JP4181256B2 - Facsimile system and image transfer control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile system having a character recognition function and an image transfer control method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there has been an increasing tendency to improve business efficiency, and among various facsimile apparatuses, a facsimile apparatus having an OCR function therein has been proposed. By using this OCR function, a new function is added to a normal facsimile machine.
[0003]
An example in which received facsimile data is transferred to a sub-address designated by a transmission source as a facsimile apparatus having such an OCR function will be described. FIG. 7 shows an example of a dedicated original form used in such a facsimile apparatus. Control marks such as a start mark 702 and an end mark 703 are provided in a predetermined area of the dedicated document 701. By reading the control mark using the OCR reading function of the receiving facsimile machine, the subaddress to be transferred can be recognized. As a result, the document can be transferred to the designated subaddress.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to recognize a subaddress in a conventional facsimile machine having an OCR function, after reading a control mark, the subaddress displayed between the control marks must be recognized. That is, it is necessary to recognize the control mark before recognizing the subaddress. Further, the display position and the designated number of subaddresses differ depending on the facsimile machine on the transmission side. For this reason, the receiving facsimile apparatus needs to recognize control marks corresponding to different sub-addresses such as a display position. As a result, there is a problem that the efficiency of the reading operation of the OCR reading device cannot be achieved.
[0005]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a facsimile system and an image transfer control method capable of efficiently reading character information displayed in a predetermined area of a document with an OCR function. To do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a facsimile system for executing a predetermined facsimile transmission control procedure between a calling station and a called station and transferring original image data of the calling station from the called station. Is a determination means for analyzing the control signal indicating the standard function sent from the called station to determine the presence or absence of the OCR function of the called station, and when the determination means determines that the called station has the OCR function, An instruction setting means for setting a parameter corresponding to an instruction to use the OCR function in the setting instruction for the called station , designation of a reading coordinate by the OCR function , designation of a relay form, designation of a transfer area of the document image data ; called station has recognition means for recognizing the destination by reading the original image data in the area specified by the set said analyzing the parameters read coordinates by the instruction setting unit, by the recognition means It had a transferring unit for transferring the identified said original image data in the area specified by the transfer area by a transfer form prescribed by the relay mode to a destination which is characterized.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Facsimile system of the first aspect of the present invention, by performing the facsimile predetermined transmission control procedure between the calling station and the called station is transferred from the called station the original image data of the calling station facsimile In this system , the calling station analyzes a control signal indicating a standard function sent from the called station to determine whether the called station has an OCR function, and the determining means determines whether the called station has an OCR. If it is determined that it has a function, parameters corresponding to an instruction to use the OCR function , designation of reading coordinates by the OCR function , designation of a relay form, and designation of the transfer area of the original image data are set in the setting instruction for the called station and a command setting unit, the called station is aware of the destination by reading the original image data in the area specified by the set said analyzing the parameters read coordinates by the instruction setting means Taking that a recognition means, a structure and a transferring unit for transferring the original image data for the the transfer form prescribed by the relay mode to the recognized destination by recognizing means designated by the transfer area region .
[0008]
According to this configuration, in the calling station, when the determining means analyzes the control signal indicating the standard function of the called station and detects information indicating that the called station has the OCR function, the command setting means A parameter for specifying an instruction to use the OCR function and a reading coordinate by the OCR function is set in the setting command. For this reason, the recognizing means of the called station can limit the reading operation only for the area indicated by the designated reading coordinates . Thus, by recognizing the start mark and the end mark without designating the OCR reading area, the efficiency of the OCR reading operation can be improved as compared with the conventional facsimile apparatus that recognizes the OCR reading area.
[0009]
In the facsimile system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the transfer processing means confirms the transfer mode instructed by the relay mode, and transfers the document image data by one or both of facsimile transfer and e-mail transfer. The structure which performs is taken.
[0010]
According to this configuration, the transfer mode is switched according to the instruction content of the relay mode of the setting command . For this reason, the calling station simply sets the instruction content of the relay form in the setting command and designates the sub address corresponding to the transfer form in the OCR reading area, and either or both of the facsimile transfer and the e-mail transfer. Document image data can be transferred .
