JP3671731B2 - Data transfer device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data transfer apparatus capable of reading image data formed on a read medium and transferring the image data to a transfer destination, and in particular, deteriorates the quality of image data formed on the read medium. The present invention relates to a data transfer apparatus that can transfer data to a transfer destination without causing it to occur.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in a data transfer apparatus that reads image data formed on a read medium and transfers the image data to a transfer destination, the image data on the read medium is read via a reading unit and a reading unit. The data storage unit stores image data on the read medium and the data transfer unit transfers the image data stored in the data storage unit to the transfer destination.
[0003]
In such a data transfer device, the image data formed on the read medium is read via the reading unit, and the image data is stored in the data storage unit, and the image data stored in the data storage unit Is extracted and transferred to a transfer destination via a communication line or the like.
[0004]
The reading process and the transfer process are not necessarily executed at the same processing speed due to the state of the communication line used for data transfer, the volume of image data to be read, and the volume of image data to be transferred. Therefore, a speed difference may occur between these processing speeds. In particular, even in this difference in processing speed, when the processing speed of the reading process is faster than the transfer process, the image data is sequentially accumulated in the data storage unit, and the memory capacity provided in the data storage unit is used up. In many cases, image data obtained via the reading unit cannot be stored. Therefore, in the above-described data transfer device, when the memory capacity of the data storage unit is used up in this way, the reading operation of the reading unit is temporarily suspended until the memory capacity of the data storage unit becomes empty. Was.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described data device, if the reading operation of the reading unit is temporarily interrupted because the memory capacity of the data storage unit has been used up, the medium to be read is divided and read, resulting from the stop / re-start of the reading operation. As a result, there is a problem in that it is difficult to obtain continuity of the image data due to the superimposition of the image data and the loss of the image data before and after the stop / re-moving position of the reading operation.
[0006]
In order to cope with these problems, a means of increasing the memory capacity of the data storage unit can be considered, but an increase in the memory capacity more than necessary is not preferable because it causes a waste of memory and a cost increase.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. By preventing the memory capacity of the data storage unit from being used up, the continuity of image data due to temporary interruption of the reading operation is impaired. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer apparatus that can transfer image data to a transfer destination without degrading the quality of image data formed on a recording medium.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a data transfer apparatus according to claim 1 includes a reading unit that continuously reads image data formed on a read medium without stopping / removing, and a reading of the read medium. A reading resolution selection unit capable of selecting a resolution, a reading speed control unit for setting a reading speed at which the reading unit reads a medium to be read to any one of a high speed mode, a medium speed mode, and a low speed mode, and reading via the reading unit A data storage unit that stores the received image data, a transfer unit that transfers the image data stored in the data storage unit to a transfer destination, and a data transfer rate recognition unit that can recognize the data transfer rate of the data transfer unit In the data transfer device provided, the reading speed control unit determines whether the memory free space in the data storage unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and determines that the memory free space is smaller than the predetermined value. Resolution determination means for determining whether or not the reading resolution of the read medium is equal to or higher than a predetermined resolution, and reading with a data transfer speed set when it is determined that the selected reading resolution is equal to or higher than the predetermined resolution. Transfer processing speed determining means for determining whether or not the speed is higher than the speed, and the reading speed control unit determines that the memory free space is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or the selected reading resolution is higher than the predetermined resolution. When it is determined that the speed is low, the set scanning speed is changed to the high speed mode. If the data transfer speed is faster than the set reading speed, the reading speed is changed to the medium speed mode and the data transfer speed is set. If the reading speed is lower than the set reading speed, the set reading speed is changed to a low speed mode lower than the data transfer speed.
[0009]
According to this data transfer device, the reading speed based on the free memory capacity of the data storage unit is set via the reading speed control unit, and the read medium is read based on the set reading speed, The reading operation of the reading unit can be performed continuously. As a result, the entire memory capacity of the data storage unit is used up, and the reading operation of the reading unit is inevitably stopped / removed, so that the read medium is not divided and read, and the continuity of the image data is reduced. This makes it possible to perform high-quality data transfer.
