JP2003078702A - Image communication device, image communication method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication device that can easily be operated with a simple operation section so as to block cost increase and to provide an image communication method and a storage medium. SOLUTION: The image communication device registers destinations under a facsimile mode where image communication is conducted on the basis of a facsimile procedure and destinations under a scanner mode where image is communicated on the basis of other procedure than the facsimile procedure by distinguishing the destinations from each other. When a transmission destination of image data read by an image read section is designated, the image communication device distinguishes and recognizes the destination in the facsimile mode from the destination in the scanner mode and transmits the image data to the designated destination.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus which can be connected to a network and a predetermined line and has a scanner function and a facsimile function.
The present invention relates to an image communication method and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, when transmitting a document, an image reading unit reads the image information of the document, inputs a telephone number of the transmission destination, and transmits the read image information to the transmission destination.

In this case, there are many devices for frequently sending destinations, in which a telephone number is registered in advance in a one-touch key or a speed key provided on an operation panel to simplify the input operation of the telephone number. is doing.

On the other hand, the scanner device is a peripheral device for taking in image information of a document as image data, and is connected to a personal computer (PC). Most conventional scanner devices are devices that are connected to a PC at a ratio of 1: 1. In recent years, however, network scanner devices that are connected to a plurality of client PCs have become popular due to the widespread use of networks such as LAN and the Internet. Is beginning to

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-204515 discloses that a client terminal can set image reading or execute image reading in a scanner connected to a network.

Further, in an office machine such as a facsimile machine or a copying machine, while utilizing the image reading section and the image forming section of each apparatus, by adding other functions, a single machine has a plurality of functions. Many devices have been released to the world. Even these complex devices are connected to the network,
Communication of image data with a PC is desired.

[0007]

However, JP-A-9-2
Since the conventional apparatus described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 04515 is operated from the client terminal, when the scanner apparatus is away from the seat or the like, the document is set between the client terminal and the scanner apparatus every time an original is set. There is a problem that it has to go back and forth, the operation is troublesome, and it may not be effectively utilized.

That is, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there is a problem that the operation is complicated, the operation section is complicated, and the cost is increased.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication device, an image communication method and a storage medium which are easy to operate, have a simple operation section, and can prevent an increase in cost.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a destination in a facsimile mode and a destination in a scanner mode are separately registered, and a destination of image data read by an image reading unit is designated. The image communication apparatus further recognizes and transmits the destination in the facsimile mode and the destination in the scanner mode.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an image communication device IC1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image communication device IC1.

The image communication device IC1 has a main controller 1 having a CPU 11 and an operation mode switching means 12.
The main control unit 1 includes an operation panel 2, an image reading device 3, an image forming device 4, a ROM 5, a RAM 6, an NCU 7, a modem 8,
It is connected to the network interface 9.

The operation panel 2 is used to input necessary operation instructions to the main control section 1, and includes a plurality of one-touch keys 2a capable of pre-registering destinations, which will be described later, and a shortening key 2b for calling a shortened number. It is equipped with.

The one-touch key 2a and the abbreviated key 2b perform image communication based on a destination other than a facsimile procedure and a destination in a facsimile mode in which image communication is performed based on a facsimile procedure. Addresses that specify the transmission destination in the scanner mode (the image data transmission destination PC (personal computer) during the scanner operation) are registered separately.

Further, during the transition from the facsimile mode to the scanner mode, the transmission destination is automatically identified and the transmission destination is switched.

The image reading device 3 is a device for reading an image of an original in facsimile transmission, copying, and scanner reading.

The image forming apparatus 4 is an apparatus for recording an image as a facsimile reception, a copy, and a printer.

The ROM 5 is a memory for storing operation programs executed by the main controller 1, and the data memory 6 is a RAM for storing image data, destination telephone number data, and PC address data. .

The NCU 7 is a means for connecting to a line used for predetermined line connection such as a public telephone line or a dedicated line in order to perform facsimile communication with the partner device. The modem 8 modulates / demodulates a facsimile transmission / reception signal.

The network interface means 9 is L
It is a means for connecting to a network such as an AN or the Internet, and transmitting / receiving data to / from an external information processing device (computer) such as a personal computer, a workstation, a server or the like.