[0011]
In the image transfer control method according to the third aspect of the present invention, a predetermined transmission control procedure for facsimile is executed between the calling station and the called station, and the original image data of the calling station is transferred from the called station. And a determination step of determining whether the calling station has an OCR function by analyzing a control signal indicating a standard function sent from the calling station, and the determination step. If it is determined that the calling station has the OCR function, the setting instruction for the called station corresponds to the instruction to use the OCR function , the designation of the reading coordinates by the OCR function , the instruction of the relay form, and the designation of the transfer area of the original image data. A command setting step for setting parameters, and the receiving station analyzes the parameters set in the command setting step and reads the document image data in the area specified by the reading coordinates to determine a transfer destination. Recognition And extent, and to have a transfer process of transferring the original image data of the area specified by the transfer area by a transfer form prescribed by the relay mode to the recognized destination by the recognition process.
[0012]
According to this method, in the calling station, when the control signal indicating the standard function of the called station is analyzed and information indicating that the called station has the OCR function is detected, the OCR function in the command setting step is detected. A parameter for designating a use coordinate and a reading coordinate by the OCR function is set in the setting command. For this reason, in the recognition process of the called station, the reading operation can be limited only for the area indicated by the designated reading coordinates . Thus, by recognizing the start mark and the end mark without designating the OCR reading area, the efficiency of the OCR reading operation can be improved as compared with the conventional method for recognizing the OCR reading area.
[0017]
The image transfer control method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image transfer control method according to the third aspect, wherein in the transfer processing step, the transfer form instructed in the relay form is confirmed and one or both of facsimile transfer and e-mail transfer are confirmed. Thus, the document image data is transferred.
[0018]
According to this configuration, the transfer mode is switched according to the instruction content of the relay mode of the setting command . For this reason, the calling station simply sets the instruction content of the relay form in the setting command and designates the sub address corresponding to the transfer form in the OCR reading area, and either or both of the facsimile transfer and the e-mail transfer. Document image data can be transferred .
[0021]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram when a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to an Internet facsimile apparatus. Hereinafter, a case where the sub address function is provided using the OCR function will be described.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus 101 includes a transmission / reception control unit 102 and a network control unit 103. The transmission / reception control unit 102 has a function of performing normal facsimile communication via a public telephone network (PSTN) and a dedicated line. The network control unit 103 has a function of performing normal electronic mail transmission via a LAN and a dial-up network. In addition, the network control unit 103 has a function of converting received image data into an attached file and performing e-mail communication when transferring received facsimile data, in other words, image data as e-mail.
[0024]
The received image storage unit 104 stores the image data received by the transmission / reception control unit 102. The character recognizing unit 105 replaces the number corresponding to the sub-address among the image data stored in the received image storage unit 104 with a character code using the OCR function. The recognition result storage unit 106 stores the subaddress read by the character recognition unit 105.
[0025]
On the other hand, the parameter analysis unit 107 analyzes a later-described DCS signal, and stores a predetermined parameter in the parameter storage unit 108 from the DCS signal. These parameters include instructions for using the OCR function, relay mode instructions, and reading coordinate designation by the OCR function.
[0026]
Next, in the facsimile apparatus having the above-described configuration, an operation until the character recognition unit 105 recognizes a subaddress using the OCR function and transfers the subaddress to the subaddress will be described.
[0027]
First, the parameter analysis unit 107 checks whether or not there is an instruction to use the OCR function for a predetermined parameter stored in the parameter storage unit 108. When the use of the OCR function is instructed for the predetermined parameter, the parameter analysis unit 107 transfers the use command for the OCR function and the coordinate data in the sub-address display field to the character recognition unit 105.
[0028]
When these commands and coordinate data are received, the character recognition unit 105 replaces the portion corresponding to the coordinate data in the sub-address display field on the image data stored in the received image storage unit 104 with a character code using the OCR function. Thereafter, the character recognition unit 105 transfers the replaced subaddress to the recognition result storage unit 106. The recognition result storage unit 106 stores the subaddress.
[0029]
On the other hand, the parameter analysis unit 107 confirms which relay form instruction is specified in the predetermined parameter stored in the parameter storage unit 108.
