JP2001268366A - Image transmitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image transmitting device capable of further shortening a transmitting time by remarkably reducing transmission data quantity when the shortening of the transmitting time is set. SOLUTION: An isolated point removing part 6 is provided with a first isolated point removing function for operating isolated point removing processing in which the likelihood of the conversion of an isolated pixel group consisting of multiple pixels is high and a second isolated point removing function for operating isolated point removing processing in which the likelihood of the conversion of one pixel is low. When a transmitting time shortening key 5a of an operating part 5 is set so as to be turned on, the first isolated point removing function is executed, when the transmitting time shortening key 5a is turned off, the second isolated point removing function is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmitting apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus and, more particularly, to an image transmitting apparatus which performs an isolated point removing process to reduce a transmission time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile apparatus, as one measure for energy saving, there is a case where the time for one transmission of image data is reduced. In order to shorten the transmission time, it is necessary to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted. In a facsimile apparatus, coded data obtained by coding binary data of an image based on a run length is transmitted. Therefore, in order to reduce the amount of transmission data, it is important to suppress the amount of run-length encoded data.

[0003] Run-length coding is a coding method based on the number of continuous white pixels or black pixels, and is capable of representing a binary image with a small amount of data for an image having a wide solid white or solid black area. Although very effective, a reduction in the data amount cannot be expected for an image in which white pixels and black pixels are finely mixed in the image.

If one black pixel (or white pixel) is mixed in a group of white pixels (or black pixels) due to noise or the like, the single black pixel (or white pixel) (isolated) ), The run length of continuous white pixels (or black pixels) is interrupted, which unnecessarily increases the amount of data and lengthens the transmission time. Such isolated points are detected, and one black pixel (or white pixel) detected as an isolated point is forcibly converted into a white pixel (or black pixel) to improve run-length encoding efficiency and improve transmission time. Is being shortened.

As shown in FIG. 8, a basic matrix of 9 pixels of 3 × 3 is considered, and eight pixels A around a center pixel X are considered.
A method of forcibly converting the center pixel X, which is a black pixel (or white pixel), to a white pixel (or black pixel) when all of H are white pixels (or black pixels) is an isolated point removal process. It is generally adopted as Therefore, significant pixels may be thinned out by the isolated point removal processing. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to perform such an isolated point removing process. That is, a mode in which the isolated point removing process is performed to prioritize a reduction in transmission time and a high-quality mode without performing the isolated point removing process are provided. There has also been proposed a facsimile apparatus capable of selecting a mode in which image quality is prioritized.

[0006]

In a conventional image transmitting apparatus including the above-described facsimile apparatus capable of selecting a mode, an isolated point is removed only for one pixel. There is a problem that there is a limit to shortening.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when the transmission time is set to be shortened, by performing isolated point removal processing with high strength, the amount of transmission data can be significantly reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image transmission device capable of reducing the transmission time to further reduce the transmission time.

[0008]

An image transmitting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: an isolated point removing means for performing two types of isolated point removing processing with different intensities on binary data of an image to be transmitted;
Receiving means for receiving a setting for shortening the transmission time of the binary data, means for determining whether or not the shortening setting has been received, and an isolated point removing process having a high strength when the isolated point removing means has received the shortening setting. And means for controlling so as to perform the following.

In the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the transmission time is to be shortened, the isolated point removal processing having a high intensity is executed, and when the transmission time is not to be reduced, the intensity is low. Execute isolated point removal processing. Therefore, the isolated point removal processing and the accompanying reduction of the amount of transmission data can be effectively performed depending on whether or not the user sets the transmission time reduction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image transmission apparatus according to the first aspect, the isolated point removing means includes a first isolated point removing function of performing an isolated point removing process on one pixel, and a plurality of pixels. And a second isolated point removing function of performing an isolated point removing process on the image data.

In the image transmitting apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the isolated point removal processing having a high intensity is executed, a part in which a plurality of pixels are gathered is surrounded by white or black pixels. , And is removed as an isolated point. Therefore, in this case, the amount of transmission data can be significantly reduced, and the transmission time can be significantly reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the second aspect, when the shortening setting is not accepted by the accepting unit, the isolated point removing unit executes the first isolated point removing function. It is characterized by doing so.

In the image transmitting apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, when shortening of the transmission time is not set, isolated point removal processing is performed on one pixel as in the conventional case. Therefore, even in this case, the transmission time can be reduced to a minimum as compared with the case where the binary image data is transmitted as it is.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an example of the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention. The facsimile apparatus includes a main control unit 1, a reading unit 2, a recording unit 3, a display unit 4, an operation unit 5, an isolated point removing unit 6, a ROM 7, a RAM 8, an image memory 9, a modem 10, and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 11. Etc. are provided.

