JP3702599B2 - Communication terminal device with e-mail function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication terminal apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus having a function of connecting to electronic mail.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computer communication networks that distribute electronic mail via the Internet or the like in which a local computer communication network is connected by a communication line are becoming widespread. The computer communication network has an excellent error correction function, and it can communicate with computers not only in Japan but also overseas only by paying communication costs to the nearest provider (connection provider to the computer communication network).
[0003]
Since the communication procedure and communication method of the conventional G3 facsimile apparatus are different from those of the computer communication network, it cannot be directly connected to the computer communication network. However, even image data such as a transmission original can be transmitted to a computer communication network by converting it into an electronic mail format.
[0004]
Some facsimile apparatuses have an error resending function that automatically resends an image even if the image is disturbed due to a line error or the like. Between facsimile apparatuses having such functions, the transmission side retransmits facsimile image data in response to an error retransmission request from the reception side.
For this reason, in the case of a facsimile apparatus that performs facsimile communication by dividing the encoded data of image data obtained by reading a one-page document into blocks each having 64 Kbytes as one block, 64 Kbytes until transmission for one block is completed. Is provided with an error retransmission buffer for storing the transmission data.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as a method for accessing the Internet, there is a method of using a connection service provided by a commercial BBS for personal computer communication in addition to contracting with a provider. Some commercial BBSs have restrictions on the amount of data that can be handled as one email, the number of text lines, and the like. This is to avoid causing congestion by flowing a large amount of data to the Internet at once.
[0006]
In the case of facsimile image data having a large data amount, the data amount of one page may exceed the limit of one mail. Emails exceeding the limit cannot be forwarded by commercial BBS, so facsimile image data cannot be sent by e-mail. Therefore, although the sender has determined whether or not transmission can be performed by one mail from the number of lines and characters of the original document, the determination is not necessarily accurate.
[0007]
Also, when sending e-mail with a facsimile machine with an e-mail function, the image data in G3 format is converted into a general image format used by a computer, binary data in the image format is once converted into text data, Add email header information and edit to email format.
Accordingly, since a buffer for temporarily storing the converted data is required, the apparatus is increased in size and the price is increased.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the amount of image data after the image data to be transmitted by mail is converted from the MMR encoded format to the MH encoded format is transmitted by one email. By providing a means for transmitting image data that does not exceed the amount of data that can be transmitted as one email, the sender can send facsimile image data without having to consider the amount of data that can be transmitted by one email. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal apparatus with an electronic mail function such as a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting mail.
[0009]
Also, the image data to be transmitted is converted from the MMR encoding format to the MH encoding format, the data amount is calculated, and the image data amount to be transmitted is calculated from the calculation result. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication terminal device with an electronic mail function, such as a facsimile machine, that can accurately determine whether or not to divide into two before transmission.
[0010]
Further, by storing the data converted into the MH encoding format in the above-mentioned mail transmission and data amount calculation in a buffer memory for error retransmission in facsimile communication, an electronic mail such as a small and low-cost facsimile apparatus can be used. The purpose is to provide a communication terminal device with a function.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A communication terminal device with an electronic mail function according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a buffer memory for error retransmission in facsimile communication, and conversion means for converting image data to be transmitted by mail from a first encoded format to a second encoded format. , Means for storing the image data converted by the conversion means into the second encoding format in the buffer memory, detection means for detecting the amount of image data based on the capacity of the buffer memory, and detection by the detection means As a result, there is provided transmission means for converting the amount of image data whose converted image data amount does not exceed one email into data in an encoding format for transmission and transmitting it as one email. Features.
[0012]
In the first invention, the image data in the MMR encoding format to be transmitted, which is stored in the image memory, is converted into data in the MH encoding format, and the converted image data amount is the data amount for one mail. An amount of data in MH encoding format that does not exceed is converted into data in TIFF encoding format and MIME encoding format and sent as one mail.
Therefore, the operator can send facsimile image data by mail without having to divide the document in advance in consideration of the amount of data that can be sent by one mail.
[0014]
Furthermore, the image data converted into the MH encoding format is stored in a buffer memory for error retransmission in facsimile communication, and the capacity of the buffer memory is used to determine whether the image data amount exceeds or does not exceed one mail. To detect.
