JPH10312345A - Computer-readable recording medium recorded with data transfer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the possibility of data transfer by changing the encoding format of data to be transferred when data transferred from a computer exceeds the usable capacity of the memory of a terminal device such as facsimile equipment. SOLUTION: On the recording medium FD(floppy disk) that the computer can read, a data transfer program is recorded which enables a computer PC (personal computer) to function to transfer coded or uncoded data to a terminal device F, judge the usable capacity of the storage means 21 of the terminal device F(facsimile equipment), and changes the transferred data into 2nd encoded or unencoded data when the amount of 1st encoded data exceeds the usable capacity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an improvement in data transfer technology from a computer to a terminal such as a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, facsimile apparatuses have been widely used in offices and ordinary homes because arbitrary image data can be transmitted and received. On the other hand, computers such as personal computers have been developed with multi-functions. ,
Recently, computers and facsimile machines have been connected so that both can be linked.

In this case, if the facsimile apparatus transmits the scanned image data to the computer side, the facsimile apparatus functions as a scanner of the computer to enable processing and correction of the image data by the computer, If the received image data is printed out on recording paper set in advance, it functions as a computer printer. Further, the facsimile apparatus is connected to a communication line and can perform facsimile communication. Therefore, if image data received from a computer is transmitted and received by facsimile, it also functions as a computer modem.

[0004] Between a computer and a facsimile machine, data to be transferred is encoded, the amount of data is compressed, and the transfer time is shortened.

[0005]

However, since the facsimile apparatus has a limited capacity of a built-in memory, for example, when functioning as a printer of a computer, data transmitted from the computer can be stored in the memory. In some cases, the capacity was exceeded and printing could not be performed.

That is, in a facsimile apparatus, data sent from a computer is temporarily stored in a memory and then printed sequentially, but the data transmission speed from the computer is higher than the recording speed of a printer. Therefore, the internal memory capacity (physical capacity)
However, if the amount of data transferred is smaller than the amount of data to be transferred, or the free space in the memory is used for other processing such as facsimile reception, the data transferred from the computer can be printed. Was gone.

When the free space of the memory becomes small, the data transfer may be resumed after waiting for the free space to increase. However, in order to prevent a situation in which the data transfer is interrupted frequently thereafter. Needed to add internal memory. The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and when data to be transferred from a computer becomes larger than the available capacity of a memory of a terminal device such as a facsimile device, encoding of the data to be transferred is performed. By changing the format, the purpose is to increase the possibility of data transfer.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a data transfer program for causing a computer to realize the following functions by recording the program on a recording medium. Since this recording medium can be read by a computer, the computer reads a data transfer program recorded on a floppy disk or the like, and transfers the data to a terminal device such as a facsimile device in accordance with the instructions of the program. Do.

The recording medium according to claim 1 has a function of transferring encoded data or uncoded data to a terminal device to a computer, a function of determining a usable capacity of storage means of the terminal device, When the amount of one encoded data exceeds the available capacity, a data transfer program for realizing a function of changing the data to be transferred to the second encoded data or the non-encoded data is recorded.

Normally, data is transferred by the first encoding (for example, MH encoding). However, for example, encoded data of a halftone image such as a photograph is not encoded data (for example, bit data). Image data). According to the present invention, assuming such a case, when it is determined that the capacity of the memory (the storage unit of the terminal device) is insufficient, the memory over may not occur. Is transferred.

[0011] The recording medium according to the second aspect includes the first aspect.
In addition to the functions described in the above, if the amount of the second encoded data or the non-encoded data does not exceed the available capacity of the storage means of the terminal device, the second encoded data or the non-encoded data And a data transfer program for realizing a function of transferring the data to the terminal device. Here, when the amount of the first encoded data exceeds the available capacity of the memory, the amount of the second encoded data or the unencoded data is further compared with the available capacity of the memory, and If it is smaller, data transfer is performed because memory over does not occur.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium according to the first aspect.
In addition to the functions described in the above, if the amount of the second encoded data and the non-encoded data exceeds the available capacity of the storage unit of the terminal device, the display unit indicates that the data cannot be transferred. It records a data transfer program for realizing the function to perform. Here, when the amount of the first encoded data exceeds the available capacity of the memory, the amount of the second encoded data and the non-encoded data is further compared with the available capacity of the memory, and If it is bigger,
No matter which data is transferred, memory over will occur, so the CRT indicates that data cannot be transferred without transferring the data.
Is displayed on the display means, for example, to request addition of memory of the terminal device.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a computer PC
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a personal computer (PC) and a terminal device. Here, the configuration of the facsimile apparatus F is shown as an example of the terminal apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be another personal computer or the like having a communication function for receiving data transferred from the computer PC. You may.

