JPH10126625A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need of the use of a large capacity memory at the time of memory transmission by providing a control means controlling JBIG encoding/decoding at every line or at every several lines. SOLUTION: A second encoding/decoding part 3 is initialized and is set in encoding mode. A system stands by until picture data whose number of regulated lines is N is inputted to a line buffer provided in RAM 9. Then, N is set to an arbitrary value from one line to several lines. When picture data is inputted to the line buffer, raw data read address of the line buffer and the storage destination address of encoding data are set and the sub-routine of one line JBIG encoding is called. When the encoding of the number N of the designated lines terminates, the system returns to an initial processing again. Since control is executed on every line or every several lines, a memory area into which raw data for one page is developed becomes unnecessary.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a processing function of the JBIG coding system, and more particularly, to a coding / decoding processing function which does not require the use of a large-capacity memory when transmitting a memory. Facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, a JBIG encoding system relating to a facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described. JBIG
The encoding method is an international standard method of still image encoding,
For example, the compression efficiency is superior to that of a conventional binary coding system such as the MH / MR / MMR system. For this reason, in particular, it is said that the compression rate and processing speed of a halftone image, which had conventionally been poor in compression efficiency, can be greatly improved. An image transmitting apparatus adopting the JBIG system has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-29797).
No. 8). In this image transmitting apparatus, the transmission of the encoded data does not use a page memory, but achieves high speed by a transmission time close to the communication between memories.

More specifically, transmission is started when encoded data of a threshold value accumulates in an encoding buffer (described in claims). In an embodiment, one line of data is stored in a line. It is described that when the data is stored in the buffer, the data is sent to the JBIG encoding means and encoded. Therefore, this image transmitting apparatus performs processing on a line-by-line basis. However, in this embodiment, the data read from the scanner is directly encoded and transmitted.
There is no disclosure of a technique of storing data in an AF memory, returning to raw data once at the time of transmission, and then encoding and transmitting the data again according to an encoding method corresponding to the mode of the partner device, so-called memory transmission. .

[0004]

As described in the prior art, an apparatus for transmitting encoded data without using a page memory and increasing the transmission time by a transmission time close to communication between memories is known. Conventionally known. But,
In the memory transmission, when an image of a method other than the encoding method stored in the SAF memory is encoded and transmitted by the JBIG encoding method, it is necessary to return the memory image to raw data and then encode again. is there. In this case, in order to simultaneously execute two processes, ie, a decoding process for returning to the raw data and a process for re-encoding the data returned to the raw data, a memory area for expanding the raw data for one page And a large-capacity memory must be provided.
More specifically, first, a decoding process for returning encoded data stored in the SAF memory to raw data requires one page of memory, and thereafter, a process of encoding one page of raw data is performed. However, if the memory is used, time-series processing can be performed, but one page of memory is required. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to simultaneously execute such two processes of the encoding operation and the decoding operation without using a memory for one page.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, J
In a facsimile apparatus having a processing function of the BIG encoding system, a control means for controlling JBIG encoding / decoding line by line is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus having a processing function of the JBIG encoding system,
Control means for controlling G encoding / decoding by several lines is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus of the first or second aspect, when JBIG encoding / decoding can be performed continuously for one page, control is performed continuously for one page. In the case of, control means for controlling one line or several lines is provided.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an encoding / decoding apparatus for a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the first and second embodiments will be described. The inventions of claims 1 and 2 described in the first embodiment are basic inventions, and will be described in a second embodiment. The invention of claim 3 is based on the invention of claim 1 or claim 2. First, the hardware configuration common to all the embodiments, that is, the configuration of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a main part configuration of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a scanner, 2 is a first encoder / decoder (DCR), 3 is a second encoder / decoder (JBIG encoding system), 4 is an image memory, 5 is a plotter, and 6 is an operation. Display unit, 7 is CPU, 8 is ROM, 9 is R
AM, 10 denotes a modem, 11 denotes a network control unit, and 12 denotes a CPU bus.

The facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.
The configuration is basically the same as that of the conventional apparatus except that U7 performs control according to the flow of FIGS. 2 to 4 described later. First, the configuration and operation common to those of the related art will be briefly described. The scanner 1 includes a CCD, a contact sensor, and the like, reads an image to be transmitted or copied, and converts the image into image data (image information). First encoding / decoding unit (DC
R) 2 compresses the image information to be transmitted by the MH / MR / MMR encoding method, and converts the received image signal into MH / M
It has a function of decoding by the R / MMR encoding method and reproducing the original image information. The second encoding / decoding unit 3
Compress image information to be transmitted by JBIG encoding method,
Further, it has a function of decoding a received image signal by the JBIG encoding method and reproducing the original image information. The image memory 4 is a memory unit for storing received image signals and image information to be transmitted, and has an SAF memory area for storing image information read by the scanner 1. The plotter 5 has a function of printing the read image information and the received image information on a recording paper, and outputting various management reports and the like and printing the same on the recording paper.

