JP2011139234A - Device, method and program for communicating image - Google Patents

Abstract

When transmitting a document in which a plurality of types of document sizes are mixed, if the capability of the partner device is compatible with the document size, the partner does not perform communication for changing the control settings in accordance with the document size change. The communication time with the side device is reduced.
When a document of a plurality of types of document sizes is read, a plurality of paper sizes that can be recorded by the counterpart device are equal to or larger than a maximum size that is the largest document size among the read documents. Of the image data of the original, a plurality of small image data having an image size corresponding to the original size smaller than the maximum size is combined to generate the combined image data, and the image data not combined among the image data is maximized. The size is transmitted to the counterpart device, and the combined image data is transmitted to the counterpart device.
[Selection] Figure 3 (B)

Description

  The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus, an image communication method, and an image communication program that can be executed by a computer of the image communication apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile that reads an image of a document, generates image data corresponding to the read image, and transmits the image data to a counterpart apparatus is known.

  The facsimile described in Patent Document 1 stores the capability information of the receiving facsimile during the pre-message procedure for confirming and setting up the capability of the receiving facsimile, and during the document transmission, the resolution of the document to be transmitted and the paper When it is required to change the control setting due to a change in size or the like, the stored capacity information is confirmed. The facsimile described in Patent Document 1 re-executes the pre-message procedure when it is determined that the receiving facsimile can cope with the required capability, while the receiving facsimile cannot cope with the required capability. If it is determined, the document transmission is continued without re-executing the pre-message procedure.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-164335

  However, the facsimile described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 is configured to control control settings when the receiving facsimile can cope with the required capability when requesting a change in control settings due to a change in the resolution or paper size of the document to be transmitted during document transmission. Since the pre-message procedure is re-executed every time a change is required, there is a possibility that the communication time with the receiving facsimile will become longer.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. When transmitting a document in which at least two types of document sizes are mixed, the capability of the counterpart device can cope with the document size. An image communication apparatus, an image communication method, and a computer of the image communication apparatus that can reduce the communication time with the counterpart apparatus without performing communication for changing the control setting accompanying a change in document size. An object is to provide an image communication program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image communication apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a reading unit that reads an image of a document; and image data having an image size corresponding to a document size with respect to the document image read by the reading unit. An image generation device for generating a document size, a size acquisition unit for acquiring a paper size that can be recorded by a counterpart device, and a plurality of types of document size originals read by the reading unit. In this case, the maximum size acquisition unit that acquires the largest document size as the maximum size among the documents read by the reading unit, and the paper size acquired by the size acquisition unit is acquired by the maximum size acquisition unit. Size determination means for determining whether or not the size is equal to or larger than the maximum size, and the size acquisition means by the size determination means. When it is determined that the size is equal to or larger than the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition unit, among the image data generated by the image generation unit, a plurality of small images having an image size corresponding to a document size smaller than the maximum size Combined image generation means for combining data according to the maximum size to generate combined image data, and image data not combined as the combined image data among the image data generated by the image generation means at the maximum size The first transmission means for transmitting to the counterpart apparatus, and the second transmission means for transmitting the combined image data generated by the combined image generation means to the counterpart apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to the first aspect, the combined image generating unit is configured to respond to the original size when the original size smaller than the maximum size is not more than half of the maximum size. A plurality of small image data having the same image size are combined in accordance with the maximum size to generate combined image data.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image communication apparatus further includes a small image detection unit that detects the small image data, and the combined image generation unit is When small image data is detected, the small image data and small image data detected by the small image detection unit among the image data generated after the small image data is generated by the image generation unit; Are combined in accordance with the maximum size to generate combined image data.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the combined image generation unit includes a plurality of combined image generation units while the first transmission unit transmits the image data. The small image data is combined in accordance with the maximum size to generate combined image data, and the second transmission unit is configured to generate the combined image when transmission of the image data is completed by the first transmission unit. The combined image data generated by the generating means is transmitted to the counterpart device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a transmission source such as a transmission source telephone number is provided for each of the plurality of image data generated by the image generation unit. Is further provided with an adding means for adding at least one of the transmission source information indicating the destination, the transmission destination information indicating the transmission destination such as the other party device telephone number, and the transmission date and time information as the sender information.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the adding unit adds a number assigned in the reading order of the document to the image data.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image communication device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the combined image generation unit generates the combined image data by combining two small image data, Rotating means for rotating one of the two small image data 90 degrees clockwise and the other 90 degrees counterclockwise, one of the two small image data rotated by the rotating means Is arranged in the preceding part of the combined image data, and the other is arranged in the subsequent part of the combined image data.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the combined image generating means includes a boundary line indicating a boundary between the small image data combined as the combined image data. A boundary line adding means for adding is provided.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the reading unit reads an image of each of a plurality of double-sided originals, and the image generation unit reads both sides read by the reading unit. For the image on the front side and the image on the back side of the document, front side image data and back side image data of an image size corresponding to the document size of the double-sided document are respectively generated, and the size acquisition means When the information indicating whether recording is possible is acquired, and the combined image generation unit acquires information indicating that double-sided recording is possible in the counterpart device by the size acquisition unit, two sheets The small image data corresponding to the double-sided original is generated by combining the surface combined image data generated by combining the two small image data on the front surface and the two small image data on the back surface. The double-side combined image data composed of the back-side combined image data is generated, and the rotating means includes the two small image data of the two surfaces and the two small image data of the two back surfaces. One surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, the other is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the small image data of the surface rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise by the rotating means is used as the preceding portion of the surface combined image data. The small image data on the front surface rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction is arranged and combined in the subsequent portion of the front surface combined image data, and the small image data on the back surface rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction is connected to the back surface The double-sided combined image data is arranged in the preceding portion of the combined image data and the small image data on the back surface rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise is arranged and combined in the subsequent portion of the back-side combined image data. And the first transmitting means transmits image data not combined as the double-sided combined image data among the image data generated by the image generating means to the counterpart device at the maximum size, and the second transmitting means Transmits the double-sided combined image data generated by the combined image generation means to the counterpart device.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the combined image generation unit includes a plurality of the small images among the image data generated by the image generation unit. When the data is continuous in the order generated by the image generation means, a plurality of the small image data are combined in accordance with the maximum size to generate combined image data.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image communication device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the maximum size acquisition unit is the largest of the image sizes of the image data generated by the image generation unit. The document size according to the image size is acquired as the maximum size.

  An image communication method according to a twelfth aspect is an image communication method in an image communication apparatus capable of transmitting image data to a partner apparatus, a reading step of reading an image of a document, and a document read by the reading step For an image, when an image generation step for generating image data of an image size corresponding to the document size and a plurality of types of document size documents are read by the reading step, of the documents read by the reading step, A maximum size acquisition step for acquiring a large document size as a maximum size, a size acquisition step for acquiring a paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device, and a paper size acquired by the size acquisition means are obtained by the maximum size acquisition means. A size determination step for determining whether or not the acquired maximum size or more, and the image A size determination step for determining whether the image size of the image data generated by the generation step is a small image size corresponding to a document size less than half of the maximum size, and the size acquisition step by the size determination step. If it is determined that the paper size acquired in the step is greater than or equal to the maximum size acquired in the maximum size acquisition step, half of the maximum size in the image data generated in the image generation step is determined in the small image determination step. A first transmission step of transmitting image data determined to be an image size corresponding to a larger document size to the counterpart device at the maximum size, and among the image data generated by the image generation step, the small image determination The image data determined to be the small image size by the step, and the small image size Among the image data generated by the image generation step after the generation of the image data determined to be the image data, the image data determined to be the small image size by the small image determination step is converted to the image data by the first transmission step. A combined image generation step for generating combined image data by combining with the maximum size while data is being transmitted, and a paper size acquired by the size acquisition step by the size determination step is the maximum size. When it is determined that the size is equal to or larger than the maximum size acquired by the acquisition step, when the transmission of the image data is completed by the first transmission step, the combined image data generated by the combined image generation step is used as the counterpart device. And a second transmission step of transmitting to.

  The image communication program according to claim 13, a reading unit that reads an image of a document, an image generation unit that generates image data having an image size corresponding to the document size, with respect to the document image read by the reading unit, An image communication program that can be executed by a computer of an image communication apparatus, and when the document is read by the reading unit by the reading unit, among the documents read by the reading unit, Maximum size acquisition means for acquiring the largest document size as the maximum size, size acquisition means for acquiring a paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device, and the paper size acquired by the size acquisition means is the maximum size acquisition means. Size determination means for determining whether or not the maximum size acquired by the method, and the image generation means The image size of the generated image data is a small image size determining unit that determines whether the image size is a small image size corresponding to a document size that is half or less of the maximum size; When it is determined that the acquired paper size is equal to or larger than the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition unit, the image data generated by the image generation unit is larger than half of the maximum size by the small image determination unit. A first transmission unit configured to transmit image data determined to be an image size corresponding to a document size to the counterpart device at the maximum size; and among the image data generated by the image generation unit, the small image determination unit After the image data determined to be the small image size and the image data determined to be the small image size are generated, Among the image data generated by the stage, the image data determined as the small image size by the small image determination unit is set to the maximum size while the image data is transmitted by the first transmission unit. Combined image generation means for combining and generating combined image data and the size determination means determine that the paper size acquired by the size acquisition means is greater than or equal to the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition means A second transmission unit configured to transmit the combined image data generated by the combined image generation unit to the counterpart device when the transmission of the image data is completed by the first transmission unit. It is characterized by.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when transmitting a document in which a plurality of types of document sizes are mixed, the maximum size is obtained when the paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device is equal to or larger than the maximum size of the read document. A plurality of small image data having an image size corresponding to a smaller document size is combined in accordance with the maximum size and transmitted to the counterpart apparatus. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the communication time with the counterpart apparatus without performing communication for changing the control setting accompanying the change in the document size.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the combined image data is generated when the document size smaller than the maximum size is not more than half of the maximum size. As a result, combined image data can be generated and transmitted to the counterpart device without reducing a plurality of small image data, thereby reducing the possibility that the image formed based on the combined image data will be crushed. can do.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when small image data is detected, the small image data and the small image data generated after the small image data is generated are combined in accordance with the maximum size. Is done. Thereby, a plurality of small image data can be reliably combined in accordance with the maximum size.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, combined image data is generated while image data that is not combined as combined image data is being transmitted, and transmission of image data that is not combined as combined image data to the counterpart device is completed. In such a case, the combined image data is transmitted to the counterpart device. Thereby, the communication time with the other party apparatus can further be reduced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least one of transmission source information, transmission destination information, and transmission date information is added as sender information to each of a plurality of image data. Thereby, for example, even when the user of the counterpart device prints the received combined image data and cuts it in units of small image data, the sender information is added to all the image data. Document management by the user of the side device can be facilitated.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the number assigned in the reading order of the original is added to the image data. As a result, the order of the documents can be easily recognized by the user of the counterpart device. This is particularly suitable when image data is not transmitted to the counterpart device in correspondence with the reading order of the original, such as when combined image data is generated by combining small image data that are not consecutive in the order in which the original was read. .

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, one of the two small image data is rotated 90 degrees clockwise and the other is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. Of the two rotated small image data, one is arranged in the preceding portion of the combined image data and the other is arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data and combined. Thus, for example, when the user of the counterpart device prints the received combined image data and cuts in units of small image data, the cut side in the small image data is aligned, so the print result that is easy to bundle for the user of the counterpart device Can be provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the boundary line indicating the boundary is added between the small image data combined as the combined image data. As a result, the user of the counterpart device can easily recognize that it is combined image data.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the small image data of the surface rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise is arranged in the preceding portion of the surface combined image data, and the small image data of the surface rotated 90 degrees clockwise. Are placed and combined in subsequent portions of the surface combined image data. Further, the small image data of the back surface rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction is arranged in the preceding portion of the back surface combined image data, and the small image data of the back surface rotated 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction is set in the subsequent portion of the back surface combined image data. Arranged and combined. Thus, for example, when the double-side combined image data received by the user of the counterpart device is printed and cut in units of small image data, the print result can be provided to the user of the counterpart device with the same configuration as the original. .

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of small image data is continuous in the order in which the image data is generated, the plurality of small image data are combined in accordance with the maximum size. As a result, the order of the documents can be easily recognized by the user of the counterpart device.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the document size corresponding to the largest image size among the image sizes of the image data generated from the read document is acquired as the maximum size. As a result, the maximum size can be acquired based on the image data generated by reading the image of the document, so that a more accurate maximum size can be acquired.

  According to the twelfth and thirteenth aspects of the invention, when a document in which a plurality of types of document sizes are mixed is transmitted, the paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device is equal to or larger than the maximum size of the read document. In some cases, image data having a small image size corresponding to a document size less than half of the maximum size and image data having a small image size generated after generation of the image data having the small image size are combined in accordance with the maximum size. The combined image data generated in this way is transmitted to the counterpart device. As a result, a plurality of small image size image data can be reliably combined and transmitted at the maximum size, so communication with the counterpart device can be performed without performing communication for changing the control settings accompanying changes in the document size. Communication time can be reduced. Further, the combined image data is generated when the image size of the image data is an image size corresponding to a document size that is half or less of the maximum size. Thereby, the possibility that the image formed based on the combined image data is crushed can be suppressed. Further, combined image data is generated while image data having an image size corresponding to an original size larger than half of the maximum size, that is, image data that is not combined as combined image data is transmitted, and is not combined as combined image data. When the transmission of data to the counterpart device is completed, the combined image data is sent to the counterpart device. Thereby, the communication time with the other party apparatus can further be reduced.