[0030]
When the transfer by the facsimile apparatus is designated as the predetermined parameter, the parameter analysis unit 107 gives a facsimile transfer command to the transmission / reception control unit 102. The transmission / reception control unit 102 fetches the facsimile registered telephone number recognized from the recognition result storage unit 106. Further, the transmission / reception control unit 102 takes in the image data stored from the received image storage unit 104. Thus, the transmission / reception control unit 102 can perform facsimile transfer of a document document to a facsimile sub-address designated by a facsimile machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a calling station) of a calling station.
[0031]
On the other hand, when transfer by e-mail is instructed to a predetermined parameter, the parameter analysis unit 107 gives an e-mail transfer command to the network control unit 103. The network control unit 103 captures the recognized email address from the recognition result storage unit 106. In addition, the network control unit 103 takes in the image data stored from the received image storage unit 104. The network control unit 103 converts this image data into an attached file. As a result, the network control unit 103 can transfer the original document e-mail to the sub-address of the e-mail designated by the calling station.
[0032]
Next, a transmission control procedure of the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing processing after phase B in the transmission control procedure of the facsimile apparatus of group 3 equipment.
[0033]
When the calling station finishes the phase A processing for the facsimile apparatus of the called station (hereinafter simply referred to as the called station), the called station transmits the standard function provided in the apparatus on the DIS signal. At this time, the DIS signal includes information indicating that it has an OCR function.
[0034]
Next, the calling station transmits a setting command in the facsimile communication on the DCS signal based on the DIS signal. This setting command includes, for example, an instruction to use the OCR function, a relay form instruction, and reading coordinate designation by the OCR function. The OCR function use instruction and the relay form instruction are specified based on the user's instruction at the time of transmission. Thereafter, the calling station transmits a training signal and a TCF signal in order to set modem parameters. When all preparations for transmission are completed, the calling station starts transmission of an image signal.
[0035]
Next, a transmission format of the control signal such as the DIS signal or the DCS signal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is an HDLC frame configuration diagram used for transmission of a general control signal. As shown in FIG. 3A, the HDLC frame includes an information field. This information field is divided into a facsimile control field FCF and a facsimile information field FIF (hereinafter referred to as FIF). The DIS signal and the DCS signal are processed as information in this FIF. In the FIF, 32 bits based on the FIF code table are assigned to the DIS signal and the DCS signal. In this FIF code table, an extension bit is set at the 32nd bit.
[0036]
FIG. 3B shows an extension bit set in the DIS signal. When “1” is set in the 32nd extension bit based on the FIF code table, an area that can be transmitted in the FIF is extended. The called station can register to have the OCR function in this expanded area. The calling station can recognize that the called station has the OCR function by receiving the DIS signal.
[0037]
The extension bit set in the DCS signal is shown in FIG. Similarly to the DIS signal, when the extension bit is set to “1” at the 32nd bit based on the FIF code table, the area that can be transmitted in the FIF is extended. The calling station can register information such as an instruction for using the OCR function, a relay mode instruction, and reading coordinate designation by the OCR function in the expanded area. In FIG. 3C, an instruction for using the OCR function of the called station or a relay mode instruction for transfer is registered in the processing instruction column. The number of target areas to be read by the OCR function is registered in the recognition target area number column. Subsequently, specific reading coordinates are registered in accordance with the number of these target areas. In the transfer area instruction field, an area where the document is desired to be transferred is registered.
[0038]
Next, the operation when the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention transmits a document will be specifically described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the calling station of the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving station of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a document transmission surface in which a sub-address is designated in a dedicated document document.
[0039]
In FIG. 6, OCR reading areas 602 a and 602 b and a transfer area 603 are provided on a document transmission surface 601. The OCR reading areas 602a and 602b display subaddresses to be read by the OCR reading device of the called station. In the transfer area 603, the calling station displays a desired document. FIG. 6 shows an example in which telephone numbers registered by facsimile are entered in the OCR reading areas 602a and 602b when the calling station performs facsimile transfer.
[0040]
Hereinafter, a flow when the calling station transmits the document shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0041]
First, in step 401 (ST401), the calling station determines whether or not there is a transfer request. Accordingly, the transmission / reception control unit 102 calls the called station. If no transfer request is made, in ST402, the calling station performs normal transmission processing. On the other hand, when making a broadcast request, in step ST403, the calling station determines whether or not the called station has an OCR function based on the DIS signal received from the called station. At this time, the determination is made based on whether or not a flag indicating that the extension bit in the DIS signal has the OCR function is set.