[0010]
The data transfer device according to claim 2 is the data transfer device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an operation panel; and an input unit capable of inputting the number of read media from the operation panel. The speed control unit, when the memory free capacity determination unit determines that the memory free capacity of the data storage unit is smaller than the predetermined value, the read medium that has been read from the number of input read media Further comprising data remaining capacity determining means for determining whether or not the number of read media obtained by subtracting the number of sheets is equal to or greater than a predetermined number , and the resolution determination means includes the number of read media after subtraction being equal to or greater than the predetermined number. If it is determined that the when the reading resolution of the reading medium is determined whether more than a predetermined resolution, the number of the medium to be read after the subtraction is determined the Most less than the predetermined number, the setting It is characterized in that modified the reading speed to the high speed mode.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data transfer device according to the first aspect, wherein the data transfer device according to the first aspect includes a mounting table on which a read medium can be mounted and a predetermined number of read media mounted on the mounting table. A sensor for detecting whether or not the above is based on the thickness of the medium to be read, and an input unit capable of inputting a detection result by the sensor, wherein the reading speed control unit stores the data Whether or not the number of read media is equal to or greater than a predetermined number based on the detection result of the input sensor, when the memory free capacity determination unit determines that the memory free capacity of the copy unit is smaller than the predetermined value. A data remaining capacity determining unit for determining; and a resolution determining unit that determines whether the reading resolution of the read medium is equal to or higher than a predetermined resolution when it is determined that the number of the read medium is equal to or higher than a predetermined number. Or Determination and, when the number of the the medium to be read is determined to less than a predetermined number, it is characterized in that to change the reading speed of the set in the high-speed mode.
[0011]
According to these data transfer devices, the reading speed set via the reading speed control unit is adjusted based on the free memory capacity of the data storage unit and the data capacity of the read medium. As a result, even if the remaining memory capacity is small, if the data capacity of the medium to be read is small, the reading operation can be executed without reducing the reading speed. By reducing the speed, the waiting time of the user is not increased.
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a multi-function facsimile apparatus as an example of a data transfer apparatus.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the main body housing 2 of the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 is provided with an operation panel 3 at the upper front part. The operation panel 3 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 4 for displaying various messages such as the state of the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 and operation procedures, and a fine lamp (not shown) that is displayed by turning on the reading resolution of the document. , A super fine lamp, a toner remaining amount display lamp (not shown) for displaying the remaining amount of toner by turning off, turning on or flashing, and the like. A numeric keypad for inputting a number assigned to a communication partner terminal 87 (see FIG. 2), which is a partner telephone device, or selecting various functions related to the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1, and a start key for instructing the start of various functions A stop key for instructing to stop various functions, and the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 as a copying machine. And a copy key for instructing the start of copy processing upon. Furthermore, in the middle part of the operation panel 3, various functions can be selected by using a set key for selecting and determining various functions, a resolution key for changing the reading resolution of the original, and a numeric keypad. Equipped with various function keys.
[0019]
Note that the initial setting relating to the reading resolution of the document is standard, and neither the fine lamp nor the super fine lamp is lit. The document reading resolution can be switched each time the resolution key is pressed. When the resolution key is pressed once from the standard state, only the fine lamp is lit and the document reading resolution is When the resolution is set to fine and the resolution key is pressed twice from the standard state, only the super fine lamp is turned on and the reading resolution of the document is set to super fine. Further, when the resolution key is pressed three times from the standard state, both the fine lamp and the super fine lamp are turned on, and the reading resolution of the original is set to a halftone. This halftone gradation level can be set to a predetermined gradation (for example, 16 gradations, 32 gradations, etc.) by operating a function key, a numeric keypad, or the like.
[0020]
Further, on the rear part of the liquid crystal display 4, a document placing unit 5 on which a facsimile document transmitted to the communication partner terminal 87 (see FIG. 2) during the facsimile function and a copy document copied during the copy function can be stacked. Various documents placed on the document placement unit 5 are sequentially conveyed into the main body housing 2 and formed on the document via the image reading unit 61 (see FIG. 2). The image information is read. Then, the originals whose image information has been read via the image reading unit 61 (see FIG. 2) are sequentially discharged to the original discharge unit 6 provided below the operation panel 3 in a stackable manner.
[0021]
Further, a paper cassette insertion portion 7 is provided at the rear portion of the document placing portion 5, and a paper cassette (not shown) capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording papers can be detachably attached. It has become. The recording paper supplied via the paper cassette mounted in the paper cassette insertion portion 7 is conveyed into the main body housing 2 and is imaged via an image forming portion 53 (see FIG. 2) described later. Is formed and then discharged from a recording paper discharge unit 8 provided below the document discharge unit 6.
