Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2011466
The present invention relates to a reader and a recorder
in a facsimile machine which is capable of maintaining a
picture size compatibility between a facsimile machine whose
specifications are set to be expressed in terms of an inch
unit system with respect to a picture element density in a
main-scanning direction and a scanning line density in a sub-
cCAnning direction perpendicular to the main-sc~nn;ng
direction, which is also capable of maintaining the picture
size compatibility between a facsimile machine whose
specifications are set to be expressed in terms of a metric
unit system with respect to the picture element density in
the main-sc~nn;ng direction and the sc~nning line density in
the sub-sc~nning direction, respectively.
Aspects of the prior art and present invention will be
described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Figures l(a) to (e) are diagrams for explaining the
operation of an embodiment of a reader and a recorder in a
facsimile machine according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a facsimile machine to
which the present embodiment is applied;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a reader used in the
facsimile machine of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a recorder used in the
facsimile machine of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a G4 facsimile
communication procedure;
Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a G3 facsimile
communication procedure;
Figs. 7(a) to 7(d) are diagrams for explaining an
enlargement processing of a picture signal in prior art
facsimile communication; and
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Fig. 8 is a block diagram exemplifying a circuit for
performing enlargement and reduction processing with respect
to a main sc~nn;ng direction.
S The specifications of a facsimile machine are
stAn~Ardized as groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 (G1, G2, G3 and G4) by
the Comité Consultatif International Télégraphique et
Téléphonique (International Telegraph and Telephone
Consultative Committee; which will be referred to merely as
the CCITT).
Facsimile machines based on the G3 and G4 specifications
handle picture signals in the form of digital data. The
picture resolutions of the facsimile
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machines in accordance with the G3 specifications are
expressed based on the metric unit system, while the
picture resolutions in accordance with the G4
specifications are expressed based on the inch unit
system. For this reason, when it is desired to transmit a
picture signal to a G4 facsimile machine from a G3
facsimile machine whlch has a G4 facsimile communication
procedure and can communicate with the G4 facsimile
machine, or when it is desired to transmit it to a G3
facsimile machine from a G4 facsimile machine which has a
G3 facsimile communication procedure and can communicate
with the G3 facsimile machine; a picture resolution
transformation between the metric and inch unit systems is
carried out usually at the time of reading an original
document.
Take the picture resolution of the G3 facsimile
machine for instance. Then the pixel density in the main
scanning direction is set at 8 pixels/mm and the scanning-
line density in the sub-scanning direction is set at 7.7
lines/mm. In the case of the picture resolution of the G4
facsimile machine, on the other hand, the pixel and
scanninq-line densities are set at 200 pixels~inch in the
main scanning directon and at 200 lines/inch in the sub-
scanning direction respectively.
For this reason, when it is desired to transmit a
picture signal from a G3 facsimile machine having the G4
facsimile communication procedure to a G4 facsimile
machine, the pixel density in the main scanning direction
2011~66
must be transformed from 8 pixels/mm to 200 pixels/inch
(200 pixels/25.4 mm). To this end, the picture signal is
only required to be subjected at the side of the G3
facsimile machine to a reduction processing having such a
reduction factor as shown by the following equation (1),
thus providing a picture having the same size as at the G4
machine side with respect to the main scanning direction.
(1/8)/(25.4/200) = 250/254 (= 98.43%) (1)
With regard to the sub-scanning direction, the
scanning-line density must be transformed from 7.7
lines/mm to 200 lines/inch (200 lines/25.4 mm). This can
be attained by performing an enlargement processing having
such an enlargement factor as shown by the following
equation (2) at the side of the G3 facsimile machine to
thereby provide a picture having the same size as at the
side of the G4 facsimile machine with respect to the sub-
scanning direction.
(1/7.7)/(25.4/200) = 10000/9779 (= 102.26%) (2)
Conversely, when it is desired to transmit a picture
signal from the G4 facsimile machine having the G3
facsimile communication procedure to the G3 facsimile
machine, it is necessary to transform the pixel density of
the main scanning direction from 200 pixels/inch (200
pixels/25.4 mm) to 8 pixels/mm, for which purpose the
picture signal is only required to be sub~ected to an
enlargement processing having such a factor as shown by
the following equation (3) at the side of G4 facsimile
machine, thus yielding a picture having the same size as
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201l46~
at the side of the G3 facsimile machine with respect to
the main scanning direction.
(25.4/200)/(1/8) = 254/250 (= 101.60%) (3)
It is also necessary to transform the scanning line
density of the sub-scanning direction from 200 lines/inch
(200 lines/25.4 mm) to 7.7 lines/mm. This can be attained
only by performing a reduction processing having such a
reduction factor as shown by the following equation (4) at
the side of the G4 facsimile machine to obtain a picture
having the same size as at the side of the G3 facsimile
machine with respect to the sub-scanning direction.
(25.4/200)/(1/7.7) = 9779/10000 (= 97.79%) (4)
Referring to Figs. 7(a) to 7(d), there are shown
enlargement and reduction factors which are used when a
picture signal is transferred between two facsimile
machines respectively.
More in detail, Fig. 7(a) shows a processing state
when a picture signal is transmitted from a G4 facsimile
machine of specifications both based on the inch unit
system with respect to the both main-scanning and sub-
scanning directions to a G3 facsimile machine of
specifications based on the metric unit system with
respect to the both main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions. The G4 facsimile machine performs a 101.60%
enlargement processing with respect to the main scanning
direction while performing a 97.79% reduction processing
with respect to the sub-scanning direction, and then
transmits the picture signal to the G3 facsimile machine.
2011~6(~
Fig. 7(b) shows a processing state when a picture
signal is transmitted from the G4 facsimile machine of
specifications both based on the inch system with respect
to the both main-scanning and sub-scanning directions to
another G4 facsimile machine of the same type. The
picture signal is not subjected to any enlargement or
reduction processing with respect to the both directions
at the sender facsimile machine, and then transmitted as
it is to the receiver one.
Fig. 7(c) shows a processing state when a picture
signal is transmitted from the G3 facsimile machine of
specifications both based on the metric system with
respect to the both main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions to the G4 facsimile machine of specifications
based on the inch system with respect to the both main-
scanning and sub-scanning directions. The G3 facsimile
machine performs a 98.43% reduction processing with
respect to the main scanning direction while performing a
102.26% enlargement processing with respect to the sub-
scanning direction, and then transmits the picture signal
to the G4 facsimile machine.
Fig. 7(d) shows a processing state when a picture
signal is transmitted from the G3 facsimile machine of
specifications both based on the metric system with
respect to the both main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions to another G3 facsimile machine of the same
type. The picture signal is not subjected to any
enlargement or reduction processing with respect to the
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2011~6
both directions at the sender facsimile machine, and then
transmitted as it is to the receiver one.
Such enlargement and reduction processings have been
so far carried out to realize a picture resolution
transformation with respect to the main scanning direction
by changing the magnifying factor of an optical reading
system and also to realize a picture resolution
transformation with respect to the sub-scanning direction
by changing the ratio of gears sub-scanning a transmission
original sheet in the sub-scanning direction. The
employment of this method, however, has involved the
complicated optical and mechanical arrangement, thus
leading to a high manufacturing cost.
Further, there has been known an arrangement for
electrically reducinq or enlarging a picture with respect
to the main-scanning direction in order to relatively
reduce the costs required.
An arrangement for electrically reducing or enlarging
a picture with respect to the main scanning direction is
shown in Fig. 8.
Firt of all, in the case of reducing a picture, a
binary picture signal is inputted to a thin-out sampling
circuit 101. The circuit 101, when sequentially receiving
the components of the picture signal corresponding to
pixels arranged in the main scanning direction, thins out
a predetermined number of components from the picture
signal at predetermined constant intervals and outputs the
picture signal being not thinned-out. When a reduction
2011466
factor is 98% for example, it is required to reduce every
50 pixels to 49 pixels and thus to remove one component
correspondinq to one pixel from every 50 components of the
picture signal corresponding to 50 pixels.