Accordingly, it is possible to effectively utilize a buffer memory for error retransmission that is not used during mail communication.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus as a communication terminal apparatus with an electronic mail function according to the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, the Internet is used as a computer communication network.
The main control unit 1 not only controls each part of the hardware of the apparatus through the bus, but also encodes or encodes the image data of the document by an encoding method such as MH, MR, or MMR based on software stored in the ROM 6. Software such as communication procedures including encoding / decoding to be decoded, image (TIFF) conversion described later, binary text conversion, mail editing, modem switching, RS232C control by AT command, and the like are executed.
[0018]
In this embodiment, in addition to the mail transmission mode, a dummy encoding mode for data amount calculation is provided for the sender to determine whether or not to divide into multiple mails before transmission.
The main control unit 1 converts the image data in the MMR encoding format to be transmitted stored in the image memory 8 into data in the MH encoding format, and uses the converted image data for error retransmission in facsimile communication. The image data amount in the MH encoding format is calculated by using the capacity of the ECM buffer 81 and stored in the ECM buffer 81, and the data amount in the MIME format is calculated from the calculation result.
[0019]
Further, the main control unit 1 converts the image data in the MMR encoding format to be transmitted stored in the image memory 8 into data in the MH encoding format, and the amount of image data after conversion is one mail. If the amount of data exceeds the amount of data for one e-mail, the amount of data in the MH encoding format will be converted to data in the TIFF encoding format and MIME encoding format. Convert and send as one email.
[0020]
When converting the mail into a text image, the main control unit 1 converts the mail line by line, and whether the converted line has reached the number of lines defined as one page of the recording paper or the last line of the mail. If the number of lines for one page or the last line of the e-mail is reached, the page end code RTC is added to the encoded data of the text image. As a separate page.
[0021]
In image conversion, G3 image data is converted to TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), which is a common image format used by computers, and TIFF is converted to G3 image data during reception. . TIFF is published by Adobe Systems, and various classes that handle not only black and white binary but also black and white multi-value and full color are defined. CLASS F, which is one of them, defines G3-format image data, which is image data of a manuscript obtained by coding manuscript image data by a coding method such as MH, MR, or MMR. Therefore, it can be converted to TIFF by adding CLASS F TIFF header information to the head of G3 format image data.
[0022]
In binary text conversion, binary data is converted to text data at the time of transmission, and text data is converted to binary data at the time of reception. There are computers on the Internet that cannot handle binary data e-mail. When sending binary data such as TIFF image data to ensure that the e-mail reaches the other party, it is converted to text data once. Text data handled on the Internet is defined as a 7-bit code in RFC (Request For Comments) 822, which is a document issued by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
[0023]
Therefore, conversion is performed using base64 of MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions). According to this, 6-bit binary data is replaced with one of 64 characters (upper case, lower case alphabet, numbers, +, /) and can be converted into text data. MIME is specified in RFC1521.
[0024]
In email editing, the email header information is added to the TIFF image data converted to text data at the time of transmission and edited into an email format. Upon reception, the email header information is removed from the email format data and converted to text data. Only the processed TIFF image data is extracted. Since it is stipulated that the header information is added to the e-mail on the Internet as e-mail management information, at the time of transmission, “From: (user's Internet e-mail address” is added at the beginning of the TIFF image data. ) ”,“ To: (the recipient's Internet e-mail address) ”,“ Subject: (title) ”and other items are added.
[0025]
The reading unit 2 reads a document with a CCD or the like, and outputs monochrome binary image data. The recording unit 3 includes an electrophotographic printer or the like, and records image data of a document received from another G3 facsimile apparatus or the Internet.
The display unit 4 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display (abbreviated as LCD), and displays the operation state of the apparatus, image data of a document, and the like.
The operation unit 5 includes various function keys such as a numeric keypad, a one-touch key, and a program one-touch key necessary for operating the apparatus.
[0026]
ROM 6 stores software necessary for the operation of the facsimile apparatus. The RAM 7 is composed of SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when the software is executed.
The image memory 8 is composed of a DRAM or the like and stores image data of the original.
The ECM buffer 81 of the image memory 8 is a 64 Kbyte memory that is used for error retransmission during facsimile communication, and is used for storing converted data in the dummy encode mode and mail transmission mode.
[0027]
The modem 9 is a modem for performing facsimile communication of image data of a document read by the reading unit 2, and does not have a data communication function.
