JP3515105B2

JP3515105B2 - E-mail communication system, e-mail receiving device, e-mail communication method, and e-mail receiving method

Info

Publication number: JP3515105B2
Application number: JP2003289341A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 清豊田; 達夫坂東
Original assignee: パナソニックコミュニケーションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2003-08-07
Filing date: 2003-08-07
Publication date: 2004-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-20
Also published as: JP2004015825A

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 【Technical field】

【０００１】本発明は、イメージデータをファクシミリ
と同様の簡単な操作で送受信することのできる電子メー
ル通信装置および電子メール通信方法並びに電子メール
受信装置および電子メール受信方法に関するものであ
る。The present invention relates to an electronic mail communication device, an electronic mail communication method, an electronic mail receiving device and an electronic mail receiving method capable of transmitting and receiving image data by a simple operation similar to a facsimile.

[Background technology]

【０００２】近年、オフィスの装置をＬＡＮ（ローカル
ネットワーク）に接続して、業務の効率化を図ろうとす
る傾向が高まっている。ファクシミリをＬＡＮに接続し
てプリンタとして使用したり、パソコンで作成した文書
をＬＡＮを経由して宛先のファクシミリに送信するとい
うような使い方もその一つである。パソコン上の電子メ
ールで作成したテキスト文書をＬＡＮを経由して宛先の
ファクシミリ装置に送る装置がある（例えば、特許文献
１参照）。In recent years, there is an increasing tendency to connect office devices to a LAN (local network) to improve the efficiency of work. One of such uses is to connect a facsimile to a LAN and use it as a printer, or to send a document created by a personal computer to a destination facsimile via the LAN. There is a device that sends a text document created by electronic mail on a personal computer to a destination facsimile device via a LAN (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

【０００３】図１９は従来の電子メールを利用したファ
クシミリ装置の概略ブロック図である。１０１はＣＰＵ
であり、装置の制御を行う。１０２はＲＯＭでありプロ
グラムが格納される。１０３はＲＡＭでありプログラム
のデータ用として使用される。１０７はパネル部であ
り、送信の指示を行う。１０８は圧縮・伸張部であり、
イメージデータの圧縮または伸張を行う。１０９はＬＡ
Ｎ制御部であり、ＬＡＮへデータを送信またはＬＡＮか
らのデータの受信の制御を行う。１１０はプリンタ部で
あり、データを印刷する。１１１はスキャナ部であり、
原稿を読み込む。１１３はＦＡＸ通信部であり、圧縮さ
れたイメージデータを電話回線に送信または電話回線か
ら受信する。１２０は文字・画像変換部であり、ＬＡＮ
から受信した電子メールのテキストをイメージデータに
変換する。FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional facsimile apparatus using electronic mail. 101 is a CPU
And controls the device. A ROM 102 stores a program. A RAM 103 is used for program data. Reference numeral 107 denotes a panel unit that gives a transmission instruction. 108 is a compression / expansion unit,
Compress or decompress image data. 109 is LA
The N control unit controls transmission of data to the LAN or reception of data from the LAN. A printer unit 110 prints data. 111 is a scanner unit,
Read the manuscript. Reference numeral 113 denotes a FAX communication unit, which transmits the compressed image data to or receives from the telephone line. A character / image conversion unit 120 is a LAN.
Converts the text of the email received from to image data.

【０００４】以下、電子メールを受信してファクシミリ
に送信するまでの動作について説明する。ＬＡＮ制御部
１０９から電子メールを受信すると、文字・画像変換部
１２０で電子メールのテキストをイメージデータに変換
し、さらに、イメージデータを圧縮・伸張部１０８で圧
縮する。電子メールの宛先部に記されたＦＡＸ番号に、
圧縮したイメージデータをＦＡＸ通信部１１３から送信
する。The operation of receiving an electronic mail and transmitting it to a facsimile will be described below. When the electronic mail is received from the LAN control unit 109, the text / image conversion unit 120 converts the text of the electronic mail into image data, and the compression / expansion unit 108 compresses the image data. To the FAX number written in the destination section of the e-mail,
The compressed image data is transmitted from the FAX communication unit 113.

【特許文献１】特開平７−１４３３０９号公報[Patent Document 1] JP-A-7-143309

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

【０００５】しかしながら、上記従来の構成では、イメ
ージデータを電子メールとして送受信した場合に生じる
送信側と受信側が扱える用紙サイズの違いを解決するこ
とができない。However, with the above-mentioned conventional configuration, it is not possible to solve the difference in the paper sizes that can be handled by the sending side and the receiving side when image data is sent and received as electronic mail.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

【０００６】本発明は、上述の課題を解決するために以
下の構成を備える。The present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.

【０００７】本発明の電子メール通信システムは、送信
側装置で読み取って得たバイナリイメージデータと用紙
サイズ情報とを受信側装置に対して送信し、前記受信側
装置では受信したバイナリイメージデータを印刷する電
子メール通信システムにおいて、前記送信側装置では、
前記用紙サイズ情報と前記バイナリイメージデータとが
ページ単位で対応付けて構成されたイメージデータをテ
キストコード化して電子メールのフォーマットに変換す
るフォーマット変換手段と、このフォーマット変換手段
で変換された電子メールをインターネット経由で送信す
る電子メール送信手段と、を備え、前記読み取って得た
バイナリイメージデータに用紙サイズ情報をページ単位
で対応付けて付加して、付加されたイメージデータをテ
キストコード化して電子メールフォーマットに変換し、
電子メールで送信する一連の動作を実行し、前記受信側
装置では、前記用紙サイズ情報と前記バイナリイメージ
データとがページ単位で対応付けてテキストコード化さ
れたイメージデータをインターネット経由の電子メール
で受信する電子メール受信手段と、この電子メール受信
手段で受信したテキストコード化されたイメージデータ
をバイナリイメージデータにフォーマット逆変換して前
記用紙サイズ情報を取得する取得手段と、取得した用紙
サイズ情報に対応したバイナリイメージデータに対して
縮小処理を行う縮小処理手段と、前記用紙サイズ情報に
基づいて、受信したデータが自機で扱うことができる用
紙サイズであるか、否かを判別する判別手段と、この判
別手段により、自機で扱うことができると判別した場合
には前記縮小処理手段によるバイナリイメージデータの
縮小処理を行なわずに印刷し、自機で扱うことができな
いと判別した場合には自機で扱うことができる様に前記
縮小処理手段によりバイナリイメージデータを縮小処理
して印刷する印刷手段とを備え、縮小処理を行う場合に
は、前記受信手段により前記イメージデータをインター
ネット経由で電子メールにより受信した後、前記取得手
段、前記判別手段、前記縮小手段、前記印刷手段を順次
動作させ、前記受信したイメージデータを自動印刷する
ことを備えるものである。The electronic mail communication system of the present invention transmits the binary image data and the paper size information obtained by reading by the sending side device to the receiving side device, and the receiving side device prints the received binary image data. In the electronic mail communication system,
The format conversion means for converting the image data formed by associating the paper size information and the binary image data on a page-by-page basis into an electronic mail format, and the electronic mail converted by the format conversion means. E-mail transmission means for transmitting via the Internet, and paper size information is added to the binary image data obtained by reading in association with each other on a page-by-page basis, and the added image data is text-coded to form an e-mail format. Converted to
A series of operations for sending by e-mail is executed, and at the receiving side device, the image data in which the paper size information and the binary image data are associated with each other in page units and text-coded is received by e-mail via the Internet. Corresponding to the acquired paper size information, and an acquisition means for acquiring the paper size information by inversely converting the text-coded image data received by the electronic mail reception means into binary image data. Reduction processing means for performing reduction processing on the binary image data, and determination means for determining whether or not the received data is a paper size that can be handled by the own machine based on the paper size information, When it is determined by this determination means that the device can be handled by itself, the reduction processing is performed. If the binary image data is printed without performing the reduction processing of the binary image data and it is determined that it cannot be processed by the own machine, the binary image data is reduced by the reduction processing means so that it can be processed by the own machine. In the case of performing a reducing process, the receiving unit receives the image data by e-mail via the Internet, and then executes the obtaining unit, the determining unit, the reducing unit, and the printing unit. The operation is sequentially performed, and the received image data is automatically printed.