[0022]
Further, a video signal input terminal 9 is provided at the lower right portion of the recording paper discharge unit 8, and a video signal (image data) obtained from a video camera or the like connected to the video signal input terminal 9 is multifunctional. In addition to being taken into the facsimile apparatus 1, an image based on the video signal can be printed out via an image forming unit 53 (see FIG. 2) provided in the main body housing 2.
[0023]
Next, the internal configuration of the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to the block diagram of the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 53 that forms image information on a recording sheet, an encoding / decoding unit 55 that encodes or decodes various data, and data A binarization unit 57 that performs binarization processing, an operation panel 3 that can input various instructions, an image reading unit 61 that can read image information formed on a document, and a video signal and the like can be input A PC interface 65 that enables communication between the VTR 63 and the PC 67, a ROM 69 that stores various programs such as a data transmission processing program and a reading speed determination processing program, which will be described later, and data erasure by performing electrical processing. EEPROM 71, RAM 73 capable of storing and erasing various data, speaker 79 capable of outputting various audio information, communication A reception control unit 81 for controlling various processes related to communication between the hand terminal 87, modem 83 or the like capable of performing demodulation and modulation of the data have been governed and controlled by the CPU51 which is connected via a bus.
[0025]
The above-described image forming unit 53 is configured by a known laser beam printer, ink jet printer, or the like, and includes image information from the PC 67 connected via the PC interface 65, a video signal obtained from the VTR 63, or a network. -Prints on the recording paper image information obtained by demodulating the modulation data transmitted from the communication partner terminal 87 connected via the control unit (NCU) 85 via the modem 83 It is possible to output.
[0026]
The image reading unit 61 is configured by a known scanner that reads image information formed on a document by irradiating the document with light. For this reason, the amount of light irradiated on the document is uneven (for example, In some cases, the central portion of the document is bright and the peripheral portion of the document is bright, and the output voltage value of the CCD cannot be accurately obtained with respect to the density of the image information formed on the document. In order to cope with this inconvenience, in the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the threshold value of the CCD output voltage is determined according to the illuminance unevenness, and the threshold value data is stored in the EEPROM 71. It is configured to refer to from time to time.
[0027]
That is, the analog output voltage value of the CCD input through the image reading unit 61 is based on threshold data (converted from a digital value to an analog value by the binarizing unit 57) stored in the EEPROM 71. The CPU 51 determines whether or not it is larger, and if it is determined that the analog output voltage value of the CCD is larger than the threshold data, it is converted to 0 (white), and if it is smaller, it is converted to 1 (black). Forming data. When halftone is selected by operating the resolution key provided on the operation panel 3 described above, dot data is formed based on the dither matrix.
[0028]
Further, the image reading unit 61 can set the reading speed of the document in multiple stages, and specifically has a reading speed of 5 ms / line, 10 ms / line, 20 ms / line, and the like. . These reading speeds are adjusted by driving and controlling the document conveying roller via a drive motor and a transmission gear (not shown).
[0029]
Further, in the RAM 73, an image data memory 75 for temporarily storing image data obtained through the VTR 63, the PC 67 or the image reading unit 61 when transmitting the image data to the communication partner terminal 87, and image data An encoded data memory 77 or the like for temporarily storing the encoded data after the image data stored in the memory 75 is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 55 is provided.
[0030]
Further, the modem 83 modulates the digital signal into an analog signal, and transmits the analog signal to the communication counterpart terminal 87 via the NCU 85 or demodulates the analog signal received from the communication counterpart terminal 87 via the NCU 85 into a digital signal. In addition, a voice synthesizing function for synthesizing voice is provided.
[0031]
Next, among the various functions provided in the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 configured as described above, the image information on the document read by the image reading unit 61 is transmitted to the communication partner terminal 87 side via the modem 83. The facsimile function to be transmitted will be described in detail with reference to the data transmission processing flowchart shown in FIG. The facsimile function is processed based on the data transmission processing program stored in the ROM 69 described above. The data transmission processing program confirms the facsimile transmission instruction from the user via the operation panel 3. It is configured to be executed at the time.
[0032]
First, when a facsimile transmission instruction is confirmed via the operation panel 3, a process of allocating a part of the free memory among the entire memory of the RAM 73 as the image data memory 75 and the encoded data memory 77 is executed. (S1).
[0033]
Thereafter, the speed at which the image is read by the image reading unit 61 is determined through the reading speed determination process (S3).
