JP2002057906A - Communication system for color fax by personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color facsimile terminal that can convert transmission use facsimile data into color data or monochromatic data to match the facsimile data with a facsimile function of a transmission destination, eliminates the need for processing the facsimile data in advance and unify the management of transmission/reception use facsimile data. SOLUTION: The color facsimile terminal has: a storage color facsimile data section that stores transmission use facsimile data with a form complying with an image color space handled on a personal computer; a facsimile data conversion section that converts the transmission use facsimile data into color data or monochromatic data; and a facsimile control section that controls the facsimile data conversion section to convert the transmission user facsimile data into the color data or monochromatic data so that the facsimile data are converted into the data in matching with a facsimile function of a transmission destination when the personal computer is connected to the transmission destination and controls the transmission of the converted color data or monochromatic data to the transmission destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color facsimile communication method using a personal computer, and more particularly to a method for transmitting facsimile data in an image color space handled on a personal computer and stored in a stored color facsimile data section. It can be automatically converted to color data or monochrome data in order to match the facsimile function of facsimile, there is no need to process facsimile data in advance, there is no time loss, and memory and disk of personal computer The present invention relates to a color facsimile communication system using a personal computer that does not consume extra storage devices such as a personal computer and can centralize the management of facsimile data for transmission and reception.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, personal computers have spread to ordinary households. The personal computer is provided with a word processing function, an image processing function, a spreadsheet function, an Internet communication function, and the like.

[0003] The personal computer includes:
Some have a facsimile communication function, that is, a function of transmitting and receiving facsimile.

At this time, for a picture handled on the personal computer, for example, a full-color still picture (also referred to as “JPEG”; Joint Photogr)
A general color space for the aphic Experts Group is “YCbCr (Y: luminance, Cb: blue color difference, Cr: red color difference)”.

Further, the color space for full-color still images (“JPEG”) handled by color facsimile is
"CIELAB (Commission Intern
nationale de L'Eclairage) "
It is.

Then, the full-color still image ("JP
EG ”) is an image format having a high compression ratio even if the number of colors is large.“ YCbCr ”is a color space (color expression method) generally used for television signals and the like, and“ CIELAB ”is This is a color space (color expression method) defined by CIE.

[0007]

By the way, in the conventional color facsimile communication method using a personal computer, the color space is different as described above, so that JPEG for creating, editing, displaying, etc. on the personal computer is used.
Data and JPEG sent as color facsimile
The data must be created separately.

[0008] When transmitting the stored color facsimile data, it is unknown about the color facsimile receiving capability of the destination machine as the transmission destination.

As a result, there is a problem that the transmission operation must be interrupted halfway if the destination machine does not have a color facsimile reception capability after the connection.

[0010] As a measure for solving the above-mentioned problem and transmitting the stored color facsimile data without fail, the original "YCbCr" is used regardless of the capability of the partner machine.
In addition to the JPEG data of the color space, "CIELA
There is one that prepares JPEG data in the "B" color space and monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR).

The monochrome facsimile data "M"
H ”is a one-dimensional encoding method (M
modified Huffman), the “MR” of the monochrome facsimile data is a two-dimensional encoding method (Modified Read) of the encoding method of the image data, and the “MMR” of the monochrome facsimile data is the encoding method of the image data. Extended two-dimensional encoding method (Modi
(Fixed Modified Read).

However, in advance, JPEG data in the “CIELAB” color space and monochrome facsimile data (M
H, MR, and MMR), the data actually used is either one of them, and not only a loss of time but also extra consumption of storage devices such as memories and disks of personal computers. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that it is practically and economically disadvantageous.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a personal computer and a storage color storing transmission facsimile data in a format conforming to an image color space handled on the personal computer in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages. A facsimile data section, a facsimile data conversion section for converting facsimile data for transmission into color data or monochrome data so as to match the facsimile function of the destination, and the personal computer for transmitting facsimile data for transmission to the destination. When the facsimile data conversion unit is connected to the destination, the facsimile data conversion unit converts the facsimile data for transmission stored in the stored color facsimile data unit into color data or monochrome data so as to match the facsimile function of the destination, and performs conversion. did And having a facsimile control unit for controlling so as to transmit either one of the data to the destination.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
When a personal computer is connected to the destination, the facsimile data conversion unit converts the facsimile data for transmission stored in the stored color facsimile data unit into color data or monochrome data so as to match the facsimile function of the destination, The facsimile control unit controls one of the converted data to be sent to the destination, so there is no need to process the facsimile data in advance, and there is no time loss, and there is no loss of time in the personal computer memory or disk. No extra storage device is used, and the management of facsimile data for transmission and reception is unified.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a personal computer.

