JP2002204362A - Image communication apparatus, image communication method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image communication device capable of shortening communication time when performing facsimile communication of an image signal in which color information and monochrome information are mixed, thereby reducing communication costs. It is intended to do so. In an image communication apparatus capable of communicating color information, when reading document information, the document information to be read is divided into stripes, and the divided document information, which is stripe information, includes color information. Color information presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not color information is included in each of the stripe information, and transmission method changing means for changing the stripe information transmission method according to whether or not the stripe information includes color information. An image communication device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus capable of performing color facsimile communication, an image communication method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, when a color image is transmitted, the ITU-T recommendation T.30 is used. 82, T.R.
The facsimile communication is performed by JPEG encoding based on G.41.

In this case, when transmission of color information is selected, monochrome information is also JPEG encoded and transmitted.

[0004]

However, when color information is included in a part of the monochrome information, if all such information is transmitted as color information by JPEG encoding, the communication time increases and the communication cost increases. There is a problem of up.

[0005] This problem also occurs in an image communication apparatus other than a facsimile apparatus such as a personal computer having an image communication function.

According to the present invention, when facsimile communication is performed on an image signal in which color information and monochrome information are mixed, an image communication apparatus and an image communication method capable of shortening the communication time and therefore reducing the communication cost. And a storage medium.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in an image communication apparatus capable of communicating color information, when reading original information, the original information to be read is divided into stripes, and the divided original information is a stripe. The color information presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not color information is included in the information, and the method of transmitting the stripe information depending on whether or not the stripe information includes the color information. An image communication apparatus having a transmission method changing unit for changing.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a facsimile apparatus F according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows S1.

In the facsimile apparatus FS1, the NCU
The (network control device) 2 connects the terminal of the line to use the telephone network for data communication or the like, controls connection of the telephone switching network, switches to a data communication path,
This is to maintain the loop. The NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2a to the telephone (CML off) or connects the telephone line 2a to the facsimile machine (CML on) under the control of the bus 26. In addition,
In a normal state, the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.

The hybrid circuit 6 separates the transmission system signal and the reception system signal, sends the transmission signal from the addition circuit 12 to the telephone line 2a via the NCU 2, and receives the signal from the other party via the NCU 2. , To the demodulator 8 via the signal line 6a.

The modulator / demodulator 8 is based on ITU-T Recommendation V. 8,
V. 21, V.I. 27ter, V.I. 29, V.I. 17, V.I.
This is a modulator / demodulator that performs modulation and demodulation based on the signal 34, and each transmission mode is designated by control of the bus 26. The modulator / demodulator 8 receives a transmission signal from the bus 26, outputs modulated data to the signal line 8a, receives a received signal output to the signal line 6a, and outputs demodulated data to the bus 26.

The calling circuit 10 inputs telephone number information in response to a signal from the bus 26, and sends DTMF to the signal line 10a.
Is output.

The addition circuit 12 receives the information of the signal line 8a and the information of the signal line 10a, and adds the result of the addition to the signal line 12a.
output to a.

A reading circuit 14 capable of reading color information
Outputs read data to the bus 26.

The recording circuit 16 capable of recording color information includes:
Information output to the bus 26 is sequentially recorded line by line.

The memory circuit 18 includes a work memory (R
AM), and further used to store raw information of read data or encoded information, and to store received information or decoded information via the bus 26.

The operation unit 20 includes a one-touch dial, speed dial, numeric keypad, * key, # key, start key,
There are a stop key, a set key, a color facsimile transmission selection key, a color / monochrome mixed transmission selection key (selection including a case where color information and monochrome information are included in one page of original), and other function keys. The pressed key information is output to the bus 26.

The operation unit 20 has a display unit.
Enter the information that is output to and display it.

A CPU (central processing unit) 22 controls the entire facsimile FS1 and executes a facsimile transmission control procedure.
Is stored in

The control program stored in the ROM 24 divides the document information to be read into stripes when reading the document information in a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating color information. Implements color information presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not color information is included in the information, and transmits the stripe information according to whether or not the stripe information includes color information. This is a program that implements a transmission method changing unit that changes the method.

Here, image information is transmitted as color information by JPEG encoding with respect to stripe information determined as containing color information (original information divided into stripes), while color information is included. For the stripe information determined not to have been written, MH, MR, MMR, JBIG
An image signal is transmitted as monochrome information by encoding.

