JP2006109271A - Image communication device, communication method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure safety of image data and to reduce a transmission/reception time upon transmitting the image data by an image communication device. <P>SOLUTION: A communication method in an image communication device connected to a network so as to provide communication is provided with: an image read processing (step S206) of reading a draft and generating image data; designation processing (step S201) of designating a transmitting destination to which the image data is transmitted; an encoding method for encoding the image data on the basis of the transmitting destination designated by the designation processing; processing (step S204) of selecting a communication protocol for transmitting the image data; and processing (step S208) of transmitting the encoded image data to the transmitting designation through the network by using the selected communication protocol after encoding the image data by the selected encoding method (step S207). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission technique for transmitting read image data in an image communication apparatus that is communicably connected to a network.

  Conventionally, a facsimile (hereinafter abbreviated as FAX) has been used as an image transmitting apparatus that reads a document image and transmits image data to a remote place via a telephone line. Fax has detailed rules for error processing and retransmission methods during image transmission, and has a function to perform appropriate scaling or resolution conversion so that image loss does not occur in the receiving device. .

  On the other hand, in recent years, with the digitization and networking of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, the image forming apparatus has a function of storing a read original image in a storage device as digital image data, and also remotely via a network. A function to transmit to a local host or database is also provided. This image transmission function is similar to FAX in that it reads a document image and transmits image data to a remote place, but the communication speed is often faster than FAX via a public line, and the world of computers and networks It is excellent in that various communication protocols (protocols) and image formats (formats) can be used. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus having such a function, it is possible to transmit image data with higher image quality using an optimal communication protocol and format according to the user environment. Image forming apparatuses such as the first have come to be positioned as main image transmitting apparatuses arranged in the FAX.

However, in the case of an image forming apparatus having such an image transmission function, image data (transmission image data) transmitted on a data communication path such as a public line or the Internet is intercepted by a third party other than the destination, or The data content and sender information are exposed to the risk of falsification by a malicious third party. Therefore, when transmitting highly confidential image data, the image data itself to be transmitted may be encrypted so that the contents cannot be grasped even if the data is wiretapped, or data alteration may be difficult. It is essential. As methods for encrypting transmission image data in order to ensure the safety of transmission image data as described above, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below are cited.
JP-A-11-212462 JP 2000-244748 A

  However, in order to realize a highly secure encryption method, complicated and sophisticated encoding / decoding processing is required, and in order to perform this at high speed, dedicated hardware must be prepared. There is a problem of cost. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a method of performing encoding / decoding by software. In general, in the case of a highly secure encryption method, a long processing time is required. Conversely, in a high-speed encryption method, the safety is low. That is, if safety is prioritized, processing time is required, leading to a decrease in response to user operations and image transmission / reception speed. If priority is given to response and image transmission / reception speed, the security of transmission / reception image data decreases.

  On the other hand, the communication path for transmitting image data includes a private network within the company, an internal network that is relatively blocked from outside, or a line installed inside a strong unauthorized access blocking system. Some communication paths have protection against unauthorized entry, and on the other hand, they are exposed to the risk of wiretapping or tampering with data from an unspecified number of third parties, such as ordinary public lines and the Internet. In general, these are mixed. For this reason, it is desirable that the transmission of the image data is performed in consideration of the actual operation status of the apparatus. For example, it is useless to use a highly secure encryption method that always takes processing time even though a highly protective communication path is used. Conversely, priority is given to processing speed and response. This is because it is not appropriate to use a highly dangerous communication path such as a public line or the Internet to use a low encryption method.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in transmitting image data in an image communication apparatus that is communicably connected to a network, processing required for transmission / reception processing while ensuring the safety of the image data. The purpose is to reduce time.

In order to achieve the above object, an image communication apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image communication apparatus that is communicably connected to a network,
Image reading means for reading a document image and generating image data;
Designating means for designating a transmission destination for transmitting the image data;
Selection means for selecting an encryption method for encrypting the image data and a communication protocol for transmitting the image data based on the transmission destination designated by the designation means;
Transmission means for encrypting the image data with the selected encryption method and then transmitting the encrypted image data to the transmission destination via the network using the selected communication protocol. .

  According to the present invention, when image data is transmitted in an image communication apparatus that is communicably connected to a network, it is possible to reduce the processing time required for transmission / reception processing while ensuring the safety of the image data. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as necessary.

1. Hardware Configuration 1-1 Overall Configuration FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a device configuration of a digital composite image forming apparatus (hereinafter, image forming apparatus) having an image communication function as a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a controller unit 800 is connected to a scanner 870 that is an image input device and a printer 895 that is an image output device, and on the other hand, is connected to a LAN 811 or a public line (WAN) 851 so that image data and devices are connected. Input and output information. A CPU 801 controls the entire image forming apparatus. A RAM 802 is a system work memory for the CPU 801 to operate, and also functions as an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  A ROM 803 is a boot ROM that stores a boot program for the image forming apparatus. An HDD 804 is a hard disk drive and stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 806 is an interface unit with an operation unit (UI) 812, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 812 to the operation unit 812. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user of the image forming apparatus from the operation unit 812 to the CPU 801. A network 810 is connected to the LAN 811 and inputs / outputs information. The Modem 850 is connected to the public line 851 and inputs / outputs information.