The personal computer 2 is equipped with a CPU (also referred to as a "central processing unit") (not shown) for performing a word processing function, an image processing function, a spreadsheet function, an Internet communication function, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 2 transmits facsimile data for transmission in a color space YCbCr for an image handled on the personal computer 2, for example, a full-color still image (also referred to as "JPEG"). Color facsimile data unit 4 for storing facsimile data and facsimile data conversion for converting facsimile data for transmission into color data or monochrome data (also referred to as "black and white data") so as to match the facsimile function of the destination machine 6 as the transmission destination Part 8
A conversion data storage unit 10 for storing color data or monochrome data converted by the facsimile data conversion unit 8; and a conversion data storage unit 10 for connecting the personal computer 2 to a destination machine 6 as a transmission destination. A facsimile control unit 12 for controlling transmission of one of the data to the destination machine 6 which is the destination.

More specifically, the facsimile control unit 12
The transmission facsimile data stored in the saving color facsimile data unit 4, for example, the color space YCbCr for a full-color still image (also referred to as “JPEG”) is matched with the facsimile function of the destination machine 6 as the transmission destination. The facsimile data conversion unit 8 converts the color data into JPEG data in the “CIELAB” color space or monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) as monochrome data.

In practice, the personal computer 2
Is connected to the destination machine 6, which is the transmission destination, that is, when a line connection is made, a DIS signal (digital identification signal, Digital Id) indicating the facsimile function which is the capability of the other machine 6
entry Signal) or CIS signal (called terminal identification signal, Called Subscribe)
er Identification), and this D
After receiving the IS signal and the CIS signal, the color space YCbCr for a full-color still image (also referred to as “JPEG”) is converted so as to match the facsimile function of the partner machine 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 2 is provided with a transmission / reception unit 14 for communicating with the facsimile control unit 12, and the transmission / reception unit 14 has a built-in type or an external type. Is
An external modem 16 is provided to connect the facsimile control unit 12 of the personal computer 2 to the destination machine 6 as a transmission destination.

Further, the facsimile control unit 12 of the personal computer 2 converts the transmission facsimile data stored in the stored color facsimile data unit 4 into data in which color data and monochrome data are mixed by the facsimile data conversion unit 8. When the personal computer 2 is connected to the destination machine 6 which is a destination having a color receiving capability for the facsimile function in the case of a plurality of pages, color data and monochrome data are determined for each page, and the determination result is obtained. Is controlled to transmit the color data and the monochrome data to the destination machine 6 as the transmission destination for each page.

When the transmission facsimile data stored in the stored color facsimile data unit 4 is converted into color data and / or monochrome data by the facsimile data conversion unit 8 of the personal computer 2, And then transmitted to the destination machine 6 as the transmission destination after the development.

If the converted data covers a plurality of sheets after the end of the conversion, that is, if there is a next page,
The conversion process of the next page is immediately executed, and the transfer time is shortened.

Next, the operation will be described.

First, the schematic flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1. The stored color facsimile data section 4 stores facsimile data for transmission, for example, a color for a full-color still image (also referred to as "JPEG"). When the space YCbCr is stored (step 100)
Then, the connection between the personal computer 2 and the destination machine 6 as the transmission destination, that is, the line connection is performed via the modem 16.

After the connection between the personal computer 2 and the destination machine 6 as the transmission destination, it is determined whether or not the destination machine 6 has a color facsimile function, that is, whether or not the facsimile function has a color receiving capability (step 102).

If the determination (step 102) is YES, that is, if the destination machine 6 has a color facsimile function, that is, if the facsimile function has a color receiving capability, the color space YCbCr for a full-color still image (also referred to as "JPEG") is converted to a color. The data is converted into JPEG data in the “CIELAB” color space, and the converted JPEG data in the “CIELAB” color space is transmitted. After transmission, deletion (Step 104) is performed, and judgment (Step 102) is performed. NO, that is, when the destination machine 6 does not have a color facsimile function, that is, when the facsimile function has no color receiving capability, a color space YCb for a full-color still image (also referred to as “JPEG”).
Cr is converted to monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) as monochrome data, the converted monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) is transmitted, and the post-transmission is deleted (step 106).

