CA2176188C

CA2176188C - Facsimile apparatus capable of recognizing hand-written addressing information

Info

Publication number: CA2176188C
Application number: CA002176188A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Shigetoshi Matsubara; Junji Tanaka; Kazushi Honjo; Tatsuji Kishida; Koichi Takata
Original assignee: Tottori Sanyo Electric Co Ltd; Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sanyo Electric Co Ltd; Sanyo Consumer Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-05-10
Filing date: 1996-05-09
Publication date: 2001-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-09
Also published as: GB9609862D0; US5940189A; CA2176188A1; GB2300781A; GB2300781B; DE19618955A1

Abstract

A facsimile apparatus includes a transmission motor (90), and when an original to be transmitted is moved by the transmission motor in a sub-scanning direction, sequential lines in the sub-scanning direction are scanned by a contact image sensor (100) in a main scanning direction, and therefore, image data of a black dot or a white dot is outputted by the contact image sensor. A microcomputer (60) specifies a line in which a black dot outputted from the contact image sensor first exists as a start line, and specifies an area on the basis of the start line and an end line which is determined by a fact that three white lines in which no black dots are detected appear after the start line. Addressing information is recognized on the basis of the image data outputted from the contact image sensor which is scanning the area.

Description

2~76188 TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Faceimile Apparatus Capable of Recognizing Hand-Written Addressing ~..rO. "-~tion S BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a f~eimile appaldtus capable of recognizing hand-written addressing information. More speçifically, the present invention relates to a f~.-eimile appal~tus in which the addressing information hand-written on a tr~nemieeion original which is to be tr~nemitte~ is read, and a calling operation is made l 0 on the basis of the addressing information as read.
Description of the prior art For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open No. 1-175363 [H04N 1/32] laid-open on July 11, 1989, there is disclosed a faceimile appa~dlus in which an address written on a tr~nemieeion original which is to be tr~nemitted is read, l 5 and then, the address as read is automatically dialed. In the prior art, a hand-writing space is formed at a predetermined position on the tr~n.emie.eion origin~l, and an addressing telephone number is hand-written into the space, and the hand-writtenaddressing telephone number is read by a character recognition portion.
Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open No. 3-38965 [H04N
1/32] laid-open on February 20, 1991, there is disclosed a f~.eimile apparatus in which characters or a bar code indicating an addressing telephone number written at a head portion of a tr~nemieeion original which is to be tr~nemittecl is scanned so as to read an image of the characters or the bar code, and an electrical signal is outputted according to the image, and then, the addressing telephone number is recognized on the basis of the electrical signal, and thereafter, the addressing telephone number as recognized is automatically dialed. In this prior art, the addressing telephone number is written at the head portion of the tr~n~mi~ion original within a predete-rminçd area.
- Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open No. 4-140963 [H04N
1/32] laid-open on May 14, 1992, there is disclosed a fa-~cimile apparatus in which an 5 addressing telephone number is detected on the basis of image data between a first slice level and a second slice level, whereby the telephone number is automatically dialed.
More specifically, in this prior art, a density level of a text of the original is made higher than the first slice level, and the addressing telephone number having a density level lower than the density level of the text is written into a blank at a lower portion of the l 0 original, or if the density level of the text and the addressing telephone number are equal to each other, by inserting a boundary line having a density level lower than the density level of the text between the text and the addressing telephone number, the text and the addressing telephone number are tli~ting~ hed from each other, thereby to recognize the addressing telephone number.
l S Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open No. S-207256 [H04N
1/32] laid-open on August 13, 1993, there is disclosed a f~c~imile appa~dtus in which a tr~n~mi~ion original which is to be tr~n~mitted is laid below a cover sheet, and an addressing telephone number is written in a writing space formed at a predetermined position of the cover sheet, and the telephone number is autom~tic~lly dialed by reading 20 the telephone number.
Except the prior art described in Japanese Patent Application Layin~-Open No.
4-140963, in the above described prior arts, it is necessary to write the telephone number at a predetermined position of the tr:ln~mi~sion original or the cover sheet.
That is, in the prior arts, the addressing telephone number for automatic dialing is to be 25 written in a position that is specified in advance. Furthermore, in the prior art described in J~pa.~ese Patent Application Laying-Open No. 4-140963, there is no positionalrestriction for writing the telephone number, but it is neces.S~ry to clearly differ the density level of the text and the telephone number or the density level of the text and the boundary line. That is, in all the prior arts, it was hllpossible to write addressing 5 inrc,llllation at a free position with a free density level, and therefore, there were many conditions to be satisfied to implement an automatic dialing f~r~imile apl)dlalus, and accordingly, all the prior arts have not been put into practical use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thelcfole, a principal object of the invention is to provide a novel fa-cimile apparatus capable of recognizing hand-written addressing information.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a f~csimile a~palatus capable of being put-into practical use by removing conditions in writing the addressing information as possible.
l 5 A further object of the present invention is to provide a f~ imile apparatus in which the addressing information can be correctly recognized even if the addressing information is hand-written at a relatively free position.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a f~simile apparatus capable of being put into practical use, in which the addressing information can be 20 recognized with no error.
The other object of the present invention in which an operability is good and a calling operation can be performed according to the hand-written addressing information.
A f~rsimile apparatus according to the present invention comprises a 2 5 tr~n~mi~sion motor (90) for moving a tr~n~mi~ion original in a sub-sc~nning direction;

-an origin~l reading means (100) for oulpulling image data of a black dot or a white dot by sç~nning each of lines of the sub-sc~nning direction in a main sc~nning direction; an area specifying means (60, S304 - S313) for receiving the image data from the origin~l reading means for specifying an area on the basis of a start line which is detçrmin~d by 5 a fact that a black dot is first detected and an end line which is detçnnined by a fact that at least one write line in which no black dot is detecte-l appears after the start line; an addressing information recognition means (60, S4, S5) for recognizing the addressing information on the basis of the image data outputted by the original reading means which reads the area specified by the area specifying means; and a calling means (60, l O 114, S6, S616) for performing a calling operation according to the addressing information recognized by the addressing information recognition means.
The tr~n.~mi~ion motor drives an original feeding roller so as to move the tr~n~mi~sion original in the sub-sç~nning direction. During a time that the tr~n~mi.~.~ion original is moved in the sub-sc~nning direction, the original reading means scans the l 5 tr:ln~mi~sion original in the main sc~nning direction. The original reading means is a contact image sensor, for example, and outputs an electrical signal of the black dot or the white dot, i.e... the image data according to a density of the tr~n~mi~ion original.
The area specifying means specifies the area for the addressing inform~tion on the basis of the image data from the original reading means. More specifically, a line at which a 20 black dot outputted from the original reading means first exists is regarded as the start line. If three white lines appears, for example, after the start line, the line is specified as the end line. Therefore, the addressing information recognition means recognizes the addressing information on the basis of the image data outputted from the original reading means which is reading the area specified by the start line and the end line.
25 Then, the calling means automatically performs a procedure for calling according to the addressing information as recognized.
In accolddnce with the present invention, the area into which characters of the addressing information may be hand-written is specified by the area specifying means, and the.erore, it is not nçcçss~ry to dç~ign~te in advance a writing position of the S addressing inro~ ation as different from the prior arts. Accordingly, an ope.~tor can hand-write the addressing information at a relatively free position, and therefore, the present invention is very effective in putting a f~simile appal~tus capable of recognizing the hand-written addressing information into practical use.
Furthermore, in a f~c~imile apparatus in which an addressing telephone number or addressing information hand-written on an original is read to perform an automatic dialing, it is necçss~ry to read the addressing telephone number or addressing information with accuracy such that the addressing telephone number or addressing information is recognized correctly.
Then, in another aspect of the present invention, a f~ç~imile apparatus further comprises a first reading accuracy setting means (44) for variably setting a reading accuracy of the original reading means; and a second reading accuracy setting means (60, S303) for forcedly setting a specific reading accuracy in reading the addressing information by the original reading means irrespective of the reading accuracy set by the first reading accuracy setting means.
In the aspect, at a time that the addressing information is read by the originalreading means, the second reading accuracy setting means forcedly sets the specific reading accuracy, e.g. a fine mode irrespective of the reading accuracy set by the first reading accuracy setting means (an image quality selection key, for example), e.g. a normal mode, a fine mode or a half tone mode. Then, the image data obtained by reading the addressing information by the original reading means with the specific `- 217Si88 reading accuracy is stored in a line buffer, and the addressing info~ ion recognition means recognizes the addressing inform~tion on the basis of the image data in the line buffer. Therefore, in reading the addressing inform~tion, the speci~lc reading accuracy such as the fine mode is forcedly set, and therefore, the addressing infQrm~tion is not 5 elloneously recognized, and accordingly, it is possible to obtain a very practical f~ccimile apparatus.
In another aspect of the present invention, a f~c-cimile appal~tus comprises a holding means for holding the image data outputted from the original reading means; a first order means for applying a first printing instruction; and a printing means for 10 printing the image data held by the holding means in response to the first printing instruction. Therefore, in this aspect, the image data is printed-out, and accordingly, it is possible to col~rill.l the hand-written addressing information without discl.a~;ing the nrigin~l from the f~c~imile apparatus, and therefore, it is possible to obtain a good operability.
Furthermore, a f~r-~imile appal~lus comprises a modem for a f~cimile tr~ncmic~ion; a h~n~set for communication with voice; a conllcctillg means for selectively connecting one of the modem and the h~nclcet to a telephone line; a detection means for detecting an off-hook state of the h~n-lcet; and a control means for c~ucing the connecting means to connect the handset to the telephone number and the 20 calling means to perform a calling operation according to a recognition result at a time that the off-hook state is detected by the detection means. According to this embodiment, not only it is possible to perform automatic dialing for the f~r-simile tr~ncmi~sion according to the addressing information hand-written on the f~rsimile original but also it is possible to perform dialing for the communication with voice 25 according to the addressing information hand-written on the f~csimile original only by ~176188 bringing the h~nrlset into its off-hook state.
Furthermore, a f~c~imile app~tus according to an embodiment c~n.~ es a holding means for holding the image data outputted from the original reading means, and the addressing information recognition means inr.ludes a cut-out means for cutting-out image data for each character from the holding means, a pattern recognition means for pattern-recognizing the image data for each character cut-out by the cut-out means, and a result holding means for holding a recognition result for each character by the pattern recognition means, and a recognition judge means judges whether or not the addressing information is correctly recognized on the basis of the recognition result for each character held in the result holding means. Therefore, if there are many characters being not recognized in the addressing information hand-written on the tr~n~mi~sion original, according to the judge of the recognition judge means, the holding means may be cleared and all the characters may be m~nll~lly inputted. Furthermore, if there is a fewer characters being not recognized, it is possible to m~nll~lly correct the characters.
Therefore, it is possible to select a most suitable correction method according to the judge by the recognition judge means, and therefore, an operability becomes good.
The above described objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more appa.ent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accolllpallyiilg drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment according to the present invention;
2 5 Figure 2 is a perspective view showing in detail an operation panel of the ~176188 embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing whole structure of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an illustrative view showing storage areas of a ROM shown in 5 Figure 3;
Figure S is an illustrative view showing storage areas of a VRAM shown in Figure 3;
Figure 6 is an illustrative view showing storage areas of an SRAM shown in Figure 3;
l 0 Figure i is an illustrative view showing in detail an entry guide of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 8 is an illustrative view showing in detail a line buffer shown in Figure Figure 9 is an illustrative view showing a first character data table (a second l 5 character data table) shown in Figure 6;
Figure 10 is an illustrative view showing structure of a reading portion of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 11 is a block diagram showing in detail an NCU shown in Figure 3;
Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart showing a whole operation of the embodiment;
Figure 13 is a flowchart showing operations for initi~li7~tion and for operationcheck;
Figure 14 is a flowchart showing operations for ~ut~ m~tic recognition change-over and for print of the entry guide;
Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an operation for checking whether or not automatic recognition is to be performed;
Figure 16 and Figure 17 are flowcllall~ showing operations for çhecl~ing presence or a'osçnce of addressing information and for fetçhing image data of the addressing information;
Figure 18 is an illustrative view showing respective data set in the first character data table (second character data table);
Figure 19 is an illustrative view showing a state where data of the first character data table are written into the second character data table;
Figure 20 and Figure 21 are flowcharts showing an operation of a step for cutting-out respective characters of the addressing infolll.ation;
Figure 22 and Figure 23 are flowcharts showing an operation of a recognition step;
~ Figure 24 to Figure 26 are flowcharts showing an operation of a tran~mi.c~ion step;
l 5 Figure 27 is a flowchart showing a first correction louthlc;
Figure 28 is a flowchart showing a second correction routine and a third correction routine;
Figure 29 is a flowchart showing an operation at a time that the addressing information is m~nually inputted.
Figure 30 is a flowchart showing a copy routine; and Figure 31 is a flowchart showing a white line tr~n~mi~sion routine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 is an appearance view showing one embodiment of a f~r~imile 2 5 apparatus to which the present invention is applied. A fa~simile apparatus 10 of this embodiment shown includes a housing 12, and on an upper surface of the housing 12, there is formed with an operation panel 14. In the operation panel 14, various kinds of keys shown in detail in Figure 2 are arranged.
More speçifîc~lly, on the operation panel 14, a ten key 16 including "0" - "9", 5 "*" and "#" is provided, and the ten key 16 is utilized in m~ml~lly e~tçrin~ addressing infonn~tion as described later. Each of four keys intli~tecl by "A" - "D" in Figure 2 is a one touch dial key 18, and by depIessing the same, it is possible to an address registered in advance can be automatically dialed. A shortening dial key 20 is utilized forhl~ llillg the addressing information with u~ili7ing 2-digit code n~lmber5 registered in l O advance, and it is possible to enter a shortened code with utili~ing the shortening key 20 and the ten key 16. A flash key 22 is a key for performing a so-called fl~hing operation, and if the flash key 22 is operated, an NCU (Network Control Unit, described later) 114 breaks a telephone line for 700 milli~econds - 1 second. A tone key 24 is a key for çh~nging-over a dial pulse signal or a DPMF (Dual-tone Multi-frequency) l 5 signal. A pause key 26 is utilized for setting a dial pause period. A re-dial key 28 is utilized for dialing again the address by which a calling operation has been pclro.-l,ed once but the telephone line was not connected. In addition, reference numerals 30 and 32 denote a reservation key and a hands-free key, respectively.
A menu key 34 is provided above the ten key 16 in Figure 2, and the menu key 20 34 operates as a function selection key. That is, by deplessillg the menu key 34, it is possible to select a menu for setting various kinds of functions. In addition, as described later, the menu key 34 is also utilized as a key for moving a cursor 38 toward an upper column direction, i.e.. a left direction in an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 36.
A set key 40 is a key for settling the function set by the menu key 34. Furthermore, the 25 set key 40 is also utilized for moving the cursor 34 toward a lower column direction, ~176188 i.e.. a right direction in the LCD 36. A mode key 42 is a key for ch~Tlging-over a fax mode, a telephone mode or an automatic alls~elillg telephone mode. A quality selection key 44 selects one of a normal tr~ncmiccion mode, a fine tr~ncmiccion mode and a half tone tr~ncmi.c.cion mode.
An ori~in~l kind key 46 is utilized for çh~nging light and shade of the origin~lor for selecting a half tone. A dial bank key 48 is utilized for reading-out addressing illrollllation stored in an SRAM 76 (described later). More specifically, if theaddressing information is m~nll~lly inputted with utili7ing the ten key 16, for example, the addressing information is registered in the SRAM 76 at every time. By operating l O the dial bank key 48, it is possible to read-out the addressing information of a first place to a twenty place in an order of a frequency of a dialing operation in the past. Thus, by reading-out the addressing infollllation by the dial bank key 48, it is possible to utilize the addressing information in a one touch dial registration or a shortened dial registration. Furthermore, with u~ili7ing the dial bank key, by reading-out the l 5 addressing information which has been dialed, it is possible to implement a function as a so-called automatic dialer. A paper saving key 50 is utilized for saving a f~ cimile paper in receiving a faccimile tr~ncmiccion, and if the paper saving key SO is de~essed, a feeding pitch of the facsimile paper is made half.
A stop/clear key 52 plays a function for stopping an operation being executed, afunction for clearing a number inputted in a registration mode (one touch registration or a registration of a name/number of own f~rcimile apparatus), and a function for releasing its registration mode. Furthermore, the stop/clear key 52 is operated in a recognition operation of the addressing inforrnation as described later. For example, after the original is inserted as shown in Figure 10, if the stop/clear key 52 is operated 2 5 until an operation for recognizing the addressing information is started, the original is forcedly discharged. Furthermore, during a time that the addressing illfollllation of the original as inserted is recognized (mlSS~ge of "NUMBER IS BEING READ" is displayed on the LCD 36), if the stop/clear key 52 is operated, the recognition operation of the addressing inf~rm~tion is suspended, and a recognition result is canceled.
5 However, in such a case, image data read by a CIS 100 (described later) is held in a line buffer 68 (described later). Furthermore, if the stop/clear key 52 is operated in a modification mode or an error correction mode, the appal~lus is forcedly retumed to a waiting state.
A start key 54 is operated at a time that an operation is to be started. For 10 example, in a state where a h~nrlset 56 shown in Figure 1 is brought into an off-hook state, or when a hand-free key 32 is turned-on, if the start key 54 is operated, a tr~n~mi.ccion operation is started in response to the insertion of the original, or a reception operation is started when no original is inserted. Furthermore, at a time of an on-hook state of the handset 56, if the addressing information is m~nn~lly inputted, a l 5 dialing operation is started in response to the operation of the start key 54.
Furthermore, after the addressing information hand-written on the tr~n~mi~ion original is recognized, if the start key 54 is operated, a dialing operation according to the addressing information as recognized is started.
A copy key 58 is operated in executing a copying operation of the original. A
20 hand-writing key 59 is a key for ~hslnging-over an automatic recognition mode wherein the addressing information hand-written on the tr~n.~mi~.~ion original is read and the dialing operation is automatically started on the basis of a recognition result of the addressing information or a manually input mode wherein the addressing information is m~nll~lly inputted. The hand-writing key 59 incorporates an LED 152, for example, 25 and the ~ FD 152 is lightened at a time that the automatic recognition mode is set, and 2~76188 the LED 152 is turned-on and off at a time that the addressing information is read and recognized in the automatic recognition mode. Furthermore, if the hand-writing key 59 is operated until the dialing operation is pc.roll..ed after the addressing il~fo....~tion is read in the automatic recognition mode, the image data of the addressing information 5 stored in the line buffer 68 is printed-out. Furthermore, if the hand-writing key 59 is operated after the m~n~l~lly input mode has been set during the operation of theautomatic recognition mode, the m~nll~lly input mode is transited to the ~utom~tic recognition mode.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of Figure 1 embodiment including a single-chip l 0 f~ccimile processor such as "TC35167F" m~nuf~ctllred by Toshiba, for example. A
CPU 60 and other colllpollents are coupled to each other through a bus 62. As shown in Figure 4, a ROM 64 includes a control program area 64a, a recognition dictionary area 64b and a message data area 64c wherein data for message (an audible message or a visible message), i.e.. message data. The control program area 64a includes a control l 5 program according to flowcharts described later. The recognition dictionary area 64b is a dictionary for recognizing the hand-written addressing illfo~ tio~, and includes vectors and a plurality of neural networks for a pattern m~tf~hin~. By selecting a neural network according to a vector of the pattern m~tçhing, the addressing inform~tion hand-written on the tr~n~mi~ion original can be recognized. The recognition dictionary area 64b further includes a 256 table (a bit number detection table). The bit number detection table is a table indicating the number of the black dots in 1 byte, and referred to in detecting the number of the bits at a time that a histogram is to be produced.
A VRAM 66 includes the line buffer 68 of a bit-map system (acces~ihle bit by bit) of 32.25 K byte (= 129 x 2048 bits = 256 bytes), for example.

