JPS63178666A - Communication control equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use proper paper by detecting a print zone based on a facsimile reception data, detecting the print zone based on the result of detection and providing a function discriminating the paper size based on the result of detection. CONSTITUTION:A communication procedure control section 13 gives a received compression code to a decode line check section 14, which stores it sequentially to a FAX picture information storage section 15 and gives it to a print dot zone detection section 16. The detection section 16 detects from what order bit till what bit order a black data exists at each line based on the compression code, paper size is discriminated based on the result of detection and stores the paper size information to a FAX picture information storage section 15. When a print command is given to the storage section 15 in this state, after the storage section 15 displays the said paper size information on a paper size display section 18, the stored compression code is sent to a decode processing section 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a communication control device that receives data from a facsimile machine and outputs it to a printer.

In general, there is an increasing demand for information communication in information processing devices such as document processing devices (word processors) and personal computers. A communication control device may be considered that receives data from a communication terminal device (referred to as a "facsimile device") having a facsimile transmission function and causes a printer to print the received data.

However, when data received from a facsimile device is printed using a printer of an information processing device, a problem arises in that data is lost unless paper of a size larger than that of the sending side is used.

Purpose This invention was made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to enable the use of appropriate paper.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided with a function of detecting a print area based on received data and determining the paper size based on the detection result.

Hereinafter, a detailed explanation will be given based on one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing system equipped with a communication control device embodying the present invention.

This information processing system includes a host 1 such as a document creation/editing device (word processor) or a personal computer, and a printer 2 such as a thermal printer, inkjet printer, or laser printer as a printing device, and the host 1 has a Centronics interface connector. A communication control device 3 having a function of transmitting to a communication terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a "facsimile device") having a function of receiving a facsimile and a function of receiving from a facsimile device is connected via a cable 6 and a communication control device 3 having a function of transmitting to and receiving from a facsimile device. The printer 2 is connected to the control device @3 via a Centronics interface connector 7, 8 and a cable 9, and the communication control device 3 is further connected to the GIO.

In this information processing system, when the communication control device 3 is not used and the information processing system is simply used as an information processing device, the host 1 and the printer 2 may be directly connected via the connectors 4 and 5 and the cable 6.

In this way, the communication control device @3 can be connected or removed between the host 1 and the printer 2, so it is possible to connect the information processing system to the facsimile device without making any changes to the host 1 or the printer 2. It can be used as a communication terminal device that has a sending function and a receiving function from a facsimile machine.

Note that when only receiving data from a facsimile machine, the host 1 is not necessary, and the communication control device 3 and printer 2 are required.
By connecting it to a facsimile device, it can be used as a communication terminal device having a function of receiving data from a facsimile device.

Next, an overview of the receiving function of this communication control device 3 will be explained with reference to FIG.

From the destination facsimile machine to the line control unit (NCU) 1
1 and modem 12, the communication procedure control unit 13 passes the compressed code (FAX image information) received from the destination facsimile machine to the decode line check unit 14. Therefore, the decoded line checking unit 14 performs a run length check on the compressed code to determine whether it is a correct line or not. If the line is correct, the decoded line check unit 14 transfers the received compressed code to the FAX image information storage
5, and also provides the received compressed code to the print dot area detection section 16.

This print dot area detection unit 16 detects from which bit to which bit there is black data for each line based on the received compressed code, and based on this detection result, it determines the paper size corresponding to each page. is determined, and information indicating the determined paper size (paper size information) is stored in the FAX image information storage section 15.

In this state, when the reception print instruction section 17 gives an instruction to print the received data to the FAX image information storage section 15, the FAX image information storage section 15 prints the print dot area detection section 1.
The paper size information received from 6 is displayed in paper size display section 1.
8, the stored compressed code (received data) is sent to the decoding processing unit 1.

This decoding processing unit 19 uses, for example, a known NSF frame to detect whether the other party's communication terminal device is a communication terminal device (herein referred to as "CCFAXI") having the same functions as itself or a normal facsimile device (FAX). do,
Depending on the detection result, if the other party is a CCFAX, the received compressed code is decoded (expanded) and dot density converted (thinned) to create image data, and if the other party is a FAX, the received compressed code is decoded. Image data is created and the created image data is sent to the printer output data control section 20.

This printer output data control section 20 is a decoding processing section 1
The image data received from 9 is output to the printer via a printer output interface (I/F) 21 to be printed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram specifically showing the configuration of this communication control device 3. As shown in FIG.

This communication control device 3 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM and I
A microcomputer (CPU) 31 consisting of LO, etc., and control programs related to the overall control of this apparatus such as bit map conversion processing, data compression processing, decode line check processing, print area detection and paper size determination processing, decoding processing, etc. The stored ROM 32, a work memory that stores a bit map obtained by converting data from the host side (this is referred to as "input data"), a compressed code generated by compressing the bit map, and a received compressed code. It is provided with a RAM 33 that constitutes a data memory for storing a FAX image information storage area (compressed code storage area) and other data.