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an MFP having an image communication apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document in which a plurality of types of document sizes are mixed in the first embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a document group before reading. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing image data transmitted to the counterpart device in the first embodiment for a document group in which a plurality of types of document sizes shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the page structure image data contained in the image data shown to FIG. 3 (B). It is a flowchart which shows the FAX transmission process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of combined image FAX transmission process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other part of the combined image FAX transmission process in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an MFP having an image communication apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an MFP according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of combined image FAX transmission process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other part of the combined image FAX transmission process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the original document in which multiple types of original document sizes are mixed in 2nd Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the original document group before reading. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating image data transmitted to a counterpart apparatus in the second embodiment for a document group including a plurality of types of document sizes illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the page structure image data contained in the image data shown to FIG. 11 (B).

  Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)”) 1 having a facsimile function will be described as an example of the image communication device. The MFP 1 is configured to be capable of facsimile communication with a counterpart device 200 (see FIG. 2) connected via the telephone network 100 (see FIG. 2). The MFP 1 also has various functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, and a copy function.

[First Embodiment]
<Appearance configuration>
An external configuration of the MFP 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the near side of the MFP 1 shown in FIG.

  When the MFP 1 of the present embodiment transmits a document in which a plurality of types of document sizes are mixed to the counterpart device 200, the paper size that can be received by the counterpart device 200 is the size of the document to be transmitted from the MFP 1 to the counterpart device 200. When the document size is larger than the largest document size, a plurality of document image data having a document size smaller than the maximum size is combined and transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 mainly includes an opening 3 provided in the lower part of the front surface, a printing unit 20 provided in the lower part, a reading part 21 provided in the upper part, and an operation part 6 provided in the upper part of the front surface. It has.

  The interior of the opening 3 is partitioned vertically, and a paper feed cassette 4 capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording sheets is inserted below the opening 3. The paper feed cassette 4 is configured to be able to store recording paper cut to A4 size or the like. The upper side of the opening 3 is a paper discharge unit 5 from which recorded recording paper is discharged.

  The printing unit 20 is configured by an ink jet printer that performs recording on a recording sheet set in the sheet feeding cassette 3.

  The reading unit 21 reads a document when executing a facsimile function, a scanner function, and a copy function, and can read a plurality of types of documents such as A4 size, B4 size, or A3 size. Yes. The document cover body 8 is provided as a top plate of the MFP 1. A glass plate (not shown) for placing a document is provided below the document cover body 8.

  A document reading sensor (not shown) that reads an image of a document placed on the placement glass plate is provided below the placement glass plate. For example, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as the document reading sensor.

  Note that in order to unify the orientation (vertical direction) of the image of the document printed when the document is read by the reading unit 21, the orientation of the document placed on the placement glass plate is determined in advance. The user places the document according to the direction.

  The document cover 8 is provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder, hereinafter referred to as “ADF”). The ADF mainly includes a document tray 9 and a document discharge tray 10. The ADF conveys the originals set on the original tray 9 one by one to the reading unit 21 through the original conveyance path, and discharges the originals read by the reading unit 21 one by one to the original discharge tray 10. . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that an original that can be read by the ADF is an original having an A3 size or smaller.

  The operation unit 6 includes an operation key 15 and a display unit 16 such as an LCD. The operation keys 15 include a FAX setting screen display key 151, a parameter setting key 152, a numeric key 153, a start key 154, and the like.

  The FAX setting screen display key 151 is a key for displaying on the display unit 16 a FAX setting screen indicating the transmission destination to which the image data is transmitted, the transmission quality of the image data, and settings such as duplex / single-sided transmission. The user can set the image data transmission destination, transmission image quality, and the like on the FAX setting screen. The parameter setting key 152 is, for example, a key for selecting a transmission destination from pre-registered transmission destinations, setting transmission image quality, duplex / single-sided transmission, and the like. The numeric key 153 is a key for inputting a destination FAX number, for example.

  The start key 154 is a key for instructing start of execution of the facsimile function, the scanner function, or the copy function. When the user presses the start key 154 when the FAX setting screen is displayed on the display unit 16, the reading unit 21 starts reading the document. In addition, the user can perform operations such as power on / off and switching of each function by pressing various keys of the operation keys 15.

  The display unit 16 displays a function selection screen for instructing a function desired by the user. In addition, the display unit 16 displays an operation procedure such as a FAX setting screen and a status of a process being executed, and information corresponding to pressing of the operation key 15 is displayed.

<Electrical configuration>
The electrical configuration of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 1 mainly includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a flash memory 14, an operation key 15, a display unit 16, a printing unit 20, a reading unit 21, a modem 23, and the like. , NCU24.

  The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and flash memory 14 are connected to each other via a bus line 26. In addition, the operation key 15, the display unit 16, the printing unit 20, the reading unit 21, the modem 23, the NCU 24, and the bus line 26 are connected to each other via an input / output port 27. The modem 23 and the NCU 24 are connected to each other.

  The CPU 11 controls each function of the MFP 1 and controls each unit connected to the input / output port 27 according to fixed values and programs stored in the ROM 12, the RAM 13, and the flash memory 14. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 constitutes a computer together with storage means such as the ROM 12, the RAM 13, and the flash memory 14.

  The ROM 12 is a non-rewritable memory that stores a control program executed by the MFP 1. The ROM 12 stores the image communication program of the present invention. Specifically, each program for executing the FAX transmission process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and the combined image FAX transmission process according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. It is remembered. The ROM 12 stores the length in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in each document size such as A4 size, B4 size, and A3 size. The ROM 12 stores image quality “standard”, “fine (photo)”, and “super fine” selectable by the user in association with the corresponding resolutions. Details of the image quality setting will be described later.

  The printing unit 20 performs recording on a recording sheet set at a predetermined sheet feeding position based on an instruction from the CPU 11.

  The modem 23 modulates image data to be transmitted by the facsimile function into a signal that can be transmitted to the telephone line network 100 and transmits it through the NCU 24. The modem 23 receives a signal input from the telephone network 100 via the NCU 24 and demodulates the received signal into image data so that the signal can be displayed on the display unit 16 or recorded on a recording sheet by the printing unit 20. To do.

  The NCU 24 is connected to the telephone line network 100 and controls transmission of a dial signal to the telephone line network 100, response of a calling signal from the telephone line network 100, and the like.

  The RAM 13 is a rewritable volatile memory, and is a memory for temporarily storing various data. The RAM 13 includes a document size memory 131, a read document number memory 133, a document image number memory 134, a document image memory 135, a counterpart capability memory 136, a combined image number memory 137, a combined image memory 138, and a small image memory. It has an image number memory 139, a transmission image number memory 140, a sender information memory 141, and a double-sided transmission flag memory 142.

  The document size memory 131 is a memory for storing a document size of a document read by the reading unit 21 as will be described later. In the present embodiment, for each document group, a number (hereinafter referred to as “read document number”) Dn is assigned to each document read by the reading unit 21 in the reading order. Information to be expressed (hereinafter referred to as “read document number information”) IDn and the document size of each document are stored in the document size memory 131 in association with each other. For example, in the case of the originals P1 to P5 shown in FIG. 3A, “ID1: A3 size”, “ID2: A4 size”, “ID3: A3 size”, “ID4: A4 size”, “ID5: A4 size”. As described above, the read document number information IDn and the document size of each document are stored in association with each other. Hereinafter, the read original numbers “1” to “5” are indicated by read original numbers D1 to D5, respectively, and the information representing the read original numbers D1 to D5 are indicated by read original number information ID1 to ID5, respectively. Here, one document group is a plurality of documents that are continuously read by the reading unit 21 when the user presses the start button 154 once.

  The document size stored in the document size memory 131 is determined by the CPU 11 as follows. First, the CPU 11 detects the positions of the corners of the four corners of the document from the image data of the document read by the reading unit 21, and calculates the lengths in the vertical and horizontal directions of the document from the detected corner positions. . Then, among the longitudinal and lateral lengths of the document size stored in the ROM 12, the document size that matches the calculated longitudinal and lateral lengths of the document is determined as the document size of the read document. The

  The document size memory 131 is provided with a maximum size memory 133. The maximum size memory 132 is a memory that stores the largest document size (hereinafter referred to as “maximum size”) in one document group. For example, in the case of the originals P1 to P5 shown in FIG. 3A, “A3 size” is stored.

  The read original number memory 133 is a memory that stores information indicating the total number of originals on which the combined image FAX transmission processing (see FIGS. 5 and 6) has been executed in one original group. That is, the read document number memory 133 stores read document number information IDn representing the largest read document number Dn among the read document number information IDn corresponding to the document on which the combined image FAX transmission process has been executed.

  The document image number memory 134 stores the total number of image data on which the combined image FAX transmission processing (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is executed among the image data of a plurality of documents included in one document group. It is. When the document read by the reading unit 21 is a double-sided document, each of the front and back surfaces of the document is counted as one image data. For example, all of the originals P1 to P5 shown in FIG. 3A are double-sided originals, and when the combined image FAX transmission process is performed on the front and back sides of the originals P1 and P2, “4”, which is the total number of image data, is stored.

  The document image memory 135 is a memory in which image data of a document read by the reading unit 21 is stored. The image data stored in the document image memory 135 has an image size corresponding to the document size such as A4 size, B4 size, and A3 size. In the present embodiment, the image size corresponding to the document size is represented by the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions corresponding to the vertical and horizontal lengths of the document size.

  The counterpart capability memory 136 is a memory in which the capability of the transmission / reception function of the counterpart device 200 is stored. The capability of the transmission / reception function of the counterpart apparatus 200 is transmitted from the counterpart apparatus 200 before transmitting image data from the MFP 1 to the counterpart apparatus 200. The capabilities of the transmission / reception function of the counterpart device 200 include, for example, the maximum paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device 200 (hereinafter referred to as “maximum paper size”), whether image data of a double-sided document can be received, and resolution Encoding scheme (compression and decompression scheme), communication speed, and the like. The maximum paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device 200 in this embodiment is an example of the paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device of the present invention.

  The combined image number memory 137 is a memory for storing the total number of combined image data. When a document group includes documents of a plurality of types of document sizes, small image data having an image size corresponding to a document size less than half of the maximum size among the plurality of types of document sizes is processed as a combined image FAX transmission process. (See FIGS. 5 and 6). The combined image data is a combination of the small image data.

  That is, the combined image number memory 137 stores the largest combined image number among the combined image numbers assigned in the combined image data generation order in the combined image FAX transmission process. When the combined image FAX transmission process is performed on the image data of the double-sided original, the combined image data on the front side where the two originals are combined and the combined image data on the back side where the two originals are combined are obtained. In total, it is counted as one combined image data. For example, the combined image data NFD1 and NBD1 of the transmission document number information IS5 and IS6 shown in FIG. 3B includes the image data CFD1 on the surface of the read document number information ID2 and the image data CFD2 on the surface of the read document number information ID4. The combined image data NFD1 of the combined front surface, the combined image data NBD1 of the back surface combined with the back side image data CBD1 of the read document number information ID2 and the back side image data CBD2 of the read document number information ID4. The combined image data NFD1 and combined image data NBD1 are counted as one combined image data. In the present embodiment, transmission image number information stored in the transmission image number memory 140, which will be described later, is referred to as transmission image number information ISn, and transmission image number information indicating transmission image numbers “1” to “5” is IS1. -IS5.

  The combined image memory 138 is a memory in which the combined image data generated in the combined image FAX transmission process (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is stored in association with the combined image number. When the combined image FAX transmission process is executed for the image data of the double-sided document, information on whether the generated combined image data is the front side or the back side is also stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with it.

  The small image number memory 139 is used to generate combined image data in combined image FAX transmission processing (see FIGS. 5 and 6) among image data of a plurality of originals included in one original group. Is the memory in which the total number of That is, the small image number memory 139 stores the largest small image number among the small image numbers assigned in the order used for generating the combined image data in the combined image FAX transmission process. In the combined image FAX transmission process for the image data of the double-sided document, the small image data on the front surface and the small image data on the back surface are counted as one small image data.

  The transmitted image number memory 140 is a memory in which the total number of image data transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 via the telephone line network 100 is stored.

  The sender information memory 141 includes, for example, transmission source information indicating a transmission source such as a transmission source telephone number and a transmission source name, transmission destination information indicating a transmission destination such as a counterpart device telephone number and the name of the counterpart device, and transmission date and time. This is a memory for storing sender information including information.

  The double-sided transmission flag memory 142 is a memory in which a double-sided transmission flag is stored. The double-sided transmission flag is a flag indicating whether or not the image data of the document read by the reading unit 21 is double-sided transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 based on the operation of the parameter setting key 152 by the user. When the double-sided transmission flag is on, it indicates that double-sided transmission is performed to the counterpart device 200. On the other hand, when the double-sided transmission flag is off, it indicates that double-sided transmission is not performed to the counterpart device 200.

  The various data stored in the RAM 13 are erased from the RAM 13 when the image data of all the originals included in one original group is completely transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200. Various data stored in the read original number memory 133, the original image number memory 134, the combined image number memory 137, the small image number memory 139, and the transmission image number memory 140 are all of the originals included in one original group. Until the combined image FAX transmission process is completed for the image data, the combined image FAX transmission process is updated as needed as the combined image FAX transmission process is repeatedly executed.

  The flash memory 14 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and the data stored in the flash memory 14 is retained even after the MFP 1 is powered off. The flash memory 14 includes a transmission destination registration memory 147 and an image quality setting memory 148.

  The transmission destination registration memory 147 is a memory for previously storing a transmission destination FAX number, a transmission destination name, and the like. The user can select the transmission destination of the document by operating the operation key 15 by storing the transmission destination FAX number, the transmission destination name, and the like in advance in the transmission destination registration memory 147.