Switching between the scanner mode and the facsimile mode is performed by the main control section 1 according to an operation program stored in the ROM 5.

The image communication apparatus IC1 is in the facsimile mode in the normal standby state, while the scanner mode key 2c provided on the operation panel 2 is depressed, the image communication apparatus IC1 shifts to the scanner mode.
The scanner mode key 2c lights up, and the image communication device IC1
Indicates that it is in the scanner mode and can be used as a scanner device. When the scanner mode key 2c in the lit state is pressed, the scanner mode key 2c goes out and the facsimile mode is restored.

In the facsimile mode (while the scanner mode key 2c is off), the original is set, and the one-touch key 2a, the combination of the abbreviated key 2b and the abbreviated number, or the ten-key 2d is used to change the destination. When designated, the destination FAX number is displayed on the display unit 2e. In this case, when the transmission destination is designated by the one-touch key 2a or the combination of the abbreviated key 2b and the abbreviated number, the destination (the destination of the facsimile transmission) in the previously registered facsimile mode is recognized.

When the start key 2f is pressed,
The reading of the original is started, the image data is modulated by the modem 8, and the modulated image data is sent to a predetermined line via the NCU 7.

A document is set in the scanner mode (while the scanner mode key 2c is lit), a combination of the one-touch key 2a, the abbreviated key 2b and an abbreviated number, and a ten key 2d are used to specify the destination. Then, the destination PC address is displayed on the display unit 2e.

At this time, when the destination is designated by the combination of the one-touch key 2a, the abbreviated key 2b and the abbreviated number, the destination in the scanner mode registered in advance is recognized.

When the start key 2f is pressed,
The reading of the original is started, and the image data is sent to the designated PC via the network interface 9.

As described above, the common one-touch key 2
By using a and the abbreviated key 2b commonly in the facsimile mode and the scanner mode, the operability can be simplified and the operation panel 2 can be simplified. Further, the facsimile device can be combined without increasing the number of keys on the operation panel 2, the operation panel 2 can be prevented from being enlarged, and the operability can be improved.

In the destination designation of the image data in the facsimile mode and the scanner mode, the destination is not limited to one place, and the same data can be transmitted to a plurality of destinations or P
If the user wants to transmit to C, the plurality of destinations may be sequentially designated before pressing the start key 2f. In the facsimile mode, sequential transmission (broadcast transmission) and scanner mode are performed. , They can be sent at the same time. In this way, the convenience of the compound device connected to the network can be further improved.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of identifying the transmission destination in the facsimile mode and the transmission destination in the scanner mode in the above embodiment.

The facsimile mode is a mode in which image communication is performed based on a facsimile procedure, and the scanner mode is a mode in which image communication is performed based on a procedure other than the facsimile procedure.

In the image communication device IC1, it is detected whether or not the one-touch key or the abbreviated key is pressed while the document is set (S1). If the one-touch key or the abbreviated key is not pressed, the contents input from the numeric keypad at that time are recognized as the destination (S
2) The input destination is displayed (S3), and when the start key is turned on, the reading operation is started (S4).

On the other hand, when the one-touch key or the abbreviated key is pressed (S1), the mode of the image communication device IC1 is determined (S5), and if it is the facsimile mode, the destination registered as the destination of the facsimile transmission. Is recognized (S6), and the destination of the facsimile transmission is displayed (S6).
7) If the start key is ON, the reading operation is started (S8).

On the other hand, as a result of discriminating the mode of the image communication device IC1 (S5), if the mode is the scanner mode, the transmission destination registered as the transmission destination for transmitting the contents read by the scanner is recognized (S9). The recognized destination is displayed (S10), and if the start key is ON, the reading operation is started (S11).

When the reading operation is completed, a predetermined transmission operation is started according to each mode, and when the transmission is completed, the image communication device IC1 returns to the standby state.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention is an image communication apparatus including an electronic mail transmitting means in the first embodiment.

When the electronic mail transmitting means is provided in the first embodiment, the electronic mail address can be designated as the destination.