  The above devices are arranged on the system bus 807. An Image Bus I / F 805 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 807 and an image bus 808 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 808 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 808.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 860 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 820 connects the scanner 870 and the printer 895, which are image input / output devices, to the controller 800, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit 880 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. A printer image processing unit 890 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. The image rotation unit 830 rotates image data. The image compression unit 840 performs compression processing for compressing multi-valued image data into JPEG and binary image data into JBIG, MMR, and MH, respectively.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of the image forming apparatus. In the figure, a scanner unit 870, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown), thereby converting the document image into an electrical signal as raster image data 871. To do. The original image is set on the tray 902 of the original feeder 901, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 812, the controller CPU 801 gives an instruction to the scanner 870 (871), and the feeder 901 receives one original image. Feed the document one by one and read the original image.

  The printer unit 895, which is an image output device, is a part that converts raster image data 896 into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array. In addition, there is an ink jet method for printing an image directly on a sheet, but any method may be used. The printing operation is started by an instruction 896 from the CPU 801. The printer unit 895 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has paper cassettes 905, 906, 907, 908 corresponding thereto. A paper discharge tray 904 receives paper that has been printed.

1-2 Configuration of Operation Unit The configuration of the operation unit 812 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 1004 has a touch panel sheet pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and transmits position information to the controller CPU 801 when a displayed key is pressed. A start key 1005 is used to start a document image reading operation. There is a green and red two-color LED 1006 at the center of the start key 1005, and the color indicates whether the start key 1005 is ready for use. A stop key 1003 serves to stop an operation in operation. An ID key 1002 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 1001 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

1-3 Configuration of Scanner Image Processing Unit The configuration of the scanner image processing unit 880 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 881 is connected to the image bus 808, controls the bus access sequence thereof, and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 880. The filter processing unit 1102 performs a convolution operation with a spatial filter. For example, the editing unit 1103 recognizes a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing such as shading, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area.

  The scaling unit 1104 performs an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image to enlarge or reduce the resolution when the resolution of the read image is changed. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). A table conversion unit 1105 performs a table conversion process for converting image data, which is read luminance data, into density data. A binarization unit 1106 binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing. The processed image data is transferred to the image bus 808 via the image bus I / F controller 1101 again.

1-3 Configuration of Printer Image Processing Unit The configuration of the printer image processing unit 890 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 1201 is connected to the image bus 808, controls the bus access sequence thereof, and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 890. A resolution conversion unit 1202 performs resolution conversion for converting image data received from the network 811 or the public line 851 into the resolution of the printer 895. The smoothing processing unit 1203 performs a process of smoothing jaggies of the image data after the resolution conversion (the roughness of the image appearing at the black-and-white border such as an oblique line).

1-4 Image Compression Unit FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the image compression unit 840. The image bus I / F controller 1301 is connected to the image bus 808, controls the bus access sequence thereof, performs timing control for exchanging data with the input buffer 1302 and the output buffer 1306, and controls the image compression unit 1304. Control mode setting. The processing procedure of the image compression unit 840 is shown below.

  A setting for image compression is performed from the CPU 801 to the image bus I / F controller 1301 via the image bus 808. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 1301 performs settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression and JBIG expansion) for the image compression unit 1304.

  After performing the necessary settings, the CPU 801 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 1301. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 1301 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 802 or the image bus 808. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 1302, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 1304. At this time, the input buffer determines whether image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 1301 and the image compression unit 1304, reads the image data from the image bus 808, and compresses the image data. When it is impossible to write an image to the unit 1304, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshaking).

  The image compression unit 1304 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 1305. This is because, depending on the type of image compression processing, several lines of data are required when performing image compression. In order to perform compression for the first line, image data for several lines is prepared. Otherwise, image compression cannot be performed. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 1306. The output buffer 1306 performs handshaking with the image bus I / F controller 1301 and the image compression unit 1304, and transfers image data to the image bus I / F controller 1301. The image bus I / F controller 1301 transfers the transferred compressed (or expanded) image data to each device on the RAM 802 or the image bus 808. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 801 (until processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from this image compression unit (when an error occurs during compression and expansion). .

1-5 Configuration of Image Rotation Unit The configuration of the image rotation unit 830 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 1401 is connected to the image bus 808 to control the bus sequence, control to set a mode or the like in the image rotation unit 1402, and timing for transferring image data to the image rotation unit 1402 Take control. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit 830 is shown below.

  A setting for image rotation is performed from the CPU 801 to the image bus I / F controller 1401 via the image bus 808. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 1401 makes settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction / angle, etc.) to the image rotation unit 1402. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 801 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 1401. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 1401 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 802 or the image bus 808. Here, the image size to be rotated is 32 × 32 (bits), and when image data is transferred onto the image bus 808, the image transfer is performed in units of 32 bits (the image to be handled is binary). Suppose).