The main control unit 1 is specifically composed of a CPU, and is connected to the above-mentioned hardware units of the facsimile apparatus via a bus 12 to control them and store them in the ROM 7. Various software functions are executed according to the computer program.

The reading unit 2 reads a document to be transmitted by a scanner using a CCD, for example, and outputs binary image data. The recording unit 3 is an electrophotographic printer device, and stores binary image data received by facsimile communication,
Alternatively, the binary image data of the document read by the reading unit 2 is printed out as a hard copy.

The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT display. The display unit 4 displays the operation state of the facsimile machine, and displays binary image data of a document read or transmitted to be transmitted. Display. The operation unit 5 includes character keys, numeric keys, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the facsimile machine. The function keys include a transmission time reduction key 5a for receiving a user setting of whether to select a time reduction mode for reducing the transmission time. It should be noted that the display unit 4 is a touch panel type, so that the operation unit 5
It is also possible to substitute some or all of these various keys.

The isolated point removing section 6 executes an isolated point removing process on the binary image data to be transmitted in order to reduce the amount of transmission data. The isolated point removing unit 6 has a first isolated point removing function of performing a high strength isolated point removing process and a second isolated point removing function of performing a low strength isolated point removing process as described below. When the time reduction key 5a is on, the first isolated point removing function is executed, and when the time reduction key 5a is off, the second isolated point removing function is executed. .

The ROM 7 stores various software programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile machine in advance. The RAM 8 is configured by an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when executing software. The image memory 9 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores binary image data of a document read by the reading unit 2, binary image data to be transmitted subjected to isolated point removal processing, received binary image data, and the like.

The modem 10 is connected to the bus 12 and is constituted by a fax modem capable of performing facsimile communication. The modem 10 is also directly connected to the NCU 11 similarly connected to the bus 12. NCU
Reference numeral 11 denotes hardware for closing and opening the analog line L with the public telephone network, and connects the modem 10 to the public telephone network as necessary. Note that DSU
By providing a (Digital Service Unit: subscriber line termination device), a connection to a digital network (ISDN) of a baseband transmission system may be made.

Next, the transmission operation of such a facsimile machine will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the operation.

The original for transmission is read by the reading unit 2 (step S1), and the main control unit 1 stores the obtained binary image data in the image memory 9 (step S2). Main control unit 1
Determines whether the transmission time reduction key 5a is on (step S3).

When the switch is on (S3: YES), the isolated point removing unit 6 reads the binary image data from the image memory 9, and removes the first isolated point having a higher intensity than the read binary image data. The function is executed (Step S4). The main controller 1 stores the binary image data subjected to the isolated point removal processing in the image memory 9 (step S6).

On the other hand, when the transmission time shortening key 5a is off (S3: NO), the isolated point removing unit 6 reads the binary image data from the image memory 9 and applies the read binary image data to the binary image data. The second isolated point removing function having a low intensity is executed (step S5). The main controller 1 stores the binary image data subjected to the isolated point removal processing in the image memory 9 (S
6).

The main controller 1 reads out the binary image data subjected to the isolated point removal processing from the image memory 9 and controls the modem 10 and the NCU 11 to transmit the read binary image data (step S7). .

Next, a method of the first isolated point removing function will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a basic matrix in the first isolated point removing function. The basic matrix is composed of 9 × 9 81 pixels.
In the following, an example will be described in which, when the periphery of a target pixel group (the central 3 × 3 nine pixels) is a white pixel, all the pixels of the target pixel group are converted to white pixels.

(First Example of First Isolated Point Removal Function) In the 9 × 9 basic matrix, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the upper limit line (× 2) is set, that line is included. When all the pixels (hatched portions) in the upper three lines (× 0, × 1, × 2) are white pixels, it is determined that the upper limit is isolated. Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, when a lower limit line (× 6) is set, all pixels (hatched portions) in three lower lines (× 6, × 7, × 8) including the line are set. It is determined that there is a lower limit isolation when the portion of the image is a white pixel.

In a 9 × 9 basic matrix, FIG.
As shown in (b), when the rightmost bit string (g ×) is set, the right three bit string (g
If all the pixels in (x, hx, ix) (hatched portions) are white pixels, it is determined that there is right-limit isolation. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the leftmost bit string (c ×) is set, all the pixels (hatching) in the left three bit strings (a ×, b ×, c ×) including the bit string are set. It is determined that the left limit is isolated when the portion marked with () is a white pixel.

If it is determined that all of the above-mentioned upper limit isolation, lower limit isolation, right limit isolation, and left limit isolation are present, FIG.
9 pixels of a 3 × 3 pixel group of interest (d3, e3,
f3, d4, e4, f4, d5, e5, f5) are all converted to white pixels.