In the case of enlarging a picture, a picture signal
is applied to an interpolation processing circuit 102.
The circuit 102, when sequentially receiving the
components of the picture signal corresponding to pixels
arranged in the main scanning direction, interpolates the
picture signal at predetermined constant intervals and
outputs an interpolated picture signal. When an
enlargement factor is 102% for example, it is required to
enlarge every 50 pixels to 51 pixels and thus to add one
component corresponding to one pixel to every 50
components of the picture signal corresponding to 50
pixels. In this connection, the value of a picture signal
component to be interpolated may be a value obtained
through linear interpolation based on the value of a
picture signal component adjacent to the former picture
signal component or may be the same value as the value of
a picture signal component previous by one component
thereto. In either case, it is necessary to provide a
memory 103 for once storing therein the picture signal
inputted to the interpolation processing circuit 102.
In the case of electrically reducinq a picture with
respect to the sub-scanning direction, it is required to
thin out a predetermined number of lines from lines of the
picture signal arranged in the sub-scanning direction;
2011~66
whereas, in the case of enlarging a picture with respect to
the sub-scanning direction, it is required to interpolate the
picture signal at predetermined line intervals.
Since the reduction processing means to convert a data
quantity to a less one, the degree of deterioration in the
picture data may be small. However, the enlargement
processing means to convert a data quantity to a larger one
and this requires the prediction of the value of a data
quantity, thus inevitably causing the deterioration of the
picture data.
As has been mentioned above, since the prior art
facsimile machines have been arranged so that the G3
facsimile machine has specifications of the metric unit
system both with respect to the main-scAnn;ng and subsc~nn;ng
directions while the G4 facsimile machine has specifications
of the inch unit system with respect to the both directions,
which has resulted in that when it is desired to transfer a
picture signal between different~group facsimile machines,
this requires both the enlargement and reduction processing.
In addition, the necessity of use of the enlargement
processing to convert a data quantity to a larger one has
disadvantageously involved the inevitable deterioration of
the picture data.
The present invention provides a reader/recorder
in a facsimile machine which is capable of
201146~
maintaining a picture size compatibility between
communicating facsimile machines only performing a reduction
processing over a picture signal and can eliminate the need
for any enlargement processing, when transmitting the picture
S signal between facsimile machines belonging to different
specification groups.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention,
there i5 provided a reader for use in a first facsimile
machine, the reader comprising:
means for scanning a document in a main-scanning
direction to produce a main-scanning direction component of a
picture signal, the main-scanning direction component being
expressed in terms of G3 pixels/mm based on a metric unit
system, and for scanning a document in a sub-scanning
direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction to
produce a sub-scanning direction component of the picture
signal, the sub-scanning direction component being expressed
in terms of G4 lines/inch based on an inch unit system;
means for transmitting the picture signal to a second
facsimile machine; and means for performing a reduction
processing on the main-scanning direction component of the
picture signal when the second facsimile machine is adapted
to receive a main-scanning direction component of a picture
signal expressed in terms of G4 pixels/inch based on an inch
unit system, and for performing a reduction processing on the
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201146~
sub-scanning direction component of the picture signal when
the second facsimile machine is adapted to receive a sub-
scanning direction component of a picture signal expressed in
terms of G3 lines/mm based on a metric unit system.
5 Namely, when the picture signal outputted from the
reader is transmitted to a facsimile machine having a
recorder of the metric unit system with respect to both of
the main-scanning and sub-scanning directions, the reader
performs the reduction processing over the picture signal
with respect to the sub-scanning direction, and when the
picture signal outputted from the reader is transmitted to a
facsimile machine having a recorder of the inch unit system
with respect to both of the main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions, the reader performs the reduction processing over
the picture signal with respect to the main-scanning
direction.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a recorder for use in a first
facsimile machine, the recorder comprising:
means for receiving a picture signal from a second
facsimile machine, the picture signal having a main-scanning
direction component and a sub-scanning direction component;
and means for performing a reduction processing on the main-
scanning direction component of the picture signal produced
by the second facsimile machine when the main-scanning
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2011466
direction component of the picture signal is expressed in
terms of G3 pixels/mm based on metric unit system, and for
performing a reduction processing on the sub-scanning
direction component of the picture signal produced by the
second facsimile machine when the sub-scanning direction
component of the picture signal is expressed in terms of G4
lines/inch based on an inch unit system.
Namely, when a picture signal transmitted from a reader
of facsimile machine having specification based on the metric
unit system with respect to both the main-scanning and sub-
scanning directions is inputted to the recorder, the recorder
performs the reduction processing over the picture signal
with respect to the main-scanning direction, and when a
picture signal transmitted from a reader of a facsimile
machine having specification based on the inch unit system
with respect to both the main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions is inputted to the recorder, the recorder performs
the reduction processing over the picture signal with respect
to the sub-scanning direction.
In this way, in accordance with the present invention,
even if a picture is transmitted to or received from a
facsimile machine having specifications based on the metric
or inch unit system with respect to both of the main-scanning
and sub-scanning directions, a picture size compatibility can
be secured between communicating parties by performing a
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2011~66
reduction processing over the picture to be transmitted or
received with respect to either one of the main-scanning and
sub-scanning directions.
Further, in accordance with still another aspect of the
present invention there is provided a reader/recorder for use
in a first facsimile machine, the reader/recorder comprising:
means for scanning a document in a main-scanning
direction to produce a main-scanning direction component of a
picture signal, the main-scanning direction component being
expressed in terms of G3 pixels/mm based on a metric unit
system, and for scanning the document in a sub-scanning
direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction to
produce a sub-scanning direction component of the picture
signal, the sub-scanning direction component being expressed
in terms of G4 lines/inch based on an inch unit system;
means for transmitting the picture signal produced by the
first facsimile machine to a second facsimile machine; means
for performing a reduction processing on the main-scanning
direction component of the picture signal when the second
facsimile machine is adapted to receive a main-scanning
direction component of a picture signal expressed in terms of
G4 pixels/inch based on an inch unit system, and for
performing a reduction processing on the sub-scanning
direction component of the picture signal when the second
facsimile machine is adapted to receive a sub-scanning
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2011~6~
direction component of a picture signal expressed in terms of
G3 lines/mm based on a metric unit system; means for
receiving a picture signal transmitted by the second
facsimile machine, the picture signal from the second
facsimile machine having a main-scanning direction component
and a sub-sc~nn;ng direction component; and means for
performing a reduction processing on the main-sc~nn;ng
direction component of the picture signal produced by the
second facsimile machine when the main-scanning direction
component of the picture signal is expressed in terms of G3
pixels/mm based on a metric unit system, and for performing a
reduction processing on the sub-scanning direction component
of the picture signal produced by the second facsimile
machine when the sub-scanning direction component of the
picture signal is expressed in terms of G4 lines/inch based
on an inch system.
In a preferred embodiment, the above reader/recorder
further comprises:
means for receiving data from the second facsimile
machine indicating how the main-scanning and sub-scanning
components of the picture signal produced by the second
facsimile machine are expressed; and
means for transmitting data to the second facsimile
machine indicating how the main-scanning and sub-scanning
components of the picture signal produced by the first
facsimile machine are expressed.
In accordance with the present invention, when a
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2011~66
facsimile communication procedure is carried out between the
first and second facsimile machines, a user data indicative
of the specifications of the reader of the first facsimile
machine is exchanged with a user data indicative of the
specifications of the recorder of the second facsimile
machine.
Further, in accordance with the present invention, when
a picture signal is transmitted to the first facsimile
machine having the reader of the metric unit system with
respect to the main-~cAnning direction and of the inch unit
system with respect to the sub-scanning direction or received
from the second facsimile machine having the recorder of the
inch unit system with respect to the main-scanning direction
and of the metric unit system with respect to the sub-
sc~nn;ng direction, the picture size compatibility can bemaintained between the first and second facsimile machines by
reducing the picture signal with respect to both of the main-
scanning and sub-scanning directions.