As a result, the communication procedure control unit 13° decode line check unit i4. FAX image information storage section 15. It constitutes a print dot area detection section 1, a decoding processing section 1, and a printer output data control section 20.

The communication control device 3 also has a Centronics receiver interface (I/F) 34 as a printer manual I/F for inputting data from the host 1 such as a document creation/editing device or a personal computer, and The Centronics transmitting unit/F 35 is provided as the printer output I/F 21 in FIG. 1 for outputting input data to a printing device such as the printer 2.

Note that among the signals used in the Centronics interface, the strobe (STROBE) and data (DATAI)
~DATA8), acknowledge (ACKNLG) and busy (BUSY) are microcomputer 3.
1, and other signals are input directly from the Centronics receiver I/F 34 to the Centronics transmitter I/F)
It is output to 5.

Furthermore, this communication control device 3 includes an operation unit 3B including a reception print instruction section 17 and a paper size display section 18 shown in FIG. 1, each equipped with an operation switch, a display, and a bell.
It is equipped with a switch/LED port 37 that controls data transmission and reception with this operating unit.

The operation unit 3 has a start key to instruct the facsimile machine to start sending, to start printing received data, to instruct manual reception, etc., and to output input data from the host side to the printer in the sending mode. The printer mode and input data to be
), the mode select key to select the printer/FAX mode to output input data to the printer and send it to the fax, the automatic key to instruct automatic reception, the end of transmission instruction, and the fax mode in the middle of one page. A stop key is stored in the FAX image information storage area, and a stop key is used to instruct transmission up to the relevant page, send instructions for subsequent pages, and instruct printing to end when the image information storage area becomes full. Image information (compression code)
It is equipped with a clear key that gives clear instructions, etc.

The operation unit 36 also includes a mode display for displaying the transmission mode, a status display for displaying various statuses (such as the full status of the FAX image information storage area), and a paper size display for displaying the paper size. It is equipped with a display and a page number display that displays the number of pages.

Furthermore, this communication control bag [is equipped with a multi-protocol serial control (MPSC) 38 to communicate with a facsimile machine via a public telephone line.
It is also connected to a modem (MODEM) 59 and a line control unit (A-ANCU) 40.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent figures.

First, compression encoding of input data in a transmission mode in which a document or the like created on the host side is transmitted to a facsimile machine will be described.

First, the printer head control command sent from the host side and the analysis of this command will be explained with reference to FIG. 4.

The symbols and functions of head control commands sent from the host to the printer are as follows.

BLF: Reverse line feed; feeds the printing paper backwards.

LF2 line feed: Start of printing and line feed.

FF: Form feed; feeds the paper to the next start line.

CR: Return; Start and return of printing.

STP Nistop; Return to home position.

CAN: Cancel; Clear the buffer.

ESC, %, 1. nl, n2: Image transfer; image printing.

ESC, %, 3. nl, n2: Move right; Move right by the specified number of dots.

ESC, %+4+nl+n2: Move left; Move left by the specified number of dots.

ESC, +, nl: Reverse pitch line feed; Reverse line feed at the specified pitch.

ESC, -, nl: Pitch line feed; Line feed at specified pitch.

ESC, 6: 6LPI setting; Set 6LPT line feed.

ESC, 8: 8LPI setting; Sets 8LPI line feed.

ESC, R: Initial setting; Set to the state after the power is turned on.

ESC, V: Eject; Ejects paper.

ESC, Z, nl, n2: Multiple line breaks; Line breaks for the specified number of lines.

When such a head control command is sent from the host side, command analysis processing on the receiving side is performed by the fourth
As shown in the figure, data input to the boat is taken in and stored in the internal RAM at an address of rCMDJ with a predetermined label name (hereinafter referred to as rCMDJ).

Then, it is determined whether the data stored in this CMD is "rESC" or not, and if it is not rESCJ, the command is "LF" (line feed; new line).

"CR" (carriage return), rFFJ (form feed; page break), rBr=F" (reverse line feed).

Determine whether it is rSTPJ (stop) or rcANJ (cancel).

Also, if it is "ESC", the next data is sent from the boat to C.
Import it into MD and determine whether the data is "%" or not,
If it is not “%”, the data is “+” (reverse pitch line feed)
, r-J (pitch line break).

"R" (initialize), rVJ (discharge), rZ" (
(multiple line feeds), r6'', or ``8'' (line feed pitch change).

Furthermore, if the data is "r%", the next data is taken from the boat to the CMD, and the data is "1" (image mode) and r3J (move right).

Determine whether it is "4" (move left).

Next, print data (character data) sent from the host to the printer will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In this example, a printer that does not have a built-in character generator that converts character codes into character patterns is used as a printer.The host side sends character data as image data, and the printer side sends out character data for one print line (one line). It is assumed that the printing operation is started when the image data of is received and a line feed command is received.

Here, it is assumed that the printer head has a structure in which 24 printing elements dot 1 to dot 24 are arranged in a row, and the number m of dots in one printing line (printing range in the row direction) is 1440 dots, for example.