On the other hand, the SRAM 76 is a memory of a byte-map system (~cceecihle byte by byte), and includes a memory switch area 76a, a flag area 76b and a counter, pointer and variable area 76c, and a dial buffer 70, a first character table ~I BL1) 72 and a second character table (TBL2) 74 as shown in Figure 6.
An error proces~ing mode switch EMODE in the memory switch area 76a is a switch for selecting or setting a processing that a rejected character occurs at a time that the hand-written addressing information is recognized. If the switch EMODE is set as "O", when the rejected character (unrecognizable character) occurs in recognizing the hand-written addressing information, the recognition operation is suspended, and a l 0 recognition result obtained by that time is canceled. Furthermore, if the error proce~.cing mode switch EMODE is set as "1", the recognition operation is suspended at every time that the rejected character occurs and a mode is transited to an error correction mode. Furthermore, if the switch EMODE is set as "2", a mode is transited to the error correction mode at a time that the recognition operations for all the l S characters of the hand-written information are completed.
A recognition confirm~tion time switch cr is a switch for setting a time for confirrning the recognition result after the recognition operation of the hand-written addressing information is termin~te-l More specifically, if the switch CT is set as "O", after the recognition result of the hand-written addressing hlrollllation is displayed on the LCD 32 (Figure 2), the automatic dialing operation is started in response to the operation of the start key 54 (Figure 2). However, a variable numeral of "1" to "10" is set in the switch CI', after the recognition result is displayed, the dialing operation is automatically performed after seconds indicated by the variable numeral (CI seconds).
A number tr~n~mi~sion mode switch NSMODE is a switch for selecting 2 5 whether or not the image data read by the CIS 100 to recognize the hand-written -~176188 addressing info-.l.ation is to be tr~n~mitted as a portion of tr~ncmi~sion data. If the switch NSMODE is set as "O", the image data read for recognizing the addressing information is not tr~n~mitted as a portion of the tr~n~mi.~ion data. If the switch NSMODE is set as "1", the image data read for recognizing the addressing inform~tion 5 is tr~n~mitted as a portion of the tran~mi~ion data.
A read tr~n~mi~.eion mode switch SMODE is a switch for setting a trAn~mi~sion mode desired by an operator, and SMODE = "O" indic~tes a normal mode, SMODE =
"1" is a fine mode, and SMODE = "2" indicates a half tone mode.
In the flag area 76b, there are formed with an automatic recognition flag RF, an10 entry guide flag GF, a confirm~tion print flag CPF, an automatic reco~ition transition flag CAF, a pre-read flag SF, a valid image area flag AF, a valid character flag MF and an error flag EF. The automatic recognition flag RF indicates which one of the automatic recognition mode and the manually input mode is selected by the operator, and the m~nu~lly input mode is selected at a time of RF = "O" and the a~1tom~tic15 recognition mode is selected at a time of RF = "1". The entry guide flag GF indicates whether or not the guide re~ sentative of a writing method of the addressing information on the tr~n~mi.c.cion original which is read in the ~utom~tiC recognition mode is to be printed-out, and a print output of the entry guide is inhibited at a time of GF = O and the print output is permitted at a time of GF = "1". The confirm~tion print 20 flag CPF indicates whether or not the image data of the addressing information being stored in the line buffer 68 is to be automatically printed-out (hereinafter called as "confirmation print") at a time that the automatic recognition mode is transited to the manually input mode in response to the stop/clear key 52, and the confirmation print is permitted at a time of CPF = "O" and the confirmation print is inhibited at time of CPF
2 5 = "1". The automatic recognition transition flag CAF indicates right or wrong of ~176188 transition from a m~nu~lly input mode to the autom~ic recognition mode, and the transition is pe ...;ll~d at a time of CAF = "0" and inhibited at a time of CAF = "1". The pre-read flag SF is a flag indicating whether or not data of the addressing inforrn~tion which has been recognized exists in the dial buffer 70, and SF = "0" indicates that there S is no data, and SF = "1" indicates that there is the data. The valid image area flag AF is a flag indicating whether or not an area of the original being read by the CIS 100 is an area in which an addressing information that is a target for recognition is hand-written, and AF = "0" intli-~tes an area other than the addressing il~ro~ ation area, and AF = "1"
indicates the addressing information area. The valid character flag MF is a flag which l O indicates whether or not the area of the addressing information that is a target for recognition is scanned in the main sc~nnin,~ detection, and MF = "0" indicates an outside of the area and MF = "1" indicates an inside of the area. The error flag EF
in-lic~tes that the rejected character occurs at a time that the addressing inform~ion is recognized, and EF = "0" indicates that no rejected character occurs, and EF = "1"
l 5 in-lic~tes occurrence of the rejected character.
In the counter, pointer and variable area 76c of the SRAM 76, there are formed with an original feed counter PCNT, write line counter LCNT, valid line counter BCNT, white line counter WCNT, 1st to 2048-th column counter CCNT, a character number counter MCNT, a column pointer CPNT, a first character data counter DCNT1, 20 a second character data counter DCNT2, a dial buffer write pointer DLBW, a second table read pointer TRPT, a white line tr~n.cmi~sion counter WLSC, a line buffer read pointer LBRP, a space counter SCNT, a timer counter TC, a rejected character number counter RJC, an average distance register AL and a space width register SP. The paper feed counter PCNT is a counter for counting the number of the lines in the sub-sc~nning 25 direction of the original, which are read by the CIS 100 for recognizing the addressing inform~tion The write line counter LCNT is a write pointer for writing the image data read by the CIS 100 for recognizing the addressing information into the line buffer 68.
The valid line counter BCNT is a counter for counting the number of times that lines in each of which there are two or more succe-ssive black dots in the main sc~nninE
5 direction (valid line) succes~ively appear. The white line counter WCNT is a counter for counting the number of times that lines in each of which there are not two or more succes~;ve black dots in the main sç~nning direction (white line) succes~ively appear.
The 1st to 2048-th column counter CCNT is a counter for counting the number of the black dots for each of the columns in the line buffer 68 shown in detail in Figure 10 8, and includes a first column counter lCCNT, a second column counter 2CCNT, a third column counter 3CCNT, ..., a 2048-th column counter 2048 CCNT. The character number counter NCNT is a counter for counting the number of the characters inchlded in the image data stored in the line buffer 68. The column pointer CPNT is a pointer for addressing respective columns of the line buffer 68. The first data counter DCNT1 is a 15 read pointer for reading-out the data in the first character data table 72 (Figure 6) and the second data counter DCNT2 is a write pointer for writing the data into the second character data table 74 (Figure 6).
The dial buffer write pointer DLBW is a write point for writing a character codeof the addressing information in the dial buffer 70. The second table read pointer TRPT
20 is a read pointer for reading-out the data of the second character data table 74. The white line tr~n~mi~sion counter WLSC is a counter for counting the number of thewhite lines to be transmitted. The line buffer read pointer LBRP is a read pointer for reading-out the image data stored in the line buffer 68 for each line. The space counter SCNT is a counter for counting the number of times that spaces included in the 25 hand-written addressing information successively appear. The timer counter TC is a ~- 217~188 counter for counting a time. The reject character number counter RJC is a register for storing the number of the rejected characters in the recognition result. The average distance le~isler AL is a register in which data indicative of an average ~i~t~nce AL
between the characters of the image data stored in the line buffer 68 is stored, and the 5 space width register SP is a register in which the data represent~tive of a space width SPC between the characters of the image data in the line buffer 68 is stored.
The dial buffer 70 is a buffer memory for storing a character code by which a dial pulse or a DTMF signal is generated from the NCU114 on the basis of the recognition result of the addressing information hand-written on the ori~in~l or the l O addressing information m~nu~lly inputted.
Each of the first character table 72 and the second ch~ractçr table 74 is a character data table having storage portions of 32 in total of a first storage portion to a 32nd storage portion for each of a start X area, a start Y area, an X width area and a Y
width area as shown in Figure 9. In the character data tables 72 and 74, the above l 5 described four data indicative of an area of each character in the line buffer 68 are stored. The character data tables 72 and 74 are utilized for cutting-out respective characters or spaces in the addressing infonn~tion.
In addition, the SRAM 76 in~lu~es an image buffer and a histogram buffer necessary to recognize the hand-written addressing information. The image buffer20 stores the image data from the line buffer 68 in a byte-map fashion, and formed as an area of 256 byte. The histogram buffer is formed as an area of 1 x 512 byte, andutilized for producing the histogram necessary for recognizing the hand-written addressing inforrnation.
Returning back to Figure 3, a time piece circuit 78 is a circuit for counting a 25 current time in response to a clock signal (not shown), and backed-up together with the ~176188 VRAM 66 and the SRAM 76 by a back-up battery 80.
A record control circuit 82 is a circuit for printing-out the data on the f.~c~imile paper in a cor.Ii....~tion print operation, a f~rsimile reception operation or a copying operation, and in~ lu-le~ a thermal head driver for th~rm~l head 84.
A DMA circuit 86 is a circuit for controlling a direct memory access operation by which the data is read from the line buffer 68 or the data is written in the line buffer 68 without a control of the CPU 60.
A motor control circuit 88 controls a tr~n.cmi~ion motor 90 and a reception motor 92. The tr~n~micsion motor 90 and the reception motor 92 are stepping motors.
The tr~n~mi~ion motor 90 drives an original feed roller 94 and a p,es~ulc; roller 96 shown in Figure 10. The reception motor 92 feeds the f~csimile paper or recording paper (not shown). An image proce~ing circuit 98 inl~ludes a half tone proces~ing circuit which receives the bit image data outputted from the CIS 100 as "1" or "0". In addition, in the half tone processing circuit, a slice level of the CIS 100 is changed l 5 according to a dither method, for example.
A code circuit 102 converts the data of one line from the CIS 100 into a modified E~ffm~nn code which is then applied to the SRAM 76. Accordingly, in theSRAM 76, the MH code of the data for one line from the CIS 100 is stored for each line. Then, the MH code to which a fill code is added by the CPU 60 is supplied to a modem 104 in a FIFO system.
In addition, a first original sensor 106 and a second original sensor 108 are arranged at positions sandwiching the original feed roller 94 as shown in Figure 10.
The first original sensor 106 detects a fact that the original is fed to a position of the original feed roller 94, i.e.. presence of the original. The second original sensor 108 25 detects a fact that the original is fed to a position of the CIS 100, that is, a fact that the ~ 1761B8 origin~l reaches a read position. The sensors 106 and 108 are connected to the bus 62 via a sensor VO port 140.
The modem 104 includes a DTMF generation circuit 110 which outputs the DTMF signal in a mode according to a dç~ign~tion by the CPU 60. The modem 104 5 further inrludes a voice responsive circuit 112 which returns voice data such as "wait a moment", for example according to the data of the message data area 64c (Figure 4) to a calling party at a time that telephone lines L1 and L2 are caught by the NCU 114. In addition, the modem 104, of course, includes a modulation/demodulation circuit.
The NCU 114 is shown in detail in Figure 11. With referring to Figure 11, the l O telephone lines L1 and L2 are connected to a transformer 116 via CML switch.Therefore, the CML switch çhan~es-over that the telephone lines L1 and L2 are connected to the modem 104 via the ll~l,srollllerll4 or that the telephone lines L1 and L2 are comlecLed to the handset 56 via a speech network 118.
In the waiting state, the CML switch is switched to a side of the h~n~set 56, and l 5 when a ringer signal (16 Hz) is outputted from the telephone lines L1 and L2, the ringer signal is applied to the transformer 116 through a car~cjtor and a resistor. Therefore, a tçrmination detection circuit 120 detects the ringer signal, and notifies the termination to the CPU 60 via an NCU control UO port 130.
When the termination signal from the tçrmination detection circuit 120 is 20 applied to the CPU 60, the CPU 60 switches the CML switch to a side of the ~ "~ro~l"er 116 via a delay drive circuit 122. In response thereto, a line of the modem 104 - the transformer 116 - the CML switch - L1 and L2 is formed, and then, the above described "voice response" is performed, or a fa~simile identification signal from the calling party, that is, a CNG signal (1100 Hz; 0.5 seconds on and 3 seconds off) is 25 detected. Therefore, NCU 114 returns a faccimile signal (NSF, CSD and DIS, for - ~176188 example) to the calling party. If the f~imile signal is received by the calling party, the calling party returns a signal of NSS (or TSI), for example, and co~.l;....~tion of functions are pe.ro~ ed between two f~t ~imile appal~tus. Thereafter, a training mode is executed, and co..l;....~ion of functions of the modem 104 is performe~l That is, the 5 data is first tr~n~mitted at 9600 Baud, and then, data are sequentially ~ e-l at 7200 Baud, 4800 Baud and 2400 Baud so that a co..llllunication speed at which data can be tran~mitted and received between the two f~c-cimile appa-~ s is set. Then, the NCU
114 returns a CFR signal to thé calling party, and a fax image signal is sent from the calling party via the telephone lines L1 and L2.
l 0 In addition, the above described signals (NSF, CSI, DIS, .. , CFR and etc. ) are constructed by the CPU 60, and thereafter, the CPU 60 orders the modem 104 to transmit the signals.
At a time of a f~imile tran~mi~ion, if the addressing inform~tion is inputted by the ten key 16 (Figure 2), for example, and when the start key 54 is operated, the l 5 CML switch is switched to the side of the Ll~ rol---er 116, i.e.. the side of the modem 104 by the CPU 60. Thereafter, during 3 seconds, capture of the telephone line is co..li....e~l Then, the CPU 60 applies a signal to a DP control circuit 124 in response to the confirm~ion of the settlement of the telephone line. Accordingly, a calling signal is applied to the telephone lines L1 and L2 by turning-on or off a DP switch by the DP
control circuit 124 according to the character code stored on the dial buffer 70 (Figure 6). S~lccee~lingly~ in response to the instruction of the CPU 60, the CNG signal is outputted from the modem 104 via the transformer 116 and the telephone lines L1 and L2. Thereafter, an operation in reverse to the above described f~rcimile reception operation is pe,rol.lled.
Furthermore, in a case of a telephone calling, if the handset 56 is picked-up, a `- ~176188 hook switch HS is turned-on. Therefore, the tone signal from the telephone lines L1 and L2 is heard at the handset 56 via the CML switch. On the other hand, a hook switch detection circuit 126 detects such an on-hook state, and applies an on-hook signal to the CPU 60. In response to the on-hook signal, CPU 60 switches the CMLswitch to the side of the transformer 116 under a condition that the addressing information is inputted and the hook switch HS is turned-on. Therefore, the DP control circuit 124 controls the DP switch to be turned-on or off, thereby to pelro.lll a calling operation. Thereafter, under a condition that no key is deplcssed for a predetennined time period, the CML switch is switched to a side of the hook switch HS such that the co,l~ ul-ication with voice utili7ing the handset 56 becomes possible. There is provided with a switch 127 moved together with the hook switch HS, and the hook switch detecti-~n circuit 126 can detect the on-hook state or off-hook state by detecting on or off of the switch 127.
In addition, detailed structure of such the NCU 114 and an operation thereof is l 5 well-known, and not important for the present invention, and therefore, a detailed des~ lion of the NCU 114 will be omitted here. In addition, a speaker 128 shown in Figure 11 is provided on a side surface of the housing 12 as shown in Figure 1, and when the switch 134 is turned-on by a speaker drive circuit 132 in ~espollse to a signal from the NCU control I/O port 130, it is possible to output the voice message from the speaker 128.
Returning back to Figure 3, an LED control circuit 150 controls on or off of theLED 152 incorporated in the hand-writing key 59 under a control of the CPU 60.
Next, with referring to flowcharts of Figure 12 and thereafter, an operation of the above described embodiment will be described.
Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation. When a power switch `- 2176188 (not shown) is turned-on, in a first step S1, the CPU 60 executes initi~li7~tion, and checks operations of the respective keys on the operation panel 14. In a next step S2, the CPU 60 checks whether or not the addressing inforrn~tio~ hand-written on thetran~mi~ion origin~l is to be ~utom~tically recognized. Therefore, in a case where it is 5 detçrrnined that the addressing information is to be recognized in the step S2, in a next step S3, the presence or absence of the addressing information on the trAn~mi~ion ori~in~l is çhçr~ l, and when the addressing information is hand-written on the tr~n~mi~ion original, the image data of the addressing information is fetched into the line buffer 68. Then, in a step S4, pattern data of each character of the hand-written l O addressing information is cut-out, and in a step S5, the character as cut-out is recognized. In a step S6, a tr~n.cmi~sion process is executed according to the addressing information recognized in the step S5.