  The image quality setting memory 148 stores the image quality when one of the image quality “standard”, “fine (photo)”, and “super fine” is selected by the user operating the parameter setting key 152. . In the present embodiment, the resolution corresponding to the selected image quality and the selected image quality are stored in association with each other. The resolution corresponding to the selected image quality is based on the resolution stored in the ROM 12 in association with the image quality.

<Operation of Embodiment>
Next, the operation of the MFP 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (C) and FIGS. 4 to 6.

(FAX transmission processing)
First, a FAX transmission process executed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIG. This FAX transmission process is a process for transmitting image data of a document to the counterpart device 200, and can be received by the counterpart device 200 when a document in which a plurality of types of document sizes are mixed is transmitted to the counterpart device 200. When the correct paper size is equal to or larger than the largest document size among the documents to be transmitted from the MFP 1 to the partner apparatus 200, a plurality of document data of documents having a document size smaller than the maximum size are combined and transmitted to the partner apparatus 200. Process. The FAX transmission process is a process executed when a transmission destination is selected by the user and the start key 154 is pressed when the FAX setting screen is displayed on the display unit 16. In FIG. 3A, originals corresponding to the read original number information ID1 to ID5 are indicated by originals P1 to P5, respectively.

  In this FAX transmission process, first, a plurality of originals placed on the original tray 9 are read (step 400; step is hereinafter referred to as S). A plurality of originals read in S400 are set as one original group. In S400, a read document number Dn is assigned to one document group in the order of reading each document. In S400, one document group is read at the resolution stored in the image quality setting memory 148.

  Next, document image data included in one document group read in S400 is generated (S402). In S402, image data of each document read in S400 is generated, and the positions of the corners of the four corners of the document are detected from the generated image data. Here, the read image data of each document is image data having an image size corresponding to the maximum document size that can be read by the ADF. Then, the four sides of the document are acquired from the detected corner positions, and the image data generated according to the acquired four sides is cut out from the image data of the image size corresponding to the maximum document size. By this cutting, image data having an image size corresponding to the document size is generated. The generated image data is stored in the document image memory 135.

  For example, in the case of an original group shown in FIG. 3A, when an A4 size original is read by ADF, the maximum original size that can be read by ADF is A3 size, and therefore image data of an image size corresponding to the A3 size. To the positions of the corners of the four corners of the A4 size document. Then, the lengths of the four sides of the A4 size document are acquired from the detected corner positions, and the image data of the A4 size document is cut out. By this cutting, image data having an image size corresponding to the read A4 size is generated.

  From each image data generated for each document, the document size of each document included in one document group is detected (S404). In S404, first, the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image data generated in S402 is acquired. Next, based on the resolution read in S400, the lengths of the document in the vertical and horizontal directions are calculated from the acquired number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions. Then, referring to the lengths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the document size such as A4 size stored in the ROM 12, a document size that matches the calculated lengths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is detected. The detected document size is stored in the document size memory 131.

  For example, in the document group shown in FIG. 3A, in S404, the document P1 corresponding to the read document number information ID1 is A3 size, the document P2 corresponding to the read document number information ID2 is A4 size, and the read document number information ID3. The corresponding document P3 is detected as A3 size, the document P4 corresponding to the read document number information ID4 is detected as A4 size, and the document P5 corresponding to the read document number information ID5 is detected as A4 size.

  In S406 shown in FIG. 4, the maximum size indicating the largest document size in one document group is detected. The detected maximum size is stored in the maximum size memory 133. For example, in the case of the document group shown in FIG. 3A, “A3 size” is detected.

  In S <b> 408 shown in FIG. 2, connection is established with the counterpart device 200 via the telephone network 100. That is, a call is made to the partner apparatus 200 connected to the telephone line 100, and the telephone line is closed with the partner apparatus 200.

  The transmission / reception function capability of the partner apparatus 200 is received from the partner apparatus 200 via the telephone network 100 (S410). The received capability of the transmission / reception function of the counterpart device 200 is stored in the counterpart capability memory 136. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the capability of the transmission / reception function of the counterpart device 200 received in S410 is that the maximum paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device 200 is A3 size and image data of a double-sided document can be received.

  It is determined whether or not the maximum sheet size that can be recorded by the counterpart apparatus 200 is greater than or equal to the maximum size detected in S406 (S412). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the maximum sheet size is smaller than the maximum size (S412: NO), a normal FAX transmission process is executed (S414), and this process ends. Here, the normal FAX transmission process is a known FAX transmission process, and a process of compressing and encoding document image data and transmitting it to the counterpart apparatus 200 based on the transmission / reception function capability of the counterpart apparatus 200. It is.

  When it is determined that the maximum sheet size is equal to or larger than the maximum size (S412: YES), it is determined whether or not a long document is included in one document group (S416). As a result of the determination in S416, if it is determined that there is a long document in one document group (S416: YES), the step process proceeds to S414. Here, the long document is a document size that does not correspond to a specified size such as A4 size, B4 size, or A3 size.

  As a result of the determination in S416, when it is determined that there is no long document in one document group (S416: NO), a combined image FAX transmission process described later is executed (S418), and this process ends. .

  In the present embodiment, in the case of the document group shown in FIG. 3A, the maximum sheet size “A3” that can be recorded by the counterpart apparatus 200 is equal to the maximum size “A3” in S412, and therefore the step process proceeds to S416. Then, since the long document is not included in the document group shown in FIG. 3A, the process proceeds to the combined image FAX transmission process of S418.

(Combined image FAX transmission processing)
Next, a combined image FAX transmission process (S418 shown in FIG. 4) executed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. When image data of a document with a predetermined read document number included in one document group is started to be transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200, or when combined image data is generated and stored in the combined image memory 138, the next The combined image FAX transmission process is started for the image data of the original of the read original number. That is, even if the combined image FAX transmission process is not completed for the image data of the document of a predetermined read document number included in one document group, the transmission is started or generated after the transmission to the counterpart apparatus 200 is completed. If the combined image data is stored in the combined image memory 138, the combined image FAX transmission process is started in parallel for the image data of the next reading document number.

  In the following description, information representing the small image number Cn stored in the small image number memory 139 is referred to as small image number information ICn. For example, the small image numbers “1” to “5” are denoted by C1 to C5, respectively. Small image number information representing the image numbers C1 to C5 are denoted by IC1 to IC5, respectively. Information representing the combined image number Nn stored in the combined image number memory 137 is referred to as combined number information INn. For example, the combined image numbers “1” to “5” are indicated by N1 to N5, and the combined image numbers N1 to N5 are indicated. Represented combined image number information is indicated by IN1 to IN5, respectively. Information representing the number of original images Tn stored in the original image number memory 134 is referred to as original image number information ITn. For example, the original image numbers “1” to “5” are indicated by T1 to T5, respectively, and the original image numbers T1 to T5 are indicated. Information on the number of original images representing IT is indicated by IT1 to IT5. The information indicating the transmission image number Sn stored in the transmission image number memory 140 is the transmission image number information ISn. For example, the transmission image numbers “1” to “5” are denoted by S1 to S5, respectively, and the transmission image numbers S1 to S5 are shown. IS1 to IS5 respectively represent the transmission image number information representing.

  In the present embodiment, image data of the maximum size obtained by combining two small image data is expressed as combined image data, but one small image data is page configuration image data PG described later (see FIG. 3C). Alternatively, the maximum size image data combined with the image data of the blank page is also handled as combined image data. The maximum size image data in which one small image data is combined with page configuration image data PG or blank page image data is, for example, combined image data NFD2 of transmission document number information IS7 and IS8 shown in FIG. , NBD2.

  In this combined image FAX transmission process, first, it is determined whether or not to transmit both sides of image data of documents included in one document group to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S500). Specifically, whether or not the image data of the double-sided original stored in the counterpart side capability memory 136 can be received is determined and it is determined that the image data of the double-sided original can be received by the counterpart device 200. The display unit 16 displays a message for selecting whether or not double-side transmission is performed to the side device 200. When an input to the user of double-sided transmission is received from the operation key 15, it is determined that double-sided transmission of the image data of the original of the original group to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S 500: YES) and stored in the double-sided transmission flag memory 142. The double-sided transmission flag to be turned on is turned on.

  When it is determined that the image data of the double-sided document cannot be received by the counterpart device 200, or the user can input the double-sided document image data but the user cannot input the duplex data. Is received, it is determined that duplex transmission is not performed to the partner apparatus 200 (S500: NO), and the duplex transmission flag stored in the duplex transmission flag memory 142 is turned off.

  As a result of the determination in S500, when it is determined that double-sided transmission is performed (S500: YES), information indicating “recording size: maximum size, double-sided transmission” is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S502). When it is determined that the duplex transmission is not performed (S500: NO), information indicating “recording size: maximum size, no duplex transmission” is transmitted to the partner apparatus 200 (S504). For example, when the document group shown in FIG. 3A is transmitted on both sides, information indicating “recording size: A3 size, both sides transmitted” is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200.

  In S506, the read document number Dn, the small image number Cn, the combined image number Nn, the document image number Tn, and the transmission image number Sn are set to “0”. Then, “1” is added to the read document number Dn (S508).

  It is determined whether or not the document size of the document with the read document number Dn (hereinafter referred to as “read document Dn”) is equal to or larger than the maximum size (S510), and it is determined that the document size of the read document Dn is smaller than the maximum size. If (S510: NO), the step process proceeds to S534. If it is determined that the document size of the read document Dn is equal to or larger than the maximum size (S510: YES), the step process proceeds to S514.

  In S514, “1” is added to the document image number Tn and the transmission image number Sn, respectively, and the sender information 34 and the document image number information ITn are combined with the image data DFn on the surface of the read document Dn (S516). In S516, the sender information 34 stored in the sender information memory 141 and the document image number information ITn of the document image number Tn are combined with the leading end portion of the image data DFn on the surface of the read document Dn. The leading edge portion of the image data is a position corresponding to the upper edge portion of the document in FIG. In FIG. 3A, the direction indicated by the up and down arrows is the up and down direction.

  For example, in the image data DF1 of the transmission document number information IS1 shown in FIG. 3B, “AAA” as the sender information 34 and “1” as the document image number information IT1 are combined with the upper end portion of the image data DF1. Has been. The sender information 34 synthesized in S514 is transmission source information, transmission destination information, and transmission date / time information stored in the sender information memory 141. In FIG. 3B, the sender information 34 is simplified as “AAA”. It is shown.

  Transmission of the image data DFn on the surface of the read original Dn to the counterpart apparatus 200 is started (S518). In S518, the image data is compression-encoded and transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200. Then, the transmission image number information ISn and the page information “table” are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the number of pages (S520). The page information “table” is information indicating that the document corresponding to the image data whose transmission to the counterpart apparatus 200 is started in S518 is the front side. The number of pages transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 in S520 corresponds to the transmission order of the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 3C, and the page information is an identification for identifying the front and back surfaces included in the read document information. It corresponds to information.

  It is determined whether or not the duplex transmission flag stored in the duplex transmission flag memory 142 is ON (S522). If it is determined that the duplex transmission flag is OFF (S522: NO), the step process proceeds to S532. Is done.

  When it is determined that the double-sided transmission flag is on (S522: YES), “1” is added to the number of original images Tn and the number of transmitted images Sn (S524), respectively. The sender information and the document image number information ITn of the document image number Tn are combined with the image data DBn (S526).

  Similarly to S518, an operation of transmitting the image data DBn on the back side of the read original Dn to the counterpart apparatus 200 is started (S528). Then, the transmission image number information ISn and the page information “back” are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the page number (S530). The page information “back” is information indicating that the document corresponding to the image data whose transmission to the partner apparatus 200 is started in S528 is the back side. The number of pages transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 in S530 corresponds to the transmission order of the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 3C, and the page information is an identification for identifying the front and back surfaces included in the read document information. It corresponds to information.

  In S532, it is determined whether or not there is a next document, that is, whether or not there is unprocessed image data among the image data stored in the document image memory 135. If it is determined that there is no next original (S532: NO), the step process proceeds to S574. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a next document (S532: YES), the step process proceeds to S508.

  If it is determined in S510 that the document size of the read document Dn is smaller than the maximum size (S510: NO), it is determined whether or not the document size of the read document Dn is less than or equal to half the maximum size (S534). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the document size of the read document Dn is larger than half of the maximum size (S534: NO), the step process proceeds to S512.

  In S512, the image size of the image data of the read original Dn is converted so that the image size corresponding to the original size of the read original Dn becomes the image size corresponding to the maximum size. Specifically, when the original size of the read original Dn is smaller than the maximum size and larger than half of the maximum size (S510: NO, S534: NO), the read original is set so that the image size corresponds to the maximum size. The image data of Dn is enlarged, or a margin is added to the image data of the read original Dn. Then, the step process proceeds to S514.

  When it is determined that the original size of the read original Dn is not more than half of the maximum size (S534: YES), the image size of the image data of the read original Dn is set so that the horizontal width of the read original Dn is half of the maximum width. Conversion is performed (S536). Specifically, the image data of the read document Dn is enlarged so as to be half of the maximum width, or a margin is added to the image data of the read document Dn so as to be half of the maximum width. .

  It is determined whether or not the small image number Cn stored in the small image number memory 139 is an even number (S538). That is, in S538, it is determined whether or not the number of document image data determined as being less than half of the maximum size in S534 among the document image data of one document group is even.

  When the small image number Cn is an odd number, the number of rotated small image data is an odd number, which means that there is image data in which one rotated small image data is arranged. On the other hand, when the small image number Cn is an even number, the number of rotated small image data is an even number, there is no image data in which one rotated small image data is arranged, and the rotation processing has been completed. This means that there is only combined image data in which two small image data are arranged. The rotation process is a process of S544, S554, S560, or S570 described later.