At this time, the host side transfers one bit string (24 dots) worth of image data in three 8-bit (1 byte) units, and sequentially transfers one line (1440 columns).

That is, the image data for one bit string (24 dots) is the first transfer data shown in FIG. 5(a).

The second transfer data shown in FIG. 6 (B) and the third transfer data shown in FIG.
The data is printed in the areas shown in (a), (b), and (c), and this data transfer is performed in one line (printing range) with the number of dots m (for example, m
= 1440 dots) times.

Therefore, one line of image data is transferred in the order of 0th byte, 1st byte, 2nd byte, 3rd byte, . . . nth byte, as shown by prefix characters in FIG.

In this way, the host side divides the data for 1 dot Y column of 1 bit horizontally and 24 bits vertically into 1 byte units and transfers it three times in the vertical direction, and transfers it horizontally three times in the horizontal direction for the number of dots in one line (m dots). Transfer sequentially.

However, data compression must be performed in units of, for example, 8 bits per dot line in the row direction. In other words, for example, as shown by the broken line in Figure 5, the same bits of the Oth byte, 3rd byte, ..., 21st byte 1- are combined to form 8-bit data (1 byte 1-) and the data is compressed. must be done.

At this time, the input image data is stored in the work memory in the input order as shown in FIG. 7, for example.
In other words, for example, store the 0th bit of the 0th byte to the 7th bit at a predetermined address in the work area (roloJ in the figure).
"represents the 0th byte/0th bit j, and the same applies to the others), and the next address is the Oth bit of the 1st byte ~
It is conceivable to store the 7th bit.

When image data is stored in the work memory in this way, when compressing the data, for example, the O-th bit of the O-th byte is read out, the read address is updated by three addresses, and the third
Read the 0th bit of the byte, and so on.
After reading 8 bits of data up to the 0th bit of the byte in three addresses at a time and updating the addresses, the data is compressed.

Of course, you can do it this way, but this takes time to compress the input data, and especially when outputting (sending) to a printer and facsimile at the same time, it takes time to compress the print data (image data) for one line. Since the print data for the next line cannot be received until the printout is completed, there is an inconvenience that print output is delayed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when storing image data from the host in the work memory, 8 bits (1 byte) per 1 dot line are used for data compression.
(This is the process of converting (expanding) into a bit map.)

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, an area for storing image data of 8 bits per dot line from the 0th dot line to the 23rd dot line is allocated in advance in the work memory. Therefore, the actual memory space is 24 areas for each dot line. For convenience, here, the first address ° of each dot line area is referred to as the O-th address,
Hereinafter, this will be referred to as cylinder 1° address...

When data of the 0th byte is received, the Oth bit is stored in the 0th bit b0 of the Oth address of the 0th dot line area (roloJ in the figure represents the rth byte/0th bit j, The same applies to other bits), and stores the 1st bit in the 0th bit b0 of the O address in the 1st dot line area, and similarly stores the 3rd to 7th bits in the 1st to 7th dot line areas. are stored in the 0th bit b0 of each Oth address.

When the first byte of data is received, the Oth bit is stored in the 0th bit b0 of the Oth address in the 8th dot line area, and the 1st to 7th bits are stored in the 9th to 9th bits in the same manner. It is stored in the 0th bit b0 of each first address in the 15-dot line area.

Furthermore, the same process is performed for the second byte data, and when the third byte data is received next, the 0th byte data is
Set the bit to the 1st bit of the 0th address of the 0th dot line area.
The first bit is stored in the first bit b1 of the first address of the first dot line, and the second to seventh bits are stored in the first bit of each of the first to seventh dot line areas in the same manner. Each is stored in the first bit b□ of the address.

By repeatedly performing these processes.

As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the 0th bit b of the 0th address of the 0th dot line area. - The 7th bit b7 contains the 0th . Third. 6th. 9th. ...Second
Each 0th bit of one byte is stored as 8-bit data, and similarly, for example, the 0th bit b0 to the 7th bit b7 of the Oth address in the 8th dot line area contain the 1st... 4th. 7th. 10th, 13th. 16th. 19th
．． Each 0th bit of the 22nd byte is stored as 8-bit data.

Therefore, for example, when compressing data on the first dot line, data of 8 bits (1 byte) is read from each address while updating the addresses sequentially from the 0th dot 1 of the work area to the 0th address of the line area. , data compression can be performed immediately and data compression can be performed at high speed.

When converting (expanding) input data from the host into a bit map in this way, the width of the facsimile machine is 1
728 to 2,560 dots, whereas the printing width of the printer used in this embodiment is 1,440 dots, so it is necessary to provide margins at the beginning and end of the line during data conversion.

Therefore, when input data is developed as a bit map in work memory, the y-th bit of the X-th byte of the input data is converted to the y-th bit of the It may be placed in the Y bit.