[0042]
When the calling station recognizes that it does not have the OCR function, the calling station displays an error in ST404, and then the transmission ends. On the other hand, if the called station recognizes that it has the OCR function, in ST405, the transmission / reception control section 102 configures parameters in the DCS signal. That is, a flag indicating the use of the extended function is set in the extended bit in the DCS signal. Thereby, the area that can be transmitted is expanded, and information for specifying the parameter is registered in this area. More specifically, an OCR function use instruction, a relay form instruction, coordinate designation of the OCR reading areas 602a and 602b and transfer area 603 designation shown in FIG. 6 are registered. When this registration is completed, transmission / reception control section 102 transmits this DCS signal in ST406.
[0043]
Next, in ST407, the transmission / reception control unit 102 transmits the image data of the transmission original document. Next, in ST408, transmission / reception control section 102 determines whether or not image data has been transmitted normally.
[0044]
If the transmission of the image data is not normally performed, the calling station displays an error in ST404 and ends the transmission. On the other hand, when the transmission of the image data is normally performed, all the processes of the transmission process are finished.
[0045]
Hereinafter, the flow in the case where the receiving station receives and transfers the document shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0046]
First, when a receiving station receives a transfer request from a calling station, in ST501, the transmission / reception control unit 102 transmits a DIS signal. At this time, the extension bit in the DIS signal has a flag indicating that it has an OCR function.
[0047]
Next, transmission / reception control section 102 confirms reception of the DCS signal from the calling station in ST502. If transmission / reception control section 102 does not normally receive the DCS signal, the reception process is interrupted and the reception ends in ST503. On the other hand, when the transmission / reception control unit 102 normally receives the DCS signal, the parameter analysis unit 107 determines in ST504 whether or not a flag indicating use of the OCR function is set in the extension bit in the DCS signal. Do.
[0048]
If the flag indicating use of the OCR function is not set in the extension bit in the DCS signal, the receiving station performs normal reception processing in ST505. On the other hand, when the flag indicating the use of the OCR function is set in the extension bit in the DCS signal, in the receiving station, in ST506, the parameter registered in the extended area of the DCS signal is stored in the parameter storage unit. It stores in 108.
[0049]
Next, in ST507, the transmission / reception control unit 102 receives image data. Next, in ST508, it is confirmed whether or not the image data has been normally received. If the image data is not normally received, the reception process is interrupted and the reception ends in ST503. On the other hand, when the image data is normally received, the reception of the image data is terminated in ST509.
[0050]
Next, in ST510, the character recognition unit 105 reads the OCR reading area of the first page with the OCR reading device. More specifically, the OCR reading areas 602a and 602b shown in FIG. 6 are read by the OCR reading device. At this time, the parameter analysis unit 107 transfers the coordinate data of the OCR reading areas 602a and 602b among the parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 108 to the character recognition unit 105.
[0051]
Next, in ST511, the character recognition unit 105 confirms recognition of the subaddress displayed in the OCR reading area. If the sub address cannot be recognized, in ST512, transmission / reception control section 102 notifies the calling station to that effect. On the other hand, when the sub-address can be recognized, the parameter analysis unit 107 confirms the relay mode instruction of the parameter stored in the parameter storage unit 108 in ST513. That is, it is determined whether the request is a transfer request by a facsimile apparatus or an e-mail transfer request.
[0052]
If it is a transfer request by the facsimile apparatus, in ST514, the called station performs a transfer process by the facsimile apparatus. That is, the parameter analysis unit 107 gives a facsimile transfer command to the transmission / reception control unit 102. The transmission / reception control unit 102 fetches the facsimile registered telephone number recognized from the recognition result storage unit 106. Further, the transmission / reception control unit 102 takes in the image data stored from the received image storage unit 104.
[0053]
On the other hand, if the request is a transfer request by electronic mail, in ST515, the called station performs a transfer process by electronic mail. That is, the parameter analysis unit 107 gives an e-mail transfer command to the network control unit 103. The network control unit 103 captures the recognized email address from the recognition result storage unit 106. In addition, the network control unit 103 takes in the image data stored from the received image storage unit 104.
[0054]
Next, in ST516, the transmission / reception control unit 102 checks these transfer processing errors. If an error occurs, the transmission / reception control section 102 notifies the calling station to that effect in ST512. On the other hand, when the process ends normally without causing an error, all the processes of the reception process and all the processes of the transfer process are ended.
