Image communication method and apparatus

• US 6,810,150 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Akimoto, Naoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Couso, Jose L.
• Application Number:
  US09/605,374
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.2, 358/403, 358/405, 358/432, 358/433, 358/447, 358/448, 358/449, 358/450, 358/451, 382/232, 382/233, 382/244, 382/298, 382/299, 382/317
• US Class Current: 382/232
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33307 prior to start of transmission, input or output of the picture signal only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33315 reading or reproducing mode only, e.g. sheet size, resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/46 Colour picture communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33357 Compression mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33378 Type or format of data, e.g. colour or B/W, halftone or binary, computer image file or facsimile data

Abstract

In general, when an image communication apparatus receives a JPEG file and the main scanning size declared in the file differs from the main scanning size declared in a communication protocol, the JPEG file cannot be decoded. According to this invention, when the main scanning size declared in a received JPEG file differs from the main scanning size declared in the communication protocol, the main scanning size of the JPEG file is validated to allow the JPEG file to be appropriately decompressed and printed.

Claims

1. An image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, comprising:

reception means for receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size;

main scanning size control means for setting the first size as a main scanning size when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file; and

image processing means for processing the compressed image file on the basis of the set main scanning size.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image processing means includes:

decompression means for decompressing the compressed image file; and

output means for outputting the decompressed image data.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein said apparatus further comprises output position setting means for setting an image output position when the first size differs from the second size, and

wherein said output means outputs the image data decompressed on the basis of the set image output position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output position setting means can set the image output position as centered in a main scanning direction.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said output position setting means can set the image output position as left-aligned in a main scanning direction.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said output means prints out image data on a printing medium.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication protocol complies with the ITU-T T.30 recommendation.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the compressed image file is a JPEG file.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image communication apparatus is a facsimile apparatus.

7. An image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, comprising:

reception means for receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size;

main scanning size control means for setting the first size as a main scanning size when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file;

selection means for selecting a printing medium on which printing can be performed in the set main scanning size;

decompression means for decompressing the compressed image file on the basis of the set main scanning size; and

output means for outputting the decompressed image data on the selected printing medium.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said selection means selects a printing medium having a main scanning size larger than the second size when the second size is smaller than the first size.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said selection means selects a printing medium having a main scanning size equal to the second size when no printing medium having a main scanning size larger than the second size is available.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when said selection means selects a printing medium having a main scanning size equal to the second size, said output means reduces the image data and prints out the reduced data on the printing medium.

22. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the communication protocol complies with the ITU-T T.30 recommendation.

23. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the compressed image file is a JPEG file.

24. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said image communication apparatus is a facsimile apparatus.

11. An image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, comprising:

reception means for receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size; and

communication control means for stopping communication with the second apparatus when a second size declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of the communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said communication control means compares the second size with the first size when said reception means receives part of the compressed image file normally.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising notification means for notifying the second apparatus of an end message when said communication control means stops communication.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the end message indicates a reason for communication stopping.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the end message indicates that a main scanning width of the compressed image file is not normal.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising holding means for holding the end message,

wherein said notification means notifies the second apparatus of the end message held by said holding means.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said notification means transmits the end message to the second apparatus on the basis of a TSI signal received from the second apparatus.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said notification means transmits the end message to the second apparatus on the basis of calling number identification presentation from the second apparatus.

25. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the communication protocol complies with the ITU-T T.30 recommendation.

26. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the compressed image file is a JPEG file.

27. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said image communication apparatus is a facsimile apparatus.

28. A control method for an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, comprising:

a reception step, of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size;

a determination step, of determining whether a second size coincides with the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file;

a setting step, of setting the first size as a main scanning size when the determination result indicates inconsistency; and

an image processing step, of processing the compressed image file on the basis of the set main scanning size.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the communication protocol complies with the ITU-T T.30 recommendation.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the compressed image file is a JPEG file.

29. A control method for an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, comprising:

a reception step, of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size;

a main scanning size control step, of setting the first size as a main scanning size when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file;

a selection step, of selecting a printing medium on which printing can be performed in the set main scanning size;

a decompression step, of decompressing the compressed image file on the basis of the set main scanning size; and

an output step, of outputting the decompressed image data onto the selected printing medium.

33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the communication protocol complies with the ITU-T T.30 recommendation.

34. The method according to claim 29, wherein the compressed image file is a JPEG file.

30. A control method for an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, comprising:

a reception step, of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size; and

a communication control step, of interrupting stopping communication with the second apparatus when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file.