【The invention's effect】

【０００８】本発明は、イメージデータを電子メールと
して送受信した場合に生じる送信側と受信側が扱える用
紙サイズの能力違いを、受信側でイメージデータを縮小
することにより解決することができる。The present invention can solve the difference in paper size capability that can be handled by the sending side and the receiving side when image data is sent and received as electronic mail by reducing the image data on the receiving side.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

【０００９】本発明は、読み取ったイメージデータを電
子メールのフォーマットに変換してから送信し、受信す
る際は、逆に電子メールのフォーマットをファクシミリ
のフォーマットに変換した後にプリンタで印刷する。さ
らにいうと、送信側では、読み取ったイメージデータに
このイメージデータのサイズ、解像度を含む属性情報を
付加し、電子メール形態のフォーマットに変換し、これ
を電子メールで送信し、受信側では、電子メールで受信
したイメージデータの属性情報に基づいて自機で扱える
ように変換して、印刷処理する。この構成により、用紙
サイズ、解像度の異なる通信機同士での通信が可能とな
る。According to the present invention, the read image data is converted into the electronic mail format and then transmitted, and when received, the electronic mail format is converted into the facsimile format and then printed by the printer. Furthermore, on the sending side, attribute information including the size and resolution of this image data is added to the read image data, converted into an e-mail format, and this is sent by e-mail. Based on the attribute information of the image data received by e-mail, it is converted so that it can be handled by its own machine, and printing processing is performed. With this configuration, communication between communication devices having different paper sizes and resolutions becomes possible.

【００１０】以下、本発明の第１の実施例について、図
面を参照しながら説明する。図１は本装置が動作する環
境を示すシステム概念図である。本装置はインターネッ
ト上の電子メールを利用できる環境で動作する。つま
り、メールゲートウェイがインターネットと接続され、
ＬＡＮ内の電子メールは全てこのメールゲートウェイを
経由してインターネットと通信する。電子メールのプロ
トコルはSMTP（Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)でやり
とりされるが、POP(Post Office Protocol)も使うこと
ができる。本装置はＰＣ（パソコン）とも本装置と同構
成の装置とも電子メールを送受信することができるが、
以下の実施例では、第７の実施例を除いて、本装置同士
の通信を前提にしている。A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system conceptual diagram showing an environment in which the present apparatus operates. This device operates in an environment where electronic mail is available on the Internet. In other words, the mail gateway is connected to the Internet,
All e-mails in the LAN communicate with the Internet via this mail gateway. The email protocol is SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), but POP (Post Office Protocol) can also be used. This device can send and receive e-mail with both PC (personal computer) and devices with the same configuration as this device.
Except for the seventh embodiment, the following embodiments are premised on communication between the devices.

【００１１】図２は受信側でイメージサイズの縮小を行
う概略ブロック図である。１はＣＰＵであり、装置の制
御を行う。２はＲＯＭでありプログラムが格納される。
３はＲＡＭでありプログラムのデータ用として使用され
る。４はフォーマット変換部であり、イメージデータを
電子メールのフォーマットへ変換する。５はフォーマッ
ト逆変換部であり、電子メールのデータをファクシミリ
で扱うイメージデータに変換する。７はパネル部であ
り、送信の指示を行う。８は圧縮・伸張部であり、イメ
ージデータの圧縮または伸張を行う。９はＬＡＮ制御部
であり、ＬＡＮへデータを送信またはＬＡＮからのデー
タの受信の制御を行う。１０はプリンタ部であり、デー
タを印刷する。１１はスキャナ部であり、原稿を読み込
む。FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram for reducing the image size on the receiving side. Reference numeral 1 is a CPU, which controls the apparatus. A ROM 2 stores a program.
A RAM 3 is used for program data. A format conversion unit 4 converts image data into an electronic mail format. A format inverse conversion unit 5 converts the data of the electronic mail into the image data handled by the facsimile. Reference numeral 7 denotes a panel section for instructing transmission. A compression / expansion unit 8 compresses or expands image data. Reference numeral 9 denotes a LAN control unit, which controls transmission of data to the LAN or reception of data from the LAN. A printer unit 10 prints data. A scanner unit 11 reads a document.

【００１２】図３は受信側でイメージの縮小を行うフロ
ーチャートを示す。FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for reducing an image on the receiving side.

【００１３】ステップｓ１で、この電子メールを受信す
る。この受信した電子メールは、後述するように送信側
の装置において読み取られたイメージデータにイメージ
データのサイズ、解像度が付加され、電子メールで送信
されるものである。In step s1, this electronic mail is received. This received e-mail is sent by e-mail with the size and resolution of the image data added to the image data read by the device on the sending side, as described later.