The operation display section 6 is composed of a display LCD, LED, operation keys and the like provided on the panel, and has a function of displaying an operation state of the apparatus and a function of allowing an operator to perform various operations. I have. The CPU 7 has a function of controlling the entire system of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and has a function of performing control unique to the present invention, which will be described later, in addition to performing control similar to that of the conventional apparatus. ing. The ROM 8 stores data such as programs and the like.
Is used as a work memory of the CPU 7 or as various memories such as a page memory or a line buffer. The modem 10 has a function of modulating and demodulating an image signal and various procedural signals and transmitting the same.
Is connected to a telephone line, and has a function of performing predetermined line control when making and receiving calls. The above is an outline of the configuration and functions common to the conventional one, and the basic configuration of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention is also common to the conventional apparatus.

Next, the operation at the time of transmission will be described, which is basically common to a conventional facsimile machine. In the case of direct transmission in which image data read by the scanner 1 is JBIG-coded and transmitted in real time, the image data read by the scanner 1 is transferred line by line to a line buffer secured on the RAM 9, and the data is It is encoded in the second encoding / decoding section 3. Then, the data is transferred to an ECM buffer secured on the image memory 4, modulated by the modem 10, and transmitted to an external line via the network control unit 11. Scanner control in this case is
Since processing is performed by interrupt processing on software, processing on the main flow side can be dedicated to JBIG encoding. Transfer from the ECM buffer to the modem 10 is also performed by interrupt processing.

The image memory 4 has a SAF memory area for storing image information read by the scanner 1. When encoding by MMR, the first encoding / decoding unit 2 is used. Is used, and when performing JBIG encoding, the second encoding / decoding unit 3 is used. Depending on the encoding speed, for example, when the processing speed of the first encoding / decoding unit 2 is higher, the original accumulation is performed by the MMR method in order to finish the original accumulation earlier, and the transmission is performed according to the partner machine. JBI
It is also possible to use the G method. When such processing is performed, the first encoding / decoding unit 2 performs SAF
The data is returned to the original raw data once, and the raw data is stored in the RAM 9
The data is transferred line by line to the upper line buffer, and thereafter, the second encoding / decoding unit 3 performs encoding again. In this case, since both the SAF data decoding process and the subsequent JBIG encoding are performed in the main flow, it is necessary to switch between the two processes. The above is the operation at the time of transmission.

Finally, an operation at the time of reception will be described.
At the time of reception, an image signal input via the network control unit 11 is demodulated by the modem 10 and stored in the ECM buffer. This data is decoded by the first encoding / decoding unit 2 or the second encoding / decoding unit 3 according to the encoding method,
The image data is developed as image data for one page on a page memory secured on the RAM 9 and printed by the plotter 5.
The image signal is stored in the ECM buffer from the modem 10 and also in the SAF memory at the same time, and serves as a backup in case of a plotter error or the like. When the plotter error is released, the backed up S
The output from the AF file is read out as encoded data from the SAF memory, and is decoded by the first encoding / decoding unit 2 or the second encoding / decoding unit 3 according to the encoding method. The image data is developed on the memory and printed by the plotter 5. The above is the operation at the time of reception.

First Embodiment The first embodiment corresponds to the first and second aspects of the present invention, but also relates to the third aspect of the present invention. As described above, in memory transmission, when an image of a method other than the encoding method stored in the SAF memory is encoded by the JBIG encoding method and transmitted, the memory image is temporarily restored to raw data. Need to be encoded again. In order to simultaneously execute the decoding operation and the encoding operation in this case, a large-capacity memory (page memory) is required.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the processing is switched between one line and several lines in order to eliminate the need for a memory area for developing one page of raw data.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, M
SAF in the image memory 4 by the H / MR / MMR method
The image data stored in the memory area is
The operation when transmitting after converting to the BIG encoding method is as follows. First, the second encoding / decoding unit 3 (JB
IG encoding device) and set to encoding mode. Then, it waits until image data of the specified number N of lines is input to the line buffer provided in the RAM 9. Here, N is set to an arbitrary value from one line (the invention of claim 1) to several lines (the invention of claim 2). In this case, the transfer of data to the line buffer is performed by scanner control in the interrupt processing. When image data is input to the line buffer, the raw data read address of the line buffer and the storage destination address of the encoded data are set, and the one-line JBIG encoding subroutine is called.