X=8 Fw(x mad 3)+l X/31+
Fwy+M1/8Y=7 1 x/3 l mod 8 In the above equation, Fw: width of facsimile machine (number of dots), Ml: left margin amount (number of dots).

mad The remainder when the value on the spiritual side is divided by the value on the rear side, for example (x mad 3') means the remainder when X is divided by 3.

Also, "7" in the formula for determining the Y-th bit is related to data compression, so if it is left as it is, it will be the number of bits from the left (MSB), so to convert this to the number of bits from the right (LSB), It is a numerical value.

That is, for example, regarding the 0th dot line, as mentioned above, the O2, 3rd, . 6th. 9th. 12th, 15th.
18th. One byte of data is generated with the 0th bit of the 21st byte.

At this time, as shown in Figure 5, the 0th bit of the 0th byte becomes the 7th bit (MSB) of 1 byte data.
Correspondingly, the 0th bit of the 3rd byte corresponds to the 6th byte, and similarly, the 0th bit of the 21st byte corresponds to the 0th bit (LSB). In relation to this, as shown in Figure 8 mentioned above,
The 0th bit of the byte is set to the 0th bit (LSB), and the 3rd
The 0th bit of the byte must be made the 1st bit, and the 0th bit of the 21st byte must be made the 7th bit (MSB) in the same manner. This conversion is performed by subtracting rlx-31mod8J from the numerical value "7" in the formula for determining the Y-th bit.

Next, the configuration of the work memory used to develop the input data into the above-mentioned bit map will be explained with reference to FIG.

The work memory is divided into three areas: a DCR common area, a reverse line feed area, and a latest line work area. In addition,
The DCR (data compression device) is constituted by a microcomputer 31 in this embodiment.

The latest line work area is the bottom line area during printout, and is the size that can be printed without the printer head moving vertically, that is, the printer head XFA.
For example, if the printer head is 24 dots and the fax width is 1728 bits, then
It has a size of 1728=41472 bits=5184 bytes.

The reverse line feed compatible area is an area where the bit map has been expanded but the data compression has not yet been completed and can be changed by reverse line feed, and is large enough to accommodate paper feeding in the reverse direction, that is, the number of dots that can be reverse line feed. It has the size of the XFAX width. The extent to which reverse line feeds are allowed depends on the specifications.If the number of dots that can be reversed line feeds is 24 dots (the number of dots in the direction of one printed line), the size is the same as the latest line work area mentioned above, and if reverse line feeds are not allowed, then This area becomes O.

The DCR shared memory is an area that can be accessed from the DCR, and has at least the size of the latest row work area.

This work memory uses these three areas as one ring, and at this time, the boundaries of each area are determined by pointers indicating the beginning of each area.

Next, an example of the above-mentioned bit map development process will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, data from the host side is input, and it is determined whether the data indicates the start of an image.

Then, if it is an image start, input the image data, detect the black point (°1° bit) of the image data (1 byte data as described above), and determine the amount of displacement of this black point from the base point. and place a black point at the determined position on the bit map.

In other words, by clearing the work memory in advance, all bits in the work memory store 0°, so find the bit in the 8-bit image data that is 1°, and set that bit. Determine how much the bit of the address of the work memory corresponding to is displaced from the 7th bit (base point) of the O-th address of the O-th dot line area in the example of FIG. Place °1° (black) at the determined position.

At this time, the amount of displacement with respect to the base point is determined according to the above-mentioned formula, and when the image data is the X-th byte, the y-th
If the bit is °1° (black dot), °1° is placed in the Y-th bit of the X-th byte of the corresponding dot line area on the bit map (on the work memory).

This process is repeated for each bit of 1 byte of image data, and when the black point has been placed (developed) on the bit map of 1 byte of image data, the next 1 byte from the host side is executed again. Return to the process for inputting the image data.

On the other hand, if the data from the host side is not the start of an image, it is determined whether the data is the end of the image, and if the data is not the end of the image, it is determined whether it is a line feed command.

Then, if it is a line feed command, in order to develop the next line of image data into a bit map, change the base point of the work area, clear the area that will become the new work area, and then finish placing the black dots. The bit map of the area is converted into a compressed code (in this case, MH code).

For example, in the example shown in Figure 9, if the work area is currently being used in the state shown in the figure, there will be bits in the latest line work area.
After expanding the map, when a new line command is input, the DCR shared area is set as the next line's work area (latest line work area) and the base point is changed to the first address and cleared, and the placement of the black dots is completed. Work area (
Converts the bitmap of the old latest line work area) into a compressed code.

Further, if the image ends instead of the image start, the bit maps of all work areas, that is, the latest line work area, the reverse line feed compatible area, and the DCR common area are converted into compressed codes.

The compressed code as transmission data thus obtained is stored in the FAX image information storage area, and is transmitted to the specified destination when a transmission instruction is given.

Next, a description will be given of processing when a document is received from a facsimile device (including a communication control device equivalent to the facsimile device itself).

First, the decode line check process of checking the compressed code (MH code) received from the destination facsimile machine line by line and storing it in the FAX image information storage area will be described with reference to FIG.