1, a facsimile apparatus F is connected to a communication line L1 (telephone line or the like) to perform facsimile communication, and is connected to a computer PC via a signal line L. It also functions as a scanner. In addition, between the computer PC and the facsimile machine F, a parallel transmission system conforming to standards such as Centronics is adopted,
High-speed data transmission (several hundred kilobytes / second) is possible.

In the figure, 1 in a computer PC is:
A main control unit configured with a CPU or the like, which controls signals of each unit, a display unit 2 configured as a display unit by a CRT or the like, an operation unit 3 configured with a keyboard, a mouse, or the like; CODEC 5 for realizing the encoding and the second encoding, and for decoding the encoded data to the non-encoded data, 5 is a program data and the like from the recording medium FD (floppy disk or the like) of the present invention. A data reading unit (eg, a floppy disk device) for reading data, 6 a RAM for temporarily storing data, 7 a ROM for storing programs and the like in advance, 8 a facsimile communication image data and a program read from a recording medium FD. The hard disk 9 performs data communication with the facsimile machine F via the signal line L according to a predetermined protocol. Which is an external device for the interface of the eye.

In one facsimile machine F, 11
Is a main control unit composed of a CPU, etc., 12 is a display unit composed of a liquid crystal screen or the like, 13 is an operation unit composed of various operation keys such as numeric keys, and 14 is image data from a document for facsimile transmission and the like. A reading unit 15 for printing out image data on recording paper set in advance; 16 an external device interface for performing data communication with a computer PC via a signal line L;
Reference numeral 7 denotes an NCU which performs network control such as transmission of a dial signal to the communication line L1, 18 denotes a modem which modulates and demodulates signals for facsimile communication of image data, 19 denotes a RAM,
Reference numeral 20 denotes a ROM, reference numeral 21 denotes storage means, an image memory for temporarily storing data transferred from the computer PC and image data of facsimile communication, reference numeral 22 denotes first encoded data transferred from the computer PC, In order to realize decoding of encoded data into non-encoded data and to perform facsimile communication via the communication line L1,
It is a CODEC that realizes encoding and decoding.

In such a configuration, the computer P
C encodes data (data such as word processing documents, figures, tables, and the like) created by operating the operation unit 3 while displaying it on the display unit 2 using the CODEC 4 (first encoding).
Then, the data is transferred to the facsimile machine F via the signal line L. In the other facsimile machine F, the transferred data is temporarily stored in the image memory 21, then sequentially taken out, and decoded by the CODEC 22 while being decoded by the recording unit 15.
Print by

In order to realize this processing, a computer PC stores a data transfer program to the facsimile machine F in the hard disk 8 (or RAM 6), and this program is recorded in advance by the data reading unit 5. It has been read from the medium FD. Recording medium FD
Of course, other than the floppy disk, an optical disk, a ROM, and a hard disk may be used. Further, the recording medium F
The programs recorded in D include, in addition to those generally called a printer manager, printer drivers that are device drivers for controlling a printer.
Other software in general shall be included. Furthermore, CO
The DEC 4 may also be realized by software read from the recording medium FD as a program.

The present invention is characterized by a function realized by the computer PC by the data transfer program. The function will be described below. The data transfer program has a function of transferring coded data (first coded data, second coded data) or non-coded data to the facsimile apparatus F to the computer PC, and can use the image memory 21 of the facsimile apparatus F. The function of determining the capacity and the function of changing the data to be transferred to the second coded data or the non-coded data when the amount of the first coded data exceeds the usable capacity of the image memory 21 are described. make it happen.

