JPH03250863A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save recording paper and communication cost simultaneously by devising the facsimile equipment such that a full white level line picture data being a blank part of an original is not sent to the utmost. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile equipment consists of an original read means 30, a mark detection means 32, a full white level line number count means 34, an untransmission full white level line number setting means 36, a matching detection means 38, and a picture data control means 40. Then full white level line number of a picture data to be sent is counted, and match/numatch between preset interleaving full white level line number, that is, an untransmission full white level line number and the count is detected. Till the untransmission full white level line number and the detected full white level line number are matched, the picture data of even the full white level line is sent as it is, but after the both are matched, till the picture data other than the succeeding full white level line appears, the transmission of the full white level line picture data is inhibited. Thus, waste of recording paper and communication cost is saved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention relates to a facsimile machine that can save recording paper and communication costs.

[Background of the Invention 1] Conventional facsimile machines transmit image data of a document to the other party page by page.

If the manuscript is only a document, only pictures or figures,
There is a case where a document and a figure are combined together.

Many of these manuscripts have blank spaces.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Conventionally, image data is sent page by page, so it is difficult to transmit image data for each page. Even if you want to send only the necessary part of the page, it is necessary to send the entire page, which wastes recording paper and communication costs.

In order to prevent this, it is conceivable to copy the original to be sent, cut and paste the necessary parts, and then send it, but this is time-consuming and cannot be said to be a very good method.

Recently, facsimile machines have been developed that are equipped with a trim function that sends only a specified part, and a mask function that sends a specified part, but even in these cases, only one page can be sent. minutes, so it is not possible to save on recording paper or communication costs.

Therefore, this invention takes these points into consideration,
This paper proposes a facsimile device that can save recording paper and communication costs.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first invention includes a document reading means, a mark detection means for detecting a specific mark written on the document, and a mark detection means for detecting a specific mark written on the document; a counting means for counting the number of all-white lines in the image data, a means for setting the number of all-white lines that are not sent out, and a means for detecting a match between the set number of all-white lines that are not sent out and the number of all-white lines that are detected; The apparatus is characterized by comprising an image data control means for prohibiting the transmission of the image data after the number of non-transmitted all-white lines and the detected number of all-white lines match.

In the second invention, there are provided a document reading means, a transmitting means for transmitting the read image data, a counting means for counting the number of output lines of the transmitted image data, and a paper length setting means for setting the paper length of the recording paper. , means for detecting a match between the number of output lines and the set paper length, and a page end output means for outputting a page end output and adding it to the transmitted image data when the number of output lines matches the set paper length. It is characterized by this.

[Function] In the first invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a specific mark 72.73 for specifying a range is detected from the image data of the read document 71, and this mark 72.73
The all-white line image data is thinned out within the range surrounded by .

Therefore, the number a of all white lines in the image data to be transmitted is counted, and it is detected whether it matches or does not match the preset number of all white lines for thinning, that is, the number X of all white lines that are not sent out.

Until the number X of all white lines that are not sent matches the number a of all white lines that have been detected, the image data of all white lines is sent out as is.

However, after X and a match, transmission of the image data of the all-white line is prohibited until the next image data other than the all-white line appears.

As a result, the image data of the all-white line is spaced out, so if a blank area continues for a long time, that blank area is not transmitted, and the next image data is transmitted in a compressed manner.

In the second invention, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the length L (paper size) of the recording paper 80 on the receiving side is set,
When the number of output lines a of the sent image data matches the set paper length, a page end output is sent to the receiving terminal facsimile machine along with the image data.

On the receiving side, the recording paper 80 is cut in response to the arrival of this page end output.

Then, even when thinning processing is performed, the paper size of the recording paper 80 remains constant.

[Example] Next, an example of a facsimile device according to the present invention will be described in the first example.
This will be explained in detail with reference to the figures below.

For convenience of explanation, functional blocks of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 21.

FIG. 1 relates to the first invention, in which reference numeral 30 denotes a document reading means; 32 denotes a mark detection means for detecting specific marks 72 and 73 written on the document 71 as shown in FIG. 5; 34 is a counting means for counting the number a of all white lines of the image data, 36 is a setting means for the number X of non-sending all white lines, and 38 is a count means for counting the set number The coincidence detection means 4o with the number a is a tl image data control means that prohibits the transmission of image data after the number X of non-sent all white lines matches the detected number a of all white lines.

The document reading means 30 may use a line sensor such as a CCD.

The mark detection means 32 is configured as an optical detection means, and can be provided near the document reading means 30.