  As a result of the determination in S538, if it is determined that the small image number Cn is an even number (S538: YES), “1” is added to the small image number Cn, the document image number Tn, and the combined image number Nn ( S540). Then, the sender data 34 stored in the sender information memory 141 and the document image number information ITn of the document image number Tn are combined with the image data DFn on the surface of the read document Dn (S542). In S542, the image data DFn on the surface of the read document Dn is small image data on the surface associated with the small image number information ICn representing the small image number Cn (hereinafter referred to as “front surface small image data CFDn”).

  In the present embodiment, the sender information 34 and the document image number information ITn are combined with the front end portion of the small image data CFDn on the surface. For example, the combined image data NFD1 on the front side of the transmission document number information IS5 shown in FIG. 3B includes the sender information 34 indicated by the character string “AAA” and the document image number information IT3 and IT7. The image data CFD1 on the front surface of the information ID2 and the image data CFD2 on the front surface of the read document number information ID4 are combined with the front end portions. In FIG. 3B, the character string “2-table image data” written in the combined image data NFD1 on the surface indicated by the rectangle is the image on the surface of the document with “read document number“ 2 ”. Data ". In FIG. 3B, the upward direction of the small image data CFD1 of the read original number “2” corresponds to the left direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3B, and the upper direction of the small image data CFD2 of the read original number “4”. The direction corresponds to the right direction of the arrow shown in FIG. The leading end portion of the small image data in the present embodiment is the upper end portion of the small image data shown in FIG.

  The small image data CFDn on the surface is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the rotated small image data CFDn is added to the preceding portion of the combined image data on the surface of the combined image number Nn (hereinafter, “surface combined image data NFDn”). Arranged and synthesized (S544). The image size of the combined image data NFDn is an image size corresponding to the maximum size. In the present embodiment, the preceding portion is, for example, the upper half of the combined image data NFD1 on the surface of the transmission document image number information IS5 in FIG. In FIG. 3B, the vertical direction of the combined image data NFDn corresponds to the vertical direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

  A boundary line indicated by a broken line or the like is combined with the combined image data NFDn at a position where the combined image data NFDn in which the small image data CFDn is arranged is divided into two in the vertical direction (S546). The combined image data NFDn synthesized in S544 and S546 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information INn and “surface”.

  It is determined whether or not the duplex transmission flag stored in the duplex transmission flag memory 142 is ON (S548). If it is determined that the duplex transmission flag is OFF (S548: NO), the step process proceeds to S532. Is done.

  If it is determined that the double-sided transmission flag is on (S548: YES), “1” is added to the document image count Tn (S550). Similarly to S542, the sender information 34 stored in the sender information memory 141 and the document image number information ITn of the document image number Tn are combined with the image data DBn on the back side of the read document Dn (S552). In S552, the back side image data DBn of the read original Dn is the back side small image data (hereinafter referred to as “back side small image data CBDn”) associated with the small image number information ICn representing the small image number Cn. For example, in the combined image data NBD1 on the back side of the transmission document number information IS6 shown in FIG. 3B, the sender information 34 indicated by the character string “AAA” and the document image number information IT4 and IT8 are read document numbers. The image data CBD1 on the back side of the information IT2 and the image data CBD2 on the back side of the read document number information IT4 are combined with the leading end portions.

Then, similarly to S544, the small image data CBDn on the back surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise,
The rotated small image data CBDn is arranged in a preceding portion of the back side combined image data (hereinafter referred to as “back side combined image data NBDn”) of the combined image number Nn (S554). The image size of the combined image data NBDn is an image size corresponding to the maximum size. Then, the step process proceeds to S532.

  A boundary line indicated by a broken line or the like is combined with the combined image data NBDn at a position where the combined image data NBDn in which the small image data CBDn is arranged is divided into two in the vertical direction (S555). The combined image data NBDn synthesized in S554 and S555 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information INn and the “back surface”.

  As a result of the determination in S538, when it is determined that the small image number Cn is an odd number (S538: NO), “1” is added to the small image number Cn and the document image number Tn (S556). Then, similarly to S542, the sender information 34 and the document image number information ITn of the document image number T are combined with the small image data CFDn on the surface (S558).

  The small surface image data CFDn on the surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the rotated small image data CFDn is arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data NFDn on the surface synthesized in S544 (S560). In S560, the rotated small image data CFDn is combined with the subsequent portion of the combined image data NFDn stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information INn and “surface”. In the present embodiment, the subsequent portion is, for example, the lower half of the combined image data NFD1 on the surface of the transmission image number information IS5 in FIG. In S560, the generation of the combined image data NFDn of one surface is completed by combining the small image data of the two surfaces, and the combined image data NFDn, the combined image number information INn, and the “surface” are associated with each other. It is stored in the combined image memory 138. When the combined image data NFDn of the surface generated in S560 is stored in the combined image memory 138, the combined image data NFDn of the surface synthesized in S544 and S546 stored in the combined image memory 138 is deleted.

  It is determined whether or not the duplex transmission flag stored in the duplex transmission flag memory 142 is on (S564). If it is determined that the duplex transmission flag is off (S564: NO), the step process proceeds to S532. Is done.

  If it is determined that the double-sided transmission flag is on (S564: YES), “1” is added to the document image count Tn (S566). Then, similarly to S542, the sender information and the document image number information ITn of the document image number Tn are combined with the small image data CBDn on the back surface (S568).

  Similarly to S560, the small image data CBDn on the back surface is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the rotated small image data CBDn is arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data NBDn on the back surface synthesized in S554 ( S570). In S570, the rotated small image data CBDn is combined with the succeeding portion of the combined image data NBDn stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information INn and “back surface”. In S570, the two small image data on the back surface are combined to complete the generation of the combined image data NBDn on the back surface, and the combined image data NBDn, the combined image number information INn, and the “back surface” are associated with each other. Stored in the memory 138. When the back side combined image data NBDn generated in S570 is stored in the combined image memory 138, the back side combined image data NBDn synthesized in S554 stored in the combined image memory 138 is deleted.

  In S574, it is determined whether or not there is combined image data, that is, whether or not image data is stored in the combined image memory 138. In this embodiment, there is no combined image data NFDn and NBDn in which two small image data are combined in S560 and S570, and combined image data NFDn and NBDn in which one small image data is arranged in S544 and S554 are stored in the combined image memory 138. If it is stored, it is determined in S574 that there is combined image data. If the FAX transmission to the counterpart apparatus 200 in S520 and S530 is not completed in S574, the step process is not shifted to the next process until the FAX transmission is completed.

  As a result of the determination in S574, if it is determined that there is no combined image data (S574: NO), FAX transmission to the counterpart apparatus 200 is ended (S576), and this process is ended. In S576, a signal indicating that the closed telephone line is opened is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200, and the telephone line is opened.

  As a result of the determination in S574, when it is determined that there is combined image data (S576: YES), the step process proceeds to S578 shown in FIG. 6, and the small image number Cn stored in the small image number memory 139 is an even number. It is determined whether or not there is. As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the small image number Cn is an even number (S578: YES), the step process proceeds to S582.

  As a result of the determination in S578, when it is determined that the small image number Cn is an odd number (S578: NO), that is, the combined image data NFDn and NBDn in which one small image data that has been rotated in S544 and S554 is arranged. If present, page configuration image data PG indicating the page configuration is generated. Then, the page configuration image data PG is arranged in the subsequent portion where the small image data is not arranged in the combined image data NFDn and NBDn where one small image data that has been subjected to the rotation processing is arranged (S580).

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the page configuration image data PG is image data in which the transmission order of each image data transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 and the read document information are associated with each other. The transmission order of each image data is transmission document number information ISn corresponding to each image data. The read document information is information including a read document number Dn and identification information for identifying the front and back surfaces. In the present embodiment, the identification information for identifying the front surface and the back surface is indicated by “front” indicating the front surface or “back” indicating the back surface, for example, “1 table” shown in FIG. The page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 3C is combined with the combined image data NFD2 of the transmission document number information IS7 shown in FIG. Further, when the small image data arranged in the combined image data is image data based on the double-sided original, the front-side combined image data NFDn and the back-side combined image data NBDn in which the small image data based on the double-sided original is arranged. It is only necessary that the page configuration image data PG is arranged in at least one of them.

  The combined image number Nn is set to “0” (S582), and “1” is added to the transmission image number Sn and the combined image number Nn, respectively (S582). Next, similarly to S518, the combined image data NFDn on the surface of the combined image number information INn is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S586). Then, the transmission image number information ISn and the page information “table” are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the number of pages (S588). The number of pages transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 in S588 corresponds to the transmission order of the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 3C, and the page information is an identification for identifying the front and back surfaces included in the read document information. It corresponds to information.

  It is determined whether or not the duplex transmission flag stored in the duplex transmission flag memory 142 is on (S590). If it is determined that the duplex transmission flag is off (S590: NO), the step process proceeds to S598. Is done.

  When it is determined that the double-sided transmission flag is ON (S590: YES), “1” is added to the number of transmitted images Sn (S592), and the combined image data on the back surface of the combined image number information INn is the same as S518. NBDn is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S594). Then, the transmission image number information ISn and the page information “back” are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the number of pages (S596). The number of pages transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 in S596 corresponds to the transmission order of the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 3C, and the page information is an identification for identifying the front and back surfaces included in the read document information. It corresponds to information.

  The combined image data stored in the combined image memory 138 is deleted from the combined image memory 138 when it is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 in S588 and S596.

  In S598, it is determined whether there is next combined image data, that is, whether there is combined image data NFDn, NBDn stored in the combined image memory 138. In this embodiment, combined image data NFDn and NBDn obtained by combining two small image data are not stored, but combined image data NFDn and NBDn in which one small image data is arranged are stored in the combined image memory 138 in S544 and S554. If so, it is determined in S598 that there is next combined image data. If it is determined that there is no next combined image data NFDn, NBDn (S598: NO), the step process proceeds to S576. If it is determined that there is next combined image data NFDn, NBDn (S598: YES), the step process proceeds to S584.

  Here, the combined image FAX transmission processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described in detail by taking the document group shown in FIG. 3A as an example. In FIG. 3A, the direction indicated by the up and down arrows is the up and down direction. FIG. 3B shows image data transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 for the document group shown in FIG. 3A. The direction indicated by the left and right arrows is the left and right direction, and the direction indicated by the up and down arrows is the up and down direction. . In FIG. 3B, the vertical direction of the image data and the combined image data corresponds to the vertical direction shown in FIG. Further, the upward direction of the small image data CFD1, CBD2, and CFD3 corresponds to the left direction shown in FIG. 3B, and the upward direction of the small image data CFD2, CBD1, CBD3, and the page configuration image data PG is shown in FIG. It corresponds to the right direction shown in B).

  In FIG. 3B, the character string “1 table image data” written in the image data indicated by the rectangle indicates “image data on the surface of the document with the read document number“ 1 ””. A broken line written in the combined image data NFD1, NBD1, NFD2, and NBD2 shown in FIG. The character string “AAA” written in the image data and the combined image data shown in FIG. 3B indicates an example of the sender information 34, and the number written on the right side of the sender information 34 is document image number information. IT1 to IT10 are shown.

  The document group shown in FIG. 3A is composed of five double-sided documents P1 to P5. The document P1 with the read document number information ID1 is A3 size, and the document P2 with the read document number information ID2 is A4 size and read. The document P3 with document number information ID3 is A3 size, the document P4 with read document number information ID4 is A4 size, and the document P5 with read document number information ID5 is A4 size. In this embodiment, image data having an image size corresponding to the document size is generated and stored in the document image memory 135 for each of the front and back surfaces of each double-sided document in S402 shown in FIG. In S406, the “A3 size” which is the maximum size of the document group shown in FIG. 3A is detected.

  In this embodiment, the capability of the transmission / reception function of the counterpart device 200 received in S410 is that the maximum paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device 200 is A3 size, and image data of a double-sided document can be received. Then, it is assumed that an input for double-sided transmission is received by the user.

  First, in the present embodiment, since the counterpart device 200 can receive image data of a double-sided document, the display unit 16 displays a message for selecting whether or not double-side transmission is performed to the counterpart device 200. Then, when the user inputs the double-side transmission, the double-sided transmission flag stored in the double-sided transmission flag memory 142 is turned on (S500: YES shown in FIG. 5).

  Information indicating “recording size: A3 size, with duplex transmission” is transmitted to the partner apparatus 200 (S502), and then S506 is executed.

  In step S508, the read document number Dn is “1”. That is, the read document number Dn is D1, and the document size of the document P1 corresponding to the read document number D1 is A3 size, so in S510, it is determined that it is equal to or larger than the maximum size A3 size (S510: YES). In S514, the document image number Tn and the transmission image number Sn are “1”. That is, the number of document images is T1 and the number of transmitted images is S1.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT1 of “1” which is the document image number T1 are combined with the leading end portion of the image data DF1 on the surface of the read document D1 (S516), and the image data DF1 is sent to the partner apparatus 200. The transmission operation is started (S518). Then, “1” and page information “table” indicated by the transmission image number information IS1 as the number of pages are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S520). The page number “1” and the page information “table” transmitted in S520 are the read original information “1” corresponding to the transmission order “1” and the transmission order “1” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “table” included in the “table”.