The data modem 10 is a modem for data communication that communicates image data of an original document converted into e-mail, for example, via the Internet. For example, an external telephone terminal provided on the chip of the NCU 11 and a telephone It is connected with a serial cable of the external I / F 12 for connection with a personal computer or the like, and is connected by RS232C.
NCU 11 closes and opens analog lines.
[0028]
Next, the operation in the dummy encoding mode of the communication terminal device with an electronic mail function of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the dummy encoding mode, for example, when a mail is sent to the Internet by performing a conversion process of MMR (when storing the image memory 8) → MH → TIFF → MIME Base64, the amount of change in data amount from MH to MIME Base64 is almost the same. The amount of change from MMR to MH cannot be predicted. Therefore, the 64K byte ECM buffer 81 is used to encode one page into the encoding method (MH) at the time of transmission, and the amount of data at that time is measured and converted to the final data format (MIME Base64). Predict the amount of data after
[0029]
First, the MMR → MH conversion function is called (step S1), the TTI for transmission is set at the head of the ECM buffer 81, and the value of the data amount variable for counting the data amount is set for the amount of TTI data. And the pointer of the ECM buffer 81 is updated to the next address (step S2).
256 bytes of data obtained by converting the image data in the MMR encoding format stored in the image memory 8 in the MH encoding format to the address of the pointer in the ECM buffer 81 are transferred (step S3).
[0030]
It is determined whether or not a decoding error has occurred in the CODEC (encoding / decoding) LSI (step S4). If a decoding error has occurred, the process ends.
Also, it is determined whether or not an RTC has been detected from the MH data transferred to the ECM buffer 81 (step S5). If no RTC is detected, the value of the data amount variable is updated by 256 bytes, and the ECM buffer is updated. The pointer 81 is updated to the next address (step S6).
[0031]
It is determined whether or not the amount of data transferred to the ECM buffer 81 has reached its capacity of 64 Kbytes (step S7). If it has not reached 64 Kbytes, the process returns to step S3, and step S3 until it reaches 64 Kbytes. Repeat ~ S6.
Meanwhile, if RTC is detected from the MH data transferred to the ECM buffer 81, the value of the variable for the data amount is updated by the number of bytes of the MH data (up to RTC) transferred this time (step S8). Multiply the value of the variable by a predetermined coefficient to calculate the amount of data when converted to TIFF / MIME, and set it as a variable for the amount of data in the outgoing mail (step S9).
[0032]
If the amount of data transferred to ECM buffer 81 reaches 64 Kbytes without detecting RTC (YES in step S7), the pointer is initialized to the beginning of ECM buffer 81 (step S10), and the process returns to step S3. MH data is transferred to the ECM buffer 81, and the calculation of the data amount is repeated until RTC is detected. If RTC is detected, the value of the variable for the data amount is changed to the MH data (RTC (Step S8), multiply the value of this variable by a predetermined coefficient, calculate the amount of data when converted to TIFF / MIME, and set it in the variable for the amount of data in outgoing mail (Step S9).
[0033]
As a result of calculating the amount of data as described above, if the amount of data allowed for one email is not exceeded, the sender can know that the data can be sent by one email, and the amount of data exceeding one email is exceeded. If it is, you can know that it should be divided into multiple emails.
[0034]
Furthermore, the operation in the mail transmission mode of the communication terminal device with an electronic mail function of the present invention will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, call (CALL) the MMR → MH conversion function (step S21), and whether or not this CALL is a restart CALL after sending the data for 1 division to RS232C, and the data for 64 Kbytes to RS232C. It is determined whether or not it is a restart CALL after sending to (steps S22 and S23).
[0035]
At the beginning that is not a restart CALL, the TTI for transmission is set at the beginning of the ECM buffer 81, the value of the data amount variable for counting the data amount is updated by the amount of TTI, and the pointer of the ECM buffer 81 is set. Update to the next address (step S24).
The 256 bytes of MMR → MH conversion data are transferred to the pointer address of the ECM buffer 81 (step S25).
[0036]
It is determined whether or not a decoding error has occurred in the CODEC (encoding / decoding) LSI (step S26). If a decoding error has occurred, a transmission end process is executed.