The first step S1 of Figure 12 is shown in detail in Figure 13. In a first step S100 in Figure 13, the CPU 60 sets the automatic recognition flag RF and the entry l 5 guide flag GF in the flag area 76b of the SRAM 76 as "0" and "1", respectively. In a succee-1ing step S101, it is determined whether or not RF = 1, and in a step S102, the LED 152 is turned-on. If it is determined that RF = 0, in a step S103, the LED 152 is turned-off. Thus, in the steps S101 - S103, only when RF = 1, that is, the automatic recognition mode is selected, the CPU 60 drives the LED control circuit 150 to lighten the LED 152.
In a step S104, the CPU 60 sets the confirrn~tion print flag CPF and the automatic recognition transition flag CAF in the flag area 76b of the SRAM 76 as "0"
and "0", respectively. In a succee~ling step S105, the CPU 60 deterrnines whether or not the original is inserted. That is, in the step S105, the CPU 60 deterrnines whether or not the detection signal from the first original sensor 106 (Figure 10) exists. When no 217~188 original insertion detection signal is obtained from the first original sensor 106, in a step S106, the CPU 60 clears the pre-read flag SF and the error flag EF, respectively. Then, in a next step S107, it is det~rmined whether or not the hand-writing key 59 in the operation panel 14 is operated. If not operated, in a step S108, operations of other keys 5 are çherk~rl, and a process according to a key being operated is exec~lte-l For example, setting of the memory switches in the memory switch area 76a shown in Figure 6, or one touch dial registration or shortening dial registration may be p. .Ço""ed. If the proce~ing of the step S108 is completed, the process returns to the step S101.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the hand-writing key 59 is operated in l 0 the step S107, a process of a step S180 shown in detail in Figure 4 is executed by the CPU 60. More specifically, in a step S180, it is determined whether or not the automatic recognition flag RF is "0", and if not "0", in a step S181, the process returns to the step S101 after the flag RF is changed to "0". Furthermore, if it is determinç-l that the flag RF is "0" in the step S180, the CPU 60 determine~ whether or not the entry l S guide flag GF is "1" in a step S183 after the CPU 60 sets the flag as "1" in a step S182, and if the flag is not "1", the process is directly returned to the step S101. On the other hand, if the flag GF is "1", in a step S184, the entry guide shown in Figure 7 is printed-out. More specifically, in the step S184, the CPU 60 reads-out the image data of the entry guide stored in advance in the ROM 64, and applies the image data to the record control circuit 82, whereby the entry guide shown in Figure 7 can be printed-out on the recording paper or f~csimile paper. In a next step S185, CPU 60 detennines whether or not the stop key 52 in the operation panel 14 is operated in executing the step S184. If the stop key 52 is operated, in a step S186, the entry guide flag GF is reset as "0", and thereafter, the process is returned to the step S101.
More specifically, after the power on, if the hand-writing key 59 is operated in a state where no original is inserted, in response to the operation of the hand-writing key 59, the automatic recognition flag RF is set and reset, and thelefole, the LED 152 is repeatedly turned-on and off. Furthermore, if the entry guide flag GF is "1" at a time that the autorn~tiC recognition flag RF is changed from "0" to "1", the entry guide is printed-out at every timing of the change of the flag RF. Fur~h~mmore, if the stop key 52 is operated during the printing operation of the entry guide, the entry guide flag GF
becomes "0", and in such a state, even if the automatic recognition flag RF is changed from "0" to "1", the entry guide is not printed-out. The,erole, it is possible to cause the operator to select whether or not the entry guide is to be printed-out. In addition, the l 0 change of the entry guide flag GF from "0" to "1" can not be executed at a time other than a time that the power source is turned-off once and then turned-on again, and the step S100 is executed, and therefore, by setting the entry guide flag GF as "0" once, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from being consumed due to the printing-out of the entry guide.
l 5 Ret~lming to the step S105, if the CPU receives the original detection signal from the first original sensor 106 in this step, the process proceeds to a step S110 wherein it is deterrnined whether or not the original is fed to the read position of the CIS 100. That is, in the step S110, the CPU 60 determines whether or not there is the original detection signal from the second original sensor 108. If no original detection signal from the second original sensor 108 is inputted, in a step S111, the CPU 60 sends an order signal to drive the tr~n~mi~sion motor 90 to the motor control circuit 88. In response to the order signal, the tran~mi~sion motor 90 is driven. That is, in the step S111, the tr~n~mi~sion motor 90 is energized by the motor control circuit 88 in response to the order signal from the CPU 60. Accordingly, the original is fed by the original feed roller 94. Then, the step S111 is executed until the second original sensor 108 detects the original in the step S110.
Then, if the original is fed to the original read position, in a step S112, the CPU
60 applies an order signal to the motor control circuit 88 such that the tr~n~mi~ion motor 90 is stopped by the motor control circuit 88. In a succee-ling step S113, the 5 CPU 60 dete- ..,ines whether or not the h~n~l~et 56 is brought into the off-hook state on the basis of the signal from the NCU control VO port 130. That is, if the h~n-l~et 56 is brought into the off-hook state at a time that the original is fed to the read position of the CSI 100, the aforementioned telephone process is executed. That is, if the h~ntlset 56 is brought into the off-hook state at a state of the step S112, it means that the l O opelator intends to use a telephone, and in such a case, the CPU 60 controls the LED
control circuit 150 so as to turn the LED 152 off in a step S114, and thereafter, the CPU
60 executes the telephone calling process in a step S115.
If it is determined that the handset 56 is not the off-hook state in the step S113, it means that the f~simile tr~n.cmi~cion is to be processed. Therefore, in this case, the l 5 process proceeds to the step S2 of Figure 12, i.e.. a step S200 of Figure 15.
In a first step S200 of Figure 15, the CPU 60 detçrmines whether or not the pre-read flag SF is set with referring to the flag area 76b of the SRAM 76. If "YES" is determined in the step S200, it means that the original has been set, and that the addressing inforrnation hand-written on the original is correctly recognized, and that the character codes of the respective characters of the addressing information are set in the dial buffer 70 (Figure 6). Therefore, in this case, after the LED 152 is turned-off in a step S201, the process proceeds to the step S6 (tr~nsmi~.sion process).
Then, in a case where the pre-read flag SF is not set, the CPU 60 deterrnines whether or not the automatic recognition flag RF is "0" with referring to the flag area 76b of the SRAM 76 in a step S202. That is, in the step S202, the CPU 60 determines `- 2176188 whether or not the automatic dialing mode wherein the addressing information hand-written on the original is recognized and the calling operation is to be automatically pe.rol,lled according to the recognition result. Therefore, if "NO" is determined in the step S202, the mode is the m~nu~lly tr~n.cmic.sion mode, and the 5 automatic recognition transition flag CAF is set as "1" in a step S203, and then, the process proceeds to a step S800. On the other hand, in a case where the ~-.trm~tic dialing mode is set, the process proceeds to the step S3 of Figure 2, that is, a step S300 of Figure 16.
In a first step S300 of Figure 16, the CPU 60 controls the LED control circuit 150 to turn-on and off the LED 152, and thereafter, in a step S301, displays the message on the LCD 36 by controlling the display VO port 136 (Figure 3). That is, in the step S301, the CPU 60 reads the message data of "NUMBER IS BEING READ" from the message data area 64c of the ROM 64, and the message data is applied to the display VO port 136, and resnltingly, the message is displayed on the LCD 36. In addition, in l 5 the step S301, the message may be displayed in an audible manner with utili7ing the speaker 128 together with the visible message by the LCD 36.
In a succee-ling step S302, the CPU 60 initi~li7es respective variables in the counter, pointer and variable area 76c of the SRAM 76. That is, the original feed counter PCNT is set at its initial value "1". The original feed counter PCNT is 20 incremented at every timing that the original is fed by one line in the sub-sç~nning direction by the tr~n~mi~sion motor 90, and therefore, with referring to the paper feed counter PCNT, it is possible to determine a position of the end line or the number of the lines in the area into which the addressing information is hand-written. In the write line counter LCNT, as an initial value, "2" is set. The write line counter LCNT is 25 incremented at every timing that the data for one line is written into the line buffer 68 ~17~18g (Figure 8). In addition, a reason why "2" is set in the write line counter LCNT as its initial value is that the image data obtained by reading the hand-written addressing infnrm~ion is prevented from being written in a first line of the line buffer 68 as shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, with referring to the write line counter CNT, a line position 5 at which the image data lastly written in the line buffer 68 can be recognized.
In the step S302, the column counter CCNTis made as "0". As described above, the column counter 1 CCNT to 2048 CCNT are respectively provided for l~spc~live columns from the first column to the 2048-th column of the line buffer 68, and the histogram in an X direction is produced for each column by the column counters 1 CCNT to 2048 CCNT. That is, the column counters 1 CCNT to 2048 CCNT
are utilized for counting the number of the black dots for each column of the line buffer 68, and therefore, in the step S302, all the column counters are set as "0".
In the step S302, an initial value of "0" is set in the valid line counter BCNT.The valid line counter BCNTis utilized for image proces~ing. That is, if there are two 15 or more succes~ive black dots in one line, the line is detennine~l as a valid line at which the addressing information is hand-written. In contrast, if there are no successive black dots in one line, it is determined that only one black dot is due to dirt or dust of the original, and therefore, the line is not regarded as the valid line. Then, the valid line counter BCNT counts the number of succes~ive valid lines. That is, if the valid lines do 20 not succeed for 15 lines (in a case of the fine mode, equal to a length of 2 mm on the original), it is determined that valid addressing information is not written on the original. The valid line counter BCNTis utilized for such determination. That is, if a count value of the valid line counter BCNT does not exceed "15", the recognition of the hand-written addressing information is not pe,ro~ ed. In other words, the characters of 25 the addressing information having a size smaller than 2 mm in the sub-sc~nning 2~7~188 direction of the original is removed from the target for reco~ition In the step S302, the white line counter WCNT is set as "0". The white line counter WCNT is utilized for detecting the last three white lines in the line buffer 68 as shown in Figure 8. That is, when three white lines are succçs~ively stored in the line 5 buffer 68, the end of the hand-written addressing area is detennine-l Therefore, the white line counter WCNT is utilized for letecting a last line of the hand-written addressing inolll,ation, i.e.. the end line.
In the step S302, the valid image area flag AF of the flag area 76a (Figure 6) is reset. The flag AF is a flag representing whether or not the CIS 100 reads the area into l O which the addressing information is hand-written, and when the area is read, the flag AF is set as "1", and otherwise reset as "0".
In a next step S303 in Figure 16, the CPU 60 sets-up a read system including the CIS 100 and the tran~mi~.sion motor 90. More specifically, in the step S303, the CPU 60 drives the tr~n~mi~.~ion motor 90 by applying the order signal to the motor l 5 control circuit 88, and sets the CIS 100 and the image proces~ing circuit 98 in the fine mode. That is, in a case where the hand-written addressing i.~fo....~ion is to be recognized, the fine mode is forcedly set in the step S302 irrespective which mode is set by the operator with u~ili7ing the image quality selection key 44.
Then, in a step S304, the image data from the CIS 100 is written in the line 20 buffer 68 at a line dç~ign~ted by the write line counter LCNT. If the first line, the image data from the CIS 100 will be written in the second line of the line buffer 68. In addition, the writing of the image data to the line buffer 68 in the step S304 is actually executed according to the DMA, and therefore, the CPU 60 may design~te the address of the line buffer 68 and a data length of the image data to the DMA circuit 86 (Figure 25 3) only. Thus, the image data for one line from the CIS 100 is written in the line buffer 68.
In a succeerling step S305, the CPU 60 detçrminçs whether or not the stop/clear key 52 (Figure 2) is operated with referring to a signal from the input UO port 134. If the stop/clear key 52 is operated at this stage, it means the cases (1) that the operator 5 intends to copy the origin~l, but the reading operation of the addressing information has been started, or (2) that the original is not fed normally, and therefore, in resl,onse to the operation of the stop/clear key 52, the original is discharged. Therefore, in a case where "YES" is detçrmined in the step S305, the process proceeds to a step S306 wherein the original is discharged, and thereafter, in a step S307, the CPU 60 stops the reading system and turns-off the LED 152, and the process is returned to the step S101.
If "NO" is determined in the step S305, the CPU 60 feeds the original by one line (appro~im~tely 0.13 mm) at the fine mode by driving the tran.~mi~ion motor 90 in a step S308. Then, in a step S309, the original feed counter DCNT is incrçmente-l In a succee.ling step S310, it is determined whether or not there are two or more l S succes~ive black dots in one line on the basis of the image data stored in the line buffer 68 at the previous step S304, that is, it is determined whether or not the one line previously read is the valid line. Specifically, the CPU 60 reads the image data of 200 byte (approximately 200 mm on the original) from the 40-th column to the 2048-thcolumn of the line buffer 68 except the data first 5 byte (approximately 5 mm on the 20 original) from the line buffer 68. In addition, a reason why the image data of the first 5 byte is not read from the line buffer 68 is that there is a possibility that an edge of the original is detected within such a range, and therefore, such the possibility is to be avoided.
Then, the CPU 60 fetches the image data of 200 byte read from the line buffer 25 68 into an accumulator (not shown). At this time, one byte is first read and the 17618g succes~ion of the black dots is determined with utili7ing 9 bits in total of the image data of the one byte and the most significant bit of the image data of the next byte. That is, if the succes~ion of the black dots is dete.minçd for each byte, even if the least significant bit of the prece~ling byte and the most significant bit of the sllccee~ling byte are successively black dots, there is a possibility that it can not dete rnin~ that the black dots are succes~ive. Therefore, the succes~ion of the black dots is determined with u~ili7in~ the 9 bits in total including the most significant bit of the image data of the next byte. Specifically, the CPU 60 determinçs whether or not there are succçs~ive "1"
of two or more bits by çherking a content of the accumulator. Thus, in the step S310, the CPU 60 det~rrninçs whether or not the image data previously read in the line buffer 68 is the valid line.
If "NO" is determined in the step S310, in a step S311, the CPU 60 deterrninçs whether or not the valid image area flag AF is set. If the flag AF has been set, in a next step S312, the white line counter WCNT is incremented. In a next step S313, it is l 5 determined whether or not a count value of the white line counter WCNT becomes equal to or more than "3". As described above, in a case where three successiv~ white lines appear in the line buffer 68 as shown in Figure 8, the end line of the writing area of the hand-written addressing information is determined. Therefore, if "YES" isdetermined in the step S313, it means that the end line of the writing area of the addressing information is detected, and therefore, after the reading system is stopped in a next step S314, the process proceeds to the step S4 of Figure 12, that is, a first step S400 of Figure 20.
If "YES" is determined in the previous step S310, that is, if it is determined that the image data of one line stored in the line buffer 68 in the step S304 is the valid line, in a step S315, the CPU 60 clears the white line counter WCNI and sets "1" in the pre-read flag SF. Since the white line counter WCNT is a counter for rletec~ing whether or not the three or more succç~ive white lines appear, the white line counter WCNT is cleared at every time that the valid line is detected. Then, as similar to a case where "NO" is det~.. il-ed in the S313, the process proceeds to a step S316 shown in Figure 17.
In the step S316, the CPU 60 increments the column counter CCNT of the column co,l.,spollding to a position of the black dot in the line deci~tçd by the write line counter LCNT for the line buffer 68. That is, in the step S316, the column counter CCNT of the column at which the black dot exists is inc~ .ellted. Then, in a step S317, the CPU 60 increments the write line counter LCNT, and increments the valid line counter BCNT.
Then, in a next step S318, the CPU 60 detçrrnin~.s whether or not the count value of the write line counter exceeds "128". That is, in the step S313, it is detçnnined whether or not the image data is written in all of the 128 lines of the line buffer 68 shown in Figure 8. Therefore, until the line buffer 68is filled, "NO" is detçrminP.d in the step S318, and the process proceeds to a step S319.
In the step S319, it is determined whether or not the valid image area flag AF is set. If the valid line is detected in the previous step S310, it means that there is the valid image area (writing area of the addressing information), and therefore, in the step S319, it is detçnnined that the flag AF is set. If "NO" is determined in the step S319, in a next step S320, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the count value of the valid line counter BCNT reaches "15". That is, in the step S320, the CPU 60 determines whether or not there are valid lines for successive 15 lines. Then, when "YES" is deterrnined in the step S320, the valid image area flag AF is first set (step S321). As 2 5 described above, since the character of the addressing information having a size smaller 217618~

