Abstract: A white line skipping technique for data reduction is disclosed for reducing facsimile transmission time. Video processing for white line skipping centers around the use of a five element solid state linear array. The photosensitive area for each of the five elements corresponds to a single picture element for the defined resolution parameters. VID 0 is the active video signal and is processed in the normal manner for transmission. VID 1 through VID 4 comprise the look ahead scan elements. The slicing level is derived from the VID 0 peak detector which controls the video automatic gain control. Any black video elements encountered during a scan line causes a flip-flop to be set. At the end of each scan line, corresponding to one complete drum revolution, and during the lost time interval, the status of each flip-flop is sampled by the microprocessor to determine whether the scan line is entire white. The flip-flops are then reset for the next scan or drum revolution.

Abstract: An automatic dialer for placing outgoing telephone calls from a facsimile terminal or the like in response to terminal and dialing control instructions read by a raster input scanner includes a recall memory and a display which allow an operator to account for calls that cannot be complated and to isolate the cause of that failure. Data for the recall memory is generated in response to a video output signal supplied by the raster input scanner.