The detailed flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When the color facsimile transmission operation (step 200) is started, connection between the personal computer 2 and the destination machine 6 as a transmission destination, that is, line connection (step 202) is performed via the modem 16.

After the personal computer 2 is connected to the destination machine 6 as a transmission destination, a DIS signal or a CIS signal indicating a facsimile function which is the capability of the destination machine 6 is received (step 204).

After receiving the DIS signal and the CIS signal, the facsimile function of the destination machine 6 is set to the JPEG mode,
That is, J in the “CIELAB” color space, which is color data
A determination is made as to whether or not the data is PEG data (step 206). If the determination (step 206) is YES, the color space YCbCr for the full-color still image (also referred to as “JPEG”) is referred to as color data “ CIELA
The image data is automatically converted to JPEG data in the "B" color space (step 208), and a facsimile procedure is performed to shift to an image data transmission phase (step 210).

The above judgment (step 206) is N
In the case of O, the color space YCbCr for a full-color still image (also referred to as “JPEG”) is converted into monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) as monochrome data (step 212), and the facsimile procedure is performed. Processing for shifting to image data transmission phase (step 2
Proceed to 10).

Note that even when the transmission capability of the color facsimile is stopped by the setting of the partner machine 6, the color space YCbCr for a full-color still image (also referred to as "JPEG") is converted to monochrome facsimile data which is monochrome data. (MH, MR, MMR) (Step 21)
2) Do it.

The above-described full-color still image (“JPE
G) for the color space of CIELAB color space to JPEG data, or monochrome facsimile for monochrome images from the color space YCbCr for full color still images (also called “JPEG”). During the conversion process to the data (MH, MR, MMR), the conversion process is executed in parallel with the facsimile process so as not to delay the facsimile process.

Then, it is determined whether or not the data conversion operation has been completed (step 214). If this determination (step 214) is NO, that is, the facsimile procedure proceeds, and the process proceeds to the data transfer procedure, the conversion processing is performed. If ECM is not completed, ECM (“error correction mode” for detecting and correcting image data abnormalities, Error C
processing for transmitting flag data in the case of an (orientation mode) procedure, and continuously transmitting zero data in the case of a non-ECM procedure (step 21).
6), and return to the determination (step 214).

The above processing (step 216)
Abnormal termination due to carrier loss is prevented.

Further, if the determination as to whether or not the data conversion operation has been completed (step 214) is YES, it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step 218). If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the image data transmission / page break processing (step 226) described below. If the determination (step 218) is YES, it is determined whether or not the partner device 6 is in the JPEG mode. (Step 220) is performed.

At this time, the judgment (step 220) is YE
In the case of S, the full-color still image of the next page (“JP
EG ”) is automatically converted into JPEG data in the“ CIELAB ”color space, which is color data (step 222), and if the determination (step 220) is NO, the next page Color space YCbC for full-color still images (also called "JPEG")
r is automatically converted to monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) as monochrome data (step 22).
4) Yes.

The color data "CIELA"
B ”monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MM)
After the conversion to R), the process proceeds to the image data transmission / page break processing (step 226).

Further, it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step 228).
If 8) is YES, the process returns to the determination (step 214) as to whether or not the data conversion work has been completed, and if the determination (step 228) is NO, the personal computer 2 and the destination by the modem 16 are transmitted. The connection with a certain destination machine 6, that is, the line connection is disconnected (also referred to as "line disconnection") (step 230), and the color facsimile transmission operation is terminated (step 232).

Thus, for a picture handled on the personal computer 2 stored in the stored color facsimile data section 4, for example, a full-color still picture (“J
The facsimile data conversion unit 8 converts the transmission facsimile data of the color space YCbCr for the color space YCbCr into the JP in the CIELAB color space by the facsimile data conversion unit 8.
It can be converted to EG data or monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR), which is monochrome data, there is no need to process the facsimile data in advance, there is no time loss, and the personal computer 2 This is practically and economically advantageous because it does not consume extra storage devices such as memories and disks.

