JP2000020420A - Communication system, control method therefor, communication equipment, control method therefor and computer readable memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system, control method therefor and computer readable memory with which the load of a server on a network is reduced and the transfer of image data can be efficiently executed. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a first server connected onto the network so as to manage the transfer of image data on this network and a second server connected onto the network so as to manage image data and the data size of image data as a transmission object is calculated by an image reading part 105. Based on the calculated data size, the image data are transmitted to any one of first and second servers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system for transmitting and receiving image data between a first communication device and a second communication device via a network, a control method thereof, a communication device and a control method thereof, and a computer readable computer. It is about memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional communication devices transmit or receive image data as an attached file of an electronic mail.

In this case, the transmitting side converts the read image data into an electronic mail format, for example, MH (mod
(Huffman) encoded image data in TIFF-F format and AS in BASE64 format
MIME converted to a CII character string (multiple
urpus internet mail esten
parts) Create in message body. The e-mail attached with the image data thus created is sent to a desired destination via some mail servers.

On the other hand, on the receiving side, the attached image data is extracted from the e-mail and printed out from, for example, a printer in a procedure reverse to that at the time of transmission.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional method of attaching image data to an e-mail may cause the data size of the e-mail to be very large.
The load on the mail server also increases. Further, when a plurality of destinations are specified, the load becomes further enormous, which adversely affects other mail transfer processes. Furthermore, depending on the setting of the mail server to go through,
Transfers may not be accepted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a communication system capable of reducing the load on a server on a network and efficiently executing image data transfer, and a control method therefor. It is an object to provide a computer readable memory.

[0007]

A communication system according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement.
That is, a communication system for transmitting and receiving image data between a first communication device and a second communication device via a network, wherein the first communication device is connected to the network, A first server that manages data transfer, a second server that is connected to the network and manages image data, a calculating unit that calculates a data size of image data to be transmitted by the second communication device, Sending means for sending an e-mail with the image data attached to the second communication device using the first server or the first server and the second server based on the data size calculated by the calculating means; And the second communication device, receiving means for receiving an e-mail from the first communication device, and image data attached to the e-mail received by the receiving means Determining means for determining whether or not the image data is attached to the electronic mail by the determining means; and analyzing means for analyzing location information indicating a resource in which the image data is managed. Acquiring means for acquiring the image data from resources on the network indicated by the location information analyzed by the analyzing means.

[0008] Preferably, as a result of the calculation by the calculating means, when the data size of the image data to be transmitted is smaller than a predetermined value, the transmitting means transmits the e-mail attached with the image data to the first data. The data is transmitted to the second communication device via the server.

[0009] Preferably, as a result of the calculation by the calculation means, when the data size of the image data to be transmitted is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the transmission means transmits the image data to the second server. An e-mail managed by the second server and added with location information indicating a resource in which the image data is managed is transmitted to the second e-mail via the first server.
Send to communication device.

A control method of a communication system according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A method of controlling a communication system for transmitting and receiving image data between a first communication device and a second communication device via a network, the method comprising calculating a data size of image data to be transmitted by the second communication device. And a first server that manages the transfer of image data on the network, or a second server that manages the first server and the image data, based on the data size calculated in the calculating step. A transmitting step of transmitting an e-mail with the image data attached to a second communication device, a receiving step of receiving an e-mail from the first communication device, and an image data attached to the e-mail received in the receiving step. A determination step of determining whether or not the image data is attached to the e-mail in the determination step, the image data is managed Provided that an analysis step of analyzing the location information indicating a resource, and an acquisition step of acquiring the image data from the resource on the network indicated by the location information analyzed by the analysis step.

A computer readable memory according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling a communication system for transmitting and receiving image data between a first communication device and a second communication device via a network, the computer-readable memory storing a program code. A program code for a calculation step of calculating the data size of the image data,
The second communication is performed by using a first server that manages the transfer of image data on the network or a second server that manages the first server and the image data based on the data size calculated in the calculation step. A program code of a transmission step of transmitting an e-mail with the image data attached to the device, a program code of a reception step of receiving an e-mail from the first communication device, and image data in the e-mail received in the reception step A program code of a determination step of determining whether or not the image data is attached, and if it is determined that the image data is attached to the e-mail in the determination step, location information indicating a resource in which the image data is managed, The program code of the analysis step to be analyzed and the net indicated by the location information analyzed in the analysis step From a resource on over click and a program code acquisition step of acquiring the image data.