Therefore, the present invention can eliminate the need
for any enlargement processing even for any sort of
communication party and thus can avoid the deterioration of
picture data caused by the enlargement processing. In
addition, since the present invention requires only a
reduction processing circuit, the circuit configuration can
be simplified and the cost can be made low.
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2011466
Preferred embodiments the present invention will be detailed
by referring to the attached drawings.
Referring first to Figs. l(a) to l(e), there are shown
reduction factors at which communication of picture images
are carried out between two facsimile machines based on a
reader and a recorder in a facsimile machine in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
In the drawing, there are provided four facsimile
machines 1 to 4. The first facsimile machine 1 is based
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2011466
on facsimile communication procedures G3 and G4 and also
has a reader whose main scanning direction specification
is set to be expressed as 8 pixels/mm based on a metric
unit system and whose sub-scanning direction specification
is set as 200 lines/inch (200 lines/25.4 mm) based on an
inch unit system.
The second facsimile machine 2 similarly is based on
facsimile communication procedures G3 and G4 and also has
a recorder whose main scanning direction specification is
set to be expressed as 200 pixels/inch (200 pixels/25.4
mm) based on the inch system and whose sub-scanning
direction specification is set as 7.7 lines/mm based on
the metric system.
The third facsimile machine 3 is based on a facsimile
communication procedure G3, and also has a reader and a
recorder whose specifications with respect to the main-
scanning and sub-scanning directions are set both based on
the same metric system respectively. More in detail, for
both of the reader and recorder, the main scanning
direction specification is set at 8 pixels/mm and the sub-
scanning direction specification is set at 7.7 lines/mm.
The fourth facsimile machine 4 is based on a
facsimile communication procedure G4 and has a reader and
a recorder whose main-scanning and sub-scanning-direction
specifications are set both based on the same inch system.
More in detail, for both of the reader and recorder, the
main scanning direction specification is set at 200
pixels/inch (200 pixels/25.4 mm) and the sub-scanning
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2 ~ 6 6
direction specification is set at 200 lines/inch (200
pixels/25.4 mm).
Fig. 1(a) shows the processing state when a picture
signal is transmitted from the first facsimile machine 1
to the G3 facsimile machine 3, in which since the first
and third facsimile machines 1 and 3 have the main
scanning direction specifications based on the same metric
system, the picture signal is transmitted without being
subjected to any magnifying/reducing processings in the
main scanning direction, that is, with a magnification
factor of 1. The specification of the first facsimile
machine 1 with respect to the sub-scanning direction is
set based on the inch system, while the specification of
the G3 facimile machine 3 with respect to the sub-scanning
direction is set based on the metric system. As a result,
the first facsimile machine 1 subjects the picture signal
to a reduction processing of such a reduction factor as
shown by the aforementioned equation (4), that is, to a
97.79% reduction processing with respect to the sub-
scanning direction and then sends it to the G3 facsimile
machine 3.
Fig. 1(b) shows the processing state when a picture
signal is transmitted from the first facsimile machine 1
to the G4 facimile machine 4, wherein since the first and
fourth facsimile machines 1 and 4 have the sub-scanning
direction specifications based on the same inch system,
the picture signal is transmitted without being subjected
to any magnifying/reducing processings in the sub-scanning
201146~
direction, that is, with a magnification factor of 1. The
specification of the first facsimile machine 1 with
respect to the main scanning direction is set based on the
metric system, while the specification of the G4 facimile
machine 4 with respect to the main scanning direction is
set based on the inch system. As a result, the first
facsimile machine 1 subjects the picture signal to a
reduction processing of such a reduction factor as shown
by the aforementioned equation (1), that is, to a 98.43%
reduction processing with respect to the main scanning
direction and then sends it to the G4 facsimile machine 4.
In this way, in such cases as shown in Figs. 1(a) and
1(b), the first facsimile machine 1 as a sender performs a
reduction processing function over the sending picture
signal with respect to either one of the main scanning and
sub-scanning directions to maintain a picture size
compatibility with either one of the G3 and G4 facsimile
machines 3 and 4 as a receiver.
Fig. 1(c) shows the processing state when a picture
signal is transmitted from the G3 facsimile machine 3 to
the second facsimile machine 2, in which since the G3 and
second facsimile machines 3 and 2 have the sub-scanning
direction specifications based on the same metric system,
the picture signal is transmitted without being subjected
to any magnifying/reducing processings in the sub-scanning
direction, that is, with a magnification factor of 1. The
specification of the G3 facsimile machine 3 with respect
to the main scanning direction is set based on the metric
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2011466
system, while the specification of the second facimile
machine 2 with respect to the main scanning direction is
set based on the inch system. As a result, the second
facsimile machine 2 receives the picture signal from the
G3 facsimile machine 3, and then subjects the received
picture signal to a reduction processing of such a
reduction factor as shown by the aforementioned equation
(1), that is, to a 98.43% reduction processing with
respect to the main scanning direction,
Fig. 1(d) shows the state when a picture signal is
transmitted from the G4 facimile machine 4 to the second
facsimile machine 2, in which since the fourth and second
facsimile machines 4 and 2 have the main-scanning
direction specifications based on the same inch system,
the picture signal is transmitted without being subjected
to any magnifying/reducing processings with respect to the
main scanning direction, that is, with a magnification
factor of 1. The specification of the G4 facsimile
machine 4 with respect to the sub-scanning direction is
set based on the inch system, while the specification of
the second facimile machine 2 with respect to the sub-
scanning direction is set based on the metric system. As
a result, the second facsimile machine 2 receives the
picture signal from the G4 facsimile machine 4, and then
subjects the received picture signal to a reduction
processing of such a reduction factor as shown by the
aforementioned equation (4~, that is, to a 97.79%
reduction processing with respect to the sub-scanning
2011466
direction.
In this way, in such cases as shown in Figs. 1(c) and
1(d), the second facsimile machine 2 as a receiver
performs a reduction processing function over the received
picture signal with respect to either one of the main
scanning and sub-scanning directions to maintain a picture
size compatibility with either one of the G3 and G4
facsimile machines 3 and 4.
Fig. 1(e) shows the state when a picture signal is
transmitted from the first facsimile machine 1 to the
second facsimile machine 2, in which since the first
facsimile machine 1 has the main-scanning direction
specification based on the metric system and the second
facsimile machine 2 has the main-scanning direction
specification based on the inch system, the picture signal
must be subjected to a reduction processing of such a
reduction factor as shown by the aforementioned e~uation
(1), that is, to a 98.43% reduction processing with
respect to the main scanning direction at either one of
the first and second facsimile machines 1 and 2. The
specification of the first facsimile machine 1 with
respect to the sub-scanning direction is set based on the
inch system, while the specification of the second
facsimile machine 2 with respect to the sub-scanning
direction is set based on the metric system. As a result,
either one of the first and second facsimile machines 1
and 2 must perform a reduction processing of such a
reduction factor as shown by the aforementioned equation
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2011~6(~
(4), that is, to a 97.79% reduction processing with
respect to the sub-scanning direction.
Accordingly, in such a case as shown in Fig. 1(e),
either one of the first facsimile machine 1 as a
transmitter and the second facsimile machine 2 as a
receiver can perform a reduction processing function over
the picture signal with respect to the main scanning and
sub-scanning directions to maintain a picture size
compatibility between the transmitter and receiver.
In accordance with the reader/recorder of the present
embodiment, in this way, even when a picture signal is
transmitted from the first facsimile machine 1 to the G3
or G4 facsimile machine, from the G3 or G4 facsimile
machine to the second facsimile machine 2, or from the
first facsimile machine 1 to the second facsimile machine
2; the picture size compatibility between the transmitter
and receiver can be secured only by subjecting the picture
signal to a reduction processing, thus eliminating the
need for an enlargement processing.
In the present embodiment, explanation has been made
in connection with a specific example in which the pixel
density and scanning-line density are 8 pixels/mm and 7.7
lines/mm in metric units and are 200 pixcels/inch and 200
lines/inch in inch units respectively. However, the
present invention is not limited to the specific example.