  As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above unit data transfer 32 times, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses.

  The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the RAM 1403 so as to be rotated at a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, if the rotation is 90 degrees counterclockwise, the 32-bit image data transferred first is written in the Y direction. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image data is rotated.

  After the 32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (writing to the RAM 1403) is completed, the image rotation unit 1402 reads the image data from the RAM 1403 by the above-described reading method, and transfers the image data to the image bus I / F controller 1401. .

  The image bus I / F controller 1401 that has received the rotated image data transfers the data to each device on the RAM 802 or the image bus 808 by continuous addressing. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 801 (until processing of the required number of pages is completed).

1-6 Configuration of Device I / F Unit FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the device I / F unit 820. The image bus I / F controller 1501 is connected to the image bus 808, controls the bus access sequence thereof, controls each device in the device I / F unit 820, and generates timing. In addition, control signals to the external scanner unit 870 and printer unit 895 are generated.

  The scan buffer unit 1502 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner unit 870 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 808. The serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion unit 1503 converts the image data into a data width that can be transferred to the image bus 808 by arranging or disassembling the image data stored in the scan buffer unit 1502 in order.

  The parallel serial / serial / parallel conversion unit 1504 decomposes the image data transferred from the image bus 808 or arranges the image data in order, and converts the image data to a data width that can be stored in the print buffer unit 1505. The print buffer unit 1505 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 808 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer unit 895.

  The processing procedure of the device I / F unit 820 at the time of image scanning is shown below. The image data sent from the scanner unit 870 is stored in the scan buffer unit 1502 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner unit 870. When the image bus 808 is a PCI bus, when 32 or more bits of image data are stored in the scan buffer unit 1502, the image data is input from the scan buffer unit 1502 in a first-in first-out manner. The image data is sent to the unit 1503, converted into 32-bit image data, and transferred to the image bus 808 through the image bus I / F controller 1501. When the image bus 808 is IEEE 1394, the image data in the scan buffer unit 1502 is first-in first-out, sent from the scan buffer unit 1502 to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion unit 1503, converted into serial image data, and the image bus I The data is transferred onto the image bus 808 through the / F controller 1501.

  The processing procedure at the time of printout is shown below. When the image bus 808 is a PCI bus, 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel converter 1504, and input data of the printer unit 895 The image data is decomposed into bit number image data and stored in the print buffer unit 1505. When the image bus 808 is IEEE1394, serial image data sent from the image bus 808 is received by the image bus I / F controller 1501, sent to the parallel serial / serial / parallel converter 1504, and input to the printer unit 895. The image data is converted into image data having the number of data bits and stored in the print buffer unit 1505. Then, in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer unit 895, the image data in the print buffer unit 1505 is sent to the printer unit 895 by first-in first-out.

2. Overall Configuration of Network System FIG. 6 shows the overall configuration of a network system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An image forming apparatus 601 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the scanner unit and the printer unit as described above, and flows image data read from the scanner unit to a local area network 610 (hereinafter referred to as LAN) or from the LAN 610. The received image data can be printed out by the printer unit 895. The image data read from the scanner unit 870 can be transmitted to the PSTN or ISDN (630), and the image data received from the PSTN or ISDN (630) can be printed out by the printer unit 895.

  A database server 602 manages binary image data and multi-value image data read from the image forming apparatus 601 as a database. Reference numeral 603 denotes a database client of the database server 602 that can browse / search image data stored in the database 602. Reference numeral 604 denotes an electronic mail server that can receive image data read by the image forming apparatus 601 as attached data of an electronic mail.

  Reference numeral 605 denotes an e-mail client that can receive and browse an e-mail received by the e-mail server 604 and transmit an e-mail. Reference numeral 606 denotes a WWW server that provides an HTML document to the LAN 610, and the image forming apparatus 601 can print out the HTML document provided from the WWW server 606. A router 611 connects the LAN 610 and the Internet / intranet 612.

  In the Internet / intranet 612, devices similar to the database server (602), WWW server (606), e-mail server (604), and image forming device (601) described above are respectively 620, 621, 622, and 623. It is connected as

  A history information collection host (650) is connected so that various history information recorded in various devices including the image forming apparatus 601 can be collected from the network.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 601 can transmit and receive with the FAX 631 via the PSTN or ISDN (630). A printer 640 is also connected on the LAN 610 so that image data read by the image forming apparatus 601 can be printed out.

3. Software Configuration 3-1 Software Module Configuration in Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a software module configuration in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 701 denotes a UI, that is, a user interface, and is a module that mediates with the apparatus when the operator performs various operations and settings of the image forming apparatus 601. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, and requests processing or sets data in accordance with the operation of the operator.

  Reference numeral 702 denotes an address-book, that is, a database module that manages a data transmission destination, a communication destination, and the like. The contents of the Address-Book are used to add, edit, and delete data by an operation from the UI 701, and to give a destination when transmitting image data to each module described later by an operation of the operator.