A communication device according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, a communication device for transmitting and receiving image data to and from another communication device via a network, wherein the first server is connected to the network and manages transfer of image data on the network; A second server for managing image data, calculating means for calculating the data size of image data to be transmitted, and the first server or the second server based on the data size calculated by the calculating means. Either of the servers includes a transmission unit for transmitting the image data.

Preferably, the first server is an e-mail server, the second server is a WWW server, and if the data size calculated by the calculation means is smaller than a predetermined value, An e-mail attached with the image data is transmitted to the e-mail server. If the e-mail has a predetermined value or more, the image data is transmitted to the WWW server.

Preferably, when the image data is transmitted to the WWW server, the transmitting means includes an e-mail to which location information indicating a resource of the image data is added. Is transmitted to the e-mail server. A communication device according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, via a network,
A communication device for transmitting and receiving image data to and from another communication device, comprising: a receiving unit that receives an e-mail; and a determining unit that determines whether image data is attached to the e-mail received by the receiving unit. Analyzing means for analyzing the location information indicating the resource in which the image data is managed, when the determining means determines that the image data is attached to the e-mail, location information analyzed by the analyzing means; And an acquisition unit for acquiring the image data from a resource on the network indicated by.

A method for controlling a communication device according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, a method for controlling a communication device that transmits and receives image data to and from another communication device via a network, comprising: a calculation step of calculating a data size of image data to be transmitted; A transmitting step of transmitting the image data to either a first server that manages the transfer of the image data on the network or a second server that manages the image data based on the size.

A communication device control method according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, a method of controlling a communication device that transmits and receives image data to and from another communication device via a network, wherein a receiving step of receiving an e-mail, and image data attached to the e-mail received in the receiving step. A determining step of determining whether or not the image data is attached to the electronic mail in the determining step, an analyzing step of analyzing location information indicating a resource in which the image data is managed Acquiring the image data from a resource on the network indicated by the location information analyzed in the analysis step.

A computer readable memory according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling a communication device that transmits and receives image data to and from another communication device via a network, wherein a program code for a calculation step for calculating a data size of image data to be transmitted is provided. And transmitting the image data to either the first server that manages the transfer of the image data on the network or the second server that manages the image data based on the data size calculated in the calculation step. And a program code for a transmission step.

A computer readable memory according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A computer-readable memory that stores a program code for controlling a communication device that transmits and receives image data to and from another communication device via a network, wherein a program code for a reception process for receiving an e-mail; A program code of a determining step of determining whether image data is attached to the received e-mail, and if it is determined in the determining step that image data is attached to the e-mail, the image data is managed. And a program code of an acquisition step of acquiring the image data from a resource on the network indicated by the location information analyzed in the analysis step.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire apparatus. Reference numeral 102 denotes a ROM.
Various programs such as the first control program are stored. 1
A RAM 03 stores various data such as program control variables and is used as a work area for data. 1
An image memory 04 is constituted by a DRAM or the like, and stores image data. Reference numeral 105 denotes an image reading unit, which includes an image sensor, a document transport mechanism, and the like, and reads a document image optically and converts it into electrical image data.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an operation panel, which includes an LCD and an LE.
It has a display unit for notifying the user of the display with D or the like, a key for executing various operations, and the like. An image recording unit 107 records received image data and file data on a recording medium. 108 is a LAN interface, LA
The control for connecting the apparatus to N is performed. An image format conversion unit 109 converts various formats of image data. Reference numeral 110 denotes an e-mail format conversion unit that converts text data and image data into e-mail format data. An electronic mail format analysis unit 111 analyzes the contents of data in the electronic mail format. Reference numeral 112 denotes a bus for interconnecting the various components.

Next, a network system including the communication device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system including the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals 201 and 202 denote the above-described FIG.
Communication devices 1 and 2, each of which has L
It is connected to ANs 207 and 208. 203, 205
Denotes an e-mail server, which provides an e-mail distribution service to communication devices in the same LAN, a PC (personal computer) not shown, and a WS (work station) not shown. Reference numeral 204 denotes a WWW server, which stores data uploaded from terminals in the same LAN as H
According to the request of the other party connected by the TTP protocol,
Perform data transfer. 206 is the Internet,
The LAN 207 and the LAN 208 are connected to each other.