For example, the pixel and scanning-line densities are set
at 8 pixels/mm and 3.85 lines/mm in metric units and are
at 200 pixels/inch and 200 lines/inch in the inch units,
_ I g _
2011466
respectively; a reduction processing may have such a
reduction factor as shown by the aforementioned equation
(1) with respect to the main scanning direction, while
each line in the metric system is repeated twice to
convert 3.85 lines/mm into 7.7 lines/mm and then be
subjected to a reduction processing of such a reduction
factor as shown by the equation (4) with respect to the
sub-scanning direction. With regard to the sub-scanning
direction, further, one line may sequentially removed at a
rate of one line out of every 2 lines, that is, lines may
be so-called "thinned out" to convert 200 lines/inch into
100 linestinch in inch system and then be subjected to a
reduction processing of such a reduction factor as shown
by the equation (4).
Also, in the case where the pixel and scanning line
densities are set at 8 pixels/mm and 7.7 lines/mm in the
metric system and at 400 pixels/inch and 400 lines/inch in
the inch system, respectively; pixels may be sequentially
thinned out at a. rate of one pixel out of every 2 pixels
in the inch system to convert 400 pixels/inch into 200
pixels/inch with respect to the main scanning direction,
lines may be sequentially thinned out at a rate of one
line out of every 2 lines in the inch system to convert
400 lines/inch into 200 lines/inch while with respect to
the sub-scanning direction, after which the picture signal
may be subjected to suitable reduction processings of such
factors as shown by the equations (1) and (4) with respect
to the main-scanning and sub-scanning directions. In this
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connection, further, each pixel in the metric system may
be repeated twice to convert 8 pixels/mm into 16 pixels/mm
with respect to the main scanning direction, while each
line in the metric system may be repeated twice to convert
7.7 lines/mm into 15.4 lines/mm with respect to the sub-
scanning direction, after which the picture signal may be
subjected to reduction processings of such reduction
factors as shown by the equations (1) and (4~ with regard
to the main-scanning and sub-scanning directions.
In this way, according to the present embodiment,
regardless of the values of the pixel and scanning-line
densities in metric units and of the values of the pixel
and scanning-line desnities in inch units, the picture
signal may be subjected to always reduction processings of
such reduction factors as shown by the equations (1) and
(4) and can eliminate the need for being subjected to
enlargement processings of such enlargement factors as
shown by the equations (2) and (3). As a result, it will
be clear that the present invention can be simplified in
processing when compared with the prior art.
Shown in Fig. 2 are the schematic arrangements of the
first and second facsimile machines 1 and 2 used in Fig.
1, wherein a line interface 11 is connected to an ISDN
line 12 leading to an Integrated Services Digital Network
(hereinafter, sometimes referred to merely as the ISDN) to
carry out an interconnection control procedure, a
disconnection control procedures and so on to the ISDN.
More specifically, one of G3 and G4 communication
2011466
controllers 13 and 14 is connected through a change-over
switch 15 to the line interface 11. The G3 communication
controller 13, when connected through the change-over
switch 15 to the line interface 11, can execute the G3
facsimile communication procedure with the party
communication terminal through the ISDN. The G4
communication controller 14, when connected through the
change-over switch 15 to the line interface 11, can carry
out the G4 facsimile communication procedure with the
party communication terminal through the ISDN. A bus 16
is provided to transfer such data to be received or
transmitted as picture data, control data and so on
therethrough.
A reader 17 reads out a picture signal from an
original document and sequentially sends the read signal
out onto the bus 16 to transmit the read picture signal.
A recorder 18 sequentially receives a picture signal from
the bus 16 and records on a recording paper sheet the
associated picture corresponding to the received picture
signal. The picture signal sent from the reader 17 onto
the bus 16 is once stored in a picture memory 1g so that
an encoder/decoder 20 converts the picture signal stored
in the memory 19 into a coded signal and then sends out
the coded picture signal onto the bus 16. The coded
picture data is sent through one of the G3 and G4
communication controllers 13 and 14 to the ISDN and
further to the party communication terminal to be received
thereat. Meanwhile, a coded picture data transmitted from
---22-
2011466
the party communication terminal through the ISDN is
received at the G3 or G4 communication controller 13 or 14
and then applied onto the bus 16. The coded picture data
is once stored in the picture memory 19 so that the
encoder/decoder 20 decodes the same coded picture data in
the memory 19 into the original (non-coded) picture
signaland then sends it onto the bus 16. The oriqinal
picture signal is received at the recorder 18 as its input
and recorded on a recording paper in the form a picture
image.
A hook switch 21 is used to put the facsimile machine
in its on-hook or off-hook state through the intervention
of an operator. A key input 22 is operated throuqh the
operator when he desires to input various sorts of data or
instruct various sorts of functions. A controller 23
plays a role of performing general control over the
associated facsimile machine. More in detail, the
controller 23 executes its signal transmitting operation
in response to an operation of the key input 22 or hook
switch 21, executes its signal receiving operation in a
signal reception mode, and indicates on a display 24 a
message to prompt the operator to input a data.
Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a detailed
arrangement of the reader 17, which reads an original
document to be transmitted at a pixel density of 8
pixels/mm in the metric system with respect to the main
scanning direction and at a scanning line density of 200
lines/inch in the inch system with respect to the sub-
- 23-
2011~66
scanning direction.
In the drawing, more specifically, a charge coupled
device (CCD) 31 is provided to optically read the
transmission oriqinal document on a line-by-line basis and
outputs to an analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter)
32 an analog signal having a level corresponding to the
brightness of the read picture. The A/D converter 32,
when receiving the analog signal, functions to identify
the received analoq picture signal by a plurality of
predetermined threshold values, convert the analog signal
into a multi-valued picture signal having multiple values,
and output the multi-valued picture signal to a shading
correction circuit (SHD corrector) 33. The SHD corrector
33, when receiving the multi-valued picture signal from
the A/D converter 32, removes from the multi-valued
picture signal its components corresponding to the shading
distortion caused by variations in the light quantity of a
light source such as a fluorescent lamp irradiating the
transmission original document and then sends a multi-
valued picture signal subjected to the correction to an
automatic gain control circuit (AGC circuit) 34. The
corrected multi-valued picture signal is level-adjsuted
through the passage of the AGC circuit 34 and then sent
therefrom to a binary processor 35. The binary processor
35, when receiving the multi-valued picture signal,
identifies the multi-valued picture signal by a
predetermined threshold value, converts it into a binary
picture signal indicative of two values, and then sends it
--24-
2011466
to a change-over switch 36. More in detail, the binary
picture signal indicates a picture transmitted at a pixel
density of 8 pixels/mm in the metric system with respect
to the main scannin~ direction and at a scanning line
density of 200 lines/inch in the inch system with respect
to the sub-scanning direction.
The binary picture signal is passed through the
change-over switch 36 and then transmitted through either
one of two transmission paths 41 and 42. The transmission
path 41 starts with the switch 36, passes through a line
buffer 37, and ends with the bus 16 shown in Fig. 2;
whereas the transmission path 42 starts with the change-
over switch 36, passes through a sampling circuit 38 and
through the line buffer 37, and ends with the bus 16. A
series of such processing operations and signal
transmitting operations are carried out in synchronism
with a clock signal which is issued from a clock circuit
39.
In the case where it is desired to subject the binary
output picture signal of the binary processor 35 to no
reduction processing with respect to both of the main-
scanning and sub-scanning directions, the controller 23 in
Fig. 2 controls the change-over switch 36 in such a manner
that the switch 36 is changed over to establish the first
transmission path 41 and thus the binary picture signal is
transmitted from the switch 36 through the line buffer 37
to the bus 16. This results in that the picture signal
can indicate a signal transmitted at a pixel density of 8
--25-
2011466
pixels/mm in the metric system with respect to the main
scanning direction and at a scanning line density of 200
lines/inch in the inch system with respect to the sub-
scanning direction, while not subjected to any change of
its picture resolution.
