document and recognizes the size of the read document and the read linear density of the document for each page.

Next, in step S104, the CPU 1 registers the total page number data PC of the read document in the RAM 3. Subsequently, in step S105, the CPU 1 registers the size data SR of the read document and the read linear density data RR of the document in the RAM 3. Figure 5
As shown in (a) and (b), in the document size data SR and the reading line density data RR, data indicating the document size or the reading line density is "0," corresponding to each page of the read document. It is set in the state of bit data of "1". Further, in step S106, the CPU 1 creates a retransmission flag record RT as shown in FIG. 5C in the RAM 3 and sets all the retransmission flags in the retransmission flag record RT to "1". As shown in the figure, the resend flag in the resend flag record RT is provided for each page of the read document.

Next, in step S107, the CPU 1 makes a call to a predetermined receiving side based on the telephone number previously input, and in step S108, the line with the receiving side is closed. If this is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S109. Then, the CPU 1 executes step S
In 109 and S110, a predetermined time is waited for reception of a facsimile procedure signal such as an NSF signal (non-standard function identification signal) and a DIS signal from the receiving side. Here, in step S110, when the predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the NSF signal or the like, the CPU 1 determines that the facsimile communication has failed or is interrupted, moves to step S111, and disconnects the line. Return to the communication standby state.

On the other hand, in step S109, when the NSF signal or the like is received before the elapse of the predetermined time, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S112. Then, in step S112, the CPU 1 causes the receiving side to use the page number data PC, the document size data SR, and the read line density data R based on the received NSF signal.
Determine if it is capable of receiving R.

The NFS signal has a FIF (Facsimil)
e Information Field)
Can store data indicating that the page number data PC or the like can be received. Therefore, on the transmission side, by receiving this NFS signal, it is possible to judge whether or not the reception side is capable of receiving the page number data PC and the like.

If it is determined that the receiving side is not capable of receiving the page number data PC etc., the CPU 1
Moves to step S113 to transmit the read image data previously stored in the image memory 7 in the normal G3 mode,
After that, it returns to the communication standby state. Also, when it is determined that the receiving side has the ability to receive the page number data PC, etc.,
CPU1 transfers to step S114. And C
In step S114, the PU 1 stores the page number data PC, the document size data SR, and the read line density data RR in the FIF of the NSS signal (non-standard function setting signal), and transmits the NSS signal to the receiving side. continue,
The CPU 1 transmits the DCS signal to the receiving side.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, in step S115, the CPU 1 outputs the training signal and the TCF.
A signal (training check signal) is transmitted to the receiving side to train the modem 5. Then CP
In steps S116 and S117, U1 determines whether either the CFR signal (reception preparation confirmation signal) or the FTT signal (training failure signal) is received from the receiving side. Here, in step S117, FT
When the T signal is received, the CPU 1 determines that the training of the modem 5 has failed on the receiving side, returns to step S114 shown in FIG. 2, and transmits the NSS signal and the like again.

If the CFR signal is received in step S116, the CPU 1 executes step S11.
Go to 8. Then, the CPU 1 executes step S118.
In step 1, the read image data stored in the image memory 7 is transmitted to the receiving side for one page in the size and linear density at the time of reading. At this time, the CPU 1 transmits the image data for one page with an RTC signal (control return signal) indicating the end of the page added to the end.

When the transmission of the image data for one page is completed, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S119 to determine whether or not the MCF signal (message confirmation signal) as a response signal from the receiving side is received. Here, when the MCF signal is received, the CPU 1 determines that the image data is normally transmitted, and proceeds to step S120. Then, the CPU 1 at step S120
In the retransmission flag record RT in the RAM 3, the retransmission flag corresponding to the previous transmission page is reset to "0", and the process proceeds to step S122. When the MCF signal is not received, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S121 and determines whether or not the RTN signal (retraining negative signal) which is also a response signal is received. Here, when the RTN signal is received, the CPU 1
When it is determined that the image data has not been normally transmitted, the process proceeds to step S122 while the retransmission flag corresponding to the previous transmission page remains set to "1". Incidentally, RTN
If no signal is received, the CPU 1 determines that the facsimile communication is interrupted, moves to step S125, disconnects the line, and returns to the communication standby state.

When the CPU 1 proceeds to step S122, it determines whether or not the transmission of all pages of the image data in the image memory 7 is completed. Returning to step S118, the image data of the next page in the image memory 7 is transmitted. or,
When the transmission of all pages is completed, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S123, and determines whether or not all the retransmission flags in the retransmission flag record RT in the RAM 3 are reset to “0”. Here, when all the retransmission flags are reset to "0", the CPU 1 determines that all the image data in the image memory 7 has been normally transmitted, and proceeds to step S124. And CPU1
In step S12 to end the facsimile communication.
After transmitting the DCN signal (disconnection command signal) to the receiving side in 4, the line is disconnected in step S125, and the state returns to the communication standby state.