In this line check process, first the EOL (end of line) code (hereinafter simply referred to as "EOLJ") is
After performing the process of detecting
” (LINBCT←0) and shifts to WMH detection processing for detecting a white MH code.

When a white M I-I code is detected in this WMH detection process, the number of bits of the run length corresponding to that MH code is added to the line bit count LINBCT (LINBCT+RUN+LINBCT), and then the count value of the line bit counter LINBCT is set to 1 line. It is checked whether the correct number of bits (in this case, r1728 bits) is exceeded (L I NBCT>1728).

At this time, if the count value of the line bit counter LINBCT does not exceed r1728J, it is determined whether or not the termination code is TC, and the termination code is
Otherwise, if the makeup code is MC, the process returns to the WMH detection process, and if it is the termination code TC, the process moves to the BMW detection process to detect a black MH code.

When a black MH code is detected in this BMH detection process, the number of run length bits corresponding to that MH code is added to the line bit count LINBCT (L
INBCT4-RUN+L INBCT) After t, the count value of the line bit counter LINBCT exceeds the correct number of bits for one line r1728J (L
INBCT>1728).

At this time, if the count value of the line bit counter LINBCT does not exceed "r1728", it is determined whether or not the termination code TC is set.
Otherwise, if the makeup code is MC, the process returns to the BMW detection process, and if the termination code is TC, the process returns to the WMH detection process.

On the other hand, in WMH detection processing or BMW detection processing, M
If it is not an H code, it is determined whether it is EOL or not, and the EO
If it is not L, the line is an error line, so EOL (here, "EOL (1°)") indicates the error line.
) is stored in the FAX image information storage area. Similarly, when an MH code is detected in WMH detection processing or BMH detection processing, the value in line bit counter L INBCT column 1 exceeds r1728J (L I NBCT
>1728), the line is an error line, so EOL (1) is stored in the FAX image information storage area.

Then, EO is detected in WMH detection processing or BMW detection processing.
When L is detected, the line bit counter LINB
CT's Karantoy direct is r1728J (LINBCT=
1728).

At this time, if the count value of the line bit counter LINBCT is "r1728", that line is the correct line, and the RTC (Return To) indicates the end of the page.
RTC counter RTCCNT that detects
After resetting the MH code to "O" to 1, the received MH code and the EOL (rEOL (0
) is stored in the FAX image information storage area.

On the other hand, the line bit counter L I N BC
If the count value of T is not r1728J, it is determined whether the count value is "0" (LINBCT=O).

At this time, if the count value of the line bit counter LINBCT is "0", that line is an error line, so EOL (1) is stored in the FAX image information storage area.

On the other hand, if the count value of the line bit counter LINBCT is not "O", the RTC counter RTCCN
After incrementing T (+1), it is determined whether the count value is "2" or not. If the count value is not "2", EOL (0) is sent to the FAX image information i? fJt area, and if the count value is "2", it is the end of the page, so 2 EOL (0) (: is internally rRT
cJ) is set in the FAX image information storage area, and this process ends.

By performing such processing, the FAX image information storage area has EO at the beginning, for example, as shown in FIG.
L (0000000010000000) is stored, then the received MH code of one line is stored, and at the end of this line, EOL (0
000000010000000) is stored, and then the MH code for the next line is stored, and at the end of this line, EOL indicating the correct line is stored.Since the next line is an error line, the step 5-5 indicating the error line is stored.
EOL (0000000011, OOO000) is stored, and MH Coco~ is stored in the same manner.

EOL or error EOL is stored, and R at the end of one page.
TC (2 EOLs) is stored.

Incidentally, Fill B and JF for bite-sized stabilization are added as appropriate between the MH code and the EOL. Further, the EOL is added in accordance with the By 1-Poundary so that the EOL can be easily found. Furthermore, although it is clear from the above explanation, to distinguish between the EOL of a correct line and the error EOL, the seventh bit D6 of the second byte is set as a line status bit, and the EOL of a correct line is set to "0", and the EOL of an error line is set to "0". Set OL to "1".

In this way, based on the received compressed code, the compressed code (run length) is checked to determine whether the line is correct, and if the line is correct, the received compressed code is stored in the memory. The determination process can be performed at a higher speed than in the case where the compressed code is once decompressed and the run length is checked to determine whether or not the line is correct.

After being stored in the FAX image information storage area in this way, the received printing instruction is given, and the stored M
The H code is decoded to create a printer line bit plane PLBP (described later), and the data of this printer line bit plane PLBP is output to the printer.

First, we will explain the process of extracting and decoding the compressed code stored in the FAX image information storage area in units of bytes or words to create image data for one line of the printer.

In this image data creation process, the compressed code is decoded to create one line of image data and stored in a memory (this memory is referred to as the above-mentioned "printer line bit plane PLBP"). Store.