【００１４】ｓ２で電子メールをイメージデータにフォ
ーマット逆変換する。フォーマット変換と逆変換につい
ては後に説明する。ｓ３でフォーマット逆変換されたイ
メージデータ（後述する属性エリアとバイナリデータか
らなるデータ）から用紙サイズ、解像度を得る。いうま
でもなく、このデータは送信側で生成されて送信され
る。この送信データの生成手順は、図４を用いて、後に
詳述する。At s2, the format of the electronic mail is converted back into image data. Format conversion and inverse conversion will be described later. The paper size and resolution are obtained from the image data (data consisting of an attribute area and binary data described later) whose format is inversely converted in s3. Needless to say, this data is generated and transmitted on the transmission side. The procedure for generating the transmission data will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

【００１５】ｓ４で圧縮されたイメージデータを伸張す
る。ｓ５で、イメージデータの用紙サイズと解像度を本
装置で扱える用紙サイズと解像度と比較する。ｓ６で本
装置の能力の方が低いとわかれば、ｓ７でイメージデー
タを本装置の扱える用紙サイズに縮小し、ｓ８でプリン
トする。ここで、用紙サイズと解像度とを対応づけて両
方の情報を得ることにより、より見やすい画像に加工す
ることができる。例えば、解像度が２００DPIのように
高解像度で、用紙サイズが小さい場合には、間引くこと
で小さい用紙サイズに合せることができる。The image data compressed in s4 is expanded. In s5, the paper size and resolution of the image data are compared with the paper size and resolution that can be handled by this apparatus. If it is determined in s6 that the capacity of the apparatus is lower, the image data is reduced to a paper size that can be handled by the apparatus in s7, and printing is performed in s8. Here, by associating the paper size with the resolution and obtaining both information, it is possible to process the image into a more legible image. For example, when the resolution is a high resolution such as 200 DPI and the paper size is small, it is possible to adjust to a small paper size by thinning out.

【００１６】図４に電子メールフォーマットへの変換と
逆変換の流れ、およびその概念を示す。FIG. 4 shows the flow of conversion to the electronic mail format and the reverse conversion, and the concept thereof.

【００１７】フォーマット変換とは、スキャナ等から読
み取られ、属性情報が付加されたイメージデータを、テ
キストコードに変換し、ヘッダを付加して、電子メール
データに変換することをいう。The format conversion means converting the image data read by a scanner or the like and having the attribute information added thereto into a text code, adding a header, and converting it into electronic mail data.

【００１８】フォーマット逆変換とは、電子メールデー
タの中のテキストコード化されたイメージデータを、も
とのイメージデータに変換することをいう。The format reverse conversion means converting the text-coded image data in the electronic mail data into the original image data.

【００１９】このイメージデータは用紙サイズ、解像
度、１ページ分のバイト数、次のページへのポインタ
（メモリ上のアドレス）等の属性情報とそのページの圧
縮されたバイナリイメージデータが対となり、それが複
数ページ並んでいる。電子メールはバイナリなイメージ
データをテキストコードに変換したものの上にヘッダを
付加したフォーマットになっている。電子メールのプロ
トコルであるSMTPはバイナリデータを扱うことができな
いため、イメージデータ（属性エリア、およびバイナリ
データエリア）を所定のアルゴリズムに従ってテキスト
コードに変換している。なお、図４では電子メールのフ
ォーマットの方が小さく描かれているが、実際はテキス
トコードに変換する方が情報量が多いため、電子メール
のフォーマットの方が情報としては大きいものである。This image data forms a pair of attribute information such as paper size, resolution, number of bytes for one page, pointer to the next page (address on memory), and compressed binary image data of the page. Are lined up on multiple pages. The e-mail has a format in which a header is added on the binary image data converted into a text code. SMTP, which is an e-mail protocol, cannot handle binary data, so image data (attribute area and binary data area) is converted into a text code according to a predetermined algorithm. It should be noted that although the electronic mail format is drawn smaller in FIG. 4, the electronic mail format is larger as information because the amount of information is actually larger when converted to a text code.

【００２０】送信側の装置では、スキャナ等から読み取
り、属性情報が付加されたイメージデータをフォーマッ
ト変換することにより電子メールデータに変換する。In the device on the transmission side, the image data to which the attribute information is read by a scanner or the like is converted and converted into electronic mail data by format conversion.

【００２１】受信側の装置では、受信した電子メールを
フォーマット逆変換することによりイメージデータに変
換し、属性情報を得ることができる。The receiving side device can convert the received electronic mail into image data by performing format reverse conversion and obtain attribute information.

【００２２】図５にメールのヘッダの例を示す。最初の
行のMIMEとは電子メールの規格MultipurposeInternet M
ail Extensionsの略でこのメールがテキストだけでな
く、イメージや音声も扱えることを示している。点線を
境界として初めの部分がテキスト部であり、二番目の部
分がイメージ部である。イメージデータは最後に付加さ
れる。FIG. 5 shows an example of the mail header. What is MIME in the first line? Multipurpose Internet M
Abbreviation for ail Extensions, which means that this email can handle not only text but also images and audio. The first part is the text part and the second part is the image part with the dotted line as the boundary. The image data is added at the end.

【００２３】具体的には、図５に示されている「Ｃｏｎ
ｔｅｎｔ−Ｔｙｐｅ：Ｔｅｘｔ／ｐｌａｉｎ：ｃｈａｒ
ａｓｅｔ＝ＩＳＯ−２０２２−ｊｐ」から分かるよう
に、送信データはテキストデータを含んでいる。また、
「Ｃｏｎｔｅｎｔ−Ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒ−Ｅｎｃｏｎｄｉ
ｎｇ：ｂａｓｅ６４」と示されていることから分かるよ
うに、ｂａｓｅ６４を用いて、イメージデータからテキ
ストデータに変換されている。さらに、「Ｃｏｎｔｅｎ
ｔ−Ｔｙｐｅ：Ｉｍａｇｅ／ｔｉｆｆ」と示されている
ことから分かるように、送信データはイメージデータを
含み、イメージデータはｔｉｆｆファイルの形態であ
る。これらＭＩＭＥのヘッダ情報は、従来パソコン等の
電子メールで用いられていたものと同じである。Specifically, "Con" shown in FIG.
tent-Type: Text / plane: char
As can be seen from “aset = ISO-2022-jp”, the transmission data includes text data. Also,
"Content-Transfer-Encondi
As can be seen from "ng: base64", base64 is used to convert the image data into text data. In addition, "Content
As can be seen from "t-Type: Image / tiff", the transmission data includes image data, and the image data is in the form of a tiff file. The header information of these MIMEs is the same as that used in the conventional electronic mail of personal computers.

【００２４】このように上記第１の実施例によれば、イ
メージデータを電子メールとして送受信した場合に生じ
る送信側と受信側が扱える用紙サイズの能力の違いを、
受信側でイメージデータを縮小処理することにより解決
している。As described above, according to the first embodiment, the difference in the paper size capability that the sender and the receiver can handle when the image data is transmitted and received as an electronic mail,
This is solved by reducing the image data on the receiving side.