The LANs 207 and 208 are respectively connected to the Internet 206 via a router device (not shown) or the like, but may be connected directly by a dedicated line or the like.

Next, transmission / reception processing executed by the communication device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Here, the communication device 1 is connected to the communication device 2
The following describes an example in which an electronic mail with image data attached is transmitted.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a transmission process executed by the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, a document is set on the image reading unit 105, a transmission destination address of the document is input from the operation panel 106, and when it is detected that a transmission operation start instruction is given by a transmission start button or the like, the image reading unit 105 Is transferred to the image memory 104 (step S10).
1). Next, the image data stored as raw data (image data in which one bit corresponds to one pixel) by the image format conversion unit 109 is converted into MH (Modified Huffman).
It is converted into a code (step S102).

The MH code is a compression code method used in a facsimile apparatus used in a conventional telephone line, and is a method suitable for compressing binary image data. Of course, other coding methods such as MR, MMR, JBIG, and TIFF-F used in various communication devices may be used.

Next, the data size of the encoded data obtained by encoding all the originals set in the image reading unit 105 is obtained. The obtained data size and the preset value (limit value of the amount of image data to be transmitted)
Are compared (step S103). Note that this set value can be set arbitrarily, but it is necessary that the set value be equal to or less than the allowable range of all e-mail servers through which e-mail to be transmitted passes. In addition, when format conversion is required when sending an e-mail, it is necessary to determine the format in consideration of an increase or decrease in the data amount at this time.

If the determined data size is smaller than the set value in step S103 (Y in step S103)
ES), the encoded data is converted into an e-mail format by the e-mail format conversion unit 110 (step S104). Then, the e-mail is attached to the destination information and the like and transferred to the e-mail server 205 (step S105).

On the other hand, when the determined data size is equal to or larger than the set value in step S103 (step S10).
(NO in 3), the image format conversion unit 109 converts the image data read by the image reading unit 105 into a GIF format (step S106). The GIF format is a standard format of image data on the Internet 206 and is generally supported by most information browsing application software. Of course, JPEG
It may be converted in other image formats such as the format.

After giving a unique file name to the image data converted into the GIF format, the image data is transferred to a predetermined directory (resource) of the WWW server 204 using the FTP protocol (step S107). At this time, security-related information such as a password may be exchanged as needed. The image data transferred to the directory of the WWW server 204 has a URL
(Uniform Resource Locato
r) is determined. The URL is a unique address for information on the Internet 206. For example, WWW
The name of the server 204 is "www.server1.c"
o. jp ", the directory is dir1, and the image data is gazou1.gif, the URL of this image data is" http: // www. serve
r1. co. jp / dir1 / gazou1. gif "
Becomes

Next, the e-mail format converter 11
In step S108, the URL is converted as text data into an e-mail format. Then, destination information and the like are attached to the e-mail and transferred to the e-mail server 205 (step S109).

Next, the reception processing executed by the communication device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a receiving process executed by the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, a connection is made to the e-mail server 205 (step S201). Next, the e-mail server 2
It inquires of E.05 whether there is an e-mail message addressed to itself (step S202). If there is no e-mail addressed to the own device (NO in step S202), the process ends. On the other hand, if there is an e-mail addressed to the own device (YES in step S202), a transfer request for an e-mail message is made to the e-mail server 205 (step S203). Next, an e-mail is obtained according to the request (step S204).

Next, the e-mail format analysis unit 11
1 to determine whether there is image data attached to the e-mail (step S205). This determination is, for example,
MIME (Message Standard on the Internet (RFC
1521, 1522)) (RFC: Request f
or comment),
First, reference is made to the Content-Type header field. And the Conte obtained by that reference
The image type indicated by the nt-Type header field is
If the image type can be processed by the own device (YES in step S205), the attached image data is extracted and converted into raw data by the image format conversion unit 109 (step S206). Then, the converted image data is printed out by the image recording unit 107 (step S207).