Further, FIG. 2 is related to the second invention, and in the same figure, 30 is a document reading means, 42 is a transmitting means for transmitting the read image data, and 44 is the number of output lines a of the transmitted image data. 46 is a paper length setting means for setting the paper length of the recording paper 80 (FIG. 9); 48 is a coincidence detection means between the number of output lines and the set paper length; 50 is a This is a page end output means for outputting a page end output and adding it to the transmitted image data when the number of output lines n matches the set paper length.

The transmitting means 42 constitutes a part of the communication control means 10 shown in FIG.

In order to achieve the functions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the facsimile machine is provided with communication control means 10 as shown in FIG.

In the figure, 11 is a CPU that manages communication control.

12 is a ROM in which the drawing data thinning processing i11 function and other control programs are stored, and 13 is a RAM memory for storing image data. The RAM 13 stores incoming image data and the like.

The image data read by the document reading means (iii image reading section) 30 is stored in the RAM 13 or directly supplied to the modem and network control circuit (NCtJ) 16 via the interface 15.

Image data input from the line is sent to this modem and NCU.
16 and is temporarily stored in the RAM 13.

The image data read from the RAM 13 is then supplied to the recording unit 18 via the interface 17 and recorded.

The telephone number of the destination party is supplied to the display section 20 via the interface 19, so that only this information can be displayed.

Reference numeral 21 is an operation unit for inputting a telephone number, etc., and 22 is an interface thereof. As will be described later, the operation unit 21 is provided with a thinning selection key (not particularly shown) for selecting whether to execute or prohibit the function of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall processing of the facsimile machine, particularly an example of the transmission processing, and shows the document 71 (fifth
The image information in the figure) is read line by line and subjected to photoelectric conversion processing (steps 61 and 62), and is also subjected to A/DI conversion and binarization processing to be converted into analog image data or digital image data (step 63). .64).

Thereafter, the process shifts to main processing, where the image data is thinned out as will be described later, and then encoded and transmitted (steps 65, 66 and 67).

Now, FIG. 5A shows a manuscript 71 to be transmitted, on which a document 74 and figures 75 are written. There is a margin 76 on this document 71.

When transmitting 11M71 like this, in order to send only the original image data as much as possible excluding the margin 76, it is necessary to thin out the image data in the margin 76 (image data of all white lines). The range is specified by markma 2.73.

Thinning begins at mark 72 and ends at mark 73.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, image information is recorded on the recording paper 80 on the receiving side without waste.

A processing example (first invention) for achieving such thinning recording will be explained with reference to FIG.

In the thinning processing flow 90 shown in the same figure, when this control program starts, after the count output of the line counter that counts the number a of all white lines (for convenience, it is referred to as a) is cleared, the document 71 is Image information is read (steps (steps 91.92)).

At the same time as reading this image information, detection processing for marks 72 and 73 is performed (step 93), and if mark 72 does not exist, image data for 1 line is output as in normal transmission processing, and this completes one page. (Steps 94 and 95).

On the other hand, when the presence of the mark 72 is detected in step 93, the process shifts to the image data thinning processing step, and first, in order to detect the margin 76 of the document 71, it is determined whether there is image data of the margin line from the image data. It is checked (step 96).

If the image data is not an all-white line, the image data cannot be thinned out even if it is within the thinning range of the image data, so in this case, clear the line counter and then output the image data as usual. (step 97.94).

When the image data is all-white lines, the preset number of non-sending all-white lines X and the count output a are compared,
If the count output a is less than the number X of all white lines that are not sent out, the line counter is incremented and then the image data (image data of all white lines) is output (steps 98, 99, 94).

The number X of all white lines that are not sent out is approximately 5 to 10, but this value X may be changed depending on the content of the document 71). The change in X can be input using, for example, the numeric keypad (not shown) provided on the operation unit 21 described above, or further explanation of the input process will be omitted.

In step 98, when the count output a exceeds the number X of non-transmitted all-white lines, output of the image data for all-white lines of the exceeded line is prohibited.

This prohibition mode continues until image data other than the all-white line is detected in step 96, so during that time, the image data for the all-white line is being thinned out.

Then, when image data other than the all-white line is detected in step 96, the line counter is cleared for the first time, and the image data at that time is output (
Step 97.94). This process returns the thinning process to its initial state, and when image data for all white lines is input, the line counter starts counting again.

This kind of image data thinning processing is performed by the lower mark 73.
continues until detected. Therefore, mark 73
When detected, the process returns to normal line output processing.

Through the above processing, the thinning process is executed within the specified range, but until the number of blank lines that are not sent reaches X, lines are output even if the image data is for blank lines. Therefore, even if thinning processing is performed, the characters and figures recorded on the recording paper 80 will not be too close to each other.

FIG. 7 and subsequent figures are specific examples of the second invention.

In the first invention, when the transmission of the image data for one page is completed, the recording paper 80 can also be cut at that point, so when the original for two pages as shown in FIG. , B
As shown in the figure, the paper size of the recording paper 80 changes depending on the contents of the transmitted document and the size of the specified thinning range.

In the second invention, in addition to the above-described image data thinning process, image data is recorded in units of a designated paper size.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, image data is transmitted until the specified paper size L is filled up, so one page of recording paper 80 may be able to record the image data of multiple sheets of transmitted originals all at once. (In the figure, it is 2 pages long).

Next, the second invention will be described in detail with reference to the 10th iffl. However, a description of the image data thinning process will be omitted.

In the processing flow 100 shown in FIG. 110, when this tuning program starts, the line counter is first cleared and the count output Ω is set to ○ (step 101).
). Thereafter, the original 71 is completely fed and image data is read line by line (steps 102 and 1).
03).

Next, the content of the read image data is checked, and if it is not image data of an all-white line, the image data is outputted as a line, and a line counter is incremented (step l○4, 105).
. When the image data is an all-white line, no counting operation is performed.

Next, a comparison is made between the count output beans and the set paper length. The set paper length refers to the paper size of the recording paper 80, and is A4. Set the size to about B4.85. The paper length can be input using the numeric keypad of the operation section 21, and the details of the setting input process will be omitted.

If only the paper length is set, the maximum number of lines that can be recorded on that paper size is determined, so in step 106,
The count output, that is, the number of output lines a is compared with the paper length, and if the output line number Q is less than the set paper length, the end of the document page is detected in step 1O7.
), if it has not ended, the process returns to step 103 and the same process as described above is executed.

Similarly, when one document has been sent out and there is a next page, the process returns to step 102 and the above-described series of processes such as feeding the document 71 are executed.

Therefore, if the number of output lines Q or the set paper length is less than that, any number of originals will be sent in succession.

However, if the number of output lines Ω or the set paper length is exceeded, this is detected in step 106, and the page end output is then sent (step 109).

This page end output is sent to the other party along with the image data, so when the other party receives it, the recording paper 80 is cut.

After the page end output is sent out, the line counter is cleared, and then the process moves to step 107, and if there is image data to be transmitted, the image data is recorded sequentially from the beginning of the new recording paper 80.

Through the above processing, the paper size of the recording paper 80 always becomes the set paper size.

Note that if the receiver's facsimile device is equipped with paper or cut paper instead of continuous paper, the sender can determine the set paper length by inserting data indicating the size of the cut paper into the communication procedure. You can also set it automatically.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, image data for all-white lines, which are the margins of a document, are not transmitted as much as possible.

Therefore, according to this method, it is possible to save recording paper and communication costs at the same time, so it is extremely convenient for practical use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are functional block diagrams of a facsimile device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a system diagram of facsimile Wffi, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main processing flow of the facsimile device, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of image data. A diagram explaining the thinning process,
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the thinning process, FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing the relationship between the thinning process and recording paper, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing to make the recording paper size constant.・It is. 11 . . . CPU 13 .・ 50 ・ ・ ・Recording section・Display section・Operation section・Document reading means・Mark detection means・All white line number cutting means・Slow ratio all white line number setting means・Concordance detection means・Image data control means・Transmission means・Line output counting means ・Paper length setting means ・Page end output means

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A document reading means, a mark detection means for detecting a specific mark written on the document, a counting means for counting the number of all white lines in the image data read by the document reading means, and a non-sending all white line. The means for setting the number of lines, the means for detecting a match between the set number of all-white lines that are not sent out and the number of all-white lines that are detected, and the number of all-white lines that are not sent out and the number of all-white lines that are detected match. A facsimile apparatus comprising: image data control means for prohibiting transmission of the image data. (2) a document reading means, a transmitting means for transmitting the read image data, a counting means for counting the number of output lines of the transmitted image data, a paper length setting means for setting the paper length of the recording paper, and an output device. It is composed of means for detecting a match between the number of lines and the set paper length, and a page end output means for outputting a page end output and adding it to the transmitted image data when the number of output lines matches the set paper length. A facsimile machine with special features.