Therefore, one facsimile machine F also has a function of receiving coded data or non-coded data and a function of notifying the available capacity of the image memory 21. Normally, data is transferred from the computer PC to the facsimile apparatus F by the first encoding (MH encoding or the like). For example, since a halftone image such as a photograph expresses the image with multiple gradations, the halftone image is represented by a gray scale. In some cases, the encoded data has a larger data amount than uncoded data (such as bit image data). Also, when transferring data at a high resolution (eg, 600 dpi), the MH encoded data may have a larger data amount than the bit image data.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus F, the image memory 2 for storing the first encoded data is used.
When the capacity of 1 becomes insufficient, non-coded data and second coded data (such as MR coded data), which may not cause memory over, are transferred.
This increases the possibility of data transfer according to the present invention, whereas data transfer has not been possible conventionally.

Further, the data transfer program further causes the computer PC to compare the amount of the second encoded data or the non-encoded data with the available capacity of the image memory 21, and If the amount of coded data does not exceed the usable capacity, the second coded data or the non-coded data is transferred. If all the data exceeds the usable capacity, the data is displayed on the display unit 2 such as a CRT. ,
A function for displaying that data cannot be transferred is realized.

That is, if the amount of the second encoded data or the non-encoded data is smaller than the usable capacity of the image memory 21, no memory over occurs, so that the data transfer is started and the second encoded data is transferred. If the available capacity of the image memory 21 is larger for both the data and the amount of uncoded data, a memory over occurs even if any data is transferred, and a message that the data cannot be transferred is displayed. The operator is requested to add a memory to the facsimile machine F or the like.

Next, the operation of the computer PC will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
9). Here, data is transferred for each page, and each time, the memory capacity of the facsimile machine F is checked (100), and this capacity and MH data (first encoded data) and bit image data (non- Encoded data),
The MR data (second encoded data) is sequentially compared (10
2, 104, 106), the data is transferred when there is a data amount smaller than the memory capacity (108).

However, all three data are
If it is larger than the memory capacity of the facsimile machine F, a message such as "please increase the memory of the facsimile machine", "insufficient memory to be allocated", or "cannot print page o" is displayed (107 ), Inform the operator that the data cannot be transferred.

The data of the non-coding system may be various code data other than the bit image data. Bit image data differs from encoded data in that the maximum value of the data amount is determined according to the size of the recording paper. Therefore, if the capacity of the image memory 21 is larger than this data amount, other processing can be performed. When the memory is not used, there is an advantage that printing can be performed without fail.

In addition to the MH and MR, there are various coding systems such as MMR and JBIG, and the coding system that minimizes the data amount may be selected from these. Further, the comparison between each data and the memory capacity of the facsimile apparatus F is not limited to the three steps as shown in the figure, but may be performed in a plurality of steps according to the number of encoding methods.

Next, a communication procedure between the computer PC and the facsimile machine F will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Data is transferred from the computer PC to the facsimile apparatus F by transmitting a command and its response via the signal line L between the computer PC and the facsimile apparatus F. This communication procedure causes the computer PC that has read the program to execute the data transfer program recorded on the recording medium FD.

First, a data transfer start command is sent (issued) from the computer PC before starting printing of one job (a plurality of pages of data to be continuously printed), and conditions such as recording density and number of copies are set. Is set (1). On the other hand, if a response indicating that there is no unprinted job is received, a printer setting information request command is sent out. Is obtained (2). This memory capacity is a capacity value of the built-in memory, and is notified by a numerical value such as 512 (K bytes).

Thereafter, the capacity value is compared with the amount of data to be transferred. If the data amount exceeds the capacity value of the memory, the coding of the data to be transferred is immediately performed without checking the free space of the memory. Change the format. Next, a printer operation status request command is sent (3),
If the status of the printer is normal, a command for requesting the number of blocks that can be stored in the memory is sent (4), and based on this response, the free space of the image memory 21 is checked and compared with the amount of data to be transferred. Is determined whether or not to transfer the data, and if so, what is the data encoding format.