  Since the double-sided transmission flag is on (S522: YES), the number of original images Tn and the number of transmitted images Sn are “2” in S524. That is, the number of original images T2 and the number of transmitted images S2 are obtained, and the sender data 34 and the original image number information IT2 of “2” which is the original image number T2 are combined with the image data DB1 on the back side of the read original D1 (S526). ). Then, transmission of the image data DB2 to the partner apparatus 200 is started (S528), and “2” and page information “back” indicated by the transmission image number information IS2 are transmitted to the partner apparatus 200 as the number of pages ( S530). The page number “2” and the page information “back” transmitted in S530 are read document information “1” corresponding to the transmission order “2” and the transmission order “2” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “back” included in the “back”.

  Since the image data of the originals P2 to P5 has not been processed, it is determined in S532 that the next original is present (S532: YES), and in S508, the read original number Dn is “2”, that is, D2.

  In S510 and S534, the A4 size that is the document size of the document P2 corresponding to the read document number D2 is half of the maximum size A3 size (S510: NO, S534: YES), and the step process proceeds to S536. Is done. Since the width of the document size of the document P2 is half of the width of the maximum size, the size conversion is not performed in S536, and the step process proceeds to S538.

  In S538, since the small image number Cn is “0”, that is, an even number (S538: YES), the step process proceeds to S540, the small image number Cn and the combined image number Nn become “1”, and the number of original images Tn. Becomes “3” (S540). That is, the small image number C1, the combined image number N1, and the document image number T3.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT3 “3”, which is the document image number T3, are combined with the leading end portion of the small image data CFD1 on the surface of the small image number C1 (S542). Next, the surface small image data CFD1 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the rotated small image data CFD1 is combined with the preceding portion of the surface combined image data NFD1 (S544). Then, the boundary line 38 is combined with the combined image data NFD1 on the surface of the combined image number N1 (S546). The combined combined image data NFD1 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN1 and “surface”.

  Since the duplex transmission flag is on (S548: YES), the document image count Tn becomes “4” in S550. That is, the number of document images is T4, and the sender information 34 and the document image number information IT4 of “4” which is the number of document images T4 are combined with the small image data CBD1 on the back surface of the small image number C1 (S552). Then, the small image data CBD1 on the back surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the rotated small image data CBD1 is combined with the preceding portion of the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface of the combined image number N1 (S554). Then, the boundary line 38 is combined with the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface (S555). The combined combined image data NBD1 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN1 and the “back surface”.

  Since the image data of the originals P3 to P5 is unprocessed, it is determined in S532 that the next original is present (S532: YES), and in S508, the read original number Dn is “3”, that is, D3.

  In S510, the A3 size that is the document size of the document P3 corresponding to the read document number D3 is determined to be equal to or larger than the A3 size that is the maximum size (S510: YES), and in the same manner as in the case of the image data of the document P1, in S514. The document image count Tn is “5” and the transmission image count Sn is “3”. That is, the number of document images is T5 and the number of transmitted images is S3.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT5 of “5” which is the document image number T5 are combined with the leading end portion of the image data DF3 on the surface of the read document D3 (S516), and the image data DF3 is sent to the counterpart apparatus 200. Is started (S518). Then, “3” and page information “table” indicated by the transmission image number information IS3 as the number of pages are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S520). The page number “3” and the page information “table” transmitted in S520 are the read original information “3” corresponding to the transmission order “3” and the transmission order “3” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “table” included in the “table”.

  Since the double-sided transmission flag is on (S522: YES), the number of document images Tn is “6” and the number of transmitted images Sn is “4” in S524. That is, the number of original images T6 and the number of transmitted images S4 are obtained, and the sender information 34 and the original image number information IT6 of “6” as the original image number T6 are combined with the image data DB3 on the back side of the read original D3 (S526). ). Then, transmission of the image data DB 3 to the counterpart apparatus 200 is started (S528), and “4” and page information “back” indicated by the transmission image number information IS4 are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the number of pages ( S530). The page number “4” and the page information “back” transmitted in S530 are read document information “3” corresponding to the transmission order “4” and the transmission order “4” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “back” included in the “back”.

  Since the image data of the originals P4 and P5 is unprocessed, it is determined in S532 that the next original is present (S532: YES), and in S508, the read original number D is “4”, that is, D4.

  In S510 and S534, the A4 size, which is the document size of the document P4 corresponding to the read document number D4, is half of the A3 size, which is the maximum size (S510: NO, S534: YES), so the step process proceeds to S536. Is done. In S536, as in the case of the image data of the document P2, the size conversion is not performed and the step process proceeds to S538.

  In S538, since the small image number Cn is “1”, that is, an odd number (S538: NO), the step process proceeds to S556. In S556, the small image number Cn becomes “2” and the document image number Tn becomes “2”. 7 ". That is, the small image number C2 and the document image number T7 are obtained.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT7 of “7”, which is the document image number T7, are combined with the leading end portion of the small image data CFD2 on the surface of the small image number C2 (S558). Next, the small surface image data CFD2 on the surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the rotated small image data CFD2 is combined with the subsequent portion of the combined image data NFD1 on the surface (S560). In S560, the generation of the combined image data NFD1 for the surface is completed by combining the small image data CFD1 and CFD2 for the two surfaces. The generated combined image data NFD1 for the surface is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN1 and “surface”. When the combined image data NFD1 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in S560, the combined image data NFD1 synthesized in S544 already stored in the combined image memory 138 is deleted.

  Since the double-sided transmission flag is on (S564: YES), the document image count Tn becomes “8” in S566. That is, the number of original images is T8, and the sender image 34 and the original image number information IT8 of “8” which is the original image number T8 are combined with the small image data CBD2 on the back surface of the small image number C2 (S568). Then, the small image data CBD2 on the back surface is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the rotated small image data CBD2 is combined with the subsequent portion of the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface (S570). In S570, the generation of the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface is completed by combining the two small image data CBD1 and CBD2 on the back surface. The generated combined image data NBD1 for the back surface is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN1 and “back surface”. When the combined image data NBD1 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in S570, the combined image data NBD1 synthesized in S554 already stored in the combined image memory 138 is deleted.

  Since the image data of the document P5 is unprocessed, it is determined in S532 that the next document exists (S532: YES), and in S508, the value of the read document number D is “5”, that is, D5.

  In S510 and S534, the A4 size, which is the document size of the document P5 corresponding to the read document number D5, is half of the A3 size, which is the maximum size (S510: NO, S534: YES), so the step process proceeds to S536. Is done. In S536, as in the case of the image data of the document P2, the size conversion is not performed and the step process proceeds to S538.

  In S538, since the small image number Cn is “2”, that is, an even number (S538: YES), in S540, the small image number Cn is “3”, the combined image number Nn is “2”, and the document image number Tn is “9”. " That is, the small image number C3, the combined image number N2, and the document image number T9.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT9 of “9”, which is the document image number T9, are combined with the leading end portion of the small image data CFD3 on the surface of the small image number C3 (S542). Next, the surface small image data CFD3 is rotated by 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the rotated small image data CFD3 is combined with the preceding portion of the surface combined image data NFD2 of the combined image number N2 (S544). Then, the boundary line 38 is synthesized with the combined image data NFD2 on the surface (S546). The combined combined image data NFD 2 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN 2 and “surface”.

  Since the double-sided transmission flag is on (S548: YES), the document image count Tn becomes “10” in S550. That is, the number of original images T10, and the sender information 34 and the original image number information IT10 of “10” which is the original image number T10 are combined with the small image data CBD3 on the back surface of the small image number C3 (S552). Then, the small image data CBD3 on the back surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the rotated small image data CBD3 is combined with the preceding portion of the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface of the combined image number N2 (S554). Then, the boundary line 38 is combined with the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface (S555). The combined combined image data NBD2 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN2 and the “back surface”.

  Since there is no unprocessed image data among the image data stored in the read image memory 135, it is determined in S532 that there is no next document (S532: NO), and the step process proceeds to S574. Since the combined image data NFD1 and NBD1 with the combined image number N1 and the combined image data NFD2 and NBD2 with the combined image number N2 are stored in the combined image memory 138 (S574: YES), step processing is shown in FIG. The process proceeds to S578.

  In S578, since the small image number Cn is “3”, that is, an odd number (S578: NO), the page configuration image data PG is generated, and the combined image data NFD2, in which one small image data is arranged in S544 and S554, The page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 3C is arranged in the subsequent portion of the NBD 2 (S580). The page configuration image data PG may be arranged in at least one of the combined image data NFD2 on the front surface and the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface.

  The combined image number Nn is set to “0” (S582). In S584, the number of transmitted images Sn is “5” and the combined image number Nn is “1”. That is, the number of transmission images is S5 and the combined image number is N1. Next, the combined image data NFD1 on the surface of the combined image number N1 is transmitted to the counterpart device 200 (S586), and “5” and page information “table” indicated by the transmission image number information IS5 are displayed as the number of pages. 200 (S588). The page number “5” and the page information “table” transmitted in S588 are the read original information “2” corresponding to the transmission order “5” and the transmission order “5” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “table” included in “table 4 table”.

  Since the duplex transmission flag is on (S590: YES), the number of transmitted images Sn is “6” (S592). That is, the number of transmitted originals is S6, and the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface of the combined image number N1 is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S594). Then, “6” and page information “back” indicated by the transmission image number information IS6 are transmitted as the number of pages to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S596). The page number “6” and the page information “back” transmitted in S596 are the read original information “2” corresponding to the transmission order “6” and the transmission order “6” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. This corresponds to the identification information “back” included in “back 4 back”.

  In S598, since the combined image data NFD2 and NBD2 of the combined image number information IN2 are stored in the combined image memory 138, it is determined that there is the next combined image data (S598: YES), and the step process proceeds to S584. Is done.

  In S584, the number of transmitted images Sn is “7” and the combined image number Nn is “2”. That is, the transmission image number S7 and the combined image number N2. Next, the combined image data NFD2 on the surface of the combined image number N2 is transmitted to the counterpart device 200 (S586), and “7” and page information “table” indicated by the transmission image number information IS7 as the number of pages are the counterpart device. 200 (S588). The page number “7” and the page information “table” transmitted in S588 are the read original information “5” corresponding to the transmission order “7” and the transmission order “7” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “table” included in the “table”.

  Since the double-sided transmission flag is on (S590: YES), the number of transmitted images Sn is “8” (S592). That is, the number of transmitted images is S8, and the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface of the combined image number N2 is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S594). Then, “8” and page information “back” indicated by the transmission image number information IS8 are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the number of pages (S596). The page number “8” and the page information “back” transmitted in S596 are the read original information “5” corresponding to the transmission order “8” and the transmission order “8” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “back” included in the “back”.

  In S598, since there is no combined image data stored in the combined image memory 138 (S598: NO), FAX transmission to the partner apparatus 200 is ended in S576, and this processing is ended.

  As described above, the image data and the combined image data shown in FIG. 3B are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 by the combined image FAX transmission process.

  According to the present embodiment, when transmitting one original group consisting of originals in which a plurality of types of original sizes are mixed, the maximum sheet size recordable by the counterpart apparatus 200 is equal to or larger than the maximum size of the read original. In FIG. 5, a plurality of small image data having an image size corresponding to a document size equal to or less than half the maximum size is combined in accordance with the maximum size and transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). For example, in the case of the document group shown in FIG. 3A, two pieces of small image data having an image size corresponding to the A4 size are combined in accordance with the A3 size and transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the communication time with the counterpart apparatus 200 without performing communication for changing the control setting accompanying the change in the document size.

  A plurality of small image data having an image size corresponding to a document size less than half the maximum size is combined to generate combined image data (see FIG. 5). As a result, combined image data obtained by combining a plurality of small image data without being reduced can be generated and transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200, so that the image formed based on the combined image data may be crushed. Can be suppressed.

  When the small image data is detected (S510: NO shown in FIG. 5), the detected small image data and the small image data generated after the detected small image data are generated match the maximum size. (See S534 to S570 shown in FIG. 5). For example, like the combined image data NFD1 shown in FIG. 3B, the small image data CFD1 and the small image data CFD2 generated after the generation of the small image data CFD1 are combined in accordance with the A3 size. Thereby, a plurality of small image data can be reliably combined in accordance with the maximum size.

  The combined image FAX transmission processing (see FIGS. 5 and 6) in the present embodiment is performed when image data of a document with a predetermined read document number included in one document group is started to be transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200, or When the combined image data is stored in the combined image memory 138, the combined image FAX transmission process is started for the image data of the document having the next read document number. That is, combined image data is generated while image data that is not combined as combined image data is being transmitted from one document group. Further, when transmission of image data not combined as combined image data to the counterpart apparatus 200 is completed, the combined image data is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (see S574 shown in FIG. 5).

  For example, when the combined image FAX transmission process is executed for the document group shown in FIG. 3A, when transmission of the image data DF1 and DB1 to the counterpart apparatus 200 is started as shown in FIG. In parallel with the transmission process, the combined image FAX transmission process is started for the small image data CFD1 and CBD1. When the image data DF3 and DB3 are started to be transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200, the combined image FAX transmission process is started for the small image data CFD2 and CBD2 in parallel with the transmission process. When the transmission of the image data DF3 and DB3 is completed, the combined image data NFD1, NBD1, NFD2, and NBD2 are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200. Thereby, the communication time with the other party apparatus 200 can further be reduced.

  To each of the plurality of pieces of image data, sender information 34 including at least one of transmission source information, transmission destination information, and transmission date / time information and document image number information ITn are added (FIG. 3B and FIG. 3). S516, S526, S542, S552, S558, and S568 shown in FIG. Thereby, for example, even when the user of the counterpart apparatus 200 prints the received combined image data and cuts it in units of small image data, the sender information 34 is added to all the image data. Thus, it is possible to easily manage the document by the user of the counterpart device 200. Further, since the document image number information ITn is added to all the image data, the user of the counterpart apparatus 200 can easily recognize the document order. In particular, as in the case of the document group shown in FIG. 3A of the present embodiment, when combined image data is generated by combining small image data that are not consecutive in the order in which the documents are read, This is suitable when image data is not transmitted to the counterpart device 200 in correspondence with the reading order.