When it is desired to reduce the output picture
signal of the binary processor 35 with respect to the main
scanning direction and not to reduce it with respect to
the sub-scanning direction, as shown in Fig. 1(a); the
controller 23 controls the reader 17 in such a manner that
the sampling circuit 38 is activated and the change-over
switch 36 is changed to establish the second transmission
path 42 to thereby input the picture signal to the
sampling circuit 38. The samplinq circuit 38, when
receiving the picture signal from the switch 36, performs,
in synchronism with the clock signal from the clock
circuit 39, such a series of operations that sequentially
remove a picture signal component corresponding to one
pixel with respect to each of the first 8 consecutive
groups each consisting of 50 pixels and then do not remove
any picture signal components with respect to the
subsequent 100 pixels. Such a series of operations are
repeated so that 16 pixels are removed from a total of
1000 pixels. In this case, its reduction factor becomes
(1000 - 16)/1000 = 0.984 (= 98.4%) and thus there is
carried out such a reduction processing that is
substantially the same as in the case having such a
reduction factor of 98.43% as shown by the equation (1).
- 26-
201~66
The picture signal, which has been subjected to the
reduction processing with respect to the main scanning
direction in this way but has not been subjected to any
reduction processing with respect to the sub-scanning
direction, is sent from the sampling circuit 38 through
the line buffer 37 to the bus 16. This results in that
the picture signal is displayed in the form of a picture
image at a pixel density of about 200 pixels/inch in the
main scanning direction and at a scanning line density of
200 lines/inch in the sub-scanning direction.
In the case where it is desired not to reduce the
picture signal issued from the binary processor 35 in the
main scanning direction and to reduce the same signal in
the sub-scanning direction as shown in Fig. 1(b), the
controller 23 acts to activate an operating part 40 and
also to shift the change-over switch 36 to the first
transmission path 41 side for inputting the picture signal
to the line buffer 37 in the reader 17. The line buffer
37 in turn, when receiving the picture signal, once stores
a part of the received picture signal corresponding to
several lines on a sub-scanning-direction line basis and
sequentially outputs the already stored lines of the
picture signal in the first stored order. The operating
part 40, in synchronism with the clock signal from the
clock circuit 39, erases successively 9 times the picture
signal corresponding to one line out of every 50 lines of
the sub-scanning direction from the line buffer 37 and
then erases the picture signal corresponding to one line
---27-
201 ~6~
out of the subsequent 25 lines from the line buffer 37.
Such a series of erasing operations are repeated twice to
thin out at a rate of 22 lines out of every 1000 lines.
In this case, its reduction factor becomes (1000
22)/1000 = 0.978 (= 97.8%) and thus there is carried out
such a reduction processing that is substantially the same
as in the case having such a reduction factor of 97.79% as
shown by the equation (4). The picture signal, which has
been subjected to the reduction processing with respect to
the sub-scanning direction in this way but has not been
subjected to any reduction processing with respect to the
main scanning direction, is sent from the line buffer 37
to the bus 16. This results in that the picture signal is
displayed in the form of a picture image at a pixel
density of 8 pixels/mm in the main scanning direction and
at a scanning line density of about 7.7 lines/mm in the
sub-scanning direction.
Further, in the event where it is desired to reduce
the picture signal issued from the binary processor 35 in
the main scanning direction and to reduce the same signal
also in the sub-scanning direction as shown in Fig. 1(e),
the controller 23 acts to activate the sampling circuit 38
and operating part 40 and also to shift the change-over
switch 36 to the second transmission path 42 side for
inputting the picture signal to the sampling circuit 38.
The sampling circuit 38 repeats such a series of
operations that sequentially thin out 16 pixels out of
every 1000 pixels as mentioned above so that the picture
- 2X-
201~466
signal is subjected to the reduction processing with
respect to the main scanning direction, and outputs the
picture signal to the line buffer 37. The picture signal
is then sent from the line buffer 37 to the operating part
40. The operating part 40 repeats such a series of
operations that sequentially thin out 22 lines out of
every 1000 lines as ment`ioned above so that the picture
signal is subjected to the reduction processing with
respect to the sub-scanning direction and then outputted.
As a result, the picture signal is subjected to the
reduction processings both in the main-scanning and sub-
scanning directions and then is transmitted onto the bus
16, which leads to the fact that the picture signal is
displayed in the form of a picture image at a pixel
density of about 200 pixels/inch in the main scanning
direction and at a scanning line density of about 7.7
lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction.
As explained in the foregoing, the reader 17 outputs
the picture signal, which is indicative of the picture
image to be displayed at a pixel density of 8 pixels/mm
with respect to the main scanning direction and at a
pixeldensity of 200 pixels/inch with respect to the sub-
scanning direction, from the binary processor 35, and
transmits the picture signal as not being subjected to any
reduction processing with respect to either one of the
main-scanning and sub-scanning directions or transmits the
picture signal as being subjected to the reduction
processings with respect to the both directions. As a
--29-
201 1 466
result, there can be selectively transmitted not only the
picture signal which is indicative of the picture image to
be displayed at a pixel density of 8 pixels/mm with
respect to the main scanning direction and at a pixel
density of 200 pixels/inch with respect to the sub-
scanning direction, but also the picture signal which is
indicative of the picture image to be displayed at a pixel
density of about 200 pixels/inch with respect to the main
scanning direction and at a scanning line density of 200
lines/inch with respect to the sub-scanning direction, the
picture signal which is indicative of the picture image to
be displayed at a pixel density of 8 pixels/mm with
respect to the main scanning direction and at a scanning
line density of about 7.7 lines/mm with respect to the
sub-scanning direction, and the picture signal which is
indicative of the picture image to be displayed at a pixel
density of about 200 pixels/inch with respect to the main-
scanning direction and at a scanning line density of about
7.7 lines/mm with respect to the sub-scanning direction.
Referring next to Fig. 4, there is shown an
arrangement of the recorder 18 used in Fig. 2. The
recorder 18 functions to record on a recording paper a
picture image to be displayed at a pixel density of 200
pixels/inch with respect to the main scanning direction
and at a scanning line density of 7.7 lines/mm with
respect to the sub-scanning direction.
In the drawing, a picture signal sent from the bus 16
of Fig. 2 is applied to a change-over switch 51 and
-30-
2011~6G
further sent to a recording unit 52 through either one of
two transmission paths 54 and 56. More specifically, the
first transmission path 54 starts with the change-over
switch 51, passes through a line buffer 53 and ends with
the recording unit 52; whereas the second transmission
path 56 starts with the change-over switch 51, passes
through a sampling circuit 55 and the line buffer 53, and
ends with the recording unit 52. The unit 52, when
receiving the picture signal in synchronism with a clock
signal from a clock circuit 57, records a picture image
corresponding to the picture signal on a recording paper
based on, for example, the electrophotographic recording
system. In this case, the picture resolution is 200
pixels/inch with respect to the main scanning direction
and 7.7 lines/mm with respect to the sub-scanning
direction.
In the case where a picture signal to be inputted to
the recorder 18 from the bus 16 has a pixel density of 200
pixels/inch with respect to the main scanning direction
and a scanning line density of 7.7 lines/mm with respect
to the sub-scanning direction and thus it is unnecessary
to subject the picture signal to any reduction processing
with respect to the both directions, the controller 23
acts to change the change-over switch 51 to the first
transmission path 54 side and to send the picture signal
from the switch 51 via the line buffer 53 to the recording
unit 52. That is, since the picture signal is inputted to
the recording unit 52 with the original pixel density of
2Qll~
200 pixels/inch with respect to the main scanning
direction and the original scanning line density of 7.7
lines/mm with respect to the sub-scanning direction, the
corresponding picture image can be recorded at the
recording unit 52 without any size expansion or
contraction in the both main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions.