The image data read by the scanner is transferred to the PC.
When sending to, if the PC is already connected to the network and has an e-mail account, you can register the e-mail address as it is without setting a special destination address for the one-touch key or abbreviated number. If sent, the image data can be sent by attaching it to an e-mail.

Further, also in the case of facsimile transmission, the destination of the transmission is the Internet F having an electronic mail receiving means.
In the case of AX, by registering and sending an e-mail address instead of a telephone number, the Internet FA
Image data can be transmitted as X transmission.

That is, if the destination having the electronic mail transmitting means and the destination registered in the destination designating means is the electronic mail address, the electronic mail function can be obtained only by designating the destination and registering the electronic mail address. The image data can be transmitted by. Specifically, in the case of a scanner, a special address of the destination PC is not required, the destination PC can be easily identified, and in the case of facsimile transmission,
It is possible to reduce communication costs by transmitting the data via the Internet FAX.

As described above, a simple operation change of registering an e-mail address instead of registering a telephone number as a destination for registration makes it possible to reduce communication costs as compared with the case of transmitting through a general public line. Can be reduced.

That is, according to the above embodiment, the operation can be simplified, the operation panel can be simplified, and the cost increase can be prevented.

Further, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, since it is possible to designate a plurality of destinations at the same time, the convenience as a compound device connected to the network is more excellent.

The operation in the above embodiment is performed by the ROM
5, which is executed by the main control unit 1 based on the program stored in FIG. 5, is a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-
The above program is stored in various storage media such as a ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a memory card, and the stored program is read by a dedicated reader.
Alternatively, the main control unit 1 may execute the loaded program.

That is, in the above embodiment, an image reading procedure for reading image information from a document, an image information communication procedure for connecting a predetermined line to communicate image information, and a network for connecting an external information processing terminal. Between the network interface procedure for transmitting and receiving data, the destination designation procedure for designating a plurality of destinations of the image information read in the image reading procedure, and the destination in the facsimile mode for performing image communication based on the facsimile procedure. , A destination registration procedure for separately registering a destination in the scanner mode in which image communication is performed based on a procedure other than the above-mentioned facsimile procedure, and a destination of the image data read in the image reading procedure are designated as the destination. When specified in the procedure, the destination in the above fax mode and the transmission in the above scanner mode And distinctively recognize the door, are examples of this recognition computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a transmission procedure to the computer to be transmitted to the destination.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image reading procedure for reading the image information from the original, the image information communication procedure for connecting the predetermined line and communicating the image information, and the network for connecting the external information processing terminal. A network interface procedure for transmitting and receiving data, a destination designation procedure for designating a plurality of destinations of the image information read in the image reading procedure, and a destination in a facsimile mode for performing image communication through a predetermined line, A destination registration procedure for separately registering a destination in the scanner mode for performing image communication through a network other than the predetermined line,
Specify the destination of the image data read in the image reading procedure above.
A program for causing a computer to execute a transmission procedure for distinguishing a transmission destination in the facsimile mode from a transmission destination in the scanner mode and transmitting to the recognized transmission destination when designated in the transmission destination designation procedure. It is an example of a computer-readable storage medium that stores the.

[0049]

According to the present invention, the operation of the image communication apparatus is easy, the operation section is simple, and the cost increase can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image communication device IC according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image communication device IC1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of identifying a destination in the facsimile mode and a destination in the scanner mode in the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

IC1 ... Image communication device, 1 ... Main control unit, 2 ... Operation panel, 2a ... One-touch key, 2b ... short key, 2f ... start key, 2d ... numeric keypad, 2e ... Display, 5 ... ROM, 6 ... data memory, 7 ... NCU, 8 ... Modem, 9 ... Network interface means.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA29 AA30 AB17                       AB38 AB42 AC02 AC35 AE01                       AE02 AF02 AF03                 5C075 AB90 BA08 BA90 CA90                 5K101 KK01 NN06 NN14 NN21 PP01                       PP03 RR27