【００２５】次に本発明の第２の実施例について図６に
示す送信側でイメージサイズの縮小を行う概略ブロック
図を参照して説明する。本実施例は、図２に示した第１
の実施例の構成から縮小部６をとり、スキャナからイメ
ージを読み込む時に光学的に縮小する光学的縮小部１２
を追加したものである。光学的に原稿を縮小するため、
実施例１に比較して縮小した結果の品質が良くなる可能
性がある。Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 6 in which the image size is reduced on the transmission side. This embodiment is the first embodiment shown in FIG.
An optical reducing unit 12 that takes the reducing unit 6 from the configuration of the embodiment and optically reduces when an image is read from a scanner.
Is added. To reduce the size of the original optically,
There is a possibility that the quality of the reduced result will be better than that of the first embodiment.

【００２６】図７に送信前に宛先と通信して送信側でイ
メージ縮小を行うフローチャートを示す。ｓ１１でスキ
ャナ部１１に用紙をセットし、パネル部７で宛先を指定
する。ｓ１２で本装置が宛先の装置とインターネット上
で通信し、宛先の装置が扱える用紙サイズ、解像度を得
る。この通信は装置が一対一でコネクションを張ること
ができれば良いが、ファイアーウォールが間にあり、コ
ネクションがはれないときはＴＣＰプロトコルを用いた
電子メールを用いても良い。ただし、電子メールでは相
手の能力を得るまでに時間がかかる。ｓ１３で相手の装
置が本装置よりも能力が低ければ、スキャナ部１１から
原稿を読み込む際に光学的縮小部１２で相手装置に合わ
せて原稿を縮小する。ｓ１４でイメージを圧縮・伸張部
８で圧縮し、フォーマット変換部４で電子メールのフォ
ーマットに変換する。ｓ１５でＬＡＮ制御部９から電子
メールを送信する。FIG. 7 shows a flowchart in which the image is reduced on the transmitting side by communicating with the destination before transmission. In s11, a sheet is set on the scanner unit 11, and the destination is designated on the panel unit 7. In s12, this apparatus communicates with the destination apparatus on the Internet to obtain the paper size and resolution that the destination apparatus can handle. This communication may be performed as long as the device can establish a one-to-one connection, but if there is a firewall between them and the connection is not established, e-mail using the TCP protocol may be used. However, it takes time for e-mail to acquire the ability of the other party. If the device of the other party has a lower capability than the present device in s13, the optical reduction unit 12 reduces the document in accordance with the other device when reading the document from the scanner unit 11. In s14, the image is compressed by the compression / expansion unit 8 and converted into the electronic mail format by the format conversion unit 4. An email is transmitted from the LAN control unit 9 in s15.

【００２７】このように上記第２の実施例によれば、送
信する前に宛先の用紙サイズを知ることができるので、
光学的に原稿を縮小することができ、実施例１に比較し
て縮小した結果の品質が良くなる可能性がある。As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the destination paper size can be known before transmission,
The original can be reduced optically, and the quality of the reduced result may be improved as compared with the first embodiment.

【００２８】次に本発明の第３の実施例について図８に
示す短縮登録で宛先の用紙サイズ、解像度を登録するフ
ローチャートを参照して説明する。ブロック図は図６と
同様である。この実施例は宛先の装置の能力を電子メー
ルで取得すると時間がかかるため、短縮登録するときに
宛先の能力を取得しておき、実際に送信するときに宛先
と電子メールで通信する時間を省いたものである。Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 for registering a destination paper size and resolution by abbreviated registration. The block diagram is similar to that of FIG. In this embodiment, it takes time to obtain the capability of the destination device by e-mail. Therefore, the capability of the destination is acquired at the time of shortening registration, and the time for communicating with the destination by e-mail is saved when actually transmitting. It was what I had.

【００２９】ｓ２１でパネル部７から宛先の短縮登録を
指定する。ｓ２２で宛先と電子メールで通信して、宛先
の装置が扱える用紙サイズ、解像度を得る。ｓ２３で宛
先の短縮番号に宛先の扱える用紙サイズ、解像度等の能
力を登録する。このデータはＲＡＭ３に記憶され、バッ
テリによりバックアップされる。送信は図９に示す短縮
番号に登録された用紙サイズに合わせてイメージの縮小
を行うフローチャートに従って行う。ｓ３１でスキャナ
部１１に原稿をセットして、パネル部７から宛先の短縮
番号を指定する。ｓ３２で短縮番号に登録された宛先の
装置が扱える用紙サイズ、解像度を取得し、読み込もう
とする原稿より小さいときはｓ３３で原稿をスキャナか
ら読み込むときに光学的に縮小する。ｓ３４でイメージ
を電子メールのフォーマットに変換し、ｓ３５でＬＡＮ
制御部９から電子メールを送信する。In s21, the shortened registration of the destination is designated from the panel section 7. In s22, communication is made with the destination by e-mail to obtain the paper size and resolution that the destination device can handle. In s23, the capabilities such as paper size and resolution that can be handled by the destination are registered in the shortened number of the destination. This data is stored in the RAM 3 and backed up by the battery. The transmission is performed according to the flowchart for reducing the image in accordance with the paper size registered in the abbreviated number shown in FIG. In s31, a document is set on the scanner unit 11 and the destination shortened number is designated from the panel unit 7. The paper size and resolution that can be handled by the destination device registered in the abbreviated number are acquired in s32, and if the paper size is smaller than the original to be read, the original is optically reduced when the original is read from the scanner in s33. The image is converted to the e-mail format in s34 and the LAN is created in s35
An electronic mail is transmitted from the control unit 9.

【００３０】このように上記第３の実施例によれば、短
縮登録するときに宛先の能力を取得しておくので、実際
に送信するときに宛先と電子メールで通信する時間を省
くことができる。As described above, according to the third embodiment, the capability of the destination is acquired at the time of the short registration, so that the time for communicating with the destination by e-mail can be omitted when the data is actually transmitted. .

【００３１】次に本発明の第４の実施例を図１０に示す
ファクシミリへの中継を行う概略ブロック図を参照して
説明する。本発明はイメージデータを持つ電子メールを
受信してファクシミリへ送信する中継機能を持たせたも
のである。この際に、不特定の第三者が装置を利用して
装置の所有者に不利益をもたらさないように、中継機に
パスワードを設けた。本実施例は図２に示した第１の実
施例の構成に、ファクシミリとの通信を制御するＦＡＸ
通信部１３と、中継機のパスワードを暗号化、復号化す
る暗号・復号部１４を追加したものである。Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic block diagram for relaying to a facsimile shown in FIG. The present invention has a relay function of receiving an electronic mail having image data and transmitting it to a facsimile. At this time, a password is provided in the relay device so that an unspecified third party does not disadvantage the owner of the device by using the device. This embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but has a FAX for controlling communication with a facsimile.
The communication unit 13 and the encryption / decryption unit 14 for encrypting and decrypting the password of the relay machine are added.