On the other hand, in step S123, if there is a retransmission flag in the retransmission flag record RT that is not reset to "0", the CPU 1 normally transmits the image data in the image memory 7 to the image data. When it is determined that there is a page that has not been processed, the process proceeds to step S126.
Then, the CPU 1 firstly, in step S126,
It is determined whether or not the retransmission count value previously registered in the RAM 3 is "0". Here, the retransmission count value is “0”
If so, the CPU 1 determines that it is not necessary to retransmit the image data of the page that was not normally transmitted, and proceeds to step S124.

If the retransmission count value is not "0", the CPU 1 proceeds to step S127 to retransmit the image data of the page that was not normally transmitted. The CPU 1 first subtracts "1" from the retransmission count value in step S127, and then reregisters the number of pages for which the retransmission flag is set to "1" in the RAM 3 as the page number data PC in step S128. To do. Then, CPU1 is step S129,
Original size data SR and read line density data RR corresponding only to the pages for which the resend flag is set to "1"
Are re-registered in the RAM 3. And in this state, C
The PU1 returns to the step S114 shown in FIG. 2, stores the re-registered page number data PC, the document size data SR and the read line density data RR in an NSS signal, and transmits the NSS signal again to the receiving side. . As a result, of the image data in the image memory 7, only the image data of the page that was not normally transmitted is retransmitted to the receiving side the number of times corresponding to the retransmission count value.

On the other hand, the operation at the time of receiving the image data, which is executed corresponding to the transmitting operation, will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Now, as shown in FIG. 4, C
In step S201, when PU1 detects a calling signal from the telephone exchange based on the call originating from the calling side via NCU4, PU1 controls NCU4 to close the line with the calling side in step S202. Next, CPU1
In step S203, transmits a facsimile procedure signal such as an NSF signal and a DIS signal to the calling side.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the FIF of the NSF signal previously contains data indicating that the page number data PC and the like can be received. Therefore, in step S203, the sender is notified that the page number data PC and the like can be received.

Subsequently, the CPU 1 determines in step S204 whether or not the NSS signal and the DCS signal from the calling side are received. If not received, the process returns to step S203 to transmit the NSF signal and the like. Do it again. When an NSS signal or the like is received, the CPU1
Shifts to step S205, where F of this NSS signal is
The page number data PC, the document size data SR and the read line density data RR stored in the IF are stored in the RAM 3. Next, in step S206, the CPU 1 trains the modem 5 based on the training signal transmitted from the calling side, and determines whether the training is successful. Here, when the modem training is not successful, the CPU 1 requests the transmitting side to retransmit the training signal, in step S
In step 207, the FTT signal is transmitted to the calling side.
If the modem training is successful, CPU1
Moves to step S208 and transmits a CFR signal to the transmitting side to urge the transmission of image data.

Next, the CPU 1 firstly executes step S209.
In accordance with the page number data PC, the document size data SR, and the read line density data RR stored in advance, the data of the document size and the line density corresponding to the image data of one page to be received are registered in the RAM 3. To do. Then, in step S210, the CPU 1 receives the image data for one page transmitted from the transmission side,
The received image data is stored in the image memory 7 in correspondence with the registered document size and linear density data. At this time, the CPU 1 detects the RTC signal added to the end of the image data for one page, and based on the detection,
Recognize the end of receiving one page of image data. When receiving this image data, the CPU 1 checks whether each line data forming the image data is an error line, and if it is an error line, counts the number of error lines.

When the reception of the image data for one page is completed, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S211, and determines whether or not the received image data previously stored in the image memory 7 is an error image. It should be noted that this determination is made based on whether or not the ratio of the number of error lines previously counted to the total number of lines of received image data for one page is a predetermined ratio or more. Here, when the ratio of the number of error lines to the total number of lines is not equal to or more than the predetermined ratio, the CPU 1
When it is determined that the image data has been normally received, step S2
After shifting to 12, transmitting the MCF signal to the transmitting side, shifts to step S214. If the ratio is equal to or higher than the predetermined ratio, the CPU 1 determines that the received image data is an error image, proceeds to step S213, transmits the RTN signal to the transmitting side, and then proceeds to step S214. .

Then, in step S214, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the reception of all the pages of the image data is completed based on the page number data PC, and when the reception of all the pages is not completed, Step S209
Then, the data of the document size and the linear density corresponding to the image data of one page received next is registered. or,
When the reception of all pages is completed, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S215 and determines whether or not the DCN signal from the transmission side is received. Here, when the DCN signal is received, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S216, disconnects the line, and returns to the communication standby state.

When the DCN signal is not received,
The CPU 1 proceeds to step S217 and determines whether or not the NSS signal and the DCS signal from the calling side are received. When the NSS signal and the DCS signal are received, the CPU 1 determines that there is retransmitted image data, moves to step S205, and the page number data PC and the document in the retransmitted NSS signal are transmitted. The size data SR and the read line density data RR are stored again in the RAM 3. As a result, only the image data of the page that was not normally received is displayed the number of times corresponding to the retransmission count value.
Will be received again.