  A boundary line 38 indicating a boundary is added between positions where the combined image data is vertically divided, that is, small image data combined as combined image data (S546 and S562 shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 5). reference). As a result, the user of the counterpart apparatus 200 can easily recognize that it is combined image data.

  Of the two small image data, one is rotated 90 degrees clockwise and the other is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise (see S544 and S560 shown in FIG. 5). Of the two rotated small image data, one is arranged in the preceding portion of the combined image data and the other is arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data and combined. Thereby, for example, when the user of the counterpart apparatus 200 prints the received combined image data and cuts in units of small image data, the cut sides of the small image data are aligned, so that the user of the counterpart apparatus 200 can easily bundle them. Printing results can be provided.

  For example, the combined image data NFD1 shown in FIG. 3B includes small image data CFD2 obtained by rotating the small image data CFD1 rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise by 90 degrees clockwise in the preceding portion of the combined image data NFD1. Are arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data NFD1. When the user of the counterpart apparatus 200 prints the combined image data NFD1 shown in FIG. 3B and cuts in units of small image data CFD1 and CFD2, the cut sides in the small image data CFD1 and CFD2 are aligned on the left side.

  In the case of a double-sided document, the small image data CFDn on the front surface rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise is arranged in the preceding portion of the combined image data NFDn on the front surface (see S544 shown in FIG. 5) and rotated 90 degrees clockwise. The small image data CFDn on the surface is arranged and combined in the subsequent portion of the combined image data NFDn on the surface (see S560). Further, the back side small image data CBDn rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction is arranged in the preceding portion of the back side combined image data NBDn (see S554), and the back side small image data CBDn rotated 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction It is arranged and combined in the subsequent portion of the combined image data NBDn on the back surface (see S570 shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 5). Thereby, for example, when the double-side combined image data NFDn and NBDn received by the user of the counterpart device 200 are printed and cut in units of small image data CFDn and CBDn, the cut sides in the small image data CFDn and CBDn are aligned on the left side. The printing result can be provided to the user of the counterpart apparatus 200 with the same configuration as the original.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, among the image data of documents included in one document group, the small image data is generated in the order of generation of the image data, that is, whether the read document numbers of the documents corresponding to the small image data are consecutive. Regardless, combined image data in which two small image data are combined is generated. In the second embodiment, when the read document numbers of the documents corresponding to the small image data are consecutive among the image data of the documents included in one document group, the two small images of the document with the read document number are consecutive. A case where data are combined will be described. In the following description, only configurations and operations different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and detailed descriptions of configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

<Appearance configuration>
An external configuration of the MFP 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the front side of MFP 1 shown in FIG. 7 is the front side, the direction indicated by the left and right arrows is the left and right direction, the direction indicated by the front and rear of the arrow is the front and rear direction, and the direction indicated by the upper and lower arrows is the vertical direction.

  In the following description, only a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described, and portions having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  The operation unit 6 provided in the upper front portion of the MFP 1 includes an operation key 15 and a display unit 16 such as an LCD. The operation keys 15 include a FAX setting screen display key 151, a parameter setting key 152, a numeric key 153, a start key 154, a continuous connection setting key 155, and the like.

  Since the FAX setting screen display key 151, the parameter setting key 152, the numeric key 153, and the start key 154 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The continuous connection setting key 155 is a key for setting the continuous connection setting. The continuous combination setting refers to whether or not to combine small image data based on whether or not the read document number of the document corresponding to the small image data is continuous among the image data of the documents included in one document group. Is to decide.

  Since the configuration of the display unit 16 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Electrical configuration>
The electrical configuration of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, only the configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described, and the same configuration as that of the first embodiment uses the same numbers as those in FIG. 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The ROM 12 is a non-rewritable memory that stores a control program executed by the MFP 1. The ROM 12 stores the image communication program of the present invention. Specifically, each program for executing the FAX transmission process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and the combined image FAX transmission process according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. I remember it. The ROM 12 stores the length in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in each document size such as A4 size, B4 size, and A3 size. The ROM 12 stores image quality “standard”, “fine (photo)”, and “super fine” selectable by the user in association with the corresponding resolutions.

  The flash memory 14 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and the data stored in the flash memory 14 is retained even after the MFP 1 is powered off. The flash memory 14 includes a transmission destination registration memory 147, an image quality setting memory 148, and a continuous connection setting memory 149.

  Since the transmission destination registration memory 147 and the image quality setting memory 148 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The continuous connection setting memory 149 is a memory in which a continuous connection setting flag is stored. The continuous combination setting flag is a flag indicating whether or not to perform continuous combination described later based on the operation of the continuous combination setting key 155 by the user. Continuous combination refers to two small image data of a document having a read document number when the read document number of a document corresponding to the small image data is consecutive among the image data of the document included in one document group. Is to be combined. For example, in the documents P1 to P5 shown in FIG. 11A, when continuous combination is set, the image data of the document P4 with the read document number information ID4 and the image data of the document P5 with the read document number information ID5 are combined. Is done.

  When the continuous connection setting is ON, it indicates that continuous connection is performed. On the other hand, when the continuous combination setting is off, continuous combination is not performed, that is, whether the read document number of the document corresponding to the small image data among the image data of the document included in one document group is continuous. Regardless, it shows that two small image data are combined. That is, when the continuous connection setting is OFF, the same operation as that of the first embodiment is executed.

<Operation of Embodiment>
Next, the operation of the MFP 1 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4, 9, 10, and 11A to 11C. Note that the document group shown in FIG. 11A is the same as the document group shown in FIG.

(FAX transmission processing)
Since the FAX transmission processing according to the second embodiment is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Combined image FAX transmission processing)
Next, the combined image FAX transmission process (S418 shown in FIG. 4) executed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. When image data of a document with a predetermined read document number included in one document group is started to be transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200, or when combined image data is generated and stored in the combined image memory 138, the next The combined image FAX transmission process is started for the image data of the original of the read original number. That is, even if the combined image FAX transmission process is not completed for the image data of the document of a predetermined read document number included in one document group, the transmission is started or generated after the transmission to the counterpart apparatus 200 is completed. If the combined image data is stored in the combined image memory 138, the combined image FAX transmission process is started in parallel for the image data of the next reading document number.

  In the present embodiment, the processing of S900 to S955 shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing of S500 to S555 (see FIG. 5) in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In S938 shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the small image number Cn stored in the small image number memory 139 is an even number. As a result of the determination, it is determined that the small image number Cn is an odd number (S938). : NO), it is determined whether or not there is a continuous connection setting (S956). That is, in S956, it is determined whether or not the continuous connection setting flag stored in the continuous connection memory 148 is ON.

  As a result of the determination in S956, if it is determined that there is no continuous coupling setting, that is, the continuous coupling setting flag is OFF (S956: NO), the step process proceeds to S960. If it is determined that the continuous combination setting is present, that is, it is determined that the continuous combination setting flag is ON (S956: YES), the read document number Dn is set to the read document number of the document corresponding to the small image data of the small image number Cn. It is determined whether or not the value is equal to the value obtained by adding “1” (S958). In S958, it is determined whether or not the read document number Dn and the read document number of the document corresponding to the last rotated image data among the plurality of rotated small image data are consecutive. The rotation process is a process of S944, S954, S964, or S974 described later.

  If the result of the determination in S958 is that the read document number Dn is different from the value obtained by adding “1” to the read document number of the document corresponding to the small image data of the small image number Cn (S958: NO), the small document number Cn “1” is added (S959), and the step process proceeds to S940. If the read document number Dn is equal to the value obtained by adding “1” to the read document number of the document corresponding to the small image data of the small image number Cn (S958: YES), the step process proceeds to S960.

  The processes in S960 to S980 shown in FIG. 9 are the same as S556 to S576 (see FIG. 5) in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As a result of the determination in S978, if it is determined that there is combined image data (S978: YES), the process proceeds to S982 shown in FIG. 10, and combined image data NFDn and NBDn in which one rotated small image data is arranged are displayed. It is determined whether or not there is. That is, in S982, it is determined whether or not there is combined image data NFDn and NBDn in which one small image data is arranged in S944 and S954 among the image data stored in the combined image memory 138. As a result of the determination in S982, if it is determined that there is no combined image data NFDn, NBDn in which one small image data is arranged (S982: NO), the step process proceeds to S988.

  As a result of the determination in S982, if it is determined that there is combined image data NFDn and NBDn in which one small image data is arranged (S982: YES), page configuration image data PG indicating the page configuration is generated. Then, the page configuration image data PG is arranged in the succeeding portion where the small image data is not arranged in the combined image data NFDn and NBDn where one small image data is arranged (S984).

  As shown in FIG. 11C, the page configuration image data PG is image data in which the transmission order of each image data transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 and the read document information are associated with each other. The transmission order of each image data is transmission document number information ISn corresponding to each image data. The read document information is information including a read document number Dn and identification information for identifying the front and back surfaces. In the present embodiment, the identification information for identifying the front surface and the back surface is indicated by “front” indicating the front surface or “back” indicating the back surface, for example, “1 table” shown in FIG. The page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 11C is combined with the combined image data NFD1 of the transmission document number information IS5 shown in FIG. 11B.

  If there are a plurality of combined image data NFDn and NBDn in which one small image data is arranged in S984, the page configuration image data PG may be arranged in at least one of the plurality of combined image data NFDn and NBDn. . When the small image data arranged in the combined image data NFDn and NBDn is image data based on the double-sided original, the combined image data NFDn on the front surface or the combined image data NBDn on the back side where the small image data based on the double-sided original is arranged. The page configuration image data PG may be arranged in at least one of them. For example, in the case of the image data shown in FIG. 11B, the combined image data NFD1 and NBD1 in which small image data CFD1 and CBD1 based on double-sided originals are arranged are images in which one small image data CFD1 and CBD1 are arranged, respectively. It is data. In S984, the page configuration image data PG may be arranged in the subsequent portion of one of the combined image data NFD1 and NBD1.

  Since the processing of S986 to S1002 shown in FIG. 10 is the same as S582 to S598 (see FIG. 6) in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Here, the combined image FAX transmission processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 will be described in detail by taking the document group shown in FIG. 11A as an example. The document group shown in FIG. 11A is the same as the document group shown in FIG. In FIG. 11A, the direction indicated by the up and down arrows is the vertical direction. FIG. 11B shows image data transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 for the document group shown in FIG. 11A. The direction indicated by the left and right arrows is the left and right direction, and the direction indicated by the up and down arrows is the vertical direction. . In FIG. 11B, the vertical direction of the image data and the combined image data corresponds to the vertical direction shown in FIG. Further, the upward direction of the small image data CFD1, CFD3, CBD4 corresponds to the left direction shown in FIG. 11B, and the upward direction of the small image data CBD1, CBD3, CFD4 and the page configuration image data PG is shown in FIG. It corresponds to the right direction shown in B).

  In FIG. 11B, the character string “1 table image data” written in the image data indicated by the rectangle indicates “image data of the surface of the document with the read document number“ 1 ””. A broken line written in the combined image data NFD1, NBD1, NFD2, and NBD2 shown in FIG. The character string “AAA” written in the image data and the combined image data shown in FIG. 11B indicates an example of the sender information 34, and the number written on the right side of the sender information 34 is the document image number information. IT1 to IT10 are shown.

  The document group shown in FIG. 11A is composed of five double-sided documents P1 to P5, similar to the document group shown in FIG. 3A, and the document P1 with the read document number information IDI is A3 size. Document P2 with read document number information ID2 is A4 size, document P3 with read document number information ID3 is A3 size, document P4 with read document number information ID4 is A4 size, and document P5 with read document number information ID5 is A4 size. Yes. In this embodiment, image data having an image size corresponding to the document size is generated and stored in the document image memory 135 for each of the front and back surfaces of each double-sided document in S402 shown in FIG. In step S406, “A3 size” which is the maximum size of the document group shown in FIG. 11A is detected.

  In the present embodiment, the capability of the transmission / reception function of the counterpart device 200 received in S410 is that the maximum sheet size that can be recorded by the counterpart device 200 is A3 size, and image data of a double-sided document can be received. Then, it is assumed that an input for double-sided transmission is received by the user. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the continuous connection setting flag stored in the continuous connection setting memory 148 is on based on the operation of the continuous connection setting key 155 by the user.

  First, in the present embodiment, since the counterpart device 200 can receive image data of a double-sided document, the display unit 16 displays a message for selecting whether or not double-side transmission is performed to the counterpart device 200. Then, when the user inputs the double-side transmission input, the double-sided transmission flag stored in the double-sided transmission flag memory 142 is turned on (S900 in FIG. 9: YES).

  Information indicating “recording size: A3 size, with duplex transmission” is transmitted to the partner apparatus 200 (S902), and then S506 is executed.

  In step S908, the read original Dn becomes “1”. That is, since the read document number Dn is D1 and the document size of the document P1 corresponding to the read document number D1 is A3 size, it is determined in S910 that the document size is equal to or greater than the maximum size A3 (S910: YES). In step S914, the document image number Tn and the transmission image number Sn are “1”. That is, the number of document images is T1 and the number of transmitted images is S1.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT1 of “1” which is the document image number T1 are combined with the leading end portion of the image data DF1 on the surface of the read document D1 (S916), and the image data DF1 is sent to the partner apparatus 200. The transmission operation is started (S918). Then, “1” and page information “table” indicated by the transmission image number information IS1 as the number of pages are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S920). The page number “1” and the page information “table” transmitted in S920 are the read original information “1” corresponding to the transmission order “1” and the transmission order “1” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “table” included in the “table”.