【００３２】図１１に中継装置に送信するフローチャー
トを示す。ｓ４１でスキャナ部１１に原稿をセットし、
パネル部７から中継装置と宛先を指定する。ｓ４２でフ
ァクシミリ送信を指示する文字列を電子メールに付加す
る。ｓ４３で中継装置に対応したパスワードを図１２の
中継機リストから検索し、暗号化して電子メールに付加
する。図１２の中継機リストは本装置の所有者が予め登
録しておく。ファクシミリ送信を指示する文字列と暗号
化されたパスワードは図５に示すメールのヘッダの上か
ら５、６行目に付加される。ｓ４４で電子メールを送信
する。FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of transmission to the relay device. At s41, set the original on the scanner unit 11,
The relay device and the destination are designated from the panel unit 7. In s42, a character string instructing facsimile transmission is added to the electronic mail. In s43, the password corresponding to the relay device is retrieved from the relay device list of FIG. 12, encrypted and added to the e-mail. The repeater list of FIG. 12 is registered in advance by the owner of this apparatus. The character string for instructing facsimile transmission and the encrypted password are added to the fifth and sixth lines from the top of the mail header shown in FIG. An email is sent in s44.

【００３３】図１３に中継装置で文字列を解析するフロ
ーチャートを示す。ｓ５１でファクシミリ送信を指示す
る文字列が付加された電子メールを受信する。ｓ５２で
電子メールに付加された文字列を解析し、図５の５行目
にあるrelayという文字列を見つけると、この電子メー
ルはファクシミリへの送信を指示していると解釈する。
ｓ５３でファクシミリ送信を指示していると判断したな
ら、ｓ５５で図５の６行目にある暗号化されたパスワー
ドを復号化する。ｓ５６で復号化したパスワードが予め
本装置に本装置の所有者が登録したパスワードと一致す
れば、ｓ５７で図５の５行目にあるrelay に続くファク
シミリの番号に、電子メールをフォーマット逆変換し
て、ＦＡＸ通信部１３から送信する。ｓ５３でファクシ
ミリ送信でないと判断された場合はｓ５４で電子メール
をフォーマット逆変換してプリンタ部１０からプリント
する。ｓ５６でパスワードが一致しなかった場合はｓ５
８で電子メールの送信元にエラーの旨を電子メールで送
信する。FIG. 13 shows a flowchart for analyzing a character string by the relay device. In S51, the electronic mail with the character string instructing the facsimile transmission is received. When the character string added to the e-mail is analyzed in s52 and the character string "relay" on the fifth line of FIG. 5 is found, it is interpreted that this e-mail instructs the transmission to the facsimile.
If it is determined in s53 that the facsimile transmission is instructed, the encrypted password in the sixth line of FIG. 5 is decrypted in s55. If the password decrypted in s56 matches the password previously registered in the device by the owner of the device, in s57, the format of the e-mail is inversely converted into the facsimile number following the relay in the fifth line of FIG. And transmits from the FAX communication unit 13. If it is determined in s53 that it is not a facsimile transmission, the format of the e-mail is inversely converted in s54 and printed from the printer unit 10. If the passwords do not match in s56, s5
In step 8, the error message is sent by e-mail to the sender of the e-mail.

【００３４】このように上記第４の実施例によれば、第
１の実施例に中継機能を持たせたので、通常のファクシ
ミリ通信に比べ通信コストが節約できる（インターネッ
トを月額固定制で使っているところであれば）。また、
中継機のパスワードを電子メールに暗号化して付加する
ようにしたので、従来の電子メールの機構を使いなが
ら、不特定の第三者が装置を利用して装置の所有者に不
利益をもたらすことがない。As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the relay function is added to the first embodiment, the communication cost can be saved as compared with the ordinary facsimile communication (using the Internet with a fixed monthly fee system). If there is). Also,
Since the password of the relay machine is encrypted and added to the e-mail, an unspecified third party can use the device and bring a disadvantage to the owner of the device while using the conventional e-mail mechanism. There is no.

【００３５】次に本発明の第５の実施例を図１４に示す
イメージデータをキーとして暗号化を参照して説明す
る。パスワードを暗号化して文字列として電子メールに
付加した場合、この文字列を第三者が読むことが可能で
ある。この暗号化されたパスワードをパソコン等を使っ
て電子メールに付加して中継機を悪用することができ
る。そこで、本発明は電子メールの送信情報の一部であ
るイメージデータを用いてパスワードを暗号化し、万一
暗号化されたパスワードを他人に読まれても、送信する
原稿毎に暗号化されたパスワードが変化するので、本装
置を中継機として使うことができないようにした。ブロ
ック図は図１０と同じである。Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to encryption using the image data shown in FIG. 14 as a key. When the password is encrypted and added to the e-mail as a character string, this character string can be read by a third party. The encrypted password can be added to an electronic mail using a personal computer or the like to abuse the relay device. Therefore, the present invention encrypts a password using image data that is a part of transmission information of an electronic mail, and even if the encrypted password is read by another person, the password encrypted for each manuscript to be transmitted. Since it changes, I made it impossible to use this device as a repeater. The block diagram is the same as in FIG.

【００３６】図１４では例としてイメージデータの最後
から５、５０、１００バイト目のデータを暗号化のキー
としている。どのデータを選ぶかは装置を設定する際に
決定する。パスワードを「１２３ＡＢＣ」とすると、コ
ード（アスキーコード）は「313233414243」となる。暗
号化のキーがそれぞれ01,7E,10とすると、このデータを
繰り返してパスワードの長さに合わせる（図では２回繰
り返す）。次に暗号化のキーのビットが１のところのパ
スワードのデータをビット反転する。結果は「304C2340
3C53」となる。復号化するときは、暗号化のキーをもと
にしてビット反転すればもとのパスワードになる。反転
処理の詳細については図１５に示す。図において暗号化
のキーを２進数に展開すると「０１」は「００００００
０１」となる。同様にパスワードの「３１」は「００１
１０００１」となる。ここで、パスワードで「１」と表
されている桁の暗号化のキーを反転（０→１、１→０）
すると、「００１１００００」となり、これをアスキー
コードに変換すると３０となる。このような反転処理を
行なうと、上述した結果となる。In FIG. 14, as an example, the data at the 5th, 50th, and 100th bytes from the end of the image data are used as encryption keys. Which data to choose is determined when setting up the device. When the password is "123ABC", the code (ASCII code) is "313233414243". If the encryption keys are 01, 7E, and 10, respectively, this data is repeated to match the length of the password (repeated twice in the figure). Next, the data of the password in which the bit of the encryption key is 1 is bit-inverted. The result is "304C2340
It becomes 3C53 ". When decrypting, the original password can be obtained by bit-reversing based on the encryption key. Details of the inversion processing are shown in FIG. In the figure, when the encryption key is expanded to a binary number, "01" becomes "000000".
01 ”. Similarly, the password "31" is changed to "001
10001 ". Here, invert the encryption key for the digit represented by "1" in the password (0 → 1, 1 → 0)
Then, it becomes "00110000", which becomes 30 when converted into ASCII code. When such an inversion process is performed, the above-mentioned result is obtained.