For this subroutine, the number of processing lines N can be passed as a parameter. When the encoding of the specified number of lines N is completed, the process returns to the first processing again. Thereafter, the pointer of the line buffer is added by the number of coded lines, and it is checked whether there is a next line. If there is no next line, the encoding process ends at that point. If there is a next line, temporarily shift control to the "other task", release the control, return to this process again, and then wait for the specified number of lines in the line buffer to be input. become. The “other task” is a process for decoding data from the SAF memory, which will be described later in detail. The above processing is shown in the flow.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow at the time of transmission in the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, # 1 to #
8 indicates a step.

FIG. 2 shows processing for converting image data stored in the SAF memory by the MH / MR / MMR system into the JBIG coding system for each line and transmitting the converted data. In step # 1, the encoding / decoding unit (JBI
G device) and set to the encoding mode.
In step # 2, the process waits until the specified number of lines N is input to the line buffer. This N is set to an arbitrary value from one line (the invention of claim 1) to several lines (the invention of claim 2). When data of the specified number N of lines is input to the line buffer, the process proceeds to step # 3, and it is determined whether or not there is a next line. If there is a next line, the process returns to the previous step # 2, and the same processing is repeated until there is no next line. Then, if there is no next line, this FIG.
Ends the flow.

Further, as a result of the judgment in the previous step # 2,
When there is no data of the specified number N of lines in the line buffer, the process proceeds to step # 4, where the read address of the raw data and the storage address of the encoded data are set. In step # 6, "+ N" is set to the pointer of the line buffer,
In the next step # 7, it is determined whether there is a next line. If there is no next line, the flow of FIG. 2 ends. If there is a next line, the process proceeds to step # 8, the process is switched, the process returns to step # 2, and the same process is repeated.

Next, "other tasks" will be described.
As mentioned earlier, this "other task"
Perform decryption from memory. First, the encoding / decoding unit (DC
R), that is, the first encoding / decoding unit 2 (MH / MR
/ MMR encoding device) and set to decoding mode. Then, the read address of the encoded data in the SAF memory and the raw data storage address in the page memory are set, and the one-line MH / MR / MMR decoding subroutine is called.

Also in this subroutine, the number of processing lines can be passed as a parameter, and the routine returns when the decoding of the specified number of lines is completed. At this time, RTC (E
Since it can be determined whether the OFB) code has been detected, the code is checked. When the RTC (EOFB) code is detected, the task ends. If no detection has been made, the control is temporarily shifted to another task, and when the control is returned again, processing for setting the SAF address and the page memory address is performed. In this manner, JBIG encoding can be performed in units of one line (the invention of claim 1) or several lines (the invention of claim 2). The above processing is shown in the flow.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention at the time of decoding image information of the JBIG encoding system according to the first embodiment. In the figure, # 11 to # 15 indicate steps.

In step # 11, the encoding / decoding unit (DC
R device), that is, a first encoding / decoding unit (DC
R) Initialize 2 and set to decoding mode. In step # 12, the read address of the encoded data in the SAF memory and the raw data storage address in the page memory are set. In the next step # 13, the number of coding lines =
N, the decoding process is performed by the MH / MR / MMR coding method. In step # 14, it is determined whether an RTC (EOFB) code indicating the end of the file has been detected. When an RTC (EOFB) code is detected, FIG.
Ends the flow. If no RTC (EOFB) code is detected, the process is switched in step # 15, and the process returns to step # 12. The above processing is repeated until an RTC (EOFB) code is detected in step # 14.

As described above, in the first embodiment, in the facsimile apparatus having the processing function of the JBIG encoding system, the control means for controlling the JBIG encoding / decoding one line at a time is provided. Or the control means for controlling the JBIG encoding / decoding by several lines (invention of claim 2). In a facsimile apparatus, when an image stored in a memory by processing other than the JBIG encoding method is transmitted by the JBIG encoding method, the memory image is temporarily restored to raw data,
It needs to be encoded again. In this case, conventionally, a memory area for expanding one page of raw data was required.
In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, such a memory area for expanding one page of raw data is not required.
The memory can be effectively used (the invention of claim 1). Further, if the processing is switched line by line, it takes time to switch the processing line by line. However, since switching is performed every few lines, in addition to the effect of the facsimile apparatus of claim 1, the processing switching time is once every several lines. As a result, the processing can be sped up (the invention of claim 2). The number of lines (N) can be set to any value from one line (the invention of claim 1) to several lines (the invention of claim 2).