[0055]
Thus, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, the called station transmits a DIS signal with a flag indicating that it has an OCR function to the calling station. Based on this, the calling station transmits a DCS signal designating an OCR reading area and a transfer area on the image data. For this reason, the called station can limit the OCR reading operation only to the portion corresponding to the designated OCR reading area. As a result, the OCR reader does not read extra portions. As a result, the reading operation of the OCR reading device can be performed efficiently.
[0056]
In the present embodiment, a description has been given of a facsimile apparatus that performs transfer by designating only one of a telephone number or an e-mail address registered as a facsimile as a sub address in the OCR reading area, but is limited to only one of them. It is also possible to transfer by designating both.
[0057]
In this embodiment, the coordinate data of the OCR reading area is set in the setting command, the sub address entered in the coordinate data is read by the OCR reading device, and the transfer destination such as facsimile transfer is recognized. Explained utilization. However, without limiting to such transfer destination recognition or the like, any processing content can be set in a setting command from the calling station, and the OCR function can be effectively used to realize the processing.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the calling station, the determination means analyzes the control signal indicating the standard function of the called station, and detects information indicating that the called station has the OCR function. In this case, the command setting means sets a parameter for specifying an instruction to use the OCR function and a reading coordinate by the OCR function in the setting command. For this reason, the recognizing means of the called station can limit the reading operation only for the area indicated by the designated reading coordinates . Thus, by recognizing the start mark and the end mark without designating the OCR reading area, the efficiency of the OCR reading operation can be improved as compared with the conventional facsimile apparatus that recognizes the OCR reading area.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining a transmission control procedure of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the calling station of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the calling station of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the called station. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a dedicated document used in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an example of a dedicated document used in a conventional facsimile apparatus. Figure [Explanation of symbols]
102 Transmission / Reception Control Unit 103 Network Control Unit 104 Received Image Storage Unit 105 Character Recognition Unit 106 Recognition Result Storage Unit 107 Parameter Analysis Unit 108 Parameter Storage Unit 601 Original Transmission Surface 602 OCR Reading Area 603 Transfer Area

Claims (4)

A facsimile system that executes a predetermined facsimile transmission control procedure between a calling station and a called station and transfers the original image data of the calling station from the called station. Determining means for analyzing the control signal indicating the standard function sent from the station to determine whether or not the receiving station has the OCR function, and if the determining means determines that the called station has the OCR function, setting instruction using an instruction OCR function, specification of reading coordinate by OCR function, instruction of the relay form, and a command setting means for setting a parameter corresponding to the specified transfer area of the original image data, the called station a recognition means for recognizing the destination by reading the original image data in the area specified by the set said analyzing the parameters read coordinates by the instruction setting means, it has been recognized by the recognition means Facsimile system, characterized in that, having a transferring unit for transferring the original image data of the area specified by the transfer area by a transfer form prescribed by the relay configuration to Okusaki. 2. The transfer processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the transfer processing unit confirms a transfer mode designated by the relay mode and transfers the document image data by one or both of facsimile transfer and e-mail transfer . Facsimile system . An image transfer control method for executing a predetermined transmission control procedure for facsimile between a calling station and a called station, and transferring original image data of the calling station from the called station , wherein the calling station includes: A determination step of analyzing the control signal indicating the standard function sent from the called station to determine the presence or absence of the OCR function of the called station, and if it is determined by this determination step that the called station has the OCR function, the incoming call a setting instruction using an instruction OCR function for a station, designated read coordinates by OCR function, instruction of relay form, and instructions setting step of setting a parameter corresponding to the specified transfer area of the original image data, incoming call stations, said instructions setting step recognizing the set destination by reading the original image data in the area specified by said analyzing the parameters read coordinates by the process, which is recognized by the recognizing step forward Image transfer control method, characterized in that, having a transfer step of transferring the original image data of the area specified by the transfer area by a transfer form prescribed by the relay configuration to. 4. The document image data transfer according to claim 3 , wherein in the transfer processing step, the transfer mode designated by the relay mode is confirmed, and the document image data is transferred by one or both of facsimile transfer and e-mail transfer . Image transfer control method.

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