  A Web-Server module 703 is used to notify management information of the image forming apparatus 601 in response to a request from a Web client (not shown). The management information is read via a later-described Control-API 718 and notified to the Web client via an HTTP 712, TCP / IP 716, and Network-Driver 717 described later.

  Reference numeral 704 denotes a universal-send, that is, a module that manages simultaneous distribution of image data, and distributes image data instructed to the operator via the UI 701 to the instructed destination in the same manner. Further, when the operator instructs the generation of image data to be transmitted using the scanner function of the image forming apparatus 601, the image forming apparatus is operated via the below-described Control-API 718 to generate image data. .

  Reference numeral 705 denotes a module (P550) that is executed when a printer (640) is designated as a transmission destination in the Universal-Send 704. Reference numeral 706 denotes a module (E-Mail) that is executed when an e-mail client (605) is designated as a transmission destination in the Universal-Send 704. Reference numeral 707 denotes a module (DB) executed when a database client (603) is designated as a transmission destination in the Universal-Send 704. Reference numeral 708 denotes a module (DP) that is executed when an image forming apparatus (620) similar to the image forming apparatus 601 is designated as a transmission destination in the Universal-Send 704.

  Reference numeral 709 denotes a remote-copy-scan module, which uses the scanner function of the image forming apparatus 601 and is realized by the image forming apparatus 601 alone with another image forming apparatus (620) connected via a network or the like as a transmission destination. This module performs processing equivalent to the copy function. A remote-copy-print module 710 uses the printer function of the image forming apparatus 601 and is realized by the image forming apparatus 601 alone using the other image forming apparatus (620) connected via a network or the like as an input destination. This module performs processing equivalent to the copy function.

  Reference numeral 711 denotes a Web-Pull-Print module which reads out information on various home pages on the Internet / intranet 612 and prints it out. Reference numeral 712 denotes a module used when the image forming apparatus 601 performs communication by HTTP, and provides communication to the above-described Web-Server 703 and Web-Pull-Print 711 module by a TCP / IP 716 module described later.

  Reference numeral 713 denotes an lpr module, which provides communication to the P550 module 705 in the above-mentioned Universal-Send 704 by a TCP / IP 716 module described later. An SMTP module 714 provides communication to the E-Mail module 706 in the above-mentioned Universal-Send 704 by a TCP / IP 716 module described later.

  Reference numeral 715 denotes an SLM, that is, a Salutation-Manager module, which is transferred to the DB module 717, the DP module 718, the Remote-Copy-Scan module 709, and the Remote-Copy-Print module 710 in the above-described Universal-Send 704 by a TCP / IP 716 module described later. Provide communication.

  Reference numeral 716 denotes a TCP / IP module, which provides network communication to the various modules described above from a network-driver 717 described later. Reference numeral 717 denotes a network-driver that controls units physically connected to the network. 718 is a Control-API that provides an interface between an upstream module such as Universal-Send 704 and a downstream module such as Job-Manager 719 described later, and reduces the dependency between upstream and downstream modules. To improve the applicability of

  Reference numeral 719 denotes a job manager, which interprets processing instructed from the various modules described above via the Control-API 718 and gives instructions to each module described later. In addition, this module centrally manages hardware processing executed in the image forming apparatus 601. Reference numeral 720 denotes a CODEC-Manager, which manages and controls various compression / decompression of image data in the process instructed by the Job-Manager 719.

  Reference numeral 721 denotes an FBE-Encoder which compresses image data read by a scan process executed by the Job-Manager 719 and the Scanner-Manager 724 according to the FBE format. Reference numeral 722 denotes JPEG-CODEC, which performs JPEG compression of the read image data and JPEG expansion processing of the image data in the scan processing executed by the Job-Manager 719 and the Scanner-Manager 724 and the printer processing executed by the Printer-Manager 726. Is what you do.

  Reference numeral 723 denotes an MMR-CODEC, which performs MMR compression of the read image data and MMR expansion processing of the image data in the scan processing executed by the Job-Manager 719 and the Scanner-Manager 724 and the printer processing executed by the Printer-Manager 726. Is what you do. Reference numeral 724 denotes a scanner-manager that manages and controls scan processing instructed by the job-manager 719.

  A SCSI driver 725 communicates with the scanner unit 870 to which the scanner-manager 724 and the image forming apparatus 601 are internally connected. Reference numeral 726 denotes a printer-manager that manages and controls printer processing instructed by the job-manager 719. Reference numeral 727 denotes an engine-I / F driver that provides an interface between the printer-manager 726 and the printer unit 870.

  Reference numeral 728 denotes a log-manager that records various events occurring in the image forming apparatus 601 in a backup memory. The Log-Manager 728 records the history of the type and content of the operation of the image forming apparatus 601 or the history of the paper jam, the failure of the image forming apparatus 601 and the error each time an event occurs, and the history backup data. Management or read / write control.

3-2 Module Configuration in Network System Hereinafter, the module configuration of software in the network system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the module configuration of each device connected to the network system shown in FIG. 6 (particularly, the configuration of modules related to transmission processing).