In this case, the length of one line of the printer in this embodiment is 24 x 1440 dots, whereas in the facsimile machine the length of one line is 1728 dots, so the printer as shown in FIG. ·line·
The bit plane actually obtained by decoding is larger at both ends by 144 dots than the bit plane PLBP. Therefore, these 144 dots will be missing when the decoded data is expanded and printed as is on the printer line bit plane PLBP, but a detailed explanation of this point will be omitted, but bit conversion processing is performed. This can avoid major omissions.

Here, considering that a printer other than the printer of this embodiment is used as the printer line bit plane PLBP area, one area is 1728 x 24 (1728 x 24) (
5148 bytes x 3) (this area is referred to as a "plane"). Two printer line bit planes PLBP each consisting of three planes are used. The reason for having two printer line bit planes PLBP is to enable decoding processing and printer output processing to operate in parallel.

In this case, the memory space for the actual printer line bit plane PLBP is, for example, the memory space shown in FIG. As explained in bit map expansion in transmission mode, the transfer format of the image data to the printer and the transfer format between the facsimile machine are different, so the one-dot line received from the facsimile machine is This is to store the data according to the format used when transferring it to the printer.

Therefore, the decoding and printer line bit plane PLBP creation processing will be explained with reference to FIG. 15.

In this creation process, after obtaining page information from the received page management table, the printer line bit plane counter P L N C N T is reset to rOJ, and the line for indicating the number of dot lines (0 to 24-1) is reset. -Reset horizontal pointer LINH2P to "o".

After that, one more line (24 dot lines) is all white (0)
In other words, the printer line bit plane black exact flag PLNBLK to indicate that black (1) exists in the line concerned is set to
0'' (Set everything to white and clear printer line pin 1-plane PLBP.

Then, after resetting the line bit pointer LINBTP for indicating the bit position of the one-dot line to "0", the process shifts to white decoding processing for decoding the white compressed code.

If neither an EOL nor an error EOL is detected in this white decoding process, the run length (RL) of the compressed code is added to the line bit pointer L INBTP, and the EOL counter that counts the EOL is set to "
After resetting to "0", the process shifts to black decoding processing for decoding a black compressed code.

If neither EOL nor error EOL is detected in this black decoding process, the printer line bit plane black exit flag PLNBLK is set to "1" because there is black on the line.

Then the line bit pointer LINBTP is set to rl
728J or more, and if the line bit pointer LINBTP is less than r1728J, bit set processing is performed to place "1" (black) at a predetermined position, and then the line bit pointer LINBTP is compressed. Add the run length (RL) of the code, subtract 1 (RL-1) from the run length to determine whether the value is "o", and if (RL-1) = 0, add the line again. - Return to the process of determining whether the bit pointer LINBTP is greater than or equal to r1728J and repeat the bit setting.

and the line bit pointer LINBTP is rl
When the number becomes 728J or more or when (RL-1)=O, the final bit of the one-dot line has been reached and the process returns to the white decoding process.

In this way, the compressed code is decoded to find the run length, and for the white MH code, the counter is simply advanced, and only for the black MH code, the printer line bit plane PLBP is decoded by the bits indicated by the run length. A process of placing "1" (black) in a predetermined bit is performed.

As a result, there is no need to perform bit allocation for white, and the processing speed can be increased as in the case of the transmission processing described above.

When an EOL is detected in white decoding processing or black decoding processing, the EOL counter is incremented (+1), and then an error EOL is detected in white decoding processing or blank decoding processing.
When it is detected, it is immediately determined whether the count value of the EOL counter is "2", that is, the RTC (end of page).

At this time, if the count value of the EOL counter is not "2", that is, if it is not the end of the page, the print pitch is 3.8.
5 lines/mm or 7.7 lines/mm (3,8577
,7), and the printing pitch is 3.85 lines/m.
When m, line horizontal pointer LINH
2P is r + 2J L, printing pitch is 7.7 lines/mm
When , the line horizontal pointer LINH2
Add "+1" to P. In addition, when the line horizontal pointer LINH2P is 3.85 lines/mra,
+2" is done by bit set processing as described below.
This is to perform the same pit set for 2 dot lines in order to match 7 lines/+nm.

And line horizontal pointer LINH2P
is 24 or not, that is, whether decoding for 24 dot lines (one line) has been completed or not. If decoding for 24 dot lines has not been completed, the line bit pointer LINBTP is reset to rOJ again. Then, the decoding is repeated, and if the decoding for 24 dot lines is completed, it is determined whether the printer line bit plane black exit flag PLNBLK is "1" or not.

At this time, the printer line bit plane black exit flag P L N B L K is “
If it is "1", the image data expanded to printer line pick-up plane PLBF' is output to the printer, and if it is not "1", that is, "0", then the line is all white and is simply It is sufficient to perform a line feed (line feed), so print head control command rL
F" is output to the printer.

After that, the printer line bit plane counter PLNCNT is incremented (+1), and the printer line bit plane counter PLNCNT is incremented (+1).
It is determined whether the count value of T has reached the maximum value (MAX), that is, whether the maximum number of lines printed on one page has been reached.