Also, in the event where a picture signal inputted
from the bus 16 to the recorder 18 has a pixel density of
8 pixels/mm with respect to the main scanning direction
and a scanning line density of 7.7 lines/mm with respect
to the sub-scanning direction and thus it is necessary to
transform from the metric unit system of the picture
signal to the inch one with respect to the main-scanning
direction as shown in Fig. 1(c), the controller 23
functions to activate the sampling circuit 55 and also to
change the chanqe-over switch 51 to the second
transmission path 56 for inputting the picture signal from
the switch 51 to the samplinq circuit 55 in the recorder
18. The sampling circuit 55, when receiving the picture
signal, repeats such a series of operations that thin out
16 pixels from 1000 pixels in synchronism with the clock
signal received from the clock circuit 57 in the same
manner as mentioned above to thereby subject the received
picture signal to a reduction processing having a
reduction factor 98.4% substantially equivalent to the
aforementioned equation (1). The picture signal, which
has been subjected to the reduction processing with
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2011466
respect to the main scanning direction in this way, is
supplied from the sampling circuit 55 via the line buffer
53 to the recording unit 52 without being subjected to any
reduction processing with respect to the sub-scanning
direction. The picture signal thus obtained can indicate
a picture image to be recorded at a pixel density of about
200 pixels/inch with respect to the main scanning
direction and at a scanning line density of 7.7 lines/mm
with respect to the sub-scanning direction. For this
reason, the size of the picture image recorded at the
recording unit 52 having the similar picture resolution
can be made to be the same as the original one with
respect to the both main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions, thus eliminating the need for performing an
expanding or contracting processing over the picture
signal.
Further, in the case where a picture signal inputted
from the bus 16 to the recorder 18 has a pixel density of
200 pixels/inch with respect to the main scanning
direction and a scanning line density of 200 lines/inch
with respect to the sub-scanning direction and thus it is
necessary to transform from the inch unit system of the
picture signal into the metric one with respect to the
sub-scanning direction as shown in Fig. 1(d), the
controller 23 functions to activate an operating part 58
and also to shift the change-over switch 51 to the first
transmission path 54, thus supplying the picture signal
from the switch 51 to the line buffer 53. The line buffer
- 33-
201~66
53 in turn, when receiving the picture signal, once stores
a part of the received picture signal corresponding to
several lines on a sub-scanning-direction line basis and
sequentially outputs the already stored lines of the
picture signal in the first stored order. The operating
part 58, in synchronism with the clock signal from the
clock circuit 57, repeats such a series of operations over
the line bufer 53 that thin out 22 lines out of very 1000
lines in the same manner as mentioned above, whereby the
picture signal is subjected to a reduction processing
having a reduction factor 97.8% substantially equivalent
to the aforementioned equation (4). The picture signal,
which has been subjected to the reduction processing with
respect to the sub-scanning direction in this way but has
not been subjected to any reduction processing with
respect to the main scanning direction, is sent from the
line buffer 53 to the recording unit 52. This results in
that the picture signal indicates a picture image to be
recorded at a pixel density of 200 pixels/inch in the main
scanning direction and at a scanning line density of about
7.7 lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction. For this
reason, the size of the picture image recorded at the
recording unit 52 having the similar picture resolution
can be made to be the same as the original one with
respect to the both main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions, thus eliminating the need for performing a
expanding or contracting processing over the picture
signal.
--34--
201~466
Further, in the case where a picture signal inputted
from the bus 16 to the recorder 18 has a pixel density of
8 pixels/mm with respect to the main scanning direction
and a scanning line density of 200 lines/inch with respect
to the sub-scanning direction and thus it is necessary to
transform the metric unit system of the picture signal
into the inch one with respect to the main scanning
direction and also to transform the inch unit system of
the picture signal into the metric one with respect to the
sub-scanning direction as shown in Fig. 1(e), the
controller 23 functions to activate the sampling circuit
55 and operating part 58 and also to shift the change-over
switch 51 to the second transmission path 56, thus
supplying the picture signal from the switch 51 to the
sampling circuit 55. The sampling circuit 55 in turn,
when receiving the picture signal, repeats such a series
of operations that thin out 16 pixels out of every 1000
pixels in the same manner as mentioned above to subject
the picture signal to a reduction processing having a
reduction factor 98.4% substantially equivalent to the
aforementioned equation (1), and outputs the picture
signal reduced in the main scanning direction. The
outputted picture signal is then inputted to the line
buffer 53 to be subjected at the operating part 58 to a
reduction processing with respect to the sub-scanning
direction. That is, the operating part 52 repeats such a
series of operations that thin out 22 lines out of every
1000 lines in the same manner as mentioned above to
- 35---
20114~6
subject the picture signal to a reduction processing
having a reduction factor 98.4% substantially equivalent
to the equation (4). The picture signal, which has thus
been subjected to the reduction processings with respect
to the both main-scanning and sub-scanning directions,
indicates a picture image to be recorded at a pixel
density of about 200 pixels/inch in the main scanning
direction and at a scanning line density of about 7.7
lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction. For this reason,
the size of the picture image recorded at the recording
unit 52 having the similar picture resolution can be made
to be the same as the original one with respect to the
both main-scanning and sub-scanning directions, thus
eliminating the need for performing an expanding or
contracting processing over the picture signal.
As explained in the foregoing, the recorder 18 is
provided with the recording unit 52 which has a picture
resolution of 200 pixels/inch in the main scanning
direction and 7.7 lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction.
As a result, the picture signals can be selectively
inputted to the recording unit 52 in such a manner that
the picture signal indicative of the picture image to be
recorded at 200 pixels/inch with respect to the main
scanning direction and at 7.7 lines/mm with respect to the
sub-scanning direction is inputted to the recording unit
52 as it is without being subjected to any reduction
processing, that the picture signal indicative of the
picture image to be recorded at 8 pixels/mm with respect
- 3~-
2011466
to the main scanning direction and at 7.7 lines/mm with
respect to the sub-scanning direction is transformed to
about 200 pixels/inch with regard to only the main
scanning direction and then inputted to the recording unit
52, that the picture signal indicative of the picture
image to be recorded at 200 pixels/inch with respect to
the main scanning direction and at 200 lines/inch with
respect to the sub-scanning direction is transformed into
about 7.7 lines/mm with regard to only the sub-scanning
direction and then inputted to the recording unit 52, and
that the picture signal indicative of the picture image to
be recorded at 8 pixels/mm with respect to the main-
scanning direction and at 200 lines/mm with respect to the
sub-scanning direction is transformed into about 200
pixels/inch and about 7.7 lines/mm with regard to the both
main-scanning and sub-scanning directions and then
inputted to the recording unit 52.
Although pixels have been simply thinned out in the
reader 17 and recorder 18, the present invention is not
restricted to the particular examples. For example, when
a logical operation is performed between a value (one of
two values indicative of white and black) of a pixel to be
thinned out and a value of a pixel adjacent to the pixel
to be thinned out in the main scanning direction to find a
logical operational value and the logical operational
value is set as the value of the adjacent pixel,
information on the pixel to be thinned out can remain on
the adjacent pixel without deleting the information
-37-
2011466
completely. Similarly, when lines are not simply thinned
out but a logical operation is carried out between a value
of a pixel on a line to be thinned out and a value of a
pixel adjacent to the pixel on the line to be thinned out
in the sub-scanning direction to find a logical
operational value and the logical operational value is set
as the value of the adjacent value, information on the
line to be thinned out can remain on the adjacent line
without deleting the information completely.
With the facsimile machine having such an arrangement
as mentioned above, when it is desired to transmit a
signal from the machine, the controller 23 first causes
the change-over switch 15 to be changed to the G4
communication controller 14 side to realize an
interconnection between the G4 communication controller 14
and the line interface 11. And the controller 23 also
acts to operate the line interface 11 and the G4
communication controller 14 and to inform the line
interface 11 of such a transmission data as a dial number
of the communication party. The line interface 11 in
turn, when being informed from the controller 23, executes
its call setting function over the ISDN via the ISDN line
12 to call a communication terminal as the party.