(Second Example of First Isolated Point Removal Function)
A second example is an example of executing isolated point removal having a higher intensity than the example. In a 9 × 9 basic matrix, FIG.
As shown in (a), when the upper limit line (× 2) is set, the upper limit is isolated when all five pixels (hatched pixels c2 to g2) at the center of the line are white pixels. It is determined that there is. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A, when a lower limit line (× 6) is set,
When all five pixels (hatched pixels c6 to g6) at the center of the line are white pixels, it is determined that the lower limit is isolated.

In a 9 × 9 basic matrix, FIG.
As shown in (b), when the rightmost bit string (g ×) is set, when the five pixels (hatched pixels g2 to g6) at the center of the bit string are all white pixels, the right It is determined that there is limited isolation. FIG.
As shown in (b), when the leftmost bit string (c ×) is set, the left pixel is set when all five pixels (hatched pixels c2 to c6) in the center of the bit string are white pixels. It is determined that there is limited isolation.

If it is determined that all of the above-described upper limit isolation, lower limit isolation, right limit isolation, and left limit isolation are present, FIG.
9 pixels of a 3 × 3 pixel group of interest (d3, e3,
f3, d4, e4, f4, d5, e5, f5) are all converted to white pixels.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a 9 × 9 basic matrix. In FIG. 7, the hatched pixels are black pixels, and the non-hatched pixels are white pixels. When the second example is applied to this basic matrix, there are all of upper limit isolation, lower limit isolation, right limit isolation, and left limit isolation, and therefore, 9 pixels (d
3, e3, f3, d4, e4, f4, d5, e5, f
5) All are converted from black pixels to white pixels. On the other hand, when the first example is applied to the basic matrix, all nine pixels of the target pixel group remain black pixels.

The method of the second isolated point removing function is the same as that of the above-described conventional example. That is, 3 × as shown in FIG.
In the basic matrix of No. 3, the center pixel X of interest is a black pixel (or white pixel) and the surrounding eight pixels A to A
If all H are white pixels (or black pixels), the pixel of interest X is converted from black pixels (or white pixels) to white pixels (or black pixels).

The first isolated point removing function and the second isolated point
The method of the isolated point removal function is an example. When the transmission time is set to be shortened, the strong isolated point removal processing is performed. When the transmission time is not set to be reduced, the isolated point removal with a low strength is performed. As long as it is performed, the method of each isolated point removing function may be arbitrary.

When there are a plurality of modes for which the transmission time is to be reduced and the mode having the greatest time reduction is set, the isolated point removal processing having the highest intensity is performed, and the degree of reduction is relatively small. When a small mode is set, it is also possible to execute an isolated point removing process having an intensity corresponding to the degree of shortening of the set transmission time so that the isolated point removing process with a low intensity is performed. is there.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the transmission time is set to be shortened, the isolated point removal processing having a high strength is executed, and when the transmission time is not set to be reduced, the isolated point having a low strength is executed. Since the removal processing is executed, the isolated point removal processing and the accompanying reduction of the amount of transmission data can be effectively performed depending on whether or not the user sets transmission time reduction.

Further, according to the present invention, when performing the isolated point removal processing having a high intensity, a portion where a plurality of pixels are gathered is regarded as an isolated point and removed, so that the amount of transmission data can be greatly reduced. The transmission time can be greatly reduced.

Further, in the present invention, when the transmission time is not shortened, the isolated point removal processing for one pixel is executed in the same manner as in the prior art. Therefore, even in this case, the binary image data is transmitted as it is. In this case, the transmission time can be reduced to a minimum as compared with the case where the transmission is performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a transmission operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a basic matrix in a first isolated point removing function.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a basic matrix for explaining a first example of a first isolated point removing function.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a pixel group of interest in a first isolated point removing function.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a basic matrix for explaining a second example of the first isolated point removing function.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a basic matrix in a first isolated point removing function.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a basic matrix in a conventional example and a second isolated point removing function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control part 1 2 Reading part 5 Operation part 5a Transmission time reduction key 6 Isolated point removal part 7 ROM 9 Image memory 10 Modem 11 NCU

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B057 AA11 CA02 CA06 CA12 CA16 CB02 CB06 CB12 CB16 CC01 CE02 CE06 CH09 5C077 LL06 MP04 PP02 PP68 PQ08 RR21 5C078 BA22 CA21 DB02 9A001 CC02 EE04 HH23 JJ12

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An isolated point removing means for performing two types of isolated point removal processing having different intensities on binary data of an image to be transmitted, a receiving means for receiving a setting for shortening a transmission time of the binary data, An image comprising: means for determining whether or not a shortened setting has been received; and means for controlling the isolated point removing means to perform a high strength isolated point removing process when the shortened setting has been received. Transmission device. 2. An isolated point removing means for performing an isolated point removing process on one pixel and a second isolated point for performing an isolated point removing process on a plurality of pixels. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a removing function. 3. When the shortening setting is not accepted by the accepting unit, the isolated point removing unit operates the first setting unit.
3. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an isolated point removing function is executed.