Further, the control program realizes means for executing communication in an error correction mode,
One stripe information is transmitted corresponding to one frame information, and FCD (facsimile coded data) of frame information of the image signal in the error correction mode is transmitted.
Contains information indicating whether or not the frame information is color information.

When transmitting a frame of color information, the control program does not transmit a restart marker if the immediately preceding frame is also a color frame, and transmits a restart marker if the immediately preceding frame is a monochrome frame. Send

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ECM format at the time of stripe color communication in the above embodiment.

Here, in the conventional ECM format, the FCD data is 06H. However, in the above embodiment, if the frame information to be transmitted is monochrome information, the FCD data is 16H, and if the frame information to be transmitted is color information, the FCD data is 26H. .

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a protocol format at the time of stripe color communication in the above embodiment.

Here, the X of the FIF of the DIS / DTC signal
The bit informs the transmitter of the presence or absence of the stripe color reception function in the above embodiment, while the transmission of the stripe color in the above embodiment is specified by the X bit of the FIF of the DCS signal.

The function of receiving the stripe color is as follows. For stripe information including color information, the transmitting side transmits an image signal as color information by JPEG encoding. On the other hand, for stripe information not including color information, The transmitting side is MH, MR, MMR, JBIG
When an image signal is transmitted as monochrome information by encoding, the receiving side receives the signal and reproduces color information and monochrome information appropriately.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the operation in the first embodiment.

In S2, the memory 18 is connected via the bus 26.
In step S4, the display unit of the operation unit is cleared via the bus 26. In step S6, the CML of the NCU 2 is turned off via the bus 26.

In S8, it is determined whether or not facsimile transmission is selected. If facsimile transmission is selected,
The process proceeds to step S14, and if facsimile transmission is not selected, the process proceeds to step S10.

At S10, it is determined whether or not facsimile reception has been selected. If facsimile reception has been selected, the process proceeds to step S52, and if facsimile reception has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S12 to perform other processing.

In S14, the NCU 2
Is turned on, and in S15, a call is made to the designated destination by the calling circuit via the bus 26, and in S16, the pre-procedure is executed.

In S18, the operation unit 2 is connected via the bus 26.
0 is input, the transmission mode is determined, and if monochrome transmission has been selected, the process proceeds to step S20. If color transmission has been selected, the process proceeds to step S26, and color / monochrome transmission has been selected. Then, the process proceeds to step S34.

In S20, the remaining pre-procedures are executed, and here, JPEG and full color are not specified. Also, DC
It is assumed that the X bit of the FIF of the S signal is 0.

In S22, the monochrome information (M
H or MR or MMR or JBIG
The data is read and transmitted as (encoding), and the post-procedure is executed in S24.

In S26, it is determined whether or not the other receiver has the full-color reception function and whether or not the receiver has the JPEG reception function.
To step S22 if there is no JPEG reception function
Proceed to.

At S28, the remaining pre-procedure is executed. Here, JPEG and full color are designated, and the F
The X bit of IF is set to 1. In S30, the image signal is read and transmitted as color information (JPEG encoding),
In S32, a post procedure is executed.

In S34, it is determined whether the X bit of the FIF of the DIS signal from the partner receiver is 1 or not. If the X bit of the FIF of the DIS signal from the partner receiver is 1, the process proceeds to step S36. If the X bit of the FIF of the DIS signal from the partner receiver is not 1, the process proceeds to step S26.
Proceed to.

In S36, the remaining pre-procedure is executed. In this case, JPEG and full color are not specified, ECM communication is specified, and the X bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is set to 1.

In S38, it is determined whether or not the next stripe has color information. If there is color information in the next stripe, the process proceeds to step S45-1, and if there is no color information in the next stripe, the process proceeds to step S40.

In S40, frame information in which 16H is stored in the FCD is transmitted (MH, MR, or MM).
R or JBIG). Here, when the stripe information exceeds 256 bytes, a plurality of frames are formed.

In S42, it is determined whether or not the transmission of one piece of the stripe information has been completed. When the transmission of one piece of the stripe information has been completed, the process proceeds to step S44, where 1
If the transmission of the two pieces of stripe information has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S40.