When transferring data, a print data write open command is sent to notify the determined coding format together with the page number and the like, and the information of the first writing area is received as a response (5).
Here, data is managed in units of blocks of 4 Kbytes, and the data is transferred four times in units of frames of 1 Kbyte.
1 or a memory number) as write block information.

Subsequently, a print data write command designating the write block information is transmitted, and data transfer is performed for each frame (6), (7). And
When the data transfer for one block is completed, a next block information acquisition command is sent to obtain write block information for transferring the next block (8). When this operation is repeated and the transfer of the data of all the blocks for one page is completed, a one-page print data write end command is sent (9), and then a one-page print data transfer end command is sent to record. The printing operation by the unit 15 is started (10). At this time, if there is a next page in the data to be transferred, a printer operation status request command (3) is sent in order to perform the operation shown in (* 3) in the figure. When the transfer is completed, a one-job print data transfer end command is sent to enable data transfer of another job.

After the transfer of all data is completed,
A printer operation status request command is sent periodically or at an arbitrary timing, and it is monitored that the printer status changes from printing to printing completion (11), (12).
According to such a procedure, data of a different encoding method may be transferred for each page, but an encoding format corresponding to the data of each page is notified by a print data write open command (5). Therefore, there is no problem if the facsimile apparatus F performs decoding based on this.

In the above, the data transferred from the computer PC has been described only as data to be printed by the facsimile apparatus F. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and facsimile transmission to the outside is performed through the communication line L1. Any data may be used as long as the data is processed by the facsimile apparatus F using the image memory 21. In the case of transferring data to be transmitted by facsimile from the computer PC, the facsimile apparatus F temporarily stores the encoded data or the non-encoded data received from the computer PC in the image memory 21 and then, by the CODEC 22,
If necessary, the data is converted into an encoding format suitable for the external communication terminal device, and then transmitted sequentially.

[0035]

As can be understood from the above description, the present invention allows a computer to read a recording medium and execute a data transfer program recorded on the recording medium.
The computer realizes the following functions and transfers data to a terminal device such as a facsimile machine.

According to the first aspect, when the amount of coded data normally transferred exceeds the available capacity of the memory of the terminal device, the computer transfers the transferred data to another coded data or non-coded data. Since the data is automatically changed to coded data and transferred, the amount of data to be transferred is reduced, and the possibility that the memory of the terminal device does not occur is increased. Therefore,
Even if the memory is not added, large-capacity data which was inexpensive and could not be printed in the past can be printed in the terminal device without adding a memory.

According to the second aspect, when the amount of encoded data normally transferred exceeds the available capacity of the memory, the amount of other encoded data or non-encoded data and the amount of available memory can be further reduced. Since the transfer is started after comparing with the capacity and confirming that memory over does not occur, the transfer is not interrupted in the middle of a page or the like. Claim 3
Then, even if the encoding format is changed, when the memory overflow occurs on the terminal device side, the fact is displayed in advance,
The operator can determine exactly why the data cannot be transferred,
Appropriate measures can be taken.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a computer and a facsimile apparatus using a recording medium of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of a computer.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a communication procedure between the computer and the facsimile machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FD: Recording medium according to the present invention PC: Computer 1: Main control unit 2: Display unit 4: CODEC 5: Data reading unit 7: ROM 8: Hard disk F: Facsimile device (terminal device) 11: Main control unit 15: Recording unit 21: Image memory 22: CODEC L: Signal line

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A function of transferring encoded data or non-encoded data to a terminal device, a function of determining a usable capacity of storage means of the terminal device, and an amount of the first encoded data. A computer-readable recording medium recording a data transfer program for realizing a function of changing the data to be transferred to second coded data or non-coded data when the usable capacity is exceeded. 2. The computer according to claim 1, further comprising: if the amount of the second encoded data or the non-encoded data does not exceed the usable capacity of the storage means of the terminal device, the second computer. A computer-readable recording medium recording a data transfer program for realizing a function of transferring encoded data or uncoded data to the terminal device. 3. The computer according to claim 1, further comprising: when the amount of the second encoded data and the non-encoded data exceeds the available capacity of the storage device of the terminal device, the display device. A computer-readable recording medium on which a data transfer program for realizing a function of indicating that data cannot be transferred is recorded.