【００３７】暗号化のキーとしてはイメージデータでな
く、電子メールに付加されてくる日時等送信される情報
のうち可変なものを使用しても良い。As the encryption key, not the image data but a variable one of the information transmitted such as the date and time added to the electronic mail may be used.

【００３８】このように上記第５の実施例によれば、電
子メールの送信情報の一部であるイメージデータを用い
てパスワードを暗号化することにより、万一暗号化され
たパスワードを他人に読まれても、送信する原稿毎に暗
号化されたパスワードが変化するので、パスワードを知
らない第三者が本装置を中継機として使うことができな
い。As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the password is encrypted using the image data which is a part of the transmission information of the electronic mail, so that the encrypted password can be read by another person. Even if this happens, the encrypted password changes for each document to be sent, so a third party who does not know the password cannot use this apparatus as a relay machine.

【００３９】次に本発明の第６の実施例を図１６に示す
ファクシミリ送信がエラーのときのフローチャートを参
照して説明する。装置のブロック図は図１０と同様であ
る。本発明は、イメージデータの電子メールを受信して
ファクシミリに送信したときの送信エラーを電子メール
の発信者が知ることができるようにしたものである。Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 16 when an error occurs in facsimile transmission. The block diagram of the device is similar to FIG. The present invention enables a sender of an electronic mail to know a transmission error when an electronic mail of image data is received and transmitted to a facsimile.

【００４０】図１６のｓ５１でＬＡＮ制御部９から電子
メールを受信し、ｓ５７で宛先のファクシミリに送信す
るまでは第４の実施例と同様である。ｓ６１でファクシ
ミリ送信のエラーが生じたとき、ｓ６２で電子メールの
ヘッダに記載された送信元へ、電子メールでエラーの旨
を通知する。It is the same as the fourth embodiment until the electronic mail is received from the LAN control unit 9 in s51 of FIG. 16 and is transmitted to the destination facsimile in s57. When an error occurs in facsimile transmission in s61, the sender in the header of the email is notified of the error by email in s62.

【００４１】このように上記第６の実施例によれば、電
子メールの発信者は中継機がファクシミリ送信に失敗し
たことを電子メールで知ることができる。As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the sender of the electronic mail can know from the electronic mail that the relay has failed in the facsimile transmission.

【００４２】次に本発明の第７の実施例を図１７に示す
プリント指示を受け付けてファクシミリ送信する概略ブ
ロック図を参照して説明する。図１７は図１０ファクシ
ミリへの中継を行う概略ブロック図のフォーマット変換
部４とフォーマット逆変換部５を除き、ＬＡＮ制御部９
から受け付けたプリントデータを解析するプリントデー
タ解析部２０を追加したものである。Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 17 for receiving a print instruction and transmitting it by facsimile. FIG. 17 shows the LAN control unit 9 except for the format conversion unit 4 and the format inverse conversion unit 5 in the schematic block diagram for relaying to the facsimile in FIG.
The print data analyzing unit 20 for analyzing the print data received from the printer is added.

【００４３】プリントデータを出力する端末（パソコ
ン）には予め、プリントデータの中にファクシミリ送信
する宛先とエラー通知先の電子メールアドレスを挿入す
るプログラムをインストールしておく。パソコンのユー
ザがワープロ等のアプリケーションからプリントの指示
をするとこのプログラムが起動され、ユーザにファクシ
ミリ送信する宛先を入力するように促す。宛先を入力す
ると、ワープロ等のアプリケーションのデータをイメー
ジデータに変換したプリントデータをＬＡＮを通して本
装置に送信する。エラー通知先の電子メールアドレスは
このプログラムを起動して予め登録しておく。A program for inserting the destination of facsimile transmission and the electronic mail address of the error notification destination in the print data is installed in advance in the terminal (personal computer) that outputs the print data. When the user of the personal computer gives an instruction to print from an application such as a word processor, this program is activated and prompts the user to enter the destination for facsimile transmission. When the destination is input, print data obtained by converting data of an application such as a word processor into image data is transmitted to this apparatus through the LAN. The e-mail address of the error notification destination is registered in advance by starting this program.

【００４４】図１８にプリント指示を受け付けてファク
シミリ送信するフローチャートを示す。ｓ７１でＬＰＤ
プロトコル（ＬＡＮ用プリントプロトコル）でプリント
データを受信する。次に、ｓ７２で受信したプリントデ
ータをプリントデータ解析部２０で解析し、宛先のファ
クシミリ番号を取り出す。ｓ７３でファクシミリ送信の
エラーが生じた場合は、ｓ７４でプリントデータからエ
ラー通知先の電子メールアドレスをプリントデータ解析
部２０で取り出し、エラーの旨をその電子メールアドレ
スに通知する。FIG. 18 shows a flowchart for accepting a print instruction and transmitting it by facsimile. LPD in s71
Print data is received by a protocol (LAN print protocol). Next, the print data analysis unit 20 analyzes the print data received in s72, and extracts the destination facsimile number. If an error occurs in the facsimile transmission in s73, the print data analysis unit 20 extracts the electronic mail address of the error notification destination from the print data in s74, and notifies the electronic mail address of the error.

【００４５】このように上記第７の実施例によれば、パ
ソコンからのプリント指示により宛先のファクシミリに
データを送信することができ、ファクシミリ送信のエラ
ーが生じた場合にはプリント指示したユーザがこのエラ
ーを電子メールを通じて知ることができる。As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the data can be transmitted to the destination facsimile by the print instruction from the personal computer, and when an error occurs in the facsimile transmission, the user who gives the print instruction outputs You can know the error via email.