At this time, when the party communication terminal
responds to the calling, the line interface 11 connects
the ISDN line 12 with the change-over switch 15. This
causes the G4 communication controller 14 to be connected
through the change-over switch 15 and line interface 11 to
- 38-
2~11466
the ISDN line 12, so that the facsimile machine starts its
communication with the party communication terminal. In
this case, if the party communication terminal is a G4
facsimile machine, then such a G4 facsimile communication
procedure recommended by the CCITT as shown in Fig. 5 is
carried out between the caller and party facsimile
machines and after the completion of this communication
procedure, communication of picture data is started.
When the communication party is not a G4 facsimile
machine, it is impossible to carry out the G4 facsimile
communication procedure between the caller facsimile
machine and the party terminal and thus picture data
communication cannot be established and the line between
the both is put in a cut-off state. Under such a
condition, the controller 23 acts to change the change-
over switch 15 to the G3 communication controller 13 side,
thus establishing an interconnection between the G3
communication controller 13 and the line interface 11.
And the controller 23 activates the line interface 11 and
the G3 communication controller 13 to again call the party
communication terminal through the line interface 11 as in
the above case. At this time, when the party
communication terminal answers to the calling, the
interconnection control of the line interface 11 causes
the G3 communication controller 13 to be connected to the
ISDN line 12 through the change-over switch 15 and the
line interface 11, whereby the present caller facimile
machine starts its communication with the party terminal
- 39-
201~466
as in the above case. In this case, if the party
communication terminal is a G3 facsimile machine, then
such a G3 facsimile communication procedure recommended by
the CCITT as shown in Fig. 6 is carried out between the
caller and party facsimile machines and after the
completion of this communication procedure, communication
of picture data is started.
In this way, when the caller facimile machine of the
present invention tries to perform the G4 facsimile
communication procedure with the party communication
terminal but ends in a failure, the caller again tries to
call the same party to perform the G3 facsimile
communication procedure. This function is referred to as
the fall back function. Thus, the use of the fall back
function enables realization of the facsimile
communication without any intervention of operator's
complicated operations and regardless of the type, i.e.,
G4 or G3 of the party communication terminal.
Next, when the present facsimile machine receives an
incoming signal, the line interface 11 first accepts a
call setting messaqe from the ISDN and starts its
interconnection control procedure to be connected with the
party communication terminal through the ISDN. At this
time, the line interface 11 also informs the controller 23
of a transmission ability data included in the call
setting message. The controller 23, when receiving the
transmission ability data, determines on the basis of a
transfer ability data contained in the transmission
-40--
2011466
ability data, whether a data to be transmitted from the
party communication terminal is a digital data or a 3.1
KHz audio data.
The controller 23, when determining that the party
transmission data is a digital data, changes the change-
over switch 15 to the G4 communication controller 14 side
and also activates the G4 communication controller 14,
since the party communication terminal is a G4 facimile
machine. This causes the present facimile machine as a
receiver to start such a G4 facsimile communication
procedure as shown in Fig. 5 with the party G4 facimile
machine as the caller. After completion of the
communication procedure, the present receiver facimile
machine starts the picture data communication.
When the controller 23 determines that the party
transmission data is a 3.1 KHz audio data, on the other
hand, the controller 23 shifts the change-over switch 15
to the G3 comunication controller 13 side to activate the
G3 comunication controller 13, since the party
communication terminal is a G3 facimile machine. This
causes the present facimile machine as the receiver to
start such a G3 facsimile communication procedure as shown
in Fig. 6 with the party G3 facimile machine as the
caller. After completion of the communication procedure,
the present receiver facimile machine starts the picture
data communication.
In this way, even when the facimile machine receives
an incoming signal or transmits an outgoing signal, it can
2011466
identify the type of the facsimile machine of the party
communication terminal, that is, G4 or G3 and can realize
the picture data communication.
When it is desired to carry out such a G4 facimile
communication procedure as shown in Fig. 5, the present
facimile machine transmits and receives signals CDCL and
RDCLP indicative of the size of transmission documents,
picture resolution and so on as well as a signal CDS for
confirming these signals CDCL and RDCLP, whereby the
controller 23 can confirm the pixel density, scanning line
density and so on of a picture data transferred through
the G4 communication controller 14.
When it is also desired to carry out such a G3
facimile communication procedure as shown in Fig. 6, the
present facimile machine transmits and receives signals
DIS and DCS, whereby the controller 23 can confirm the
pixel density, scanning line density and so on of a
picture data transferred through the G3 communication
controller 13.
Next, consider the case where the party communication
terminal has substantially the same arrangement as the
present facsimile machine and thus includes the reader 17
and the recorder 18. Then the present facimile machine,
when executing the interconnection control procedure
through the ISDN as mentioned above, transmits and
receives a call settlng message including a desired user
data and a response message to and from the party
terminal, thereby confirming that the party terminal has
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the same arrangement as the present facimile machine.More specifically, the present facimile machine transmits
and receives the call setting message including user data
indicative of the picture resolution of the reader 17 and
the picture resolution of the recorder 18 as well as the
response message to ~nd from the party, thus confirming
that the party terminal has the same arrangement as the
present facimile machine.
In the case where it is desired to transmit a picture
data from the present facimile machine 1 to the G3
facsimile machine 3 as shown in Fig. 1(a), the controller
23 confirms, on the basis of the establishment of the
facsimile communication procedure through the G3
communication controller 13, that the party communication
party is the G3 facimile machine 3. And the controller 23
also confirms, on the basis of the signals DIS and DCS
transmitted and received according to such a G3 facsimile
communication procedure as shown in Fig. 6, that the G3
facsimile machine 3 has picture resolutions of, for
example, 8 pixels/mm in the main scanning direction and
7.7 lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction. After such
confirmation, the controller 23 activates the sampling
circuit 38 in the reader 17 of Fig. 3 and also shifts the
change-over switch 36 to the second transmission path 42
side to reduce the output picture signal of the binary
processor 35 to 97.8% with respect to the sub-scanning
direction. This results in that a picture signal
indicative of a picture resolution of 8 pixels/mm in the
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main scanning direction and about 7.7 lines/mm in the sub-
scanning direction is sent onto the bus 16 and also once
stored in the picture memory 19. The encoder/decoder 20
encodes the picture signal in the picture memory 19 into a
coded picture signal and sends the coded picture signal
onto the bus 16. The coded picture signal is then
transmitted to the ISDN line 12 and further to the party
G3 facimile machine 3 by way of a route of bus 16 -~ G3
communication controller 13 -~ change-over switch 15 -~ line
interface 11. The facsimile machine 3 in turn, when
receiving the coded picture data, decodes the signal to
obtain a picture signal indicative of picture resolutions
of the metric unit both in the main-scanning and sub-
scanning directions, thus resulting in that a picture
corresponding to the decoded signal can be recorded on a
recording paper and thus can have a size compatibility
with the sender on the receiver side.
In the event where it is desired to transmit a
picture signal from the present facsimile machine 1 to the
G4 facsimile machine 4 as shown in Fig. 1(b), the
controller 23 confirms, on the basis of the establishment
of the facsimile communication procedure through the G4
communication controller 14, that the party communication
party is the G4 facimile machine 4. And the controller 23
also confirms, on the basis of the signals CDCL, RDCLP and
CDS transmitted and received according to such a G4
facsimile communication procedure as shown in Fig. 5, that
the G4 facsimile machine 4 has a picture resolution of,
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for example, 200 pixels/inch in the main scanning
direction and 200 lines/inch in the sub-scanning
direction. After such confirmation, the controller 23
shifts the change-over switch 36 in the reader 17 of Fig.
3 to the first transmission path 41 side and also
activates the operating part 40 to thereby reduce the
output picture signal of the binary processor 35 to 98.4%
with respect to the main scanning direction. This results
in that a picture signal indicative of a picture
resolution of about 200 pixels/inch in the main scanning
direction and 200 lines/inch in the sub-scanning direction
is sent onto the bus 16 and also once stored in the
picture memory 19. The encoder/decoder 20 encodes the
picture signal in the picture memory 19 into a coded
picture signal and sends the coded picture signal onto the
bus 16. The coded picture signal is then transmitted to
the ISDN line 12 and further to the party G4 facimile
machine 4 by way of a route of bus 16 ~ G4 communication
controller 14 ~ change-over switch 15 ~ line interface 11.