At this time, if the count value of the printer line bit plane counter PLNCNT is not the maximum value and does not reach the maximum number of lines on one page, it is possible to still print on the paper, so the printer line bit plane black - Determine whether the exit flag PLNBLK is "1" or not.

Then, when the printer line bit plane black exit flag PLNBLK is "1", the printer line bit plane PLBP is set to "1".
” is placed, so reset the line horizontal pointer LINH2P to “0” and then set the printer line bit plane black exit.
Reset the flag PLNBLK to "0" and restart the printer.
Return to the process of clearing the line bit plane PLBP.

Also, if the printer line bit plane black exit flag PLNBLK is not "1", the printer line bit plane PLBP is set to "1".
" is not placed, so the line/bit/
Returning to the process of resetting the pointer LINBTP to "0".

For the lines decoded in this way, the printer line
By retaining whether or not "1" is placed in the bit plane PLBP, it is possible to speed up the printing operation and speed up the bit expansion process.

Note that the count value of the EOL counter EOLCNT is “2”.
”, when the Suranichi RTC is detected, it is determined whether the printer line bit plane black exit flag P L N B L K is “1” or not. As mentioned above, since there is black (1), the image data (this is the final image data)
After outputting to the printer, if it is not "1", everything is white, so use the head control command rFF as it is.
Output J (page break) to the printer. Also, when the count value of the printer line bit plane counter PLNCNT reaches the maximum value rMAXJ, it is no longer possible to print on the paper, so the head control command r
Output FFJ (page break) to the printer.

Next, bit set processing in this creation process will be explained with reference to FIG. 16.

In this pit setting process, first, an instruction to set bits indicated by a line bit pointer LINBTP and a line horizontal pointer LINHzP is received.

And line horizontal pointer LINH2P
Select one of the three buffers (see Figure 14) constituting the printer line bit plane PLBP indicated by bits D3 and D4 (b3-b4) of the line bit pointer. LINBTP
and get the real address from the selected buffer.

Then line horizontal pointer LINH2P
Obtain the bit position from the pins I-Do, D, , D, and set black (1) to this bit position. At this time, in a printer with a printing pitch of 3.85 lines/+im, black is also arranged for bits D, D, D2+1, and data for the same dot line is generated for two dot lines.

Next, output processing to the printer will be explained with reference to FIG. 17. This printer output processing task is activated in response to a message from the decoding processing task (for example, "message printer command MSGPRCJ"),
At the end of processing, a message is sent to the decoding task (for example, "Message Printer Response MSGPRR").
J) shall be returned.

In this printer output process, it is first determined whether the printer is in a not-busy state (ready state) or not, and if the printer is not in a not-busy state and is in use, it sounds a buzzer and returns an "error" as a message printer response MSGPRR. .

On the other hand, if the printer is not busy,
Initialization commands rESC and RJ are sent to the printer to initialize the printer (6LPI, home position, 50CPS, black).

Then, it is determined whether the data to be output to the printer is image data or not, and if it is image data, image data commands rESC,%,1. nl.

Output n2J (nl, n2 indicate the length of the image data), output the image data, print the image data, output the carriage return command rCRJ and line feed command rL FJ, and move the print head to the next line. After positioning it at the top position, it returns "Ready" as the message printer response MSGPRR,
When the message printer command MSGPRC is received, the process returns to the process of determining whether or not it is image data.

Also, if the data to be output to the printer is not image data, it is determined whether or not it is a line feed command rLFJ, and if it is a line feed command rLFJ, it outputs the line feed command rLFJ and then returns "Ready" as a message printer response MSGPRR. , when the message printer command MSGPRC is received, the process returns to the process of determining whether or not it is image data.

Furthermore, the data to be output to the printer is the line feed command rL.
If not Fj, determine whether it is a page break command rFFJ, and if it is a page break command rFFJ, cancel command r
After outputting CANJ and the page break command rFFJ, "Ready" is returned as the message printer response MSGPRR to end this process, and the page break command rFFJ is output.
If it is not FFJ, message printer response MSG
"Error" is returned as the PRR and the process ends.

Next, paper size determination processing for determining the paper size based on received data (compressed code) will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20.

First, in the 10" printer used in this example,
As mentioned above, the number of dots in one line is about 1440, and in reality, A4 size...1362 dots and B4 size...1440 dots are used. In other words, as shown in FIG.
For size, all 1440 dots are used, but for A4 size, 39 dots at each end (78 dots in total) are not used.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, one line of a facsimile machine is 1728 dots, whereas one line of a printer is 1440 dots, and as shown in Figure 19, a white run of 144 dots is added to each end of the line at the time of transmission. Therefore, the 144 dots at both ends of the received fax image information are
You will end up crossing the line.

Therefore, when receiving and decoding FAX image information (compressed code), the minimum value of the length of the first white run of each line and the maximum value of the length of the last black line of each line are determined. The detected minimum value is r144+39
=183J If it is smaller than the dot position, or if the maximum value is larger than r144+39+1362=1545J dot position, it is determined to be B4 size, otherwise it is determined to be A4 size and stored together with the FAX image information.