35. The method according to claim 30, wherein the communication protocol complies with the ITU-T T.30 recommendation.

36. The method according to claim 30, wherein the compressed image file is a JPEG file.

37. A recording medium recording a control program in an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with another apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, wherein the program comprises at least:

a code for the reception step of receiving from said another apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size;

a code for the determination step of determining whether a second size coincides with the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of communication with said another apparatus in associated with said compressed image file;

a code for the setting step of setting the first size as a main scanning size when the determination result indicates inconsistency; and

a code for the image processing step of processing the compressed image file on the basis of the set main scanning size.

38. A recording medium recording a control program in an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with another apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, wherein the program comprises at least:

a code for the reception step of receiving from said another apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size;

a code for the main scanning size control step of setting the first size as a main scanning size when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of communication with said another apparatus in associated with said compressed file;

a code for the selection step of selecting a printing medium on which printing can be performed in the set main scanning size;

a code for the decompression step of decompressing the compressed image file on the basis of the set main scanning size; and

a code for the output step of outputting the decompressed image data onto the selected printing medium.

39. A recording medium recording a control program in an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with another apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a main scanning size, wherein the program comprises at least:

a code for the reception step of receiving from said another apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a main scanning size is a first size; and

a code for the communication control step of stopping communication with said another apparatus when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a main scanning size in the communication protocol of communication with said another apparatus in associated with said compressed image file.

40. An image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, comprising:

reception means for receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a size is a first size;

size control means for setting the first size as a set size when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as the set size in the communication protocol of a communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file; and

image processing means for processing the compressed image file on the basis of the set size.

41. An image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, comprising:

reception step, of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a size is a first size;

size control means for setting the first size as a set size when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as the set size in the communication protocol of a communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file;

selection means for selecting a printing medium on which printing can be performed in the set size;

decompression means for decompressing the compressed image file on the basis of the set size; and

output means for outputting the decompressed image data onto the selected printing medium.

42. An image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, comprising:

reception means for receiving from the second apparatus a commpressed image file including information indicating that a size is first size; and

communication control means for stopping communication with the second apparatus when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a size in the communication protocol of a communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file.

43. A control method for an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, comprising:

a reception step, of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a size is a first size;

a determination step, of determining whether the second size coincides with the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a size in the communication protocol of a communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file;

a setting step, of setting the first size as a set size when a determination result indicates inconsistency; and

an image processing step, of processing the compressed image file on the basis of the set size.

44. A control method for an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, comprising:

a reception step, of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a size is a first size;

a size control step, of setting the first size as a set size when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as the set size in the communication protocol of a communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file;

a selection step, of selecting a printing medium on which printing can be performed in the set size;

a decompression size, of decompressing the compressed image file on the basis of the set size; and

an output step, of outputting the decompressed image data onto the selected printing medium.

45. A control method for an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, comprising:

a reception step, of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a size is a first size; and

a communication control step, of stopping communication with the second apparatus when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a size in the communication protocol of a communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file.

46. A recording medium recording a control program in an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, wherein the program comprises at least:

a code for a reception step of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a size is a first size;

a code for a determination step of determining whether a second size coincides with the first size, wherein the second size is declared as a size in the communication protocol of a communication with the second apparatus is association with the compressed image file;

a code for a setting step of setting the first size as a set size when the determination result indicates inconsistency; and

a code for an image processing step of processing the compressed image file on the basis of the set size.

47. A recording medium recording a control program in an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, wherein the program comprises at least:

a code for a reception step of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a size is a first size;

a code for a size control step of setting the first size as a set size when a second size differs from the first size, wherein the second size is declared as the set size in the communication protocol of communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file;

a code for the selection step of selecting a printing medium onto which printing can be performed in the set size;

a code for a decompression step of decompressing the compressed image file on the basis of the set size; and

a code for the output step of outputting the decompressed image data onto the selected printing medium.

48. A recording medium recording a control program in an image communication apparatus for communicating image data with a second apparatus on the basis of a communication protocol including declaration of a size, wherein the program comprises at least:

a code for a reception step of receiving from the second apparatus a compressed image file including information indicating that a size is a first size; and

a code for a communication control step of stopping communication with the second apparatus when a second size is declared as a size in the communication protocol of a communication with the second apparatus in association with the compressed image file.