Generally, the personal computer 2
Full-color still images ("JPE
G) can be handled as facsimile data as it is, so that the management of facsimile data for transmission and reception can be centralized and usability can be improved.

Further, the facsimile control section 12 of the personal computer 2 converts the transmission facsimile data stored in the stored color facsimile data section 4 into data in which color data and monochrome data are mixed by the facsimile data conversion section 8. When the personal computer 2 is connected to the destination machine 6 which is a destination having a color receiving capability for the facsimile function in the case of a plurality of pages, color data and monochrome data are determined for each page, and the determination result is obtained. The color data and the monochrome data are controlled to be transmitted for each page to the destination machine 6 which is the transmission destination according to the data, so that the data can be converted into a mixture of the color data and the monochrome data. To the destination machine 6 which is the transmission destination The chromatography data and monochrome data can efficiently transmit.

Further, when the converted data covers a plurality of sheets after the conversion is completed, that is, when there is a next page, the conversion processing of the next page is immediately executed, so that the transfer time can be reduced. The transfer cost can be reduced, which is economically advantageous.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various application modifications are possible.

For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, when a personal computer is connected to a destination, the facsimile data for transmission stored in the stored color facsimile data section is matched with the facsimile function of the destination. The data converter converts the data into color data or monochrome data, and controls the facsimile control unit to transmit either one of the converted data to the destination, but the data stored in the saved color facsimile data unit is controlled. If the facsimile data or personal computer file is converted into color data and monochrome data by the facsimile data conversion unit and exists, the color data is transmitted according to the presence or absence of the color reception capability of the destination facsimile function. And monochrome day In it may be configured to control so as to automatically transmitted to the destination data exists as either data of the color data or monochrome data.

That is, when the facsimile data for transmission is converted by the facsimile data conversion unit into data of color data DC and monochrome data DM (step 300) as shown in FIG. 5, the personal computer and the transmission destination are used. After the connection with the partner machine, it is determined whether or not the partner machine has color facsimile, that is, whether or not the facsimile function has a color receiving capability (step 302).

Then, this judgment (step 302) is Y
ES, that is, when the destination machine is a color FAX, that is, when the facsimile function has a color receiving capability, the data existing in the color data DC and the monochrome data DM is converted into a color space Y for a full-color still image (also referred to as “JPEG”).
CbCr is transmitted as JPEG data in the "CIELAB" color space, which is color data (step 304), and the determination is negative (step 302),
If the AX, that is, the facsimile function does not have a color receiving capability, the data existing in the color data DC and the monochrome data DM is transmitted as monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) as monochrome data (step 306).

Then, the data existing in the color data DC and the monochrome data DM is converted into JPEG data in the “CIELAB” color space or monochrome according to the presence or absence of the facsimile function of the partner machine, that is, the color reception capability. It can be transmitted as monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) as data, and can flexibly cope with the facsimile function of the partner machine, which is practically advantageous.

The transmission facsimile data stored in the stored color facsimile data section or the file of the personal computer is converted into color data by the facsimile data conversion section, and has a function of being converted to monochrome data. A configuration is also possible.

That is, when the facsimile data to be transmitted is converted into color data (step 400) by the facsimile data conversion unit as shown in FIG. 6, the transmission between the personal computer and the destination machine as the transmission destination is performed. After the connection, it is determined whether the other party has a color facsimile, that is, whether or not the facsimile function has a color receiving capability (step 402).

Then, this judgment (step 402) is Y
In the case of ES, that is, when the destination machine is a color facsimile, that is, when the facsimile function has a color receiving capability, the color data is transmitted as it is (step 404).
If the judgment (step 402) is NO, that is, if the other party is a color facsimile, that is, if the facsimile function has no color receiving capability, the color data is converted to monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MM).
R), and transmits the converted monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) to the destination machine, which is the transmission destination, and converts the monochrome facsimile data (MH, M
(R, MMR), the converted monochrome facsimile data (MH, MR, MMR) is deleted (step 406).