[Industrial availability]

【００４６】本発明は、イメージデータを電子メールと
して送受信した場合に生じる送信側と受信側が扱える用
紙サイズの能力違いを解決することがで、イメージデー
タをファクシミリと同様の簡単な操作で送受信する装置
および方法に適用可能である。The present invention can solve the difference in the paper size capabilities of the sending side and the receiving side that occur when image data is sent and received as electronic mail, and is a device for sending and receiving image data by a simple operation similar to a facsimile. And method.

[Brief description of drawings]

【００４７】[0047]

【図１】本装置が動作する環境を示すシステム概念図FIG. 1 is a system conceptual diagram showing an environment in which this device operates.

【図２】受信側でイメージサイズの縮小を行う概略ブロ
ック図FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram in which the image size is reduced on the receiving side.

【図３】受信側でイメージ縮小を行うフローチャートFIG. 3 is a flowchart of image reduction on the receiving side.

【図４】電子メールフォーマットへの変換と逆変換を示
す説明図FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing conversion to and from an e-mail format.

【図５】電子メールのヘッダを示す説明図FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an email header.

【図６】送信側でイメージサイズの縮小を行う概略ブロ
ック図FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of image size reduction on the transmission side.

【図７】送信前に宛先と通信して送信側でイメージの縮
小を行うフローチャートFIG. 7 is a flowchart in which an image is reduced on the transmission side by communicating with a destination before transmission.

【図８】短縮登録で宛先の用紙サイズ、解像度を登録す
るフローチャートFIG. 8 is a flowchart for registering a destination paper size and resolution by abbreviated registration.

【図９】短縮番号に登録された用紙サイズに合わせてイ
メージの縮小を行うフローチャートFIG. 9 is a flowchart for reducing an image according to the paper size registered in the abbreviated number.

【図１０】ファクシミリへの中継を行う概略ブロック図FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of relaying to a facsimile.

【図１１】中継装置に送信するフローチャートFIG. 11 is a flowchart of transmission to a relay device.

【図１２】中継機リストの説明図FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a relay device list.

【図１３】中継装置で文字列を解析するフローチャートFIG. 13 is a flowchart for analyzing a character string by the relay device.

【図１４】イメージデータをキーとした暗号化の説明図FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of encryption using image data as a key.

【図１５】イメージデータをキーとした暗号化の反転を
説明する説明図FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining reversal of encryption using image data as a key.

【図１６】ファクシミリ送信がエラーのときのフローチ
ャートFIG. 16 is a flowchart when a facsimile transmission has an error.

【図１７】プリント指示を受け付けてファクシミリ送信
する概略ブロック図FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of receiving a print instruction and transmitting it by facsimile.

【図１８】プリント指示を受け付けてファクシミリ送信
するフローチャートFIG. 18 is a flowchart for accepting a print instruction and transmitting by facsimile.

【図１９】従来の電子メールを利用したファクシミリ装
置の概略ブロック図FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional facsimile apparatus using electronic mail.

[Explanation of symbols]

【００４８】４フォーマット変換部５フォーマット逆変換部６縮小部９ＬＡＮ制御部２０プリントデータ解析部[0048] 4 format converter 5 format inverse converter 6 Reduction section 9 LAN control unit 20 Print data analysis unit

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (56)参考文献特開平３−289756（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開平６−164638（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開平２−190371（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開平３−247164（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開平３−233626（ＪＰ，Ａ) (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.⁷，ＤＢ名) H04N 1/00 107 G06F 13/00 605 H04N 1/32 H04N 1/387 H04N 1/393 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-3-289756 (JP, A) JP-A-6-164638 (JP, A) JP-A-2-190371 (JP, A) JP-A-3- 247164 (JP, A) JP-A-3-233626 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00 107 G06F 13/00 605 H04N 1/32 H04N 1 / 387 H04N 1/393

Claims

(57) [Claims]

1. An electronic mail communication system for transmitting binary image data and paper size information obtained by reading by a transmitting side device to a receiving side device and printing the received binary image data at the receiving side device, In the transmission side device, a format conversion unit that converts the image data formed by associating the paper size information and the binary image data in page units into a text code and converts the image data into an electronic mail format, and the format conversion unit. E-mail transmission means for transmitting the converted e-mail via the Internet, and the paper size information is added to the binary image data obtained by reading in association with each other on a page basis, and the added image data is text. Encoded and converted to email format , Performing a series of operations to send by e-mail, the receiving side device, by the e-mail via the Internet, the image data in which the paper size information and the binary image data are text-coded in association with each other. E-mail receiving means for receiving, acquisition means for format-converting the text-coded image data received by the e-mail receiving means into binary image data to acquire the paper size information, and the acquired paper size information. Reduction processing means for reducing the corresponding binary image data, and based on the paper size information,
A discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the received data has a paper size that can be handled by the self-device, and if the discriminating unit determines that the data can be handled by the self-device, the reduction processing unit performs binary processing. Printing in which the image data is printed without reduction processing, and when it is determined that the image data cannot be processed by the own machine, the binary image data is reduced and printed by the reduction processing unit so that it can be processed by the own machine. When performing the reduction process, the receiving unit receives the image data by e-mail via the Internet, and then sequentially operates the acquisition unit, the determination unit, the reduction unit, and the printing unit. An electronic mail communication system characterized by automatically printing the received image data.

2. An electronic mail communication system for transmitting binary image data and resolution information read by a sending device to a receiving device and printing the received binary image data at the receiving device, In the transmission side device, format conversion means for text-coding the image data formed by associating the resolution information and the binary image data in page units and converting the image data into an e-mail format, and the format conversion means. An electronic mail transmitting means for transmitting an electronic mail via the Internet, the resolution information is added to the binary image data obtained by reading in page units, and the added image data is converted into a text code. Convert to email format and email In the receiving side device, the resolution information and the binary image data are associated with each other on a page-by-page basis, and the image data is text-coded and received by an electronic mail via the Internet. Receiving means, obtaining means for reversing the format of the text-coded image data received by the e-mail receiving means into binary image data to obtain the resolution information, and binary image data corresponding to the obtained resolution information. A reduction processing unit that performs reduction processing, a determination unit that determines whether or not the received data has a resolution that can be handled by the self-device based on the resolution information, and a self-device If it is determined that the binary image data can be handled by Printing means for printing without performing the data reduction processing, and for reducing the binary image data by the reduction processing means so that it can be handled by the own machine when it is determined that it cannot be handled by the own machine. In the case of performing the reduction processing, after the image data is received by the receiving unit by electronic mail via the Internet, the obtaining unit, the determining unit, the reducing unit, and the printing unit are sequentially operated, An electronic mail communication system characterized by automatically printing the received image data.