Second Embodiment The second embodiment corresponds to the third aspect of the invention, but also relates to the first and second aspects of the invention. In a facsimile apparatus, when an image stored in a memory by a process other than the JBIG encoding method is transmitted by the JBIG encoding method, it is necessary to return the memory image to raw data once and then encode it again. First
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which processing is switched between one line and several lines in order to eliminate the need for a memory area for developing one page of raw data. However, even when it is not necessary to switch the JBIG encoding / decoding processing in units of one line or several lines, such as when printing out only from the memory, the processing is slowed down because it is switched in one line or several lines. There is a problem.

In the second embodiment, when it is not necessary to switch JBIG encoding / decoding in units of one line or several lines, the processing is continued without switching until processing in units of one page is completed. It is characterized by points. The hardware configuration is the same as in FIG. As described above, the image received by the JBIG encoding method is SAF
When the image is stored in the memory and is output to the plotter 5, it is not necessary to switch to another processing. In this case, the encoding / decoding unit (JBIG device) is initialized and set to the decoding mode. And S
By setting the read address of the encoded data in the AF memory and the raw data storage address in the page memory,
The number of processing lines is set to the number of lines for one page, and one line J
Call the BIG decoding subroutine. When the processing ends and returns, the task ends. The above processing is shown in the flow.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a main processing flow when plotting an image received by the JBIG encoding method according to the second embodiment in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, # 21 to # 23 indicate steps.

FIG. 4 shows a case where an image received by the JBIG encoding method is output to the plotter 5 in page units. In step # 21, the encoding / decoding unit (JBIG device) is initialized and set to the decoding mode. In step # 22, the read address of the encoded data in the SAF memory and the raw data storage address in the page memory are set. In the next step # 23, the number of coding lines is set to N, decoding processing is performed by the JBIG coding method, and the flow of FIG. 4 ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when it is not necessary to switch the JBIG encoding / decoding in units of one line or several lines, the switching is performed until the processing in units of one page is completed. Continues without processing. Therefore, the processing switching time is eliminated and the speed can be increased. Further, when it is necessary to switch the data in units of one line or several lines, such a switching process is performed. In this case, as in the facsimile apparatus of claim 1, a memory for developing one page of raw data The area becomes unnecessary, and the memory can be effectively used (the invention of claim 3).

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus having a processing function of the JBIG coding method,
Control means for controlling IG encoding / decoding one line at a time is provided. In a facsimile apparatus equipped with a conventional JBIG coding method, when an image stored in a memory other than the JBIG coding method is transmitted by the JBIG coding method,
The memory image was once converted into raw data and then re-encoded, and a memory area for developing one page of raw data was required. However, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, since the JBIG encoding / decoding is controlled line by line, a memory area for expanding one page of raw data is not required, and the memory can be effectively used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus having a processing function of the JBIG encoding method,
Control means for controlling G encoding / decoding by several lines is provided. In the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, since the processing is switched line by line, it takes time to switch the processing line by line. However, in the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect, since the switching is performed every several lines, the processing switching time is required only once every several lines, so that the processing can be speeded up.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus of the first or second aspect, when the JBIG encoding / decoding process can be continuously performed for one page, the control is performed continuously for one page. In the case of, control means for controlling one line or several lines is provided. for that reason,
When it is not necessary to switch the JBIG encoding / decoding in units of one line or several lines, the processing can be continued without switching until the processing in units of one page is completed. Therefore, the processing switching time is eliminated, and high speed is achieved. Further, when it is necessary to switch in units of one line or several lines, such a switching process is performed, so that a memory area for developing one page of raw data is not required, and the memory can be effectively used. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a main part configuration of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow at the time of transmission according to the first embodiment for the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention when decoding image information of the JBIG encoding method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow when plotting an image received by the JBIG encoding method according to the second embodiment in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner 2 1st encoding / decoding part (DCR) 3 2nd encoding / decoding part (JBIG encoding system) 4 Image memory 5 Plotter 6 Operation display part 7 CPU 8 ROM 9 RAM 10 Modem 11 Network control part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having a processing function of a JBIG coding method, comprising: a control unit for controlling JBIG coding / decoding one line at a time. 2. A facsimile apparatus having a processing function of a JBIG encoding method, comprising a control means for controlling JBIG encoding / decoding several lines at a time. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the JBIG encoding / decoding processing is continuously performed for one page, the control is performed continuously for one page.
A facsimile machine comprising control means for controlling one line or several lines at a time.