than 2 mm on the origin~l is not to be recognized, only a time that the number of the valid lines excee~l~ 15 lines the valid image area flag AF is set.
If "NO" is determined in the previous step S311 (Figure 16), the process proceeds to a step S322 wherein the CPU 60 sets an initial value of "2" in the write line 5 counter LCNT, and clears the valid line counter BCNI, the column countels lCCNT -2048CCNT and the pre-read flag SF. Thereafter, as similar to a case where "NO" is determin~d in the step S320, the process proceeds to a next step S323. In the step S323, the CPU 60 detçrmines whether or not the count value of the original feed counter PCNT exceeds "231". That is, in the step S323, it is letermin~cl whether or not the l O original is fed more than 30 mm (= 231/7.7). This is based on the as~ulllption that the upper end of the character of the hand-written addressing information exists within 30 mm from an upper end of the original. Therefore, by çh~rlgine "231" in this step S323, the recognition area of the hand-written addressing infoll"ation can be enlarged or recluce-l If "YES" is determined in the step S323, it means that the character of the l 5 addressing information is not hand-written within the range of 30 mm from the upper end of the original. Therefore, in this case, in a step S324, the CPU 60 stops the reading system, and in a succee~ling step S325, the CPU 60 displays the message such as "NO
NUMBER" on the LCD 36. Thereafter, in a step S326, the CPU 60 sets "1" in the autom~tic recognition transition flag CAF, and then, the process proceeds to the step S800 shown in Figure 29.
Furthermore, if it is detected that the line buffer 68 is filled in the previous step S318, the reading system is stopped in the step S324 (Figure 16), and thereafter, the process proceeds to the step S4 of Figure 12, i.e.. to the first step S400 of Figure 20.
That is, in a case where "YES" is deterrnined in the step S318, as similar to a case 25 where "YES" is determined in the previous step S313, it is regarded as that the end line ~1761~8 of the writing area of the hand-written addressing information is detecte-l If the previous step S314 is executed, it means that the image data of the hand-written addressing information is stored in the line buffer 68 in a recognizable manner, and in this case, the process proceeds to the step S4 shown in Figure 12, and 5 therefore, each of the characters hand-written as the addressing inro,l"ation is cut-out.
That is, in the step S4, an area of each character surrounded by a dotted line in Figure 18 and an area of a space are detected. Therefore, in the step S4, the data of the start point X, the start point Y, the X width and the Y width of each character shown in Figure 18 are written in the character data tables 72 and 74 (Figure 6) as data A, B, C
lO andD.
In the first step S400 of Figure 20, the ini~i~li7~inn for cutting-out the ch~r~cter is pe,~o",led. More specifically, in the step S400, an initial value of "0" is set in the character number counter MCNT which is for counting the number of the charactersincluding portions of the spaces in the line buffer 68. A reason why the portion of the l 5 spaces are also counted is that the spaces are utilized as pause data in a later tr~n~mi~ion process (step S6). Then, in the step S400, an initial value of "1" is set in the column pointer CPNT which is functions as a read pointer for the line buffer 68 and clesi~es which one of 2048 columns shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, in the step S400, the valid character flag MF is reset. The valid character flag MF is a flag 20 indicating whether or not the column pointer CPNT exists in the dotted line area in Figure 18. If the flag MF is set, the valid character is determined. Furthermore, in the step S400, the first storing portions to the 32nd storing portions of the first character data table 72 and the second character data table 74 (Figure 6) are all cleared.Then, in a step S401, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the count value of 25 the column counter CCNT of the column indicated by the column pointer CPNT is `- 2176188 more than "3". That is, in the step S401, it is determined whether or not three or more black dots exist in the column dç~i~n~ted by the column pointer CPNT. By detç ...i~
whether or not three or more black dots exist in one column, it is possible to ~let~rmine whether or not the column is within the valid character area. Therefore, if "YES" is determined in the step S401, next steps S402 and S403 are executed, and therefore, the valid character flag MF is set. Then, in a step S404, the CPU 60 increments the character number counter MCNT. In a next step S405, the CPU 60 writes a value of the column pointer PCNT in the storing portion of the first character data table TBL1 design~ed by the character number counter MCNT, i.e.. the MCNT-th storing portion l O as data A of the start point X shown in Figure 18. That is, in the step S405, the start point X of the character design~ted by the character number counter MCNT is written in the first character data table 72 as the data A.
After the data A of the start point X is written in the step S405, or after "NO" is determinçd in the step S402, the CPU 60 increments the column pointer CPNT in a step l 5 S406. Thereafter, in a step S407, it is determined whether or not a value of the column pointer CPNT exceeds "2048". That is, in the step S407, it is determined whether or not the determination in the step S401 has been completed for all the columns of the line buffer 68. Therefore, if the deterTnin~ion whether or not 3 or more black dots exists in the column has not been completed for all the columns, the steps S401 to S406 are repeatedly executed.
Then, when the column pointer CPNT design~es the space portion between the first character and the second character, for example, "NO" is determined in the step S401 wherein it is determined whether or not the valid character flag MF is set. ~n a case where the first character is first detecte~l, the flag MF is set, and therefore, "YES"
is detçnnined in the step S408, and then, in a next step S409, the valid character flag 217~188 MF is reset. T~ carl~r, by executing steps S410 to S413, reln~ining three data B, C
and D are written in the respective storage portions of the first character data table 72.
In the step S410, the data C of the X width shown in Figure 18 is stored in the X
width area of the first character data table 72 being desi~ted by the valid character number counter MCNT. The X width data C is a dirr~ ce between the value of the column pointer CPNT and a value (data A) which has been set in the start point X area of the storage portion of the first character data table being de~ign~te-1 by the character number counter MCNT in the step S405.
Then, in a next step S411, the CPU 60 detects an uppermost line and a l O lowermost line in each of which the black dots exist within a range of the column represented by the data A of the start point X to the column dç~ign~ed by the column pointer CPNT in the line buffer 68. That is, in the step S411, the uppermost line Y1 and the lowermost line Y2 of the character area shown by the dotted line in Figure 18 are detecte-l. Then, in a step S412, the number of the uppermost line Y1 detecte-l in the l 5 step S411 is set as the data B in the start point Y area of the storage portion of the first character data table 72 being design~ted by the character number counter MCNT.
Thereafter, in a step S413, the CPU 60 sets the data D in the Y width area of the storage portions of the first character data table 72 being dçcign~ed by the character number counter MCNT. The data D can be evaluated on the basis of the lowermost line Y2 and the uppermost line Y1 detected in the step S411 as "the lowerrnost line - the upperrnost line + 1".
If all of the four data A, B, C and D are thus stored in the storage portion of the first character data table 72 being decign~ted by the character number counter MCNT, in a next step S414, the CPU 60 deterrnines whether or not the count value of the character number counter MCNT reaches "32". That is, in the step S414, it is 217618~
detçrmined whether or not the data A of the start point X, the data B of the start point Y, the data C of the X width and the data D of the Y width are all stored in all of the first storage portion to the 32nd storage portion of the first character data table 72.
Therefore, if "NO" is determined in the step S414, the previous steps S406 to S413 are repeatedly executed.
In addition, in order to detect the uppermost line Y1 and the lowermost line Y2 of the chaldct~l area in the previous step S411, the CPU 60 reads the image data of 1 byte from the line buffer 68 into the accumulator, and detects the number of "1" while the accumulator is shifted. By such a method, the line number of the uppermost line Y1 can be detecte-l In a next step S415 shown in Figure 21, the CPU 60 detçnnines whether or not the count value of the character number counter MCNT is "0". That is, in the step S415, it is ~letçrrnined whether or not one or more valid ch~r~cter exists in the writing area for the hand-written addressing information. Therefore, in a case where "YES" is l 5 determined in the step S415, there is no valid character written in the writing area for the addressing information to be recognized, and therefore, the process returns to the previous step S315 (Figure 17).
However, if "NO" is determined in the step S415, the CPU 60 calculates a length L of the addressing information writing area shown in Figure 18 in a next step S416. Specifically, in the step S416, the length L is calculated on the basis of the value A1 (Figure 19) set in the start point X area of the first storage portion of the first character data table 72, and the values A (MCNT) and C (MCNT) set in the start point X area and the X width area of the first character data table 72 being ~lesign~te~l by the character number counter MCNT. That is, in the step S416, the length L in the main sc~nning direction that the characters of the addressing information are hand-written is detected. Next, in a step S417, the CPU 60 calculates an average lict~nce bct~.,e.l characters AL~ That is, in the step S417, a value obtained by dividing the character area length L evaluated in the step S416 by the number of the characters represented by the cl~cter number counter MCNT is evaluated as the average ~ t~nce between characters AL. Then, in a next step S418, the CPU 60 sets "1" in the read pointer DCNT1 for the first character data table 72 and the write pointer DCNT2 for the second character data table 74, respectively.
By executing next steps S419 to S425, the CPU 60 re-writes the data of the firstcharacter data table 72 in the second character data table 74. In addition, at this time, l 0 the data indicative of the space is also written in the second character data table 74.
More specifically, in the step S419, as shown in Figure 19, the data A, B, C andD of the storage portions of the first character data table 72 being desi~ted by the read pointer DCNT1 are set in the storage portions of the second character data table 74 being desi~ted by the write pointer DCNT2. Then, in a next step S420, it is l 5 determined whether or not the read pointer DCNT1 for the first character data table 72 reaches the number of the characters counted by the character number counter MCNT, that is, it is determined whether or not all the data stored in the first character data table 72 are written in the second character data table 74. Therefore, if "YES" is determined in the step S420, the process proceeds to the next step S5 (Figure 12), i.e.. a step S500 20 shown in Figure 22.
On the other hand, in a state where all the data of the first character data table 72 have not been written in the second character data table 74, "NO" is letennined in the step S420. Therefore, in a next step S421, the CPU 60 calculates a space width SPC
between respective characters being hand-written in the addressing information area.
25 Specifically, in the step S421, the space width SPC between the (DCNT1)-th character 217618~