On the other hand, if there is no image data attached to the e-mail in step S205 (step S2
05, NO), it is determined from the text data portion of the e-mail whether there is a URL indicating image data (step S2).
08). If there is no URL (N in step S208)
O), the process ends. On the other hand, if there is a URL (YES in step S209), connection is made to the WWW server 204 indicated by the URL (step S209). Next, HT
The image data indicated by the URL is obtained by the TP protocol (step S210). Next, the acquired image data is converted into raw image data by the image format conversion unit 109 (step S211). Then, the converted image data is printed out by the image recording unit 107 (step S212).

In the above embodiment, the acquired image data is printed out. However, the image data may be displayed on a display.

As described above, according to the present invention, when transmitting image data having a large data size which is inconvenient for transmission via an e-mail server, the image data is attached to the e-mail server. Instead, the image data is registered so as to be managed by the WWW server. Then, a URL indicating the registered location (resource) is transmitted to the other party by e-mail. As a result, the load on the e-mail server can be reduced, and the image data can be transmitted to the transmission destination without being bound by the capabilities and restrictions of the e-mail server, and the operation is equivalent to the operator. No special operation is required.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a single device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine) Etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a communication system capable of reducing the load on a server on a network and efficiently executing image data transfer, a control method thereof, and a computer-readable memory.

[0051]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system including a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission process performed by the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a reception process executed by the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Image memory 105 Image reading unit 106 Operation panel 107 Image recording unit 108 LAN interface 109 Image format conversion unit 110 E-mail format conversion unit 111 E-mail format analysis unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B089 AA22 AD11 AE02 BB05 5C062 AA35 AB01 AB38 AC43 AC58 AE00 AF00 AF10 BA00 BC02 BD09 5K030 GA03 HA06 HB02 HC01 HC14 HD06 KA01 KA02 KA11 KA13 MB11