The determined size is displayed when printing.

To explain this process with reference to FIG. 20, first, the register LPO that stores the left minimum white run position
After setting (clearing) register RPO8, which stores the maximum black run position on the right side and the maximum black run position on the right side, to ``O'', the EOL is searched from the received data (compressed code).

After that, counters R, U N CNT and 1 are used to count the run position of the decoding result in one line.
After setting (clearing) a counter LRUNCNT to "0" for counting the maximum position on the right side of black in the decoding result in the line, the received data is decoded to find the number of bits of the run length. In addition, these counters RtJNCNT and counters L RU N CN T
The count value is a temporary value within one line.

If the number of bits of the run length (hereinafter referred to as rRUN) is smaller than the value of register LPO5 (RUN<L
P01), and if RUN<LP01, i
Set f RU N in register LPO8. Thereafter, the value obtained by adding the value of the counter RUNCNT to RUN is set in the counter RUNCNT again.

Thereafter, the next received data is decoded to determine whether it is EOL or not. At this time, if it is not EOL, the value obtained by adding the value of the counter RUNCNT to RUN is added to the counter RU again.
After setting NCNT, it is determined whether or not it is a black run, and if it is a black run, the value of the counter RUNCNT is set to the counter LRU.
After setting NCNT, if there is no black run again, the process returns to the decoding process of the next received data.

Then, when the received data reaches EOL, it is determined whether the value of the counter RUNCNT is rl 728J,
Counter RUNCNT: If 1728, counter L
The value of RUNCNT is greater than the value of register Rpos (
LRUNCNT>RPO8).
When CNT>RPO3, the value of counter LRUNCNT is set in register RPO3. On the other hand, if the counter RUNCNT=1728, error processing is performed.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not one page has been completed, and if one page has not been completed, the above-described processes are performed again, starting from the process of clearing the counter RUNCNT to rOJ. In this way, register LPO3 stores the minimum value of the white run position in each line of one page, and register RPO8 stores the minimum value of white run position in each line of one page.
Stores the maximum black run position within each line of the page.

Then, when one page is completed, the value of register Lpos is smaller than r183J (144+39) (LP
01<183), that is, the minimum white run position on the left side is smaller than r183J, and register LPO
If the value of 8 is smaller than r183J, it is determined to be B4 size, and if the value of register LPO8 is smaller than 183, the value of register RPO8 is r1545J (
144+39+1362) greater than (RPO8>15
45), that is, the maximum black run position on the right side is "154".
If the value of register RPO8 is larger than rx545J, it is determined to be B4 size, and if the value of register RPO3 is not larger than rl545J, it is determined to be A4 size.

Note that this process is an example where the other party is a communication control device equivalent to the communication control device and sends print data at 180 DPI.

Then, by displaying the paper size obtained in this way at the time of printing, the operator is prompted to set the appropriate paper, or if the printer is equipped with an auto sheet feeder that can set paper of multiple sizes, it is automatically displayed. By selecting the appropriate paper for the sender, the printer can print using the paper appropriate for the sender, and data loss will not occur.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which print data is transferred from the host side to the printer as image data, so the communication control device itself is equipped with a character generator that converts character codes into character patterns (image data). However, when the print data from the host side is sent in character code, it is sufficient to have a character generator in the communication control device, and if a selection switch is provided to select the use of this internal character generator, the host side can Connections can be made regardless of whether image data or character codes are used.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the present invention has been described with respect to a communication control device that is connected to a printer and receives data from a facsimile machine, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be implemented in any communication terminal device that receives compressed codes.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the functions of the printer are not limited to those described in the above embodiments.

Effects As explained above, according to the present invention, appropriate paper can be used.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing the main parts of a communication control device embodying the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing system equipped with the same communication control device, and FIG. A block diagram showing the specific configuration of the communication control device, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing command analysis processing for analyzing commands input from the host side, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are data similar to those from the host side. FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the bit map expansion into the work memory; FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the work memory; FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of bit map expansion processing. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing an example of the line check process and an explanatory diagram for explaining the same, FIGS. 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the decoding process, and FIGS. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the decoding process, bit set process, and printer output process, FIGS. 18 and 19 are explanatory diagrams explaining the paper size determination process, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the paper size determination process. It is a flow diagram which shows an example. 3... Communication control device 1:5... Communication procedure control unit 14... Decode line check unit 15... FAX image information storage unit 16... Print dot area detection unit 17... Received print instruction Section 18...Paper size display section 1 day...Decoding processing section 20...Printer output data control section 21...Printer output interface Fig. 3 and Ω3°C; Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 oTop Figure 12 Figure 14

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A communication control device that receives data from a facsimile machine and outputs it to a printer includes a detection means for detecting a printing area based on the received data, and a paper size to be used in the printer based on the detection result of the detection means. 1. A communication control device comprising: determination means for making a determination.