and the (DCNT1 + 1)-th character being stored in the line buffer 68 is c-~lsulAted on the basis of the values A(DCNI 1) and C(DCNI 1) respectively set in the start point X area and the X width area of the storage portions of the first character data table 72 being dç~ ted by the read pointer DCNT1 and the value A(DCNT1 + 1) set in the start point X area of a next storage portion of the first character data table 72. Then, the space width SPC thus calculated as well as the average ~ t~nce AL r~lc~ ted in the S417 are stored in the space width register SPC and the average tli~tAn- e register AL of the SRAM 76, respectively.
Then, in a step S422, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the space width SPC is larger than the average distance between characters AL with referring to the average tli~tAnt~e register AL and the space width register SPC. If "YES" is deterrnined in the step S422, in a next step S423, the CPU 60 increments the write pointer DCNT2 for the second character data table 74, and then, executes a next step S424.
If "YES" is determined in the previous step S422, it means that there is a spacel 5 having a space width larger than the average ~ tAnce between characters AL between the (DCNT1)-th character and the (DCNT1 ~ 1)-th characters. Therefore, in this case, "-1" re~l~,sel~tA~ive of the space is set in the col.esponding portion of the second character data table 74 as shown in Figure 19 in the step S424. That is, in the step s424, "-1" is set in the area of the start point X of the storage portion of the second character data table being de~ignAted by the write pointer DCNT2. Then, in the step S425, the read pointer DCNT1 and the write pointer DCNT2 are respectively incremented.
In a state where the characters or the spaces are thus re-written in the second character data table 74 for all the characters stored in the second character data table 74, "YES" is determined in the step S420, and therefore, the process proceeds to the step S500.