When the reception of the image data is completed in this way, the recording unit 8 is operated and printing is performed on the recording paper based on the received image data stored in the image memory 7. In this case, the received image data of each page is R
Based on the document size and the linear density registered correspondingly in the AM3, it is properly printed on the recording paper of an appropriate size in a state of being converted into the linear density corresponding to the recording linear density of the recording unit 8. It should be noted that, at the time of this print output, the received image data determined to be an error image may not be printed out or may be printed out.

Next, the communication procedure in this embodiment shown in FIG. 6 will be described in comparison with the conventional standard communication procedure shown in FIG. It should be noted that these figures show an example of a communication procedure for transmitting three pages of image data.

First, in the conventional standard communication procedure shown in FIG. 7, the MPS is sent every time one page of image data is transmitted.
A control procedure signal such as a signal, an EOM signal or an EOP signal is transmitted to the receiving side. Then, particularly when the EOM signal is transmitted, in order to reset various parameters relating to the transmission image data, exchange of control procedure signals such as DIS signal and DCS signal, which is performed when facsimile communication is started, and The training of the modem 5 will be performed again.

On the other hand, in the communication procedure of this embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the data PC of the total number of pages of the read image data and each page of the read image data are transmitted before the transmission of the image data is started. The data SR of the corresponding document size and the data RR of the read line density are stored in the NSS signal, and the NS
The S signal is transmitted to the receiving side. Then, on the receiving side, based on the data PC, SR, RR in the NSS signal, the total number of pages of the received image data and the document size and linear density corresponding to each page of the image data are It is recognized in advance before starting reception. In this state, one page of image data is transmitted from the transmitting side, and when the MCF signal or the RTN signal from the receiving side is received after the transmission, the image data of the next page is immediately transmitted.

Thus, as is clear from the comparison between FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the facsimile communication procedure is greatly simplified, so that the communication time can be shortened and communication can be shortened. The cost required can be reduced.

That is, in the present embodiment, the various data PC, SR, RR are transmitted to the receiving side in advance before the image data transmission is started. Therefore, every time one page of image data is transmitted. , MPS signals or the like to send a control procedure signal to notify the receiving side of whether or not there is image data for the next page. Therefore, after transmitting the image data for one page, there is no problem even if the process immediately shifts to the transmission of the next image data without transmitting the control procedure signal such as the MPS signal.

On the receiving side, even if the control procedure signal such as the MPS signal is not received, the RTC signal added to the end of the image data for one page is detected to detect the image data for one page. The reception end of can be surely recognized. Therefore, the number of pages of received image data can be accurately grasped, and which image data is the final page can be accurately determined.

Further, in the present embodiment, every time one page of image data is received, the reception result, that is, whether the received image data is normal or not is determined by the MCF signal and the RTN signal as a response signal. Is notified to the calling side. Therefore, the transmitting side can correctly recognize the image data of the page that was not normally transmitted based on the notification result, and can retransmit the image data. As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately deal with the result of reception notified from the receiving side. Further, even when the image data is retransmitted, the untransmittable image data is not retransmitted more than necessary, and the number can be set to the number corresponding to the retransmit count value that can be arbitrarily set. .

Further, each of the data PC, SR, RR is C
Since it is contained in the NSS signal standardized by the recommendation of CITT and is not contained in the signal created for exclusive use, there is no fear that the communication procedure of this embodiment may cause a communication trouble between the transmitter and receiver. Absent.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the constitution of each part may be modified and embodied as follows. (1) Even if one page of image data is received, the MCF signal and RTN signal should not be transmitted to the transmission side. In this case, although it is not possible to inform the transmitting side whether or not the received image data is normal, it is possible to further shorten the communication time.

(2) In step S123 of FIG.
The image data of the page for which the retransmission flag in the retransmission flag record RT is “0” should be deleted from the image memory 7.

[0042]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
It has the following excellent effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, after the transmission of the image data for one page, the process immediately shifts to the transmission of the next image data, so that the communication time can be shortened and the communication cost can be reduced. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the invention, even if the size of the read document and the read linear density are different on each page of the transmission image data, the information is known to the receiving side before the transmission of the image data is started. Therefore, the communication time can be shortened.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the transmitting side can take appropriate measures such as retransmitting the image data of the page that was not normally transmitted, based on the response signal from the receiving side. Become.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when transmitting image data.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of transmitting image data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of receiving image data.

FIG. 5A is an explanatory view showing document size data,
(B) is an explanatory view showing read line density data, and (c) is an explanatory view showing a retransmission flag record.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional standard communication procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 5 ... Modem, 6
... reading section, 7 ... image memory.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Before starting the transmission of image data, at least the total number of pages of the transmitted image data is notified to the receiving side, and one page of image data is transmitted with an RTC signal indicating the end of the page added to the end thereof. At the same time, if there is image data for the next page, a facsimile communication method that immediately shifts to transmission of the image data for the next page. 2. The reception side is informed of the size and the reading linear density of the read original corresponding to each page of the transmission image data in addition to the total number of pages of the transmission image data before starting the transmission of the image data. Facsimile communication method described in. 3. The facsimile communication method according to claim 1, wherein after detecting the RTC signal, a response signal indicating the reception result of the image data for one page is transmitted to the transmission side.