In S44, it is determined whether or not there is next stripe information.
38, if there is no next stripe information, step S
Go to 50.

In S45-1, it is determined whether or not the immediately preceding frame information is color. If the immediately preceding frame information is color, the flow advances to step S45-2 to transmit no RST (restart) marker. If the immediately preceding frame information is not a color, the flow advances to step S45-3 to transmit an RST marker.

In S46, the frame information in which 26H is stored in the FCD is transmitted (JPEG encoded). Here, when the stripe information exceeds 256 bytes, a plurality of frames are obtained.

In S48, it is determined whether or not the transmission of one piece of the stripe information has been completed. When the transmission of one piece of the stripe information has been completed, the process proceeds to step S44, where
If the transmission of the stripe information has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S45-1.

In S50, the post-procedure is executed. In S52, the CML of the NCU 2 is turned on via the bus 26,
At 54, the pre-procedure is executed. Here, F of the DIS signal
The X bit of the IF is set to 1 and both full color and JPEG are notified of the presence of the reception function.

In S56, it is determined whether the X bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is 1 or not. If the X bit of the FIF of the DCS signal is 1, the flow advances to step S60 to execute DCS
If the X bit of the signal FIF is not 1, step S5
Proceed to 8.

In S58, it is determined whether or not JPEG and full color have been designated. If JPEG and full color have been designated, the flow proceeds to step S64. If not, the flow proceeds to step S68.

In S64, JPEG full-color information is received and recorded. In S66, a post-procedure is executed.
Then, the monochrome information (MH or MR or M
MR or JBIG) is received and recorded, and a post-procedure is executed in S70.

[Second Embodiment] The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that when a predetermined byte of information is transmitted as frame information of an image signal in the error correction mode, a new byte is transmitted. Means for creating new frame information, and when color or monochrome changes occur in the stripe information, it is transmitted as new frame information.

When information of a predetermined byte is transmitted as frame information of an image signal in the error correction mode, new frame information is obtained. The FCD (facsimile coded data) of the frame information of the image signal in the error correction mode includes information indicating whether or not the frame information is color information.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show parts different from the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

In S80, step S36 is shown, and in S8
In 2, it is determined whether or not one stripe information includes color information. If one stripe information includes color information, the process proceeds to step S86. If one stripe information does not include color information, the process proceeds to step S84. .

In S84, monochrome is set in the stripe information, in S86, color is set in the stripe information, S88 indicates S40, and S90 indicates S38.
NO is shown.

In S92, it is determined whether or not the stripe information is monochrome. If the stripe information is monochrome, the process proceeds to step S98. If the stripe information is not monochrome, the process proceeds to step S94.

In S94, monochrome is set in the stripe information, and in S96, step S40 is shown.

In S98, data is continuously transmitted until one frame becomes 256 bytes (MH or
If it exceeds 256 bytes, it is transmitted as the next frame (FCD = 16H).

In S100, it is determined whether transmission of one stripe information has been completed. If transmission of one stripe information has been completed, step S101 (S44).
If the transmission of one stripe information has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S98.

At S102, YES is determined at S38. S
At 104, it is determined whether or not the stripe information is in color.
Proceeding to step 110, if the stripe information is not color, proceeding to step S106.

In S106, color is set in the stripe information, S107 indicates that an RST marker is to be transmitted, and S108 indicates S46.

In S110, data is continuously transmitted until one frame becomes 256 bytes (JPEG encoding). When the data exceeds 256 bytes, the next frame (FCD =
26H).

In S112, it is determined whether or not transmission of one stripe information has been completed. If transmission of one stripe information has been completed, step S114 (S44)
If the transmission of one stripe information has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S110.

According to the above embodiment, in an image communication apparatus capable of communicating color information, when reading document information,
The document information to be read is divided into stripes, and the stripe information, which is the divided document information, includes color information presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not color information is included. Transmission method changing means for changing the transmission method of the stripe information according to whether or not the color information is included. Therefore, when facsimile communication is performed on an image signal in which color information and monochrome information are mixed, communication time is reduced. Can be shortened, and thus communication costs can be reduced.