  Reference numeral 1601 denotes a block configuration of the UI module 701 that controls the operation of the operation unit 812 of the image forming apparatus 601 described in the operation unit screen (FIG. 10). Reference numeral 1602 denotes a block configuration of a transmission function of the Remote-Copy-Scan module 709. Reference numeral 1603 denotes a block configuration of a transmission function of the Universal Send module 704 for performing simultaneous distribution. Reference numeral 1604 denotes a block configuration of the Web Pull Print module 711. Reference numeral 1604 denotes a block configuration of the Web Server module 703.

  Reference numeral 1606 denotes a block configuration of a remote-copy-print module (710) of the image forming apparatus 620 on the receiving side (printing side).

  Reference numeral 1607 denotes a block configuration of a printer 640 that receives and prints image data transmitted by simultaneous distribution. Reference numeral 1608 denotes a block configuration of a remote-copy-print module (710) of the image forming apparatus 620 that receives image data transmitted by simultaneous distribution. Reference numeral 1609 denotes a block configuration of the database server 602 when image data transmitted by simultaneous distribution is received and stored by, for example, a Notes Server included in the database server 602. Reference numeral 1610 denotes a block configuration of the database server 602 when binary image data transmitted by simultaneous distribution is received and stored in, for example, the Original Image DB Server 1 included in the database server 602. Reference numeral 1611 denotes a block configuration of the e-mail server 604 when image data transmitted by simultaneous distribution is received and stored by the Mail Server provided in the e-mail server 604.

  Reference numeral 1612 denotes a block configuration of the database server 602 when multi-valued image data transmitted as an attachment to an e-mail is received and stored in, for example, the Original Image DB Server 2 included in the database server 602. Reference numeral 1613 denotes a Web server provided in the WWW server 606. Reference numeral 1614 denotes a WWW client (not shown in FIG. 6) having a Web Browser function for accessing the Web Server 703 of the image forming apparatus 601.

  Hereinafter, each module will be described in detail with reference to each block.

3-2-1 UI module (701)
The details of the UI module 701 shown in the block 1601 are as described above. Here, the Address Book 702 constituting the UI module 701 will be described. This Address Book 702 is stored in a non-volatile storage device (non-volatile memory, hard disk, or the like) in the image forming apparatus 601, and the features of the devices connected to the network are described therein. For example, those listed below are included.
-Device official name or alias name-Device network address-Device processable network protocol-Device processable document format-Device processable compression type-Device processable image resolution-Printer device The size of the paper that can be fed, the name of the folder that can store the document in the case of the device having the paper feed stage information and the server function. Each module described below uses the destination setting information described in the Address Book 702 to specify the destination. It is possible to determine the characteristics of the device. The Address Book 702 can be edited, and can be downloaded and used for a device stored in a device having a server function in the network, or can be directly referred to.

3-2-2 Remote-Copy-Scan module (708)
The Remote-Copy-Scan module (708) discriminates resolution information that can be processed in the device designated as the transmission destination from the Address Book 702, and uses the MMR compression for the binary image data read from the scanner unit 870 accordingly. Compressed, converted into TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), sent to SLM 715, sent to a device having a printer function on the network, and printed (in the example of FIG. 16, sent to image forming apparatus 620 to form image) Print using Remote Copy Print (710) on device 620). Although not described in detail, the SLM 715 is a kind of network protocol including device control information called a known Salutation Manager (or Smart Link Manager).

3-2-3 Universal Send module (704)
Unlike the Remote-Copy-Scan 708, the Universal Send module 704 can transmit image data to a plurality of transmission destinations in one scan. Further, the transmission destination is not limited to a device having a printer function (the printer 640 or the image forming apparatus 620 having a printer function), but can be directly transmitted to a device having a so-called server function. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order according to a transmission destination.

  First, the case of transmitting to a device having a printer function will be described. If the address book 702 determines that the destination device can process a network printer protocol LPD (Line Printer Daemon) or a known LIPS as a printer control command, the image determined based on the address book 702 The scanner unit 870 reads a document image according to the resolution, and transmits the image data to a device having the printer function. In the example of FIG. 16, the image data is compressed using FBE (First Binary Encoding), further LIPS-coded, and transmitted to the printer 640 by using a known network printer protocol, lpr713.

  Next, the case of transmitting to a device having a server function will be described. When the destination device is a device that can communicate with the SLM 715 and has a server function, the address book 702 is used to determine the server address and the designation of the folder in the server, and in the same way as the Remote-Copy-Scan module 708, the scanner unit The binary image data read from 870 can be compressed using MMR compression, converted into TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and stored in a specific folder of the device on the network through the SLM 715.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when it is determined by the Address Book 702 that the partner device can process the multi-value image data compressed with JPEG, the multi-value is similar to the binary image data described above. It is also possible to JPEG compress the image data generated by reading the original image, convert it to JFIF, and store it in a specific folder of a device on the network through the SLM 715.

  Further, when the destination device is a publicly known e-mail server, the e-mail address described in the Address Book 702 is determined, the binary image data read from the scanner unit 870 is compressed using MMR compression, Is converted to TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) and transmitted to the device using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) 714 (in the example of FIG. 16, it is transmitted to the email server 604). Subsequent transmissions are performed in accordance with Mail Server 1611.