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for reading image information from a manuscript; an image information communication means for connecting a predetermined line to communicate image information; a network for connecting data to and from an external information processing terminal; Network interface means for transmitting and receiving; destination designation means for designating a plurality of destinations of the image information read by the image reading section; destinations in a facsimile mode for performing image communication based on a facsimile procedure, and other than the facsimile procedure And a transmission destination registering unit for separately registering a transmission destination in the scanner mode for performing image communication based on the procedure of 1 .; when the transmission destination designating unit designates the transmission destination of the image data read by the image reading unit. In addition, the destination in the above-mentioned facsimile mode and the destination in the above-mentioned scanner mode are distinguished and recognized. An image communication device, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits to a recognized destination. 2. An image reading unit for reading image information from a manuscript; an image information communication means for connecting a predetermined line to communicate image information; a network for connecting data to and from an external information processing terminal; Network interface means for transmitting and receiving; destination designation means for designating a plurality of destinations of the image information read by the image reading section; destinations in a facsimile mode for image communication through a predetermined line, and other than the predetermined line Destination registration means for separately registering a transmission destination in the scanner mode for performing image communication through the network; and when the transmission destination designating means designates the transmission destination of the image data read by the image reading unit, The destination in the facsimile mode and the destination in the scanner mode are distinguished and recognized. An image communication apparatus comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits to a destination. 3. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the destination designating means is means capable of designating a plurality of destinations at the same time. 4. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission destination designating means is a one-touch key. 5. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission destination designation means is a speed dial. 6. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an electronic mail transmitting means, wherein the destination registered in the destination designating means is an electronic mail address. An image communication device characterized in that data is transmitted by e-mail in an attached file format. 7. An image reading step of reading image information from a manuscript; an image information communication step of connecting to a predetermined line to communicate image information; a data connection between the external information processing terminal and a network. A network interface stage for transmitting and receiving; a destination designation stage for designating a plurality of destinations of the image information read in the image reading stage; a destination in a facsimile mode for performing image communication based on a facsimile procedure, and a step other than the facsimile procedure And a destination in the scanner mode in which image communication is performed based on the procedure described in 1., when the destination of the image data read in the image reading stage is designated in the destination designation stage. In addition, the destination in the facsimile mode and the destination in the scanner mode are distinguished and recognized, And a transmitting step of transmitting to the recognized destination. 8. An image reading step of reading image information from a manuscript; an image information communication step of connecting to a predetermined line to communicate image information; a data connection with an external information processing terminal by connecting to a network. A network interface stage for transmitting and receiving; a destination designation stage for designating a plurality of destinations of the image information read in the image reading stage; a destination in a facsimile mode for performing image communication through a predetermined line, and a line other than the predetermined line A destination registration step of separately registering a destination in the scanner mode for performing image communication through the network; and a destination of the image data read in the image reading step is designated in the destination designation step, The destination in the above-mentioned facsimile mode and the destination in the above-mentioned scanner mode are distinguished and recognized. And a transmitting step of transmitting the image to a specified destination. 9. An image reading procedure for reading image information from a manuscript; an image information communication procedure for connecting a predetermined line to communicate image information; a data connection between an external information processing terminal and a network. A network interface procedure for transmitting and receiving; a destination specifying procedure for designating a plurality of destinations of the image information read in the image reading procedure; a destination in a facsimile mode for performing image communication based on the facsimile procedure, and a method other than the facsimile procedure When the destination of the image data read in the image reading procedure is designated in the destination designation procedure, the destination registration procedure of separately registering the destination in the scanner mode for performing image communication based on the procedure In addition, the destination in the facsimile mode and the destination in the scanner mode are distinguished and recognized, A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the transmission procedure of transmitting to the recognized destination. 10. An image reading procedure for reading image information from a manuscript; an image information communication procedure for connecting a predetermined line and communicating image information; a data connection between an external information processing terminal and a network. A network interface procedure for transmitting and receiving; a destination designation procedure for designating a plurality of destinations of the image information read in the image reading procedure; a destination in a facsimile mode for performing image communication through a predetermined line, and a line other than the predetermined line The destination in the scanner mode that performs image communication through the network of
A destination registration procedure for separately registering; a destination in the facsimile mode and a destination in the scanner mode when the destination of the image data read in the image reading procedure is designated in the destination designation procedure. And a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program that causes a computer to execute a transmission procedure for distinctively recognizing and transmitting to the recognized destination.