That is, according to the above embodiment, the image signal is transmitted as the color information by the JPEG encoding for the stripe information determined to contain the color information, while the color information is not included. MH, MR, MMR, J
Since the image signal is transmitted as monochrome information by the BIG encoding, the communication time can be reduced when facsimile communication is performed on an image signal in which color information and monochrome information are mixed, thereby reducing communication costs. it can.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, there is provided a means for executing communication in the error correction mode, transmitting one stripe information corresponding to one frame information, and transmitting the image signal in the error correction mode. Since the FCD (facsimile coded data) of the frame information includes information indicating whether or not the frame information is color information, the information including the color information is divided into stripes and
In the case of M communication, a protocol for transmitting one stripe information as one frame and transmission of an image signal become clear.

According to the above embodiment, when transmitting a frame of color information, if the next frame is also a color frame, the restart marker is not transmitted. If the next frame is a monochrome frame, the restart marker is transmitted. Since it is transmitted, information including color information is divided into stripes and
When CM communication is performed, a protocol for transmitting one stripe information as one frame and transmission of an image signal become clear.

According to the above-described embodiment, the means for executing communication in the error correction mode is provided, and when the stripe information changes in color or monochrome, it is transmitted as new frame information, so that the number of frames is increased. Without
Stripe color communication can be realized efficiently.

Further, a personal computer having an image communication function,
The above embodiment can be applied to an image communication device other than a facsimile device.

The above embodiment can be understood as an invention of a storage medium. That is, in the embodiment, when reading the document information, the document information to be read is divided into stripes, and it is determined whether or not color information is included in the divided document information, ie, stripe information. Computer storing a program for causing a computer to execute an information presence / absence determination procedure and a transmission method changing procedure for changing a transmission method of the stripe information according to whether or not color information is included in each of the stripe information. It is an example of a readable storage medium.

Note that FD, CD,
DVD, HD, and semiconductor memory are conceivable.

[0074]

According to the present invention, when facsimile communication is performed on an image signal in which color information and monochrome information are mixed,
This has the effect of shortening the communication time and therefore the communication cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile machine FS1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ECM format at the time of stripe color communication in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a protocol format during stripe color communication in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FS1: facsimile machine, 18: memory, 20: operation unit, 22: CPU, 24: ROM.

Claims (11)

[Claims] In an image communication apparatus capable of communicating color information, when reading document information, the document information to be read is divided into stripes, and the color information is included in the divided document information stripe information. Color information presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the stripe information is included; transmission method changing means for changing the stripe information transmission method in accordance with whether or not each of the stripe information includes color information; An image communication device comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for the stripe information determined to include color information, an image signal is transmitted as color information by JPEG encoding, while it is determined that no color information is included. An image communication apparatus characterized in that an image signal is transmitted as monochrome information with respect to the obtained stripe information by a coding method for monochrome images. 3. The image according to claim 1, further comprising means for executing communication in an error correction mode, wherein one piece of the stripe information is transmitted corresponding to one piece of frame information. Communication device. 4. The image communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the facsimile coded data of the frame information of the image signal in the error correction mode includes information indicating whether or not the frame information is color information. . 5. The transmission method according to claim 3, wherein, when transmitting the color information frame, if the immediately preceding frame is also a color frame, the restart marker is not transmitted. If the frame is a frame, the image communication device transmits the restart marker. 6. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means for executing communication in an error correction mode, wherein when stripe or color changes occur in the stripe information, the stripe information is transmitted as new frame information. An image communication device, comprising: 7. The image communication device according to claim 6, wherein when information of a predetermined byte is transmitted as frame information of the image signal in the error correction mode, new frame information is obtained. 8. The facsimile coded data of frame information of an image signal in the error correction mode according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the facsimile coded data includes information indicating whether or not the frame information is color information. Image communication device. 9. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device is a facsimile device. 10. An image communication method capable of communicating color information, wherein at the time of reading document information, the document information to be read is divided into stripes, and the color information is included in the divided document information stripe information. A color information presence / absence determination step of determining whether or not the color information is included; a transmission method changing step of changing a transmission method of the stripe information depending on whether or not the stripe information includes color information; An image communication method comprising: 11. When reading document information, the document information to be read is divided into stripes, and it is determined whether or not color information is included in the stripe information as the divided document information. A program for causing the image communication apparatus to execute a determination procedure; and a transmission method change procedure for changing a transmission method of the stripe information depending on whether or not the stripe information includes color information. Computer readable storage medium.