3-2-4 Web Pull Print module (711)
Since the Web Pull Print module 711 is not directly related to the present embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

3-2-5 Web Server module (703)
Since the Web Server module 703 is not directly related to this embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

4). Configuration of Display Screen of Operation Unit Hereinafter, each display screen of the LCD display unit 1004 of the operation unit 812 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

4-1 Operation Screen The functions provided by the image forming apparatus 601 are divided into six major categories: Copy / Send / Retrieve / Tasks / Management / Configuration. These are the upper parts on the operation screen (1701) shown in FIG. Correspond to the six main tabs (COPY / SEND / RETREIVE / TASKS / MGMT / CONFIG) (1702-1707) displayed in FIG. By pressing these main tabs (1702-1707), switching to the screen of each category is performed. If switching to another category is not permitted, the display color of the main tab will change and no response will occur even if the main tab is pressed.

  The Copy tab (1702) includes a copy function for performing normal copying using the scanner unit 870 and the printer unit 895 included in the image forming apparatus 601, and a printer function connected to the scanner unit 870 included in the image forming apparatus via a network. And a remote copy function for copying using a device (eg, printer 640).

  The Send tab (1703) has a transmission function for transmitting a document image placed on the scanner unit 870 of the image forming apparatus to the electronic mail server (604), the printer (640), the FAX (631), and the database server (602). It is possible to specify multiple destinations.

  Retrieve (1704) provides a printer function for acquiring external image data and printing it with the printer unit 895 of the image forming apparatus 601. As the image data acquisition means, a Web browser, electronic mail, file transfer (FTP), and FAX can be used.

  In Tasks (1705), image data sent from the outside such as Fax or Internet print is automatically processed, and a task for periodically performing Retrieve is generated and managed. Management (1706) manages jobs, address books, bookmarks, documents, account information, and the like. In Configuration (1707), settings relating to the image forming apparatus (network, clock, etc.) are made.

  Hereinafter, a method for setting these functions will be described using display examples of the LCD display unit 1004 (FIGS. 18 to 21).

4-2 COPY Screen When the start key 1005 is pressed while the COPY screen is displayed, the scanner unit 870 operates, and each setting parameter displayed on the COPY screen from the device having the selected printer function (for example, the printer 640). A copy corresponding to is output. Note that the details of the copy function are not related to the present invention, and thus description thereof is omitted.

4-3 SEND Screen When the start key 1005 is pressed when the Send screen is displayed, the scanner unit 870 operates, and processing for transmitting the read image data by the transmission method specified for the set destination is started.

  The SEND main screen (1800) includes a destination display area (1801), a detailed destination number display area (1802), a destination scroll button (1803), an Add Book button (1807), a NEW button (1808), an Edit button (1809), Delete button (1810), Subject input area (1804), Message input area (1805), File Name input area (1806), Cover Page check button (1811), Put In HD check button (1812), Print Out check button ( 1813) and a Scan Setting button (1814). At initialization including resetting, as shown by 1900 in FIG. 19, one destination is not displayed in the destination display area 1801, and an operation explanation screen is displayed. When the SEND tab (1703) is pressed, the default destination is displayed in the destination display area 1801 unless an initialization operation is performed.

  The list of destinations displayed in the destination display area (1801) can be arbitrarily added / edited / deleted by the user. When a new destination is added, an add book button 1807 is pressed to select from the destinations registered in the address book 702, or a new button 1808 is pressed to display a detailed setting screen for each destination (see 2200 in FIG. 22). ) Is displayed, and a destination name or the like is newly input. Note that the input destination name is sequentially added to the end of the destination display area 1801. The detailed destination number display area 1802 displays the number of destinations currently set. Also, by pressing the New button 1808 to display the detailed setting screen for each destination, the input destination and the like are registered as address setting information in the Address Book (702).

  When an edit button (1809) is pressed after a certain destination is selected from the destination display area 1801, a detailed setting screen for each destination for the destination (at this time, each setting item has already been set. 23) is displayed, and the user can edit the setting contents as necessary. If a delete button (1810) is pressed after selecting a destination from the destination display area 1801, the selected destination is deleted from the destination display area 1801.

  When the Subject input area (1804), Message input area (1805), and File Name input area (1806) are pressed, a full keyboard is displayed, and each input becomes possible. Further, when a Scan Setting button (1814) is pressed, detailed settings for reading a document image by the scanner unit 870 can be performed.

4-4 Address Book Subscreen When the Add Book button (1807) is pressed, the address book subscreen (2000) is displayed. A destination with a selection mark (2010) in the address book display area (2001) is added to the destination display area (1801) of the SEND main screen (1800) by pressing an OK button (2011). The address book display area (2001) is sorted by class, name ascending order, name descending order by pressing a sort item setting button (2004-2006). The number of items with a selection mark (2003) is displayed in the item selection number display area (2007).