- ~176188 In the first step S500 of Figure 22, the CPU 60 p~ lrOlllls initi~li7~tion for executing the recognition of each character of the hand-written addressing h~follllation being cut-out accolding to Figure 18 to Figure 21. That is, in the step S500, the pre-read flag SF is set and the error flag EF is reset. Furthermore, in the step S500, an 5 initial value of "0" is set in the space counter SCNT (Figure 6), and initial values of "1"
are ,espccli~rely set in the dial buffer write pointer DLBW and the second character data table read pointer TRPT. Furthermore, in the step S500, the dial buffer 70 (Figure 6) and the rejected character number counter RJC (Figure 6) are both cleared, and the LED
152 is turned-on and off.
In addition, the dial buffer write pointer DLBW is a pointer for de~ ting a writing digit position of the dial buffer 72 into which the addressing information of 32 digits can be written, and the read pointer TRPT is a pointer for de~ign~ting the storage portion of the second character data table 74.
Then, in a step S501, it is det~rrnined whether or not the read pointer TRPT forl 5 the second character data table 74 exceeds the write pointer DCNT2 for the second character data table 74, that is, it is determined whether or not the data are all read from all the storage portions from the first storage portion to the 32nd storage portion of the second character data table 74. If "YES" is detennined in the step S501, the CPU 60 terrnin~tçs the turning-on and off of the T FD 152 in a step S502, and thereafter, the process proceeds to the step S6 of Figure 12, i.e.. a step S600 shown in Figure 24.
On the other hand, if "NO" is detçrrninçcl in the step S501, the process proceeds to a step S503 wherein the CPU 60 executes the recognition of the character as cut-out with referring to the recognition dictionary area 64b (Figure 4) of the ROM 64 and etc.
That is, the image data of respective character areas in the line buffer 68 are read in 25 accordance with the data stored in the respective storage portions of the second character data table 74, and the image data as read are norm~li7etl and feature parameters of the image data are derived. Then, according to a method for well-known pattern m~tçhing, by COI,.p~. ;n~ the feature as derived with the recognition dictionary area 64b, it is determined that the character being cut-out is which one of the numerals of "0" - "9" and the symbols "*", "#", "-" and etc. Then, a character code CC
re~l~sentalive of the character as recognized is outputted.
In a step S504, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the character code CC
outputted at the step S503 is a character code reprçsç~ ;v~ of the space. If "YES" is detçrmined in the step S504, the process proceeds to a next step S505 wherein it is determined whether or not the dial buffer write pointer DLBW is " 1". If the dial buffer write pointer DLBW is "1", the process proceeds to a step S525 after the space counter SCNTis incremen~ecl in a step S506 so that the character code of the space is ignored.
On the other hand, if "NO" is detçnnined in the step S504, steps S507 to S510 are executed so as to write the character code of the space in the dial buffer 70. More l 5 specifically, in the step S507, it is determined whether or not the space counter SCNT
becomes "0". If the space counter SCNTis not "0", it means that some spaces (data of "-1") exist in the second character data table 74. In such a case, the character code of the space is written in the dial buffer 70 according to the dial buffer write pointer DLBW in the next step S508. Then, in the next step S509, the dial buffer write pointer DLBW is incremented, and the space counter SCNTis decremented in the step S510.
Then, if "YES" is determined in the step S507, that is, if it is detçrminecl that the space counter SCNTis"O", in a next step S511, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the character code previously outputted is an error code. If the error code, in a next step S512, the character code is replaced with a character code of "X" in alphabet.
Then, in a step S513, one of the character code outputted at the step S503 and the ~761~8 character code replaced at the step S512 is written in the dial buffer 70 according to the dial buffer write pointer DLBW.
Then, in a next step S514, the CPU 60 displays the characters of the hand-written addressing inform~tion as recognized on the LCD 36 according to thecharacter codes set in the dial buffer 70. Therefore, the operator can conr~ theaddressing inforn ~tion. Furthermore, at this time, the CPU 60 tçrmin~tes the turning-on and off of the LED 152 to notify to the opel~tor that the recognition process in the step S503 and thereafter is completed.
In a step S515 succee-ling to the step S514, the CPU 60 determines whether or l 0 not the stop/clear key 52 (Figure 2) is operated. If the stop/clear key 52 is operated, it means that the operator intends to make the recognition result displayed on the LCD 36 in the previous step S514 to be invalid or to stop the recognition process and transit the mode to the m~n~l~lly input mode, and therefore, in a next step S516, the error flag EF
is set. Then, in a succee.ling step S517, it is ~letermined whether or not the l 5 co~.li",.~tion print flag CPF has been set, and if "NO" is determine-l, the process directly proceeds to the step S800 (Figure 29).
On the other hand, if "YES" is determined in the step S517, the confirmation print is p~.rolllled in a step S518. More specifically, in the step S518, the CPU 60 controls the record control portion 82 and the motor control portion 88 (Figure 3) such that the image data being the target for recognition in the previous step S503 or the norm~li7ecl data obtained in the step S503 can be print-out. Thereafter, in a step S519, the confirmation print flag CPF is set, and then, the process proceeds to the step S800.
In addition, in performing the confirmation print, print data of "CONFIRMATION
PRINT" is read and printed as a title together with the image data.
2 5 Furthermore, the confirmation print flag CPF is a flag for determining whether -or not the operation of the stop/clear key 52 detecte~l in the previous step S515 during a time that the ~utom~tiC recognition mode is ç~ecuted is the first time operation. More specifically, as clearly understood by a later description, even if the mode is transited from the ~ntQm~tiC recognition mode to the m~nu~lly input mode in l~,spollse to the 5 operation of the stop/clear key 52 in the step S515, it is possible to return to the ~utom~tiC recognition mode again, and after the l.,l.. il~ to the automatic recognition mode, if the mode is to be transited to the m~nu~lly input mode again according to the operation of the stop/clear key 52 cletected in the step S515, the col.l;."l~tion print is inhibited from being performed. A reason why the co"li,."~tion print is inhibited that l 0 the collril ",~tion print itself is for conri~ ing the addressing information hand-written by the ope,ator, and therefore, such the confirrn~tion print is normally sufficient to the operator by only one time during the automatic recognition mode, and accordingly, if the confirrn~tion print is outputted many times irrespective of the intention of the operator becomes waste of the recording paper.
l 5 If no operation of the stop/clear key 52 is cletected in the step S515, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the handset 56 is brought into the off-hook state in asucceerling step S510a. The off-hook state means a state where the hook switch detection circuit 126 detects a fact that the handset 56 is picked-up and thus the hook switch HS, i.e.. the switch 127 is turned-on, or a state where the hands free key 32 is operated. Then, the CPU 60 proceeds to a step SSlSb at such the off-hook state.
In the step SSlSb, the CPU 60 controls the relay drive circuit 122 such that therelay CML is switched to the signal line for communication with voice. Then, the CPU
60 controls the DTMF generation circuit 110 or the DP control circuit 124. Therefore, the DTMF signal or the dial pulse according to the dial number being stored in the dial buffer 70 is outputted to the telephone lines L1 and L2. Therefore, in this step S515b, a 21~188 calling process for communication with voice is executed. Accordingly, if there is a response from the called party, it becomes possible to co.l.~llullicate with voice with the called party. In addition, if "NO" is determins(l in the step S515, in a suc~ee-ling step S520, it is determined whether or not the character code is the ch~r~cter code 5 ~plcse .I~ e of "X" in alphabet. That is, in the step S520, it is detçrminçd whether or not there is the character could not be recognized in the previous recognition step S503 (the rejected character).
The character that could not be recognized in the step S503 is replaced with thecharacter code of "X" in the step S512, and therefore, in the step S520, by letecting the l 0 character code of "X", it can be determined there is the character that could not be recognized.
If there is the character that could not be recognized (the rejected character), in steps S521 and 522, the content of the error proces~ing mode switch EMODE is checked. If "YES" is determined in the step S521, it means that "0" is set in the error l 5 proces~ing mode switch EMODE, and therefore, the recognition operation of the hand-written addressing information is suspended, and the process proceeds to the step S516 so as to cancel the recognition result obtained by that time. In a case where "NO"
is determined in the step S521 and "YES" is determined in the step S522, "1" is set in the error proce~.cing mode switch EMODE. This means that the rejected character 20 occurs in the recognition process, and therefore, the recognition process is suspended, and the mode is transited to the error processing mode (S524), and thereafter, the process proceeds to a step S525. In addition, the first correction routine in the step S524 will be described later in detail. If "NO" is determined in the step S522, it means that "2" is set in the error processing mode switch EMODE, and therefore, in a next step 25 S523, the rejected character number counter RJC is incremented, and thereafter, the `- 2176188 process proceeds to the step S525 wl-~ lein the read pointer TRPT for the secondcharacter data table 74 is incremented, and then, the process returns to the previous step S501 to co~tinlle the recognition process.
In the step S600 in Figure 24, the CPU 60 deterrninPs whether or not there is the character code of alphabet "X" in the dial buffer 70. If "YES" is detçrminecl in the step S600, in a next step S601, the CPU 60 det~.rmines whether or not the count value of the rejected character number counter RJC becomes more than "3". If "YES" is detçnnined in the step S601, in a next step S603, the CPU 60 sets the automatic recognitiontransition flag CAF, and thereafter, the process proceeds to the step S800 (Figure 29).
l 0 On the other hand, if "NO" is determined in the step S601, the process proceeds to the correction proces~ing mode of a step S602, and thereafter, the process proceeds to a step S615. In addition, the second correction routine of the step S602 will be describe later in detail.
If "NO" is ~letçrmined in the previous step S600, in a step S604, the CPU 60 l 5 detçrmines "0" or the variable value of "1" - "10" is set in the recognition confirm~inn time switch CT. If the switch CT is set as "0", the calling operation is p~ ,cd in response to the operation of the start key 54. On the other hand, the numeral value other than "0" is set in the switch CT, in a next step S605, the timer counter TM (Figure 6) is triggered.
Then, in a next step S606, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the copy key 58 (Figure 2) is operated. If the operation of the copy key is detected in the step S606, the copying process is executed in a step S607, and then, returning to the waiting state.
Furthermore, in a step S608, the CPU 60 detects whether or not the stop/clear key 52 is operated. If "YES" is determined in the step S608, the process proceeds to the step S517 (Figure 23). That is, if the stop/clear key 52 is operated in a case where the ~ 176188 recognition result being correctly recognized in the previous step S5 is displayed on the LCD 36, as similar to a case where the operation of the stop/clear key 52 is detecte(l in the step S513 (Figure 23), according to the cor~ri. ~ tion print flag CPF, the col.ii-..,~tion print operation is performed or not perfommed, and then, the process proceeds to the step S800. That is, the mode is transited from the alltolllatic recognition mode to the m~ntl~lly input mode.
If "NO" is dete~mined in the step S608, in a next step S609, the CPU 60 dete~ s whether or not the menu key 34 or the set key 40 (both in Figure 2) is operated. If the menu key 34 or the set key 40 is operated, in a next step S610, the third l 0 correction routine is executed. More specifically, if the menu key 34 or the set key 40 is operated after the respective characters of the hand-written addressing infonn~tion are correctly recognized, it means that the operator intends to correct the recognition result of the addressing information, and therefore, in the next step S610, the correction is pçrmitted l 5 If "NO" is detemmined in the step S609, in a step S611, it is dete~nin~d whether or not the start key 54 (Figure 2) is operated. If the start key 54 is operated, the process directly proceeds to the step S615. On the other hand, if "NO" is dete~ ed in the step S611, it is determined whether or not the hand-written key 59 (Figure 2) is operated in a step S612.
If "NO" is detemmined in the step S612, in a next step S614, it is determined whether or not the timer counter TM which has been triggered in the previous step S605 counts the time equal to the variable numeral value being set in the timer switch CI. If the time is not counted, the process is retumed to the step S606, and if the time is counted, the process proceeds to a step S615. In addition, in a case where "0" is set in the timer switch CI`, the process is always retumed to the step S606 irrespective of the count of the timer counter TM.
On the other hand, if "YES" is ietermined in the step S612, as similar to the previous step S518 (Figure 23), the COt- r;....~tion print is pe.rolll.ed in a step S613, and thereafter, the process is returned to the step S604. That is, if the hand-wAting key 59 is operated during a time that the recognition result is displayed on the LCD 36 after the respective characters of the hand-written addressing information are correctly recogni7e-1 it is possible to albil~lily pe,rol"l the confirm~tion print, and the~crole, the confirm~tion print at times desired by the operator can be obtained. Furthermore, after the confirm~tion print in the step S613, the process returns to the step S604, and l 0 therefore, if the variable numeral value is set in the timer switch CT, the timer count is re-started in the step S605, and therefore, it is possible to have the operator a spare time for cQ.-ri. --- i--g the hand-written addressing information on the basis of the c~ --l i~ .-.~tion print.
In the step S615, the character code representative of the space being stored inl 5 the dial buffer 70 is replaced with a code ~. p,~ senlative of ";(semicolon)" so as to display the on the LCD 36. That is, in the step S611, the space code stored in the dial buffer 70 is replace with the code ";" that is pause data. Then, in a next step S616, the DTMF generation circuit 110 is controlled according to the character codes stored in the dial buffer 70, thereby to perform the dialing operation.
Thereafter, in a step S617 shown in Figure 25, the CPU 60 deterrnines on the basis of the signal from the NCU 114 whether or not there is a responsive signal from the called party specified by the addressing information. If no response, well-known re-dialing operation is performed in a step S618. When the response is detectecl in the step S617, in a step S619, "phase B" is executed, and therefore, the confirm~tion of the ability or function is performed between the f~csimile apparatus. Then, in a next step 2171;188 S620, the CPU 60 makes the set up of the reading system. Specifically, the tr~n~mi~.sion motor 90 is driven, and the tr~n~mic~ion mode de~ign~te.l by the operator by opelating the image quality selection key 44 (Figure 2), i.e.. the fine mode, the half tone mode or the normal mode, for example is set. In a case where the hand-written 5 addressing information is to be recognized, the fine mode is forcedly selectedirrespective of the mode set by the operator. Then, in a case where the tr~n~mi~ion data of the tr~n~mi.esion original is to be tr~n~mitted after the addressing information is recognized, the IlA.~ ion mode set by the operator is p.,lru~ cd. Then, in a step S621, information of the apparatus from which the calling occurs is sent from the l O modem 104 to the telephone line via the NCU 114.
In a step S622, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the pre-read flag SF is set, that is, whether or not there is the image data of the addressing inform~tion which has been read in the line buffer 68. Then, if "YES" is letermined in the step S622, in a next step S623, the CPU 60 calculates the white line tr~n~mic~ion counter WLSC
l 5 (Figure 6) according to the count values of the original feed counter TCNT and the write line counter LCNT. More specifically, the original feed counter PCNT in~ ~tes the number of the lines which have been read by the CIS 100 on the original for recognizing the hand-written addressing information, and the write line counter LCNT
indicates the number of the lines of the image data written in the line buffer 68.
20 Therefore, by subtracting the number of the lines of the writing area for thehand-written addressing information, i.e.. the count value of the write line counter LCNT from the count value of the paper feed counter PCNT, the number of the lines of the blank formed at an upper end of the original can be calcul~te~ However, since no data is written in the first line of the line buffer 68 as shown in Figure 8, the first line is 25 also white line, and therefore, it is necessaly to further subtract "-1" in the step S623.

