Image reader and facsimile machine using such image reader

Claim 2

The image reader as recited in claim 1, wherein said correction means (104, 107, 108, 115; 42, 62) includes character string direction detection means (104) for detecting the direction of said character strings based on said two-dimensional image data; skew detection means (108) for detecting the skew between the direction of said detected character strings and said first direction; and means (115) for electrically rotating said two-dimensional image data so as to cancel said skew.

Claim 3

The image reader as recited in claim 1, wherein said two-dimensional image is formed on a rectangular medium, and said correction means (42, 62) includes; side angle detection means (42, 62) for detecting the angle made by one side of said medium and said first direction when said reading means reads said two-dimensional image, determination means (62) for determining whether or not the angle made by a straight line in the direction of said character strings and a straight line in said first direction satisfies a prescribed relation, and image rotation means (62) for electrically rotating said two-dimensional image data based on an output from said side angle detection means (42, 62) and an output from said determination means (62) so that the direction of said character strings coincides with said first direction.

Claim 4

The image reader as recited in claim 1, wherein said correction means includes; determination means (4; 104) for determining whether or not the angle made by a straight line in the direction of said character strings and a straight line in said first direction satisfies a predetermined relation, and coordination transformation means (5; 105) for conducting coordinate transformation of said two-dimensional image data so as to rotate said image by either one of a predetermined first angle and a predetermined second angle.

Claim 5

A facsimile machine, comprising; image reading means (24, 28, 62, 74, 76, 78, 80) for reading two-dimensional image data and converting the read data into coded image data, and transmission means (30, 32, 72) for transmitting said coded image data to another facsimile machine through a communication line, wherein said image reading means (24, 28, 62, 74, 76, 78, 80) includes; reading means (24, 28, 70) for reading said two-dimensional image and converting the read image into two-dimensional image data, storage means (76, 78, 80) for storing said two-dimensional image data, correction means (42, 62) for correcting said two-dimensional image data so that the direction of character strings included in said two-dimensional image represented by said two-dimensional image data stored in said storage means (76, 78, 80) coincides with a predetermined first direction, and coding means (74) for reading said corrected two-dimensional image data from said storage means (76, 78, 80) in the order along in said first direction and coding the read data.

Claim 6

The facsimile machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said correction means (42, 62) includes; character string direction detection means (62) for detecting the direction of said character strings based on said two-dimensional image data, skew detection means (62) for detecting the skew between the direction of said detected character strings and said first direction, and means (62) for electrically rotating said two-dimensional image so as to cancel said skew.

Claim 7

The facsimile machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said two-dimensional image is formed on a rectangular medium, and said correction means (42, 62) includes; side angle detection means (42, 62) for detecting the angle made by one side of said medium and said first direction when said two-dimensional image is read by said reading means (24, 28, 70), determination means (62) for determining whether or not the angle made by a straight line in the direction of said character strings and a straight line in said first direction satisfies predetermined relation, and image rotation means (62) for electrically rotating said two-dimensional image data based on an output from said side angle detection means and an output from said determination means so that the direction of said character strings coincides with said first direction.

Claim 8

The facsimile machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said correction means (42, 62) includes; determination means (62) for determining whether or not the angle made by a straight line in the direction of said character strings and a straight line in said first direction satisfies predetermined relation, and coordinate transformation means (62) for conducting coordination transformation so as to rotate said two-dimensional image data by one of a predetermined first angle and a predetermined second angle based on the output of said determination means.