  Since the duplex transmission flag is on (S922: YES), the number of original images Tn and the number of transmitted images Sn are “2” in S924. That is, the number of original images T2 and the number of transmitted images S2 are obtained, and the sender information 34 and the original image number information IT2 of “2” as the original image number T2 are combined with the image data DB1 on the back side of the read original D1 (S926). ). Then, transmission of the image data DB2 to the counterpart apparatus 200 is started (S928), and “2” and page information “back” indicated by the transmission image number information IS2 are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the number of pages ( S930). The page number “2” and the page information “back” transmitted in S930 are the read original information “1” corresponding to the transmission order “2” and the transmission order “2” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “back” included in the “back”.

  Since the image data of the originals P2 to P5 is unprocessed, it is determined in S932 that there is a next original (S932: YES), and in S908, the read original number Dn is “2”, that is, D2.

  In S910 and S934, since the A4 size that is the document size of the document P2 corresponding to the read document number D2 is half of the maximum size A3 size (S910: NO, S934: YES), the step process is S936. It is moved to. Since the width of the document size of the document P2 is half of the width of the maximum size, the size conversion is not performed in S936, and the step process proceeds to S938.

  In S938, since the small image number Cn is “0”, that is, an even number (S938: YES), the step process is shifted to S940, the small image number Cn and the combined image number Nn become “1”, and the document image number Tn. Becomes “3” (S940). That is, the small image number C1, the combined image number N1, and the document image number T3.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT3 “3”, which is the document image number T3, are combined with the leading end portion of the small image data CFD1 on the surface of the small image number C1 (S942). Next, the surface small image data CFD1 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the rotated small image data CFD1 is combined with the preceding portion of the surface combined image data NFD1 of the combined image number N1 (S944). Then, the boundary line 38 is synthesized with the combined image data NFD1 on the surface (S946). The combined combined image data NFD1 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN1 and “surface”.

  Since the duplex transmission flag is on (S948: YES), the number of document images Tn becomes “4” in S950. That is, the number of original images is T4, and the sender information 34 and the original image number information IT4 of “4” which is the original image number T4 are combined with the small image data CBD1 on the back surface of the small image number C1 (S952). The small image data CBD1 on the back surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the rotated small image data CBD1 is combined with the preceding portion of the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface of the combined image number N1 (S954). Then, the boundary line 38 is synthesized with the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface (S955). The combined combined image data NBD1 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN1 and the “back surface”.

  Since the image data of the originals P3 to P5 is unprocessed, it is determined in S932 that there is a next original (S932: YES), and in S908, the read original number Dn is “3”, that is, D3.

  In S910, the A3 size that is the document size of the document P3 corresponding to the read document number D3 is determined to be equal to or larger than the A3 size that is the maximum size (S910: YES), and in the same manner as in the case of the image data of the document P1, in S914. The document image count Tn is “5” and the transmission image count Sn is “3”. That is, the number of document images is T5 and the number of transmitted images is S3.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT5 of “5” which is the document image number T5 are combined with the leading end portion of the image data DF3 on the surface of the read document D3 (S916), and the image data DF3 is sent to the partner apparatus 200. Is started (S918). Then, “3” and page information “table” indicated by the transmission image number information IS3 are transmitted as the number of pages to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S920). The page number “3” and the page information “table” transmitted in S920 are the read original information “3” corresponding to the transmission order “3” and the transmission order “3” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “table” included in the “table”.

  Since the double-sided transmission flag is on (S922: YES), the number of document images T is “6” and the number of transmitted images S is “4” in S924. That is, the number of original images T6 and the number of transmitted images S4 are obtained, and the sender information 34 and the original image number information IT6 of “6” as the original image number T6 are combined with the image data DB3 on the back side of the read original D3 (S926). ). Then, transmission of the image data DB 3 to the counterpart apparatus 200 is started (S928), and “4” and page information “back” indicated by the transmission image number information IS4 are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the number of pages ( S930). The page number “4” and the page information “back” transmitted in S930 are the read original information “3” corresponding to the transmission order “4” and the transmission order “4” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “back” included in the “back”.

  Since the image data of the originals P4 and P5 is unprocessed, it is determined in S932 that there is a next original (S932: YES), and in S908, the read original number D is “4”, that is, D4.

  In S910 and S934, the A4 size, which is the original size of the original P4 corresponding to the read original number D4, is half of the maximum A3 size (S910: NO, S934: YES), so the step process proceeds to S936. Is done. In S936, as in the case of the image data CFD1 and CBD1 of the original P2, the size conversion is not performed and the step process proceeds to S938.

  In S938, since the small image number Cn is “1”, that is, an odd number (S938: NO), it is determined whether or not there is a continuous connection setting (S956). In this embodiment, since the continuous connection setting flag is on, it is determined that there is a continuous connection setting (S956: YES), and the step process proceeds to S958.

  Since the read document number Dn is “4” and the read document number Dn of the document P2 corresponding to the small image data CFD1 and CBD1 of the small image number C1 is “2”, in S958, the read document number D4 is set. It is determined that a certain “4” is different from a value “3” obtained by adding “1” to “2” which is the read document number D2 of the document P2 (S958: NO). In S959, the small image number Cn is “2”, that is, C2 (S959), and the step process proceeds to S940.

  In S940, the small image number Cn is “3”, the combined image number Nn is “2”, and the document image number Tn is “7”. That is, the small image number C3, the combined image number N2, and the original image number T7 are set. The sender image 34 and the original image number “7”, which is the original image number T7, are placed at the leading end of the small image data CFD3 on the surface of the small image number C3. The numerical information IT7 is combined (S942). Next, the small surface image data CFD3 on the surface is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the rotated small image data CFD3 is combined with the preceding portion of the combined image data NFD2 on the surface with the combined image number N2 (S944). Then, the boundary line 38 is synthesized with the combined image data NFD2 on the surface (S946). The combined combined image data NFD 2 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN 2 and “surface”.

  Since the duplex transmission flag is on (S948: YES), the number of document images Tn becomes “8” in S950. That is, the number of original images is T8, and the sender image 34 and the original image number information IT8 of “8” which is the original image number T8 are combined with the small image data CBD3 on the back surface of the small image number C3 (S952). Next, the small image data CBD3 on the back surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the rotated small image data CBD3 is combined with the preceding portion of the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface of the combined image number N2 (S954). Then, the boundary line 38 is synthesized with the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface (S955). The combined combined image data NBD2 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN2 and the “back surface”.

  Since the image data of the original P5 is unprocessed, it is determined in S932 that there is a next original (S932: YES), and in S908, the read original number Dn is “5”, that is, D5.

  In S910 and S934, the A4 size, which is the original size of the original P5 corresponding to the read original number D5, is half of the maximum A3 size (S910: NO, S934: YES), so the step process proceeds to S936. Is done. In step S936, as in the case of the image data of the document P2, the size conversion is not performed and the step process proceeds to step S938.

  In S938, since the small image number Cn is “3”, that is, an odd number (S938: NO), it is determined whether or not there is a continuous connection setting (S956). In this embodiment, since the continuous connection setting flag is on, it is determined that there is a continuous connection setting (S956: YES), and the step process proceeds to S958.

  Since the read document number Dn is “5” and the read document number Dn of the document P4 corresponding to the small image data CFD3 and CBD3 of the small image number C3 is “4”, in S958, the read document number D5 is set. It is determined that a certain “5” is equal to a value “5” obtained by adding “1” to “4” which is the read document number D4 of the document P4 corresponding to the small image data CFD3 and CBD3 (S958: YES). In S960, the small image number Cn is “4”, and the document image number Tn is “9”. That is, the small image number C4 and the document image number T9 are obtained.

  The sender information 34 and the document image number information IT9 of “9” which is the document image number T9 are combined with the leading end portion of the small image data CFD4 on the surface of the small image number C4 (S962). Next, the small surface image data CFD4 on the surface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the rotated small image data CFD4 is combined with the subsequent portion of the combined image data NFD2 on the surface (S964). In S964, the generation of the combined image data NFD2 for the surface is completed by combining the small image data CFD3 and CFD4 for the two surfaces. The generated combined image data NFD2 for the surface is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN2 and “surface”. When the combined image data NFD2 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in S964, the combined image data NFD2 synthesized in S944 stored in the combined image memory 138 is deleted.

  Since the duplex transmission flag is on (S968: YES), the number of document images Tn is “10” in S970, that is, T10, and the sender information 34 and the number of document images T10 are added to the small image data CBD4 on the back surface of the small image number C4. Is combined with the document image number information IT10 of “10” (S972). Then, the small image data CBD4 on the back surface is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the rotated small image data CBD4 is combined with the subsequent portion of the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface (S974). In S974, the generation of the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface is completed by combining the two small image data CBD3 and CBD4 on the back surface. The generated combined image data NBD2 for the back surface is stored in the combined image memory 138 in association with the combined image number information IN2 and “back surface”. When the combined image data NBD2 is stored in the combined image memory 138 in S974, the combined image data NBD2 synthesized in S954 already stored in the combined image memory 138 is deleted.

  Since there is no unprocessed image data among the image data stored in the read image memory 135, it is determined in S932 that there is no next original (S932: NO), and the step process proceeds to S978. Since the combined image memory 138 stores combined image data NFD1 and NBD1 with combined image number N1 and combined image data NFD2 and NBD2 with combined image number N2 (S978: YES). The step process is shifted to S982 shown in FIG.

  Since the combined image data NFD1 and NBD1 are arranged one by one for the small image data CFD1 and CBD1 of the small image number C1, it is determined in S982 that there is combined image data in which one small image data is arranged. (S982: YES). Then, the page configuration image data PG is generated, and the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 11C is arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data NFD1 and NBD1 (S984). The page configuration image data PG may be arranged in at least one of the combined image data NFD1 on the front surface or the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 (B), the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. 11 (C) is added to the succeeding portion of the combined image data NFD1 on the surface of the small image number C1 generated first. It is combined with the image data CFD1.

  The combined image number Nn is set to “0” (S986), the number of transmitted images Sn is “5”, and the combined image number Nn is “1” (S988). That is, the number of transmission images is S5 and the combined image number is N1. Next, the combined image data NFD1 on the surface of the combined image number N1 is transmitted to the counterpart device 200 (S990), and “5” and page information “table” indicated by the transmission image number information IS5 are displayed as the number of pages. 200 (S992). The page number “5” and the page information “table” transmitted in S992 are read document information “2” corresponding to the transmission order “5” and the transmission order “5” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “table” included in the “table”.

  Since the double-sided transmission flag is on (S994: YES), the number of transmitted images Sn is “6” (S996). That is, the number of transmitted originals is S6, and the combined image data NBD1 on the back surface of the combined image number N1 is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S998). Then, “6” and page information “back” indicated by the transmission image number information IS6 are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 as the number of pages (S1000). The page number “6” and the page information “back” transmitted in S1000 are read document information “2” corresponding to the transmission order “6” and the transmission order “6” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “back” included in the “back”.

  In S1002, since the combined image data NFD2 and NBD2 of the combined image number information IN2 are stored in the combined image memory 138 (S1002: YES), the step process proceeds to S988.

  In S988, the number of transmitted images Sn is “7”, and the combined image number Nn is “2”. That is, the transmission image number S7 and the combined image number N2. Next, the combined image data NFD2 on the surface of the combined image number N2 is transmitted to the counterpart device 200 (S990), and “7” and page information “table” indicated by the transmission image number information IS7 as the number of pages are the counterpart device. 200 (S992). The page number “7” and the page information “table” transmitted in S992 are read document information “4” corresponding to the transmission order “7” and the transmission order “7” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. It corresponds to the identification information “table” included in “table 5 table”.

  Since the double-sided transmission flag is on (S994: YES), the number of transmitted images Sn is “8” (S996). That is, the number of transmitted images is S8, and the combined image data NBD2 on the back surface of the combined image number N2 is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S998). Then, “8” and page information “back” indicated by the transmission image number information IS8 are transmitted as the number of pages to the counterpart apparatus 200 (S1000). The page number “8” and the page information “back” transmitted in S1000 are read document information “4” corresponding to the transmission order “8” and the transmission order “8” in the page configuration image data PG shown in FIG. This corresponds to the identification information “back” included in the “back 5 back”.

  In S1002, since there is no combined image data stored in the combined image memory 138 (S1002: NO), FAX transmission to the counterpart apparatus 200 is terminated in S980, and this processing is terminated.

  As described above, the image data and the combined image data shown in FIG. 11B are transmitted to the counterpart apparatus 200 by the combined image FAX transmission process.

  In this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In the present embodiment, among the image data of documents included in one document group, a plurality of small image data is in the order in which the image data was generated, that is, the read document number of the document corresponding to the small image data. When Dn is continuous, a continuous combination setting is set in which two small image data of the original of the read original number Dn are combined in accordance with the maximum size. As a result, the order of the plurality of documents in one document group can be easily recognized by the user of the counterpart apparatus 200.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various aspect can be taken in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  In the first and second embodiments, in S402 shown in FIG. 4, the positions of the corners of the four corners of the document are detected from the image data of each document read and generated in S400. Then, the lengths of the four sides of the document are acquired from the detected corner positions, and the image data is cut according to the acquired lengths of the four sides, thereby generating image data having an image size corresponding to the document size. Is done. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ADF is provided with a sensor capable of detecting the longitudinal and lateral lengths of the document, and the longitudinal and lateral lengths detected by the sensor are provided. Image data having an image size corresponding to the size may be generated.