The facsimile machine 4 in turn, when receiving the coded
picture data, decodes the received signal to obtain a
picture signal indicative of picture resolutions of the
inch unit both in the main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions, thus resulting in that a picture corresponding
to the decoded signal can be recorded on a recording paper
and thus can have a size compatibility with the sender on
the receiver side.
In the case where it is desired to transmit a picture
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data from the G3 facsimile machine 3 to the present
facimile machine 2 as shown in Fig. 1(c), the controller
23 confirms, on the basis of the establishment of the
facsimile communication procedure through the G3
communication controller 13, that the party communication
party is the G3 facimile machine 3. And the controller 23
also confirms, on the basis of the signals DIS and DCS
transmitted and received according to such a G3 facsimile
communication procedure as shown in Fig. 6, that the G3
facsimile machine 3 has a picture resolution of, for
example, 8 pixels/mm in the main scanning direction and
7.7 lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction. After such
confirmation, the controller 23 activates the operating
part 58 in the recorder 18 of Fig. 4 and also shifts the
change-over switch 51 to the first transmission path 54
side. Thereafter, when the present facsimile machine 2
receives the picture data from the G3 facimile machine 3,
the picture signal is once stored in the picture memory 19
by way of a route of line interface 11 ~ change-over
switch 15 ~ G3 communication controller 13 ~ bus 16. The
picture data in the memory 19 is decoded at the
encoder/decoder 20 into a picture signal, which signal in
turn is inputted to the recorder 18. In the recorder 18,
the chanqe-over switch 51 is shifted to the first
transmission path 54 side to input the picture signal from
the bus 16 to the line buffer 53 as mentioned above. The
operating part 58 reduces the picture signal in the line
buffer 53j which has a picture resolution of 8 pixels/mm
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in the main scanning direction and 7.7 lines/mm in the
sub-scanning direction, to 98.4% in the main scanning
direction; thereby generating a picture signal having a
picture resolution of about 200 pixels/inch in the main
scanning direction and 7.7 lines/mm in the sub-scanning
direction. The picture signal thus obtained is inputted
to the recording unit 52 which has a picture resolution of
200 pixels/inch in the main scanning direction and 7.7
lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction, where a picture
corresponding to the decoded signal can be recorded on a
recording paper with a picture size compatible with the
sender.
In the event where it is desired to transmit a
picture signal from the G4 facsimile machine 4 to the
present facimile machine 2 as shown in Fig. 1(d), the
controller 23 confirms, on the basis of the establishment
of the facsimile communication procedure through the G4
communication controller 14, that the party communication
party is the G4 facimile machine 4. And the controller 23
also confirms, on the basis of the signals CDCL, RDCLP and
CDS transmitted and received according to the G4 facsimile
communication procedure, that the G4 facsimile machine 4
has a picture resolution of, for example, 200 pixels/inch
in the main scanning direction and 200 lines/inch in the
sub-scanning direction. After such confirmation, the
controller 23 activates the sampling circuit 55 in the
recorder 18 of Fig. 4 and also shifts the change-over
switch 51 to the second transmission path 56. Thereafter,
201~466
when the present facsimile machine 2 receives the picture
data from the G4 facimile machine 4, the picture signal is
once stored in the picture memory 19 by way of a route of
line interface 11 ~ change-over switch 15 ~ G4
communication controller 14 ~ bus 16. The picture data in
the memory 19 is decoded at the encoder/decoder 20 into a
picture signal, which signal in turn is inputted to the
recorder 18. In the recorder 18, the change-over switch
51 is shifted to the second transmission path 56 side to
input the picture signal from the bus 16 to the sampling
circuit 55 as mentioned above. The sampling circuit 55
reduces the picture signal, which has a picture resolution
of 200 pixels/inch in the main scanning direction and 200
lines/inch in the sub-scanning direction, to 97.8% in the
main scanning direction; thereby generating a picture
signal having a picture resolution of 200 pixels/inch in
the main scanning direction and about 7.7 lines/mm in the
sub-scanning direction. The picture signal thus obtained
is inputted to the recording unit 52 which has a picture
resolution of 200 pixels/inch in the main scanning
direction and 7.7 lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction,
where a picture corresponding to the decoded signal can be
recorded on a recording paper with a picture size
compatible with the sender.
Next, in the case where it is desired to transmit a
picture signal from the first facsimile machine 1 to the
second facsimile machine 2, the both machines having the
same arrangement, as shown in Fig. 1(e); when the
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interconnection control procedure is required between the
both facsimile machines through the ISDN as mentioned
above, the controller 23 of each of the both machines
determines that the party facsimile machine has the reader
17 and the recorder 18 each having the same picture
resolution, and performs the G4 facsimile communication
procedure.
When, for example, the first facsimile machine 1 as a
signal sender is previously set to carry out the picture
solution transformation, the controller 23 of the first
facsimile machine 1 acts to activate the operating part 40
and sampling circuit 38 in Fig. 3 and also to shift the
change-over switch 36 to the second transmission path 42
side, whereby the picture signal issued from the binary
processor 35 is reduced to 98 4% in the main scanning
direction and to 97.8% in the sub-scanning direction. As
a result, there can be obtained a picture signal which has
a picture resolution of about 200 pixels/inch in the main
scanning direction and about 7.7 lines/mm in the sub-
scanning direction. This picture signal is encoded into a
picture data which in turn is transmitted to the second
facsimile machine 2. The second facsimile machine 2, when
receiving the picture data, decodes the received picture
data into a picture signal which has a resolution of about
200 pixels/inch in the main scanning direction and about
7.7 lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction. The decoded
picture signal is not subjected to any reduction
processing and inputted to the recording unit 52 in the
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recorder 18 as it is. Since the recording unit 52 has a
picture resolution of the metric unit with respect to the
both main-scanning and sub-scanning direction, a picture
having a size compatible with that on the sender side can
be recorded on the basis of the picture signal.
When, rather than the first facsimile machine 1 of
the sender side, the second facsimile machine 2 of the
receiver side is previously set to perform the picture
resolution transformation, the first machine 1 encodes the
picture signal while not performing any reduction
processing over the picture signal to obtain a picture
data. The obtained picture data is transmitted to the
second facsimile machine 2. When receiving the picture
data, the second facsimile machine 2 decodes the same data
into a picture signal which in turn is inputted to the
recorder 18. In the recorder 18, the operating part 58
and sampling circuit 55 shown in Fig. 4 are activated and
the change-over switch 51 is shifted to the second
transmission path 56 under the control of the controller
23, so that the picture signal is reduced to 98.4% in the
main scanning direction and to 97.8% in the sub-scanning
direction. This results in that there can be obtained a
picture signal which has a picture resolution of about 200
pixels/inch in the main scanning direction and 7.7
lines/mm in the sub-scanning direction. The obtained
picture signal is inputted to the recording unit 52 where
a picture corresponding to the picture signal and having a
size compatible with that on the sender is recorded.
--50--
2û~1~66
As has been explained in the foregoing, in accordance
with the facsimile machine of the present invention, even
when the party communication terminal has a picture
resolution of the metric unit in the both main-scanning
and sub-scanning directions or has a picture resolution of
the inch unit in the both main-scanning and sub-scanning
directions, or even when the party communication terminal
has the same arrangement as the present invention; picture
size compatibility therebetween can be secured only by
performing the reduction processsing over the picture
signal with respect to either one or both of the main-
scanning and sub-scanning directions. That is, the
present invention can eliminate the need for any
enlargement processing, can avoid the deterioration of
data caused by the enlargement processing, and can
eliminate the need for provision of a circuit for the
enlargement processing.
_