[0034]
Here, the process of determining the document reading speed by the image reading unit 61 will be described in detail with reference to the reading speed determination processing flowchart shown in FIG. The reading speed determination process is configured to be processed based on the reading speed determination processing program stored in the ROM 69 described above.
[0035]
First, when the reading speed determination processing program is started, it is checked whether the image data memory 75 and the encoded data memory 77 have a free memory capacity equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S21). If there is (S21: NO), the reading speed of the image reading unit 61 is set to 5 ms / line (S29), and this reading speed determination process is terminated.
[0036]
On the other hand, if it is determined in S21 that there is no free memory capacity equal to or greater than the predetermined value (S21: YES), then whether or not the remaining number of documents placed on the document placement unit 5 is greater than or equal to the predetermined number. Is determined (S23). The determination as to whether or not the remaining number of documents placed on the document placing unit 5 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number is based on the document placed on the document placing table 5 via an optical sensor (not shown). It is also possible to make a determination based on the thickness of the document, or to input a rough document number via the numeric keypad provided in advance on the operation panel 3 and subtract the number of documents that have been read from the input document number. It is good also as a structure judged by doing.
[0037]
If it is determined in S23 that the number of remaining originals is less than the predetermined number (S23: NO), the reading speed of the image reading unit 61 is set to 5 ms / line (S29), and the reading speed is determined. The process ends.
[0038]
On the other hand, if it is determined in S23 that the number of remaining originals is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S23: YES), the reading resolution of the original selected via the resolution key provided on the operation panel 3 is It is determined whether or not the super fine is set (S25), and when it is determined that the reading resolution of the document is other than the super fine (S25: NO), the reading speed of the image reading unit 61 is set to 5 ms / line. (S29) The reading speed determination process is terminated.
[0039]
If it is determined in step S25 that the reading resolution of the document is super fine (S25: YES), the image data obtained via the image reading unit 61 is stored in the image data memory 75 next. Whether the transmission speed is faster than the reading speed by comparing the reading speed with the transmission speed at which the encoded data stored in the encoded data memory 77 is transmitted to the communication partner terminal 87 via the modem 83. Is determined (S27). Here, when the transmission speed is faster than the reading speed (S27: YES), the reading speed of the image reading unit 61 is set to 10 ms / line (S31), and this reading speed determining process is terminated.
[0040]
On the other hand, if it is determined in S27 that the transmission speed is slower than the reading speed (S27: NO), the reading speed of the image reading unit 61 is set to 20 ms / line (S33), and this reading speed determination process is performed. finish.
[0041]
After the reading speed of the image reading unit 61 is determined as described above (S3), reading of the original is started according to the reading speed (S5), and the read image data is sequentially stored in the image data memory 75. Store (S7). At the same time, the image data stored in the image data memory 75 is sequentially extracted (S9), and the image data is encoded and compressed via the encoding / decoding unit 55 (S11). The process of storing the compressed encoded data in the encoded data memory 77 is advanced (S13). Further, in parallel with these processes, a process of sequentially transmitting the encoded data stored in the encoded data memory 77 to the communication partner terminal 87 side via the modem 83 is executed (S15).
[0042]
Thereafter, it is determined whether all the originals placed on the original placement unit 5 have been read (S17). If all the originals have not been read (S17: NO), the process proceeds to S3 again.
[0043]
On the other hand, if it is determined in S17 that all the documents placed on the document placing table 5 have been read (S17: YES), all the data stored in the encoded data memory 13 and the image data memory 75 are transmitted. If it is determined whether or not all data has been transmitted (S19: NO), the process proceeds to S15 again. If it is determined in S19 that all data has been transmitted (S19: YES), the data transmission process is terminated.
[0044]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 in the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example a configuration in which image data formed on a document is read and transferred to the communication partner terminal 87, but of course the invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the same effect can be obtained by using the image forming unit 53 provided in the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 as the transfer destination for transferring the image data formed on the document, and copying the image data formed on the document. It goes without saying that it is obtained.
[0045]
When the image data transfer destination is the image forming unit 53 as described above, the reading speed of the image reading unit 61 is set to the output resolution set by the image forming unit 53, the image forming unit 53 is set to the power saving mode or the sleep mode. It is good also as a structure set based on whether it is a mode.
[0046]
Further, in the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the configuration in which the image data memory 75 and the encoded data memory 77 are both provided in the RAM 73 has been described, but of course the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even if each memory has a separate memory.