If the transmission facsimile data stored in the stored color facsimile data section has been converted into color data by the facsimile data conversion section, when the personal computer is connected to the destination machine as the transmission destination, If the destination fax machine has the color receiving capability in the facsimile function, the color data can be automatically sent to the destination fax machine, and the fax data can be sent to the destination fax machine. If there is no color reception capability, the facsimile data conversion unit converts the color data into monochrome data, and controls the facsimile control unit to automatically transmit the converted monochrome data to the destination machine that is the destination. Facsimile data to match the facsimile function of the partner machine. It can be converted by section,
There is no need to process facsimile data in advance,
It is practically and economically advantageous because there is no time loss and no extra storage device such as a memory or a disk of the personal computer is consumed.

[0054]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a personal computer, a stored color facsimile data section for storing transmission facsimile data in a format conforming to an image color space handled on the personal computer, A facsimile data conversion unit that converts facsimile data for transmission into color data or monochrome data so as to match the facsimile function of the destination, and a personal computer connected to the destination to transmit the facsimile data for transmission to the destination In this case, the facsimile data conversion unit converts the facsimile data for transmission stored in the saved color facsimile data unit into color data or monochrome data so as to match the facsimile function of the destination, and converts either one of the data. Send data Having a facsimile control unit for controlling transmission to the destination first, the transmission facsimile data in the image color space handled on the personal computer stored in the saved color facsimile data unit to match the facsimile function of the transmission destination Therefore, the facsimile data conversion unit can convert the data into color data or monochrome data, there is no need to process the facsimile data in advance, there is no time loss, and the memory and disk of the personal computer etc. This is practically and economically advantageous because the storage device is not consumed excessively. Further, since JPEG data in an image color space generally handled on a personal computer can be handled as facsimile data as it is, management of facsimile data for transmission and reception can be centralized and usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a color fax communication system by a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a color facsimile communication method by a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first-stage portion for color facsimile transmission by a color facsimile communication method by a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a latter part of a color facsimile transmission by a color facsimile communication method by a personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a color facsimile communication method by a personal computer according to another first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a color facsimile communication method by a personal computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 personal computer 4 saving color facsimile data unit 6 partner machine 8 facsimile data conversion unit 10 conversion data storage unit 12 facsimile control unit 14 transmission / reception unit 16 modem

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masami Sugiura 6-27-28 Minamioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Kobayashi Building 4F P & P Software Inc. F-term (reference) 5C075 BA15 CA01 CD25 FF09 5C079 HA02 HA11 LB15 NA11 PA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A personal computer, a stored color facsimile data section for storing facsimile data for transmission in a format according to an image color space handled on the personal computer, and a facsimile function for transmitting the facsimile data to the transmission destination. A facsimile data conversion unit for converting color data or monochrome data, and when the personal computer is connected to a transmission destination to transmit facsimile data for transmission to the transmission destination, the facsimile data conversion unit stores the stored color data. A facsimile that converts facsimile data for transmission stored in the facsimile data section into color data or monochrome data so as to match the facsimile function of the destination, and controls one of the converted data to be transmitted to the destination. A color facsimile communication method using a personal computer, comprising: a control unit. 2. The facsimile control unit according to claim 1, wherein said facsimile data for transmission stored in the stored color facsimile data unit or a file of a personal computer is converted into color data and monochrome data by a facsimile data conversion unit. When a personal computer is connected to the destination, the data present in color data and monochrome data is converted to either color data or monochrome data, depending on whether the destination facsimile function has the color reception capability. 2. A color facsimile communication method by a personal computer according to claim 1, wherein the communication is controlled to be transmitted to a destination. 3. The facsimile control unit, when the facsimile data for transmission or the file of the personal computer stored in the stored color facsimile data unit is converted into color data by the facsimile data conversion unit, and the facsimile control unit is provided. When the destination facsimile function has color reception capability, the color data is sent to the destination as it is, and when the destination facsimile function does not have color reception capability, the saved color facsimile 2. The color facsimile communication method using a personal computer according to claim 1, wherein the transmission facsimile data stored in the data section is converted into monochrome data, and the converted monochrome data is transmitted to a destination. 4. The facsimile control unit according to claim 1, wherein the transmission facsimile data stored in the stored color facsimile data unit is converted by the facsimile data conversion unit into data in which color data and monochrome data are mixed, and when a plurality of sheets are transmitted. When a personal computer is connected to a destination that has color reception capability for the facsimile function, color data and monochrome data are determined for each page, and color data and monochrome data are transmitted to the destination according to the determination result. 2. The color F by the personal computer according to claim 1, wherein the color F is controlled to be transmitted for each page.
AX communication method.