3. An e-mail receiving means for receiving image data, which is text coded by associating the page size information generated on the transmission side with the compressed binary image data in page units, by e-mail via the Internet. An acquisition means for converting the text-coded image data received by the e-mail receiving means into binary image data by format reverse conversion and acquiring the paper size information; and for the binary image data corresponding to the acquired paper size information. And a reduction processing unit that performs reduction processing, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the received data has a sheet size that can be handled by the machine based on the sheet size information. If it is determined that the image can be handled by the machine, the binary image Printing without performing data reduction processing, and if it is determined that the image cannot be processed by the machine itself, the reduction processing means reduces the binary image data so that it can be processed by the machine and prints it. When performing the reduction process, the receiving unit receives the image data by e-mail via the Internet, and then sequentially operates the acquisition unit, the determination unit, the reduction unit, and the printing unit. An electronic mail receiving device, wherein the received image data is automatically printed.

4. E-mail receiving means for receiving image data, which is text coded by associating the resolution information generated on the transmitting side and the compressed binary image data in page units, by e-mail via the Internet. Acquiring means for format-converting the text-coded image data received by the electronic mail receiving means into binary image data to acquire the resolution information, and reduction processing for the binary image data corresponding to the acquired resolution information. Reduction processing means for performing, and a determination means for determining, based on the resolution information, whether or not the received data has a resolution that can be handled by the device itself.
When it is determined that the image can be handled by the own device, the determination unit prints the binary image data without performing the reduction process of the binary image data, and when it is determined that the image cannot be handled by the device itself. And a printing means for reducing and printing the binary image data by the reduction processing means so that the image data can be handled by a machine. When the reduction processing is performed, the image data is transmitted via the Internet by the receiving means. An electronic mail receiving device, characterized in that the image data received is automatically printed by sequentially operating the acquisition means, the determination means, the reduction means, and the printing means after the reception.

5. The binary image data obtained by reading at the transmitting side and the paper size information are transmitted to the receiving side,
In the email communication method for printing the received binary image data on the receiving side, the transmitting side converts the image data formed by associating the paper size information and the binary image data in page units into text code. A format conversion step of converting to an electronic mail format and an electronic mail transmission step of transmitting the electronic mail converted by the format conversion means via the Internet are provided, and the paper size information is added to the binary image data obtained by the reading. The page data is added in association with each other, the added image data is converted into a text code and converted into an e-mail format, and a series of operations for sending by e-mail is executed. At the receiving side, the paper size information and the Binary image data The image receiving step of receiving the text coded image data by e-mail via the Internet by associating with each page, and the text coded image data received in this e-mail receiving step is formatted into binary image data. An acquisition step of performing inverse conversion to acquire the paper size information, a reduction processing step of performing a reduction process on the binary image data corresponding to the acquired paper size information, and a received data based on the paper size information A determination step of determining whether or not the paper size is a size that can be handled by the machine itself, and if the determination step determines that the paper size can be handled by the machine, reduction of the binary image data by the reduction processing step is performed. You can print without processing and handle it by yourself. If it is determined that the image is to be processed by itself, a printing step of reducing and printing the binary image data by the reduction processing step is provided so that the image can be processed by the receiving step. After receiving data by e-mail via the Internet, the acquisition step, the determination step, the reduction step, and the printing step are sequentially operated to automatically print the received image data. .

6. An electronic mail communication method, wherein binary image data and resolution information obtained by reading at a transmitting side are transmitted to a receiving side, and at the receiving side, the received binary image data is printed. A format conversion step of converting the image data formed by associating the resolution information and the binary image data in page units into a text code and converting the text data into an electronic mail format; and the electronic mail converted in the format conversion step. An electronic mail transmission step of transmitting via the Internet, wherein resolution information is added to the binary image data obtained by reading in association with each page, and the added image data is text-coded into an electronic mail format. Convert and send by email Performing a series of operations on the receiving side, the resolution information and the binary image data are associated with each other on a page-by-page basis, and the image data is image-coded and is received by an email via an internet. , An acquisition step of format-converting the text-coded image data received in this e-mail reception step into binary image data to obtain the resolution information, and reducing the binary image data corresponding to the obtained resolution information. Based on the resolution processing step for performing processing and the resolution information,
A determination step of determining whether or not the received data has a resolution that can be handled by the own device, and if this determination step determines that the data can be handled by the own device, the binary image obtained by the reduction processing step A printing step in which the binary image data is reduced and printed by the reduction processing step so that the data can be printed without being subjected to the data reduction processing, and if it is determined that the data cannot be processed by the own apparatus, it can be processed by the own apparatus. When performing the reduction processing, after the image data is received by e-mail via the Internet in the reception step, the acquisition step, the determination step,
The reduction step and the printing step are sequentially operated,
An electronic mail communication system characterized by automatically printing the received image data.

7. An e-mail receiving step of receiving image data, which is text coded by associating the page size information generated on the sending side and the compressed binary image data in page units, by e-mail via the Internet. , An acquisition step of format-converting the text-coded image data received in this e-mail receiving step into binary image data to acquire the paper size information, and the binary image data corresponding to the acquired paper size information. Based on the paper size information,
A determination step for determining whether or not the received data is a paper size that can be handled by the own machine, and if the determination step determines that the data can be handled by the own machine, the binary data obtained by the reduction processing step is used. Printing in which the image data is printed without reduction processing, and when it is determined that the image data cannot be processed by the printer itself, the binary image data is reduced by the reduction processing step and printed so that it can be handled by the printer itself. In the case of performing the reduction processing, after the image data is received by email via the Internet in the receiving step, the obtaining step, the determining step,
The reduction step and the printing step are sequentially operated,
An electronic mail receiving method, characterized in that the received image data is automatically printed.

8. An e-mail receiving step of receiving image data, which is text coded by associating resolution information generated on the transmission side and compressed binary image data in page units, by e-mail via the Internet. An acquisition step of format-converting the text-coded image data received in this e-mail reception step into binary image data to acquire the resolution information, and a reduction process for the binary image data corresponding to the acquired resolution information. And a determination step of determining whether or not the received data has a resolution that can be handled by the self-device based on the resolution information, and the self-device can be handled by the determination step. If it is determined that it is possible, the binary image obtained by the reduction processing step is When printing is performed without reducing the image data, and if it is determined that the image data cannot be handled by the machine itself, the binary image data is reduced and printed by the reduction processing step so that it can be handled by the machine itself. In the case of performing the reduction processing, after the image data is received by email via the Internet in the receiving step, the obtaining step, the determining step,
The reduction step and the printing step are sequentially operated,
An electronic mail receiving method, characterized in that the received image data is automatically printed.