Thus, in the step S623, the number of the lines of the blank of the original above the area into which the addressing information is hand-written can be c~lcul~terl Therefore, in a step S624, the white line tr~n~mi~ion routine is el~ecuted according to the count value of the white line tr~n~mi~sion counter WLSC as calcul~te~l In a next step S625, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the error flag EF is reset. If the error flag EF is reset, it is neces.s~ry to llallslllil the characters hand-written in the addressing illfollllation writing area as the tr~n~mic~ion data, and therefore, in a step S626, it is ~letermined whether or not the tr~n~mi~sion set mode switch NDMODE
as "O", that is, it is determined whether or not the image data of the hand-written addressing inform~tjQn as read for recognition is to be lla.,~ ed as a portion of the transmi~ion data. Therefore, if "YES" is determined in the step S626, in a next step S627, the image data stored in the second line to the (LCNT)-th line of the line buffer 68is tr~n~mitted according to the tr~n~mi~ion mode set in the previous step S620.
In addition, in a case where "1" is set in the switch NSMODE, in a step S628, the white line tr~n~mi.~.cion counter WLSC is determined on the basis of the count value of the write line counter LCN~. Then, in a next step S629, as similar to the previous step S624, the white lines equal to the number inrlic~ted by the white line tr~n~mi~ion counter WLSC are transmitted. After executing the step S627 or S629, in steps S630 to S634 shown in Figure 26, as similar to a normal f~-~cimile tran~mi~ion, the tr~n~mi~ion data of the original is tr~n~mi~ted according to the tran~mi~sion mode set in the step S620. Then, in a step S634, the reading system is stopped.
Thus, the respective characters of the addressing inforrnation hand-written on the tr~n~mi~ion original are recognized, and on the basis of the recognition result, the dialing operation is performed automatically or in response to the operation of the start key 54, and the tr~n~mi~sion data of the original can be transmitted to the called f~ccimile appalalus.
Next, with referring to Figure 27, the first correction routine executed in the previous step S524 (Figure 23) will be described. In a first step S700 shown in Figure 27, the CPU 60 notifies to the operator a fact that an error occurs with utili~ing the speaker 128 and/or the LCD 36, for example. Thereafter, if the operation of the stop/clear key 52 is (letected in a step S701, the process proceeds to the step S800 to transit the mode to the manually input mode. Furthermore, in a step S702, it is (~etecte~l whether or not the ten key 16 is operated by the operator. If the ten key 16 is operated, in a step S703, a character code representative of a numeral of the ten key 16 being l 0 operated is stored in the dial buffer 70 in place of the character code of "X". That is, by operating the ten key 16 by the operator, in the step S703, it is possible to correct the character indicated as an error.
Figure 28 shows the second correction routine and the third correction routine executed in the step S602 and the S610, respectively. The second correction routine l 5 and the third correction routine are appl-.x;,.,~tely the same, and therefore, in the following, both will be described together with referring to Figure 28.
In a step S711 of the third correction routine, the CPU 60 determines whether ornot the set key 40 is operated. If the set key 40 is operated, in a step S710, the cursor 38 (Figure 2) is displayed at a position of a head of the recognition result (S514) displayed on the LCD 36. In contrast, if the set key 40 is not operated, that is, if the menu key 34 is operated, in a step S712, the cursor 38 is displayed at a position of a tail of the recognition result displayed on the LCD 36. On the other hand, in the second correction routine, the above described step S710 is just executed. That is, the second correction routine and the third correction routine are different from each other in that the latter is started in response to the menu key 34 or the set key 40, but the former is started ~176~88 irrespective of the key operation, and operations after a step S713 are the same.
In the step S713, it is determined whether or not any key in the operation panel14is operated. If operated, in a next step S714, it is let~rrnined whether or not the stop/clear key 52 is operated. If "YES" is det~-rmine~l in the step S714, the process proceeds to the step S800 (Figure 29). That is, in this case, the tr~n~mi~.~ion operation will be executed according to the addressing inro~ ation m~nll~lly inputted without the recognition result of the addressing information.
Then, if "NO" is determined in the step S714, in a next step S715, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the start key 54 is operated. If the start key 54 is operated, in a step S716, it is letermined whether or not there is the character code of "X" in the dial buffer 70. The process jumps out the correction routine only a time that no character code of the alphabet "X" exists in the dial buffer 70. Therefore, in a case where the character code of "X" exists in the dial buffer 70, the process returns to the previous step S713.
l 5 If the stop/clear key 52 or the start key 54is not operated, in a step Sil7, the CPU 60 detçnnines whether or not the ten key 16is operated. If the ten key 16is operated, in a next step S718, the character code of the dial buffer 70 at a position indicated by the cursor 38is replaced with the character code of the numeral value inputted by the ten key 16.
If "NO" is determined in the step S717, in a step S719, it is determined whetheror not the menu key 34 is operated, and if operated, the cursor 38 (Figure 2)is moved by one digit in a left direction (step S720). Then, if "NO" is determined in the step S719, in a step S721, it is determined whether or not the set key 40is operated. If operated, the cursor 38is moved by one digit in a right direction in a step S722. After executing the step S718,S720 or S722 in the previous step S716, the CPU 60 determinss whether or not there is the character code of "X" in the dial buffer 70. Thus, the correction for the rejected character which occurs in recognizing the hand-written addressing inforrn~tinn can be performed.
Figure 29 shows an operation for inpu~ g the addressing infonn~tif)n m~nll~lly. In the first step S800 of Figure 29, the CPU 60 dears the dial buffer 70.
Then, in a next step S801, the CPU 60 displays the mçss~ge of "PLEASE ENI~Y
NUMBER", for example on the LCD 36, and waits for the opel~tor inputs the addressing h~rollllation through the manual operation of the ten key 16 and etc. Then, in a step S802, the CPU 60 det~.rminçs whether or not the copy key 58 is operated. If l 0 the copy key 58 is operated, after the copy routine is executed in a step S803, the process returns to the step S101, i.e.. the waiting state. In addition, in a step S804, it is detçnnined whether or not the stop/clear key 52 is operated. If "YES" is ~letçrmine~l in the step S804, after the original is dischalgcd in a step S805, the process returns to the waiting state.
l 5 In a next step S806, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the hand-writing key 59 is operated. If the hand-writing key 59 is operated, the CPU 60 determines in a step S807 that the automatic recognition mode transition flag CAF is not set and whether or not the pre-read flag SF is set. If "YES" is detçrrnined, in order to transit the mode from the manually input mode of the addressing information to the automatic recognition mode, the CPU 60 returns the process to the step S500, and therefore, the recognition process for the image data stored in the line buffer 68 is re-started. On the other hand, if "NO" is determined in the step S806, the operation of the hand-writing key 59 is made in valid. If the automatic recognition mode transition flag CAF is not set and the pre-read flag SF is set, it means that the image data of the hand-written addressing information is stored in the line buffer 68 and thus it is possible to p~ lrOllll the -- 217G18g automatic recognition of the addressing information on the basis of the image data.
In a step S808, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the ten key 16is operated. If not operated, in a step S809, the CPU 60determin~s whether or not other key is operated, and then, if the other key is operated, in a next step S810, the process 5 defined by the other key is executed.
If the ten key 16is operated, in a step S811, the CPU 60 sets the character codeof the numeral value for the addressing inform~tion being inputted by the ten key 16 in the dial buffer 70. Then, in a step S812, the CPU 60 waits for the operation of the start key 54. If the start key 54 is operated in the step S812, the process proceeds to the step S616 (Figure 26).
The copy routine executed in the step S607 or the step S803is shown in Figure 30. In a first step S900 of the copy routine, the CPU 60 pelrOlllls the setup of the reading system. That is, the tr~n~mi~cion motor 90 is driven and the CIS 100 and the image proces~ing circuit 98 are set according to the tr~n.cmi.e.sion mode letçrmined in l 5 the step S626. Then, in a next step S901, the CPU 60 pelrOlllls the set up of a printing system. That is, in the step S901, the CPU 60 applies an order signal to the motor control circuit 88 to drive the reception motor 92 (Figure 3). Then, in a next step S902, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the pre-read flag SF is set. If the pre-read flag SF is set, it means that the image data read by the CIS 100 from the addressing 20 information writing area and stored in the line buffer 68is to be printed-out as the copy image, and therefore, steps S903 to S905 are executed. More specifically, in the step S903 as similar to the previous step S623 (Figure 25), the white line tr~n~mi~sion counter WLSC is determined on the basis of the count values of the original feedcounter PCNT and the write line counter LCNT. Then, in the next step S904, the 25 f~rcimile paper (l~ coldillg paper) is fed by the reception motor 92by the number of the 2~76188 lines according to the count value of the white line tr~n~mi~ion counter WLSC
determined in the step S903. Next, in a step S905, the image data of the second line to the (LCN~-th line of the line buffer 68 is printed-out on the f~-simile paper (recording paper) by the thermal head 84.
Thele~ler, as similar to a case where the pre-read flag SF is not set, steps S906 to S909 are executed. That is, in the steps S906 to S909, a portion of the text on the origin~l is copied. Then, if it is detçrrnined that the copy is termin~ted is letçcted in the step S909, in a step S910, the CPU 60 stops the reading system and the printing system.
Figure 31 is a flowchart showing the white line tran~mi~sion routine executed inl O the step S624 or S629. In a first step S920 of Figure 31, the CPU 60 ch~ng~s the white line tr~n.~mi~ion counter WLSC according to the tr~n~mi~sion mode detçrmined in the step S620. For example, if the tr~n~mi.c~ n mode set by the opel~tol is the normal mode, the count value of the white line tr~ncmi~cion counter WLSC is made half. A
reason why the count value of the white line tran~mi~ion counter WLSC is made 1/2 is l 5 that the white line tran~mi.~.eion counter WLSC counts the number of the lines in the fine mode. Then, in a next step S921, the image data of the first line of the line buffer 68 is read and tr~n~mitted according to the tr~n~mi~ion mode as determined. Then, in a step S922, the white line tr~n~mi.c~ion counter WLSC is decremented, and in a step S923, it is determined whether or not the count value of the white line tr~n~mi~ion counter WLSC becomes "0", that is, it is determined whether or not all the white lines to be tran~mitted have been transmitted.
In addition, in the above described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the hand-written addressing information is correctly recognized through the ~etermin~-ion whether or not a predetermined number of the characters are not recognized. However, it may be detçrmined by deterrninin~ whether or not a ratio of the characters not recognized with respect to all the characters to be recognized is a predetçrmine-l value or more.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly un(~ tood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to S be taken by way of limit~tion, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A facsimile apparatus, comprising:
a transmission motor for moving a transmission original in a sub-scanning direction;
an original reading means for scanning each of lines sequentially arranged in said sub-scanning direction in a main scanning direction and for outputting image data of a black dot or a white dot;
an area specifying means for receiving said image data from said original reading means for specifying an area on the basis of a start line which is determined by a fact that the black dot is first detected and an end line, which is determined by a fact that a first predetermined number of white lines in each of which no black dot is detected, appears after said start line;