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A communication system for transmitting and receiving image data between a first communication device and a second communication device via a network, wherein the first communication device is connected to the network, A first server that manages the transfer of the above image data, a second server that is connected to the network and manages the image data, and a calculation unit that calculates the data size of the image data to be transmitted by the second communication device And transmitting an e-mail with the image data attached to the second communication device using the first server or the first server and the second server based on the data size calculated by the calculation unit. Transmitting means and the second communication device, receiving means for receiving an e-mail from the first communication device, and image data in the e-mail received by the receiving means Determining means for determining whether or not the image data is attached; and analyzing the location information indicating a resource managing the image data when the determining means determines that the image data is attached to the e-mail. A communication system comprising: means for obtaining the image data from resources on the network indicated by the location information analyzed by the analysis means. 2. If the data size of the image data to be transmitted is smaller than a predetermined value as a result of the calculation by the calculation unit, the transmission unit sends an e-mail attached with the image data to the electronic mail via the first server. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted to the second communication device. 3. When the data size of the image data to be transmitted is equal to or larger than a predetermined value as a result of the calculation by the calculation unit, the transmission unit transmits the image data to the second server and transmits the image data to the second server. The communication according to claim 1, wherein an electronic mail managed by a server and added with location information indicating a resource in which the image data is managed is transmitted to the second communication device via the first server. system. 4. A method for controlling a communication system for transmitting and receiving image data between a first communication device and a second communication device via a network, the method comprising: transmitting data of image data to be transmitted by the second communication device; A calculating step for calculating a size, and a first server for managing transfer of image data on the network, or a second server for managing the first server and image data, based on the data size calculated in the calculating step. A transmitting step of transmitting an e-mail with the image data attached to the second communication device, a receiving step of receiving an e-mail from the first communication device, and an image of the e-mail received in the receiving step. A judging step of judging whether or not data is attached; and if it is judged in the judging step that image data is attached to the e-mail, the image data An analysis step of analyzing location information indicating a resource whose data is being managed, and an acquisition step of acquiring the image data from a resource on the network indicated by the location information analyzed in the analysis step. Communication system control method. 5. When the data size of the image data to be transmitted is smaller than a predetermined value as a result of the calculation in the calculation step, the transmission step transmits an e-mail attached with the image data via the first server. The control method for a communication system according to claim 4, wherein the data is transmitted to the second communication device. 6. When the data size of the image data to be transmitted is greater than or equal to a predetermined value as a result of the calculation in the calculating step, the transmitting step transmits the image data to the second server and transmits the image data to the second server. 5. The communication according to claim 4, wherein the server manages and transmits an e-mail to which the location information indicating a resource in which the image data is managed is added to the second communication device via the first server. How to control the system. 7. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling a communication system for transmitting and receiving image data between a first communication device and a second communication device via a network, wherein the second communication device A program server for calculating a data size of image data to be transmitted by the device; and a first server for managing transfer of image data on the network based on the data size calculated in the calculating step, or Using a first server and a second server that manages image data, receiving a program code of a transmission step of transmitting an e-mail with the image data attached to the second communication device and an e-mail from the first communication device A program code of a receiving step to be executed, and whether or not image data is attached to the e-mail received in the receiving step. A program code for a determination step for determining, and a program code for an analysis step for analyzing location information indicating a resource in which the image data is managed when it is determined that the image data is attached to the e-mail in the determination step And a program code for an acquisition step of acquiring the image data from a resource on the network indicated by the location information analyzed in the analysis step. 8. A communication device for transmitting and receiving image data to and from another communication device via a network, comprising: a first server connected to the network and managing transfer of image data on the network; A second server connected to the network and managing the image data; a calculating unit for calculating a data size of the image data to be transmitted; and a first server or a server based on the data size calculated by the calculating unit. A communication device, comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the image data to one of the second servers. 9. The first server is an e-mail server, the second server is a WWW server, and if the data size calculated by the calculation means is smaller than a predetermined value, the first server is an electronic mail server. 9. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein the attached e-mail is transmitted to the e-mail server, and if the value is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the image data is transmitted to the WWW server. 10. The transmitting means, when transmitting the image data to the WWW server, includes a generating means for generating an e-mail to which location information indicating a resource of the image data is added. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein an electronic mail is transmitted to the electronic mail server. 11. A communication device for transmitting and receiving image data to and from another communication device via a network, comprising: receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; and image data attached to the electronic mail received by the receiving means. Determining means for determining whether or not the image data is attached to the e-mail by the determining means; and analyzing means for analyzing location information indicating a resource in which the image data is managed. A communication device comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire the image data from a resource on a network indicated by the location information analyzed by the analysis unit. 12. A method for controlling a communication device for transmitting and receiving image data to and from another communication device via a network, comprising: a calculating step of calculating a data size of image data to be transmitted; And transmitting the image data to either a first server that manages the transfer of the image data on the network or a second server that manages the image data based on the data size obtained. A method for controlling a communication device. 13. The first server is an e-mail server, the second server is a WWW server, and if the data size calculated in the calculation step is smaller than a predetermined value, the first server is an electronic mail server. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the attached e-mail is transmitted to the e-mail server, and if the value is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the image data is transmitted to the WWW server. 14. The transmitting step includes, when transmitting the image data to the WWW server, a generating step of generating an e-mail to which location information indicating a resource of the image data is added. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein an electronic mail is transmitted to the electronic mail server. 15. A method for controlling a communication device for transmitting and receiving image data to and from another communication device via a network, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an e-mail; A determination step of determining whether or not the image data is attached; and if it is determined in the determination step that the image data is attached to the e-mail, the location information indicating the resource in which the image data is managed is analyzed. A control method for a communication device, comprising: an analysis step; and an acquisition step of acquiring the image data from a resource on a network indicated by the location information analyzed in the analysis step. 16. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling a communication device that transmits and receives image data to and from another communication device via a network, and calculates a data size of image data to be transmitted. Based on the program code of the calculation step and the data size calculated in the calculation step, either the first server that manages the transfer of the image data on the network or the second server that manages the image data, And a program code for transmitting image data. 17. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling a communication device that transmits and receives image data to and from another communication device via a network, the program code comprising: a receiving step for receiving an e-mail; A program code of a determining step of determining whether image data is attached to the e-mail received in the receiving step, and if it is determined that the image data is attached to the e-mail in the determining step, A program code of an analysis step of analyzing location information indicating a resource in which image data is managed, and a program code of an acquisition step of obtaining the image data from a resource on a network indicated by the location information analyzed in the analysis step. A computer readable memory comprising: