JPS6324587B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a calligraphy/image transmitting device that can be controlled and driven by an external device such as a computer, and more specifically, can identify the content of a request signal from the computer and operate in a mode corresponding to the content of the request signal. The present invention relates to a device that does this.

Normally, a calligraphy transmitting device scans calligraphy and converts the calligraphy information into an electrical signal, modulates this into a form suitable for transmission, and transmits it to a receiving device.

On the other hand, in the field of computers, it is necessary to process various materials quickly and accurately and to make them available to customers.

Therefore, if information is exchanged between the above-mentioned calligraphy and drawing transmitting device and a computer, it is thought that not only information processing can be done quickly but also the usability of the information will be improved. A data communication device as described in the publication has been proposed. This device provides an interface unit between a facsimile communication device and a computer, making it possible to directly input and output, for example, graphs, maps, documents, etc. to the computer.

However, the above-mentioned conventional device only has the function of supplying an image signal read by facsimile to a computer and the function of making a hard copy of the image signal given from the computer, and cannot quickly perform various information processing. It is difficult to say that it is possible.

The present invention was made in view of the above situation, and is capable of transmitting and receiving not only image signals but also encoded signals to and from an external device such as a computer, as well as responding to request signals from the external device. An object of the present invention is to obtain a calligraphy and image transmitting device that can operate in various modes.

A calligraphy and image transmission device according to the present invention includes a photoelectric converter that converts calligraphy information into an image signal, an encoder that encodes an output image signal of the photoelectric converter with redundancy suppression,
A modulator that modulates this encoded signal, a plurality of changeover switches that change connections between each circuit element, a main body controller that controls each circuit of this device, and each circuit element that receives operation request signals from external devices. The device is provided with an interface controller that outputs a control signal for switching the changeover switch so as to perform an operation according to the operation, and also controls input/output between each of the circuit elements and an external device.

In this invention, when an operation request signal is given from an external device, depending on the type of the operation request signal, (i) a mode in which the image signal read by the photoelectric converter is output to the external device; (ii) A mode in which an image signal input from an external device is encoded with redundancy reduction in an encoder, and the encoded signal is output to an external device; (iv) a mode in which a coded signal is output to an external device; (iv) a mode in which an image signal input from an external device is redundancy suppressed coded by an encoder, the coded signal is modulated by a modulator, and sent to a transmission path; or (v) realizing five modes in which a redundancy suppression encoded signal input from an external device is modulated by a modulator and sent to a transmission path.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the construction of a calligraphy and drawing transmitting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a transmitter that converts calligraphy into an image signal and transmits it, 2 is a photoelectric converter that scans the calligraphy and converts it into an electrical signal, 3 is an encoder that encodes the electrical signal with redundancy suppression, and 4 is a A modulator that modulates the output of the encoder 3 into a form suitable for transmission, 5 a main body controller for controlling the operation of the transmitter 1, 7 a signal output terminal of the transmitter 1, 11 to 1
6 are switches for switching signals, respectively;
31 is an interface controller that controls the switching of these switches 11 to 16, and 31 is a transmitter 1.
This is a computer that is installed outside the transmitter 1 and instructs the transmitter 1 regarding its operating mode.

Next, the operation will be explained. Normally, the photoelectric converter 2 converts the original into an electrical signal corresponding to its grayscale image. After this signal passes through switches 11 and 12, it is encoded with redundancy suppression by an encoder 3. After passing through switches 13 and 14, it is input to a modulator 4, and the modulated signal is sent to the output terminal of the transmitter 1. The signal is sent from the signal output terminal 7 to a transmission line such as a telephone line.
In this case, the main body controller 5 generates control signals for the paper feed motor and the like. However, if you want to output the output signal of the photoelectric converter 2, the output signal from the encoder 3, etc. to a device outside the transmitter 1, in this case the computer 31, or the encoder 3 modulates the signal from the computer 31. When the transmitter 1 wants to input data to the computer 4, the transmitter 1 performs the operation requested by the use request signal 31 and data input signal 23 input from the computer 31.
An interface controller 6 is required to output a switching control signal for controlling the switches 11 to 16 necessary for switching signals between each circuit element. This interface controller 6 is
When it receives the use request signal 21 from the computer 31, it checks the contents of the transmitter in use signal 41 from the main body controller 5, detects whether the transmitter 1 can be used or not, and puts that information on the ready signal 25. Calculator 3
Let 1 know. If the transmitter 1 is in use, the level of the transmitter in use signal 41 becomes logic "1",
If it is unused, its level indicates logic "0".
The interface controller 6 checks the level state of this signal and determines whether the transmitter 1 is in use or not, and sets the level of the ready signal 25 to logic "1" when the transmitter 1 is in use, and sets the level of the ready signal 25 to logic "1" when it is not in use. The level is set to logic "0" to inform the computer 31 that the transmitter 1 is in use or empty.

Even if the transmitter 1 is in use, once the processing is completed, the main body controller 5 will set the level of the transmitter in use signal 41 to logic "0", and the interface controller 6 will be able to use it. Even if the computer 31 sends the use request signal 21 to the transmitter 1, it will not be ready unless the use request signal 21 is sent again after the use of the transmitter 1 is finished. It is also possible that the level of the signal 25 is not set to logic "0". Use request signal 21
occurs and the level of the transmitter busy signal 41 is logic “0”, the interface controller 6
An external device reception signal 42 is given to the main body controller 5 to notify that the transmitter 1 should operate according to the command from the computer 31. Therefore, the main body controller 5 does not perform any other operations until the operation of the computer 31 is completed.

Suppose now that the signals 21, 22, and 23 shown in FIG. 2 are input to the interface controller 6 when the ready signal 25 is at logic "0". The usage request signal 21 not only requests the computer 31 to use the transmitter 1, but also identifies the operating mode shown in FIG. I also work to get them. That is, when the levels of the use request signal 21 and the clock signal 22 are at logic "0", the interface controller 6 identifies the contents of the data input signal 23 (shown in hexadecimal notation in FIG. 4). can be done.

The outline of the operation in each operation mode shown in FIG. 4 is as follows.

1 READ mode: The image signal read by the photoelectric converter 2 passes through the interface controller 6 via the switch 11 and is output to the computer 31.

2 ENCODE mode: The signal (image signal) output from the computer 31 is redundancy suppressed encoded by the encoder 3, guided to the interface controller 6 via the switch 13, and output to the computer 31.

3 CODE mode...The image signal read by the photoelectric converter 2 is sent to the encoder 3 via switches 11 and 12.
The redundancy suppressed signal 65 is output to the computer 31 via the switch 13 and the interface controller 6.

4 SEND mode: The signal (image signal) output from the computer 31 is redundancy suppressed encoded by the encoder 3, modulated by the modulator 4 via the switches 13 and 14, and then sent to the transmission path.

5 TRANS mode: After inputting the signal (redundancy suppression code) output from the computer 31 to the modulator 4 via the switch 14, it is sent out to the transmission path.

When the operation mode of the data input signal 23 is the READ mode, the interface controller 6 connects the switches 11 to 16 to the connection state shown in the READ mode column of FIG. In the figure, the horizontal line "1" indicates a state in which switch terminals b and c are not connected to terminal a. In other words, the function of the READ mode is to output the image signal read by the photoelectric converter 2 to the computer 31, as described above, and to connect the switch 11 between terminals a and c. Switching signal 5 from the controller 6 to the switch 11
Outputs 2. As a result, the image signal is output as a READ signal 63 to the computer 31 via the interface controller 6. In this case, the calculator 31
Since the photoelectric converter 2 needs to output an image signal in synchronization with the READ clock signal 61 corresponding to the clock signal 22 of the Connected by signal 51. here,
As for the operation of the main body controller 5, basic operations such as paper feeding function are performed so as to be maintained.

The operation mode in the interface controller 6 was determined by looking at the contents of the data input signal 23 in the type shown in FIG.
When outputting the READ signal 63 to the computer 31,
This is done by setting the use request signal 21 to logic "1" and applying the clock signal 22 to the interface controller 6, as shown in FIG.

Note that if the speed of the clock signal 22 is too fast,
Since there is a possibility that the processing of the photoelectric converter 2 will not be completed in time, the interface controller 6 outputs a ready signal 25 when the speed exceeds a certain value, and the computer 3
Inform 1 to keep the sending speed down. That is, the computer 31 checks the level of the ready signal 25 and controls the sending of the clock signal 22.

Next, the ENCODE mode will be explained.

If you want to operate transmitter 1 in this mode,
Similar to the READ mode, a use request signal 21, a clock signal 22, and a data input signal 23 are applied to the interface controller 6 as shown in FIG.
However, the data of the data input signal 23 changes to "01H" as shown in FIG. 4, but this is the only difference. Upon receiving these signals, interface controller 6 connects switches 11-16 as shown in FIG.
2, 13, and 16 switching signals 53, 55, and 54 are generated.

The function of ENCODE mode has already been described, but the actual operation is as follows.
That is, when the clock signal 22 and the data input signal 23 (which in this case corresponds to the image signal read out from the photoelectric converter 2) are input from the computer 31, these signals are transmitted to the interface controller 6.
One is input to the encoder 3 via the switch 16 as an encoding clock signal 62, and the other is input to the encoder 3 as an ENCODE image signal 64.
2 to the encoder 3. Then, the redundancy reduction encoded signal is passed through the switch 13.
It is routed to the interface controller 6 as an ENCODE signal 65. This signal 65 is converted into a format suitable for the computer 31 and the data output signal 2
4 from the interface controller 6.

By the way, in this mode, if the clock signal 22 is input frequently, the encoder 3 may not be able to keep up with the encoding, so in this case, the encoder 3 outputs a stop signal 82 and transmits it to the interface controller 6. Interface controller 6
When this is detected, the level of the ready signal 25 is set to logic "1" in order to slow down the input speed of the clock signal 22.

Note that in this mode, the image signal is input from the computer 31, so the transmitter 1 does not need to feed the paper.

Next, we will explain CODE mode.

If you want to operate transmitter 1 in this mode,
Similar to READ mode and ENCODE mode, the second
As shown, a use request signal 21, a clock signal 22, and a data input signal 23 are applied to the interface controller 6. However, data input signal 23
The data changes to "02H" as shown in FIG. 4, but this is the only difference. Upon receiving these signals, the interface controller 6 sends switching signals 52, 53, 55, 51 of the switches 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 to connect the switches 11 to 16 as shown in FIG. , 54 are generated. In this embodiment, a reading clock signal 71 output from the main body controller 5 is input to the photoelectric converter 2, and a clock signal 22 is sent to the encoder 3 via the interface controller 6 as an encoding clock signal 62. has been added. Since different clock signals are applied in this way, due to the difference in the speed of the clock signals, the encoding of the encoder 3 may not be able to keep up, or the image signal may not be input even if it is in a state where it can be encoded. However, if the encoder 3 cannot keep up with the readout, the stop signal 8
1 is output from the encoder 3, the reading clock signal 71 is stopped, and the input of the image signal is prevented. If the image signal to be encoded is not input to the encoder 3,
A stop signal 82 from the encoder 3 is input to the interface controller 6. The interface controller 6 sees this and sets the level of the ready signal 25 to logic "1". This stops the input of the clock signal 22 and prevents unnecessary codes from being taken in. As mentioned above, the function of this mode is that the image signal read out from the photoelectric converter 2 is coded to suppress redundancy, and is outputted to the computer 31 as the data output signal 24 according to the speed of the clock signal 22. It has characteristics.

In addition, the ENCODE signal can be extracted from
As in the previous mode, the level of the use request signal 21 is logic "1" (see FIG. 3).

Further, as for the operations of the main body controller 5, basic operations such as a paper feeding function are maintained.

Next, we will explain the SEND mode.

When it is desired to operate the transmitter 1 in this mode, as in other modes, the use request signal 21, clock signal 22, and data input signal 2 are transmitted as shown in FIG.
3 to the interface controller 6. However, as shown in Figure 4, the data input signal is
It changes to "03H", but this is the only difference.
Upon receiving these signals, interface controller 6 generates switching signals 53, 55, 56 for switches 11, 13, 14 to connect switches 11-16 as shown in FIG.

In this mode, from the computer 31 to the photoelectric converter 2
A data input signal 23 corresponding to the image signal read out is input to the interface controller 6 in synchronization with the clock signal 22. The interface controller 6 inputs this to the encoder 3 via the switch 12 as an ENCODE image signal 64. This signal 64 is redundancy suppressed encoded by the encoder 3,
After being modulated by the modulator 4 via the switches 13 and 14, it is output from the signal output terminal 7 of the transmitter 1 to the transmission line. In this mode, if the speed at which the modulated signal is encoded is faster than the speed at which it is sent out to the transmission path, it will not be possible to send all the codes, so in this case the encoder 3 sends out a stop signal 82. When the interface controller 6 detects this, it sets the level of the ready signal 25 to logic "1" and suppresses the input of the clock signal 22.

As described above, this mode is a mode in which the image signal input from the computer 31 is redundancy suppressed encoded and transmitted, so the transmitter 1 does not need to carry out a paper feeding operation. This paper feeding operation is stopped by the external device acceptance signal 42 output from the interface controller 6.
, and use the main body controller 5 to do so.

The ENCODE image signal 64 is taken into the interface controller 6 when the level of the use request signal 21 is logic "1", as shown in FIG.

Next, we will explain TRANS mode.

When it is desired to operate the transmitter 1 in this mode, as in other modes, as shown in FIG.
3 to the interface controller 6. However, the data of the data input signal 23 changes to "04H" as shown in FIG. 4, but this is the only difference. Upon receiving these signals, interface controller 6 generates switching signal 56 for switch 14 to connect switches 11-16 as shown in FIG.

In this mode, the modulator 4 sends a first strobe signal 57 to the interface controller 6 corresponding to the clock speed sent to the transmission line, and a second strobe signal 2 corresponding to this clock speed.
6 to the computer 31, a data input signal 23 (in this case, equivalent to the signal output from the encoder 3) synchronized therewith is output.

This signal 23 is sent from the interface controller 6.
The signal is input as the TRANS code 66 to the modulator 4 via the switch 14, modulated, and then sent out from the signal output terminal 7 of the transmitter 1 to the transmission path.

In this mode, the transmitter 1 does not need to perform operations such as paper feeding, and is stopped.

As described above, according to the calligraphy and image transmission device according to the present invention, a gradation image on paper is converted into an image signal by a photoelectric converter, the signal is redundancy suppressed encoded and transmitted, and an interface is provided inside the device. A controller is provided to control the connection of each circuit element so that it can operate in various modes according to the requests of external devices such as computers, making it possible to (i) easily control the functions of this device; (ii) ) The data read by this device is encoded with redundancy reduction and outputted to the external device, so that the read data can be efficiently stored in the memory of a computer, etc. (iii) The data of the computer, etc. is encoded with redundancy reduction and outputted to the external device. (iv) Data possessed by a computer, etc. can be coded to reduce redundancy and stored in the computer, etc. again for efficient memory use. (v) Interface control (v) Since the interface controller is provided inside the device, it is possible to realize various functions with various computers as long as the interface control format is matched.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a calligraphy and drawing transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are time charts explaining the operation of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing each of the devices of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the connection states of switches in an operation mode as a table. 2...Photoelectric converter, 3...Encoder, 4...Modulator, 5...Main controller, 6...Interface controller, 31...Computer (external device), 11-1
6... Changeover switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A photoelectric converter that converts a grayscale image on paper into an image signal, an encoder that encodes the output image signal of this photoelectric converter with redundancy suppression, and modulates the output signal of this encoder. A modulator that transmits the signal to the transmission line, and a circuit between the photoelectric converter, encoder, modulator, interface controller (described later), and main body controller. a plurality of changeover switches for switching connections, and a main body controller for controlling each of the above-mentioned circuit elements and an interface controller to be described later to operate in accordance with an operation request signal given from an external device via the interface controller. , The circuit element provided inside the device receives an operation request signal from the external device, and performs the following five operations in response to the operation request signal: (i) converts the image signal read by the photoelectric converter into the image signal read by the photoelectric converter; (ii) An operation of outputting the image signal input from the external device to the encoder with redundancy suppression, and outputting the encoded signal to the external device. (iii) An operation of outputting the encoded signal to the external device. (iv) outputting an encoded signal that has been read and redundancy suppressed encoded by the encoder to the external device; (iv) an image signal inputted from the external device is redundancy suppressed encoded by the encoder; or (v) modulating a redundancy suppression encoded signal input from the external device with the modulator and sending it out to the transmission path. A calligraphy/image transmitting device comprising an interface controller that outputs a switching control signal for switching a switching switch and also controls input/output between each of the circuit elements and an external device.