an addressing information recognition means for recognizing addressing information on the basis of said image data from said original reading means which reads said area specified by said area specifying means; and a calling means for performing a calling operation according to a recognition result by said addressing information recognition means.

2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a valid line detection means for detecting as a valid line a line in which a second predetermined number of more black dots are successive in said main scanning direction, wherein:

said area specifying means includes a start line determination means for determining a first valid line as said start line.

3. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said area specifying means includes an end line determination means for determining said end line as the line at which a third predetermined number of white lines successively appear after said start line, and said area specifying means specifies said area on the basis of said start line and said end line.

4. A facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a first motor stopping means for stopping said transmission motor at a time that said end line is determined.

5. A facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second motor stopping means for stopping said transmission motor at a time that said original reading means reads a fourth predetermined number of lines of said original from said start line.

6. A facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a valid line number determining means for determining whether at least a fifth predetermined number of valid lines occur successively after said start line; and a means for making a determination of said start line by said area specifying means at a time when said valid line number determination means determines that at least said fifth predetermined number of said valid lines are not successive.

7. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a line buffer capable of storing said image data from said original reading means for a sixth predetermined number of lines; and a writing means for writing said image data from said original reading means of lines from said start line to said end line, wherein:
said addressing information recognition means recognizes said addressing information on the basis of said image data stored in said line buffer.

8. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:
a transmission condition setting means (NSMODE) for setting one of a first condition that the image data stored in said line buffer is to be transmitted and a second condition that the image data stored in said line buffer is not to be transmitted;
a first transmission means for transmitting said image data of said line buffer at a time when said first condition is set by said transmission condition setting means;
and a second transmission means for transmitting the image data from said original reading means which reads a portion of said transmission original other than said area.

9. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a third transmission means for transmitting said image data of said line buffer as blank data at a time that said second condition is set by said transmission condition setting means.

10. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first reading accuracy setting means for variably setting a reading accuracy of said original reading means; and a second reading accuracy setting means for forcedly setting a specific reading accuracy irrespective of the reading accuracy set by said first reading accuracy setting means at a time when said area is read by said original reading means.

11. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:
a transmission request means (NSMODE) for requesting transmission of the image data obtained by reading said area by said original reading means;
a first transmission means for transmitting said image data with the reading accuracy set by said first reading accuracy setting means according to a request by said transmission request means; and a second transmission means for transmitting the image data from said original reading means which reads a portion of said transmission original other than said area with the reading accuracy set by said first reading accuracy setting means.

12. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a third transmission means for transmitting said image data of said line buffer as blank data with the reading accuracy set by said first reading accuracy setting means at a time when no request from said transmission request means occurs.

13. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a manual input means for manually inputting the addressing information; and a first mode setting means (RF) for selectively setting one of an automatic mode in which a calling operation is automatically started according to the addressing information recognized by said addressing information recognition means, and a manual mode in which a calling operation is started according to the addressing information input by said manually input means.

14. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a second detection means for detecting that said manual input means is being operated during a period of time from the setting of said transmission original to the performance of the calling operation according to said addressing information when said automatic mode is set by said first mode setting means, wherein said first mode setting means sets said manual mode in response to a detection by said second detection means.

15. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a third detection means for detecting that said addressing information is not being read by said original reading means at a time when said automatic mode is set by said first mode setting means, wherein:

said first mode setting means sets said manual mode in response to detection by said third detection means.

16. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a suspending means for suspending a process from a time when said addressing information is recognized by said addressing information recognition means to a time when said calling means performs the calling operation.

17. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a suspended time setting means (CT) for variably setting a time during which the process is suspended by said suspending means, wherein said suspending means suspends the process by the time set by said suspended time setting means.

18. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising a manually operating key capable of being manually operated, wherein said suspending means suspends the process until said manually operating key is operated.

19. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a line buffer means for storing the image data represented by the black dot or the white dot from said original reading means, wherein said addressing information recognition means recognizes the addressing information on the basis of said image data in said line buffer means, further comprising:

a correction mode setting means (EMODE) for setting a correction mode when the recognition result by said addressing information recognition means is to be corrected;
a manual operating key manually operated in said correction mode; and a dial buffer means for storing a character code of the addressing information being corrected according to an operation of said manual operating key, wherein:
said calling means performs the calling operation according to the character code in said dial buffer means.

20. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said correction mode setting means includes a first correction mode setting means for setting a first correction mode at a time when one or more characters of said addressing information cannot be recognized by said addressing information recognition means, and further comprising a display means for displaying a specific symbol for the character not recognized.

21. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said first correction mode setting means includes a one character correction mode setting means for setting a one character correction mode such that one character is corrected every time one character of said addressing information cannot be recognized by said addressing information recognition means.

22. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said addressing information recognition means recognizes a next character after a character code corrected by said manual operating key is stored in said dial buffer means at a time when said one character correction mode is set.

23. A facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein said first correction mode setting means includes a bundle correction mode setting means for setting a bundle correction mode such that the characters are corrected in a bundle after all of the characters of said addressing information are recognized by said addressing information recognition means.

24. A facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said correction mode setting means includes a second correction mode setting means for manually setting a second correction mode at a time when all of the characters of said addressing information are correctly recognized by said addressing information recognition means.

25. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a holding means for holding the image data output from said original reading means;
a first order means for applying a first printing order; and a printing means for printing said image data held in said holding means in response to said first printing order.

26. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising an invalid means for making the recognition result by said addressing information recognition means invalid at a time when said image data is printed in response to said first print order.

27. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a manual input means for manually inputting the addressing information, wherein said calling means performs the calling operation according to the addressing information input by said manual input means.

28. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a second order means for applying a second print order, wherein said print means prints said image data in response to said second print order.

29. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising a re-calling means for applying said image data in said line buffer to said addressing information recognition means, and for performing the calling operation according to the recognition result of said addressing information recognition means at a time when said second print order is applied in succession to said first print order.

30. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said first order means sets a mode transition from said automatic recognition mode to said manual input mode, and said second order means sets a mode transition from said manual input mode to said automatic recognition mode, further comprising an inhibiting means for inhibiting said image data from being printed by said print means at a time when at least two transitions from said automatic recognition mode to said manual input mode are set by said first order means.

31. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a modem for a facsimile transmission;
a handset for communication with voice;
a connection means for selectively connecting one of said modem and said handset to a telephone line;
a detection means for detecting an off-hook state of said handset; and a control means for causing said connection means to connect said handset to said telephone line and said calling means in order to perform the calling operation according to said recognition result at a time when said off hook state is detected by said detection means.

32. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a display means for displaying said recognition result, wherein said control means is responsive to said off hook state being detected by said detection means after said recognition result is displayed by said displaying means.

33. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising a condition determination means for determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied after said recognition result is displayed by said display means until said off-hook state is detected by said detection means, wherein said control means causes said calling means to perform the calling operation at a time when it is determined that said predetermined condition is satisfied.

34. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said predetermined condition is a condition based on whether a specific key is operated.

35. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said predetermined condition is based on whether a predetermined time period lapses from a time that said recognition result is displayed by said display means.

36. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a holding means for holding said image data output from said original reading means, wherein:
said addressing information recognition means includes a cut-out means for cutting-out the image data from said holding means for each character, a pattern recognition means for performing a pattern recognition of the image of the character cut-out by said cut-out means, and a result holding means for holding a recognition result of the character by said pattern recognition means, further comprising:

a recognition judge means for judging on the basis of the recognition result of the character held by said result holding means whether said addressing information is correctly recognized.

37. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising a clear means for clearing said result holding means at a time when it is determined by said recognition judge means that said addressing information is not correctly recognized.

38. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising an enable means for enabling said calling means at a time when it is determined by said recognition judge means that said addressing information is correctly recognized.

39. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said recognition judge means judges whether a predetermined number of the characters are not recognized.

40. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said recognition judge means judges whether a ratio of the characters not recognized with respect to all the characters to be recognized is at least a predetermined value.

41. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising a manual input means for manually inputting the addressing information, and control means for causing said calling means to perform the calling operation according to the addressing information manually input by said manual input means after said result holding means is cleared.

42. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising a determination means for determining whether the image data in said holding means is to be transmitted at a time when said calling means performs the calling operation according to the addressing information manually inputted.

43. A facsimile apparatus, comprising:
a transmission motor for moving a transmission original on which addressing information is hand-written in a sub-scanning direction;
an original reading means for scanning each line sequentially arranged in said sub-scanning direction in a main scanning direction and for outputting image data of a black dot or a white dot;
a first reading accuracy setting means for variably setting a reading accuracy of said original reading means; and a second reading accuracy setting means for forcedly setting a specific reading accuracy irrespective of the reading accuracy set by said first reading accuracy setting means at a time when said addressing information is read by said original reading means.

44. A facsimile apparatus, comprising:

an original reading means for scanning a transmission original on which addressing information is hand-written in order to read said addressing information and for outputting image data of a black dot or a white dot;

a holding means for holding the image data;
a cut-out means for cutting-out the image data of one character of said addressing information from said holding means;
a recognition means for pattern-recognizing the image data of one character cut-out by said cut-out means;
a calling means for performing a calling operation on the basis of a recognition result by said recognition means;
a first order means for applying a first printing order; and a printing means for printing said image data held in said holding means in response to said first printing order.

45. A facsimile apparatus, comprising:
a modem for facsimile transmission;
a handset for communication with voice;
a connection means for selectively connecting one of said modem and said handset to a telephone line;
an original reading means for scanning a transmission original on which addressing information is hand-written in order to read said addressing information and for outputting image data of a black dot or a white dot;

a recognition means for pattern-recognizing the image data from said original reading means;
a storing means for storing a recognition result by said recognition means;
a display means for displaying the recognition result stored in said storing means;
a calling means for performing a calling operation according to the recognition result of said recognition means;
a detection means for detecting an off hook state of said handset; and a control means for causing said connection means to connect said handset to said telephone line and said calling means to perform the calling operation according to said recognition result at a time when said off hook state is detected by said detection means after said recognition result is displayed by said display means.

46. A facsimile apparatus comprising:
an original reading means for scanning a transmission original on which addressing information is hand-written in order to read said addressing information and for outputting image data of a black dot or a white dot;
a holding means for holding the image data;
a recognition means for pattern-recognizing the image data held by said holding means for each character;
a result holding means for holding a recognition result of said recognition means;

a recognition judgment means for judging on the basis of the recognition result of the character held by said result holding means whether said addressing information is correctly recognized, and for outputting a first judgment result when said addressing information is not correctly recognized and a second judgment result when said addressing information is correctly recognized;
a clear means for clearing said holding means in response to said first judgment result of said recognition judgment means; and a calling means for performing a calling operation on the basis of a recognition result held by said result holding means in response to said second judgment result by said recognition judgment means.