  Also in S404 shown in FIG. 4, the longitudinal and lateral lengths of the document are detected by providing the ADF with a sensor capable of detecting the longitudinal and lateral lengths of the document. Then, by referring to the lengths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the document size such as A4 size stored in the ROM 12, the document size that matches the detected length in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction may be detected.

  In the first and second embodiments, the manuscript size memory 131 stores the manuscript size of the manuscript read by the reading unit 21 under the name of the paper size such as A3 size. However, the document size stored in the document size memory 131 may be an actual paper size, or any symbol or numerical value as long as the document size can be identified.

  In the first and second embodiments, taking the original group shown in FIGS. 3A and 11A as an example, a combined image FAX is obtained for an original group in which two types of originals of A3 size and A4 size are mixed. The transmission process has been described. However, the document group that can be used in the present invention may include documents of three or more document sizes, such as a document group in which documents of A3 size, A4 size, and B5 size are mixed. . In the case of a document group in which A3 size, A4 size, and B5 size documents are mixed, combined image data in which the A4 size and the B5 size are combined in accordance with the maximum A3 size is generated. The image data of the B5 size original is converted in S536 shown in FIG. 5 and S936 shown in FIG. 9 so that the horizontal width of the image data of the B5 size original becomes a size corresponding to half of the horizontal width of the A3 size. The

  The combined image FAX transmission processing of the present invention can also be performed on a document group in which two types of document sizes, letter size and legal size, are mixed. The image data of the letter-size document is reduced to the image size corresponding to half the legal size, which is the maximum size, so that the image data of the two letter-size documents is the image size corresponding to the legal size. To be combined.

  In the first and second embodiments, small image data having an image size corresponding to a document size less than half of the maximum size is combined. However, according to the present invention, image data having an image size corresponding to a document size larger than half of the maximum size may be combined as long as the image data has an image size corresponding to a document size smaller than the maximum size. In such a case, the image data having an image size corresponding to the document size larger than half of the maximum size is reduced in accordance with the image size corresponding to the document size half of the maximum size.

  In the first and second embodiments, the small image data of the surface rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise is arranged in the preceding portion of the combined image data of the surface, and the small image data of the surface rotated 90 degrees clockwise is It is arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data on the surface (see S544 and S558 shown in FIG. 5 and S944 and S964 shown in FIG. 9). Further, the back side small image data rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction is arranged in the preceding portion of the back side combined image data, and the back side small image data rotated 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction follows the back side combined image data. (Refer to S554 and S568 shown in FIG. 5, and S954 and S974 shown in FIG. 9). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the small surface image data rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction is arranged in the preceding portion of the combined image data on the surface, and the surface rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. Small image data is arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data on the front surface, and the small image data on the back surface rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise is arranged in the preceding portion of the combined image data on the back surface, and is rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction. The small image data on the back surface rotated by the angle may be arranged in the subsequent portion of the combined image data on the back surface. In such a case, for example, when the user of the counterpart apparatus 200 prints the received combined image data and cuts it in units of small image data, the cut side in the small image data is aligned on the right side.

  In the first and second embodiments, processing for transmitting image data that is not combined as combined image data (see S518 and S528 in FIG. 5 and S918 and S928 in FIG. 9) and processing for transmitting combined image data (see FIG. 5). S586 and S594 shown in FIG. 6 and S990 and S996 shown in FIG. 10) are controlled by the same CPU 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the MFP 1 may be provided with another control unit such as a CPU and controlled by different control units.

  In the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 11B, the boundary line is indicated by a broken line. However, if the boundary can be identified, for example, a solid line, “ Various modes such as a character string “cut” can be adopted.

  In the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 11B, the document image number information is combined with the image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modes can be adopted as long as the order in which the originals are read is known. For example, the read document number information and the page information “front” or “back” may be combined.

  In the first and second embodiments, the MFP 1 has been described as an example of the image communication apparatus of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modes such as a facsimile apparatus and a computer having a PC-FAX function can be adopted as long as it has a facsimile transmission function. In the case of a computer having a PC-FAX function, for example, the present invention can be applied when transmitting image data of a document read by another apparatus to the counterpart apparatus 200.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, S400 is the reading means and reading step of the present invention, S402 is the image generating means and image generating step of the present invention, S406 is the maximum size acquiring means and maximum size acquiring step of the present invention, and S410 is the present invention. S412 is an example of the size determination means and the size determination step of the present invention.

  In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, S534 to S570 and S934 to S974 are combined image generation means and combined image generation step of the present invention, and S518, S528, S918 and S928 are the first transmission means and the first of the present invention. One transmission step, S510 and S910 correspond to the small image detection means of the present invention, and S534 and S934 correspond to the small image determination means and the small image determination step of the present invention. S516, S526, S542, S552, S558, S570, S916, S926, S942, S952, S962, and S972 are examples of the adding means of the present invention. S544, S554, S560, S570, S944, S954, S964, and S974 are examples of the rotating means of the present invention. S546, S555, S946, and S955 are examples of the boundary line adding means of the present invention.

  In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, S586, S594, S990, and S998 are examples of the second transmission means and the second transmission step of the present invention.

1 MFP
6 Operation unit 9 Document tray 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Flash Memory 15 Operation Key 21 Reading Unit 30 Image Data 32 Combined Image Data 34 Caller Information 36 Document Image Number Information 38 Border Line 100 Telephone Line Network 131 Document Size Memory 132 Maximum Size Memory 133 Read Document Number Memory 134 Document Image Number Memory 135 Document Image Memory 136 Opponent Capability Memory 137 Combined Image Number Memory 138 Combined Image Memory 139 Small Image Number Memory 140 Transmission Image Number Memory 141 Sender Information Memory 142 Double-sided Transmission Flag Memory 147 Transmission Destination Registration Memory 148 Image Quality Setting Memory 149 Setting memory 151 FAX setting screen display key 152 Parameter setting key 154 Start key 155 Continuous connection setting key 200 Counterpart device P1 to P5 Original PG Page image data Dn, D1 to D5 Reading Document number IDn, ID1-ID5 Scanned document number information Cn, C1-C5 Small image number Nn, N1-N5 Combined image number INn, IN1, IN2 Combined image number information Tn, T1-T5 Document image number ITn, IT1-IT5 Document Image number information Sn, S1 to S5 Transmission image number ISn, IS1 to IS5 Transmission image number information DFn, DF1, DF3 Front side image data DBn, DB1, DB3 Back side image data CFDn, CFD1 to CFD4 Front side small image data CBDn, CBD1 to CBD4 Back side image data NFDn, NFD1, NFD2 Front side combined image data NBDn, NBD1, NBD2 Back side combined image data

Claims (13)

Reading means for reading an image of a document;
Image generating means for generating image data of an image size corresponding to the document size for the image of the document read by the reading means;
An image communication apparatus comprising:
A size acquisition means for acquiring a paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device;
A maximum size acquisition unit that acquires the largest document size as a maximum size among the documents read by the reading unit when a document of a plurality of types of document sizes is read by the reading unit;
Size determination means for determining whether or not the paper size acquired by the size acquisition means is equal to or larger than the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition means;
When the size determination unit determines that the paper size acquired by the size acquisition unit is greater than or equal to the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition unit, the maximum of the image data generated by the image generation unit Combined image generation means for generating combined image data by combining a plurality of small image data having an image size corresponding to a document size smaller than the size according to the maximum size;
First transmission means for transmitting image data not combined as the combined image data among the image data generated by the image generation means to the counterpart device at the maximum size;
Second transmission means for transmitting the combined image data generated by the combined image generation means to the counterpart device;
An image communication apparatus comprising:   The combined image generating unit combines and combines a plurality of small image data having an image size corresponding to the original size when the original size smaller than the maximum size is not more than half of the maximum size. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is generated. Comprising a small image detecting means for detecting the small image data;
When the small image data is detected by the small image detection unit, the combined image generation unit includes the small image data and image data generated after the small image data is generated by the image generation unit. 3. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the small image data detected by the small image detection unit is combined with the maximum size to generate combined image data. The combined image generation unit generates a combined image data by combining a plurality of the small image data according to the maximum size while the image data is transmitted by the first transmission unit.
The second transmission unit transmits the combined image data generated by the combined image generation unit to the counterpart device when the transmission of the image data is completed by the first transmission unit. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1.   For each of a plurality of image data generated by the image generating means, transmission source information indicating a transmission source such as a transmission source telephone number, transmission destination information indicating a transmission destination such as a counterpart device telephone number, The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adding unit that adds at least one of them as sender information.   6. The image communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the adding unit adds a number assigned in the reading order of the document to the image data. The combined image generation unit generates the combined image data by combining two small image data,
Rotating means for rotating one of the two small image data 90 degrees clockwise and the other 90 degrees counterclockwise,
The two small image data rotated by the rotation means are arranged in a preceding portion of the combined image data, and the other is arranged in a subsequent portion of the combined image data and combined. The image communication apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6.   8. The combined image generation unit includes a boundary line adding unit that adds a boundary line indicating a boundary between the small image data combined as the combined image data. Image communication device. The reading unit reads an image of each of a plurality of double-sided originals,
The image generation unit generates front-side image data and back-side image data of an image size corresponding to the original size of the double-sided document for the front side image and the back side image of the double-sided document read by the reading unit, respectively. And
The size acquisition means acquires information indicating whether double-sided recording is possible on the counterpart device,
When the information indicating that double-sided recording is possible with the counterpart device is acquired by the size acquisition unit, the combined image generation unit has two surfaces for the small image data corresponding to two double-sided documents. Generating double-sided combined image data composed of the front-side combined image data generated by combining the small image data of and the back-side combined image data generated by combining the two back-side small image data,
The rotating means rotates one of the two small image data on each surface by 90 degrees clockwise with respect to the small image data on the two front surfaces and the small image data on the two back surfaces, and counterclockwise the other. 90 degrees
The small image data of the surface rotated 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction by the rotating means is arranged in the preceding portion of the surface combined image data, and the small image data of the surface rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction is the surface combined The back side small image data rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction, arranged in the subsequent part of the image data, arranged in the preceding part of the back side combined image data, and the back side rotated 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction Is arranged in a subsequent portion of the back-side combined image data to generate the double-sided combined image data,
The first transmission unit transmits image data not combined as the double-sided combined image data among the image data generated by the image generation unit to the counterpart device at the maximum size,
8. The image communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second transmission unit transmits the double-side combined image data generated by the combined image generation unit to the counterpart device.   The combined image generation means, when the plurality of small image data are consecutive in the order generated by the image generation means among the image data generated by the image generation means, The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein combined image data is generated by combining in accordance with the maximum size.   The said maximum size acquisition means acquires the original document size according to the largest image size as the maximum size among the image sizes of the image data produced | generated by the said image generation means. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1. An image communication method in an image communication apparatus capable of transmitting image data to a counterpart apparatus,
A reading step for reading an image of a document;
An image generation step for generating image data of an image size corresponding to the document size for the image of the document read by the reading step;
A maximum size acquisition step of acquiring the largest document size as a maximum size among the documents read by the reading step when a document of a plurality of types of document sizes is read by the reading step;
A size acquisition step of acquiring a paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device;
A size determination step of determining whether the paper size acquired by the size acquisition unit is equal to or larger than the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition unit;
A small image determination step of determining whether or not the image size of the image data generated by the image generation step is a small image size corresponding to a document size equal to or less than half of the maximum size;
If it is determined by the size determination step that the paper size acquired by the size acquisition step is greater than or equal to the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition step, among the image data generated by the image generation step, the small size A first transmission step of transmitting image data determined to be an image size corresponding to an original size larger than half of the maximum size by the image determination step to the counterpart device at the maximum size;
Of the image data generated by the image generation step, generated by the image generation step after generation of the image data determined by the small image determination step and the image data determined by the small image size. Of the image data to be processed, the image data determined to be the small image size by the small image determination step is combined with the maximum size while the image data is being transmitted by the first transmission step. A combined image generating step for generating combined image data,
When it is determined by the size determination step that the paper size acquired by the size acquisition step is equal to or larger than the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition step, the transmission of the image data is completed by the first transmission step. A second transmission step of transmitting the combined image data generated by the combined image generation step to the counterpart device;
An image communication method comprising: Reading means for reading an image of a document;
Image generating means for generating image data of an image size corresponding to the document size for the image of the document read by the reading means;
An image communication program executable by a computer of an image communication apparatus comprising:
In the computer,
A maximum size acquisition unit that acquires the largest document size as a maximum size among the documents read by the reading unit when a document of a plurality of types of document sizes is read by the reading unit;
A size acquisition means for acquiring a paper size that can be recorded by the counterpart device;
Size determination means for determining whether or not the paper size acquired by the size acquisition means is equal to or larger than the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition means;
Small image determination means for determining whether or not the image size of the image data generated by the image generation means is a small image size corresponding to a document size less than or equal to half of the maximum size;
When the size determination unit determines that the paper size acquired by the size acquisition unit is greater than or equal to the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition unit, the small size of the image data generated by the image generation unit First transmission means for transmitting image data determined as an image size corresponding to a document size larger than half of the maximum size by the image determination means to the counterpart device at the maximum size;
Of the image data generated by the image generating means, generated by the image generating means after generating the image data determined as the small image size by the small image determining means and the image data determined as the small image size. Of the image data to be processed, the image data determined to be the small image size by the small image determination unit is combined with the maximum size while the image data is being transmitted by the first transmission unit. Combined image generation means for generating combined image data,
When the size determination unit determines that the paper size acquired by the size acquisition unit is greater than or equal to the maximum size acquired by the maximum size acquisition unit, the transmission of the image data is completed by the first transmission unit. A second transmission means for transmitting the combined image data generated by the combined image generation means to the counterpart device;
An image communication program for executing

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