[0047]
As described above, according to the multi-function facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the reading speed determination process (S3) completes the reading of the image data memory 75 and the encoded data memory 77 (S21). The reading speed is determined based on the number of unprinted originals (S23), the original reading resolution (S25), or the speed comparison between the reading speed and the transmission speed (S27) (S29, S31, S33). Since all of the memory capacity of the image data memory 75 or the encoded data memory 77 is used up and the reading operation of the image reading unit 61 is unavoidably stopped / removed, the original is not divided and read. Therefore, it is possible to perform high-quality data transfer that has both continuity.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the data transfer apparatus of the present invention, the entire memory capacity of the data storage unit is used up, and the reading operation of the reading unit is unavoidably stopped / removed. Therefore, it is possible to perform high-quality data transfer that has continuity of image data.
In addition, even if the remaining memory capacity is small, it is possible to execute the reading operation without reducing the reading speed if a specific condition is satisfied. The waiting time of the user is not increased.
[0049]
[0050]
[0051]
[0052]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overview perspective view of a multi-function facsimile apparatus showing an example of a data transfer apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the multi-function facsimile apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of data transmission processing.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of reading speed determination processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multi-function facsimile apparatus 3 Operation panel 5 Document placing table 51 CPU
53 Image Forming Unit 55 Encoding / Decoding Unit 57 Binarization Unit 61 Image Reading Unit 69 ROM
73 RAM
75 Image data memory 77 Encoded data memory 83 Modem 87 Communication partner terminal

Claims (3)

A reading unit that continuously reads image data formed on a read medium without stopping / removing;
A reading resolution selection unit capable of selecting a reading resolution of the read medium;
A reading speed control unit that sets a reading speed at which the reading unit reads a medium to be read to any one of a high speed mode, a medium speed mode, and a low speed mode;
A data storage unit for storing image data read through the reading unit;
A transfer unit that transfers the image data stored in the data storage unit to a transfer destination;
In a data transfer apparatus comprising a data transfer rate recognition unit capable of recognizing the data transfer rate of the data transfer unit,
The reading speed control unit is configured to determine whether or not the memory free space of the data storage unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and when the memory free space is determined to be smaller than a predetermined value, the selection is performed. Resolution determination means for determining whether the read resolution is equal to or higher than a predetermined resolution, and when it is determined that the selected read resolution is equal to or higher than the predetermined resolution, the data transfer speed is determined based on the set read speed. Further comprising a transfer processing speed judging means for judging whether the speed is too fast,
The reading speed control unit sets the set reading speed to a high-speed mode when it is determined that the memory free space is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or when the selected reading resolution is determined to be lower than a predetermined resolution. When the data transfer speed is faster than the set reading speed, the set reading speed is changed to the medium speed mode, and the data transfer speed is equal to or lower than the set reading speed. And changing the set reading speed to a low speed mode lower than the data transfer speed. An operation panel;
An input unit capable of inputting the number of read media from the operation panel ;
The reading speed control unit, when it is determined by the memory free space determining means that the memory free space of the data storage unit is smaller than the predetermined value, reads from the input number of read media. Further comprising data remaining capacity determining means for determining whether or not the number of read media obtained by subtracting the number of read media is equal to or greater than a predetermined number ;
The resolution determination unit, when the number of the medium to be read after the subtraction is determined that it is greater than the predetermined number, the reading resolution of the reading medium is determined whether more than a predetermined resolution, the after the subtraction If the number of the read medium is determined the Most less than the predetermined number, the data transfer apparatus according to the reading speed of the set to claim 1, characterized in that to change the high-speed mode. A mounting table on which a medium to be read can be mounted;
A sensor for detecting whether or not the read medium placed on the mounting table is a predetermined number or more based on the thickness of the read medium placed above;
An input unit capable of inputting a detection result by the sensor;
The reading speed control unit, when the memory free space determination unit determines that the memory free space of the data storage unit is smaller than the predetermined value, the read medium based on the detection result of the input sensor Further comprising data remaining capacity judging means for judging whether or not the number of sheets is a predetermined number or more,
The resolution determining unit determines whether the reading resolution of the read medium is equal to or higher than a predetermined resolution when it is determined that the number of the read medium is equal to or higher than a predetermined number. when it is determined that less than the predetermined number, the data transfer apparatus according to the reading speed of the set to claim 1, characterized in that to change the high-speed mode.

Images