  When the OK button (2011) or the cancel button (2010) is pressed, the address book sub screen (2000) is closed and the SEND main screen (1800) is displayed. When the Detail button (2009) is pressed with one item selected in the address book display area (2001), the Detail sub-screen (2100) in FIG. 21 is displayed. The Detail sub-screen displays all information about the selected item.

4-5 Scan Setting Screen When the Scan Setting button (1814) is pressed, the scan setting screen (2400) in FIG. 24 is displayed. In the figure, reference numeral 2401 denotes a mode setting area for setting the type of document image to be read. Reference numeral 2402 denotes a button for moving the selection frame left and right in order to select a desired type from among the types displayed in the mode setting area 2401 (in the example of FIG. 24, the selection frame is “Photo”). Shows a certain state). Reference numeral 2403 denotes a Setting button, which determines the type selected by the selection frame moved by pressing the button 2402.

  Reference numeral 2404 denotes a display area for displaying the data size of the document image. Reference numerals 2405, 2407, and 2409 are areas for inputting a scan mode (Scan Mode) for setting whether to read as a reading size (Paper Select), resolution (Resolution), or a binary image or a multi-valued image, respectively. is there. When a button 2406 located beside the display area 2405 is pressed, a submenu for selecting a reading size is displayed as shown in a scan setting screen 2500 in FIG.

  Similarly, when a button 2408 positioned beside the display area 2407 is pressed, a submenu for selecting a resolution is displayed as shown in the scan setting screen 2600 of FIG. 26, and the button positioned beside the display area 2409 is displayed. When the user presses 2410, a submenu for selecting a scan mode is displayed as shown in a scan setting screen 2700 in FIG.

  Reference numerals 2415 and 2416 denote a Cancel button and an OK button, respectively. When the OK button 2416 is pressed, the contents changed in the scan setting screen 2400 are reflected. On the other hand, when the Cancel button 2415 is pressed, the changed content is not reflected on the scan setting screen 2400, and the original image is scanned with the content set before the Scan Setting button (1814) is pressed.

5. Detailed Description When Transmitting Image Data Next, details of processing in the image forming apparatus 601 when transmitting image data will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the network system illustrated in FIG. 6, three cases having different communication paths are extracted and illustrated. is there.

  In the figure, reference numerals 601 and 620 denote image forming apparatus main bodies. A fax 631, an e-mail server 604, and a database server 621 are devices for receiving image data transmitted from the image forming apparatuses 601 and 620, respectively, 630 facsimile lines, 610 in-house (in-house) network lines, and 612 internets. Connected via line.

  In order to transmit image data with the image forming apparatuses 601 and 620, first, the Send tab (1703) is selected from the screen 1701 displayed on the LCD display unit 1004 of the operation unit 812, and the destination display area 1801 of the Send main screen 1800 is selected. To display the destination name. As described above, the destination name displayed in the destination display area 1801 is a destination name corresponding to the destination setting information selected by the user from the destination setting information registered in the Address Book 702.

  3, 4, and 5 show the destination-specific detailed setting screen 2200 displayed when each destination name displayed in the destination display area 1801 is selected and the Edit button 1809 is pressed. It is the figure which extracted and showed the setting item to perform. 3 shows a case where a highly secure encryption method is selected, FIG. 4 shows a case where a medium security encryption method is selected but a relatively high speed encryption method is selected, and FIG. An example of a detailed setting screen for each destination when encryption is selected is shown.

  In the detailed setting screen 301 for each destination, a transmission destination name 310, a communication protocol type 311, a setting field 312 for encryption / non-encryption, an encryption method 313 for encryption, and a list 320 of selectable encryption methods are displayed. (Hereinafter, these setting items are simply referred to as “encryption method, etc.”), and the user determines the safety and communication speed of the communication path used for transmitting image data to the destination, or the capability of the destination device. An appropriate encryption method can be selected in consideration.

  In FIG. 3, since the transmission destination is a case where image data is transmitted to a remote place via the Internet via the FTP protocol, the processing time is long as an encryption method, and it takes time to pass the encryption key and the like. A public key scheme that is difficult to decrypt is selected. FIG. 4 shows a case in which an image is attached to an e-mail via the Internet, and the content itself of the transmission image data itself is a transmission destination that is not so confidential. Is selected. In FIG. 5, since the destination to be transmitted is connected to a dedicated line within the company and is via a safe communication path that cannot be intervened by a third party from the outside, transmission is given priority on the communication speed and usability. The image data is not encrypted.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 601 according to the present embodiment does not perform the same encryption uniformly, but the safety and communication speed of the communication path for each destination, the processing response to the user, and the capability of the destination device. In consideration of the above, it is possible to select the optimal communication protocol for each destination and encrypt the transmission image data using the optimal transmission image data encryption method.

  Next, the flow of processing at the time of image data transmission in the image forming apparatus 601 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In step S201, the input of the destination name to the destination display area 1801 from the user is accepted. Specifically, the user can accept the input of the destination name by selecting the Send tab (1703) on the screen 1701 displayed on the LCD display unit 1004 of the operation unit 812 and displaying the Send main screen 1800. It becomes. At this time, a default destination is displayed in the destination display area 1801, but when image data is transmitted to the displayed destination, the process of step S201 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S202.

  On the other hand, when transmitting image data to a destination other than the default destination, the destination is additionally input to the destination display area 1801. In addition, as described above, an address book can be added to the address display area 1801 when the add book button 1807 is pressed and selected from the address setting information registered in the address book 702, or when the new button 1808 is pressed. In some cases, a new destination is input.

  In step S202, it is determined whether or not the encryption method is automatically set. Here, the automatic setting of the encryption method or the like means a case in which image data is transmitted using the encryption method or the like already registered in the Address Book 702 as it is. Specifically, in the destination setting information in the address book 702 registered in association with the default destination, the encryption or the scheme has already been set, and image data is transmitted using the setting as it is. When the Add Book button 1807 is pressed and a new destination is added to the destination display area 1801, the destination setting information registered in the Address Book 702 in association with the destination to be added is set to the encryption or method. There are cases where the setting has already been made and image data is transmitted using the setting as it is.

  In step S205, in order to read an original image and generate transmission image data, the read original size, resolution, scan mode, and the like input by the user on the scan setting screen shown in FIGS. 24, 25, 26, and 27 are set. Based on this, scan settings are made. After the scan setting, in step S206, when it is detected that the start key 1005 is pressed by the user, the document image is read and converted into electronic data. In step S207, the transmission image data is encrypted in accordance with the encryption method or the like registered in advance via the destination-specific detailed setting screen (300, etc.), and image data to be transmitted to the destination is generated. In step S208, the generated image data is transmitted using a communication protocol registered in advance via the destination-specific detailed setting screen, and the transmission process is completed.

  On the other hand, if the encryption method or the like is not automatic setting but manual setting in step S202, the process proceeds to step S203 to accept manual setting such as the encryption method. Here, the manual setting of the encryption method or the like means that image data is transmitted using an encryption method or the like that is not registered in the Address Book 702, or an encryption method that is different from the encryption method or the like registered in the Address Book 702. This refers to the case where image data is transmitted using a conversion method or the like.

  Specifically, among the destinations displayed in the destination display area 1801 by default settings, the encryption method included in the destination setting information corresponding to any destination is edited by pressing the Edit button 1809, or Add Book When the button 1807 is pressed, the encryption method or the like is not registered in the destination setting information in the Address Book 702 registered in association with the destination newly added to the destination display area 1801, and the Edit button 1809 is pressed again. Examples include re-registration.

  As is apparent from the above description, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is optimal for each destination in consideration of the safety and communication speed of the communication path, the processing response to the user, and the capability of the destination device. It is possible to select an appropriate communication protocol and transmission image data encryption method. As a result, it is possible to reduce the processing time required for the transmission process while ensuring the safety of the image data.

6). Other Embodiments Although the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copier, The present invention may be applied to a facsimile machine or the like.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, 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 (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  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, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of image data transmission and encryption procedures in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a destination detailed information setting screen (a highly secure encryption method) of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed destination information setting screen (encryption method with medium security) of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a destination detailed information setting screen (no encryption) of the image forming apparatus. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software module configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a device configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a scanner image processing unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printer image processing unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image compression unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image rotation unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device I / F unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure (module structure regarding a transmission process) of the software module of the network system shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed setting screen for each destination of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed setting screen for each destination of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. FIG.

Claims (8)

An image communication apparatus that is communicably connected to a network,
Image reading means for reading a document image and generating image data;
Designating means for designating a transmission destination for transmitting the image data;
Selection means for selecting an encryption method for encrypting the image data and a communication protocol for transmitting the image data based on the transmission destination designated by the designation means;
Transmission means for encrypting the image data with the selected encryption method, and then transmitting the encrypted image data to the destination via the network using the selected communication protocol. An image communication apparatus. A registration unit that registers a communication protocol for transmitting the image data and an encryption method for encrypting the image data in association with the transmission destination, and the selection unit includes: The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication protocol and the encryption method registered in association with the transmission destination designated by the designation unit are selected. The image communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the registration unit can further register the presence / absence of encryption of the image data in association with the transmission destination. A communication method in an image communication apparatus that is communicably connected to a network,
An image reading step of reading a document image and generating image data;
A designation step for designating a transmission destination for transmitting the image data;
A selection step of selecting an encryption method for encrypting the image data and a communication protocol for transmitting the image data based on the transmission destination specified in the specification step;
A step of transmitting the encrypted image data to the transmission destination via the network using the selected communication protocol after encrypting the image data with the selected encryption method. A communication method characterized by the above. A registration step of registering a communication protocol for transmitting the image data and an encryption method for encrypting the image data in association with the transmission destination; and the selection step in the registration step, 5. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein the communication protocol and the encryption method registered in association with the transmission destination designated in the designation step are selected. 6. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein the registration step can further register the presence / absence of encryption of the image data in association with the transmission destination. A storage medium storing a control program for realizing the communication method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 by a computer. A control program for realizing the communication method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 by a computer.

Images