Also, it is determined whether or not an RTC is detected from the MH data transferred to the ECM buffer 81 (step S27). If no RTC is detected, the value of the data amount variable is updated by 256 bytes, and the ECM buffer is updated. The pointer 81 is updated to the next address (step S28).
[0037]
It is determined whether the amount of data transferred to the ECM buffer 81 is within 64 Kbytes, which is the capacity, and the total transfer data amount is within the division limit data amount that is permitted to be transmitted as one mail ( Step S28) If the amount of data transferred to the ECM buffer 81 is within 64K bytes and the total amount of transferred data is within the division limit data amount, the process returns to Step S25, and Steps S25 to S28 are repeated.
During that time, if RTC is detected from the MH data transferred to the ECM buffer 81, the MH encoded data in the ECM buffer 81 is converted to TIFF, further MIME converted, and sent to the network from the RS232C (step S30) and transmitted. Execute the end process.
[0038]
If the RTC is not detected and the transfer data volume to the ECM buffer 71 is within 64 Kbytes and the total transfer data volume is within the division limit data volume (NO in step S29), the total The transfer data amount is within the division limit data amount, but the transfer data amount to the ECM buffer 81 has reached 64K bytes (YES in step S31), or the transfer data amount to the ECM buffer 81 is within 64K bytes Whether the total transfer data amount has reached the division limit data amount (YES in step S32), or the transfer data amount to the ECM buffer 81 has reached 64K bytes, and the total transfer data amount has reached the division limit data amount ( Determine NO in step S32.
[0039]
When the amount of data transferred to the ECM buffer 81 reaches 64K bytes (YES in step S31), 64K bytes of MH encoded data in the ECM buffer 81, and the total transfer data amount reaches the division limit data amount. In this case (YES in step S32), the data in one segment of the MH encoding format of the ECM buffer 81 is converted to TIFF and further MIME converted, and one mail is sent to the network from the RS232C (step S30). Subsequently, a pointer is initialized to the head of the ECM buffer 81 (step S34), and the process returns to step S21.
[0040]
If the transfer data amount to the ECM buffer 81 reaches 64K bytes and the total transfer data amount reaches the division limit data amount (NO in step S32), the 64K bytes of MH encoded data in the ECM buffer 81 is stored. After TIFF conversion and further MIME conversion, one mail is sent to the network from RS232C (step S35). Subsequently, a pointer is initialized to the head of the ECM buffer 81 (step S34), and the process returns to step S21.
[0041]
CALL MMR → MH change function (step S21), and determine whether this CALL is a restart CALL after sending data for one division or 64K bytes to RS232C (step S22 ・S23) In the case of restart CALL after sending the data for one division, initialize the value of the variable for the limited data amount that is permitted to be sent as one mail (step S36), and the data for 64K bytes In the case of restart CALL after transmission, the value of the variable for the 64 Kbyte transfer data amount is initialized (step S37), and the process proceeds to step S25.
[0042]
As in the case of the first mail transmission described above, steps S25 to S29 are repeated until the transfer data amount to the ECM buffer 81 reaches 64 Kbytes or until the total transfer data amount reaches the divisional limit data amount. In the meantime, when the RTC is detected, the MH encoded data in the ECM buffer 81 is subjected to TIFF conversion and further MIME conversion, and is sent to the network from the RS232C (step S30), and transmission end processing is executed.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
In the communication terminal device with an electronic mail function according to the first invention, the amount of image data after the image data to be transmitted by mail is converted from the MMR encoded format to the MH encoded format exceeds the amount of data that can be transmitted by one email. Since the means for transmitting an infinite amount of image data as one mail is provided, an excellent effect is obtained that the operator does not need to consider the amount of data that can be transmitted by one mail.
[0044]
Furthermore, since the communication terminal device with an electronic mail function stores the data converted into the MH encoding format in the above-mentioned mail transmission in a buffer memory for error retransmission in facsimile communication, it is excellent in that it is small and inexpensive. There is an effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication terminal device with an electronic mail function according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation in a dummy encoding mode of the communication terminal device with an e-mail function according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart (No. 1) of an operation in a mail transmission mode of a communication terminal device with an electronic mail function according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 2) of the procedure in the mail transmission mode of the communication terminal device with an electronic mail function according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main controller 6 ROM
7 RAM
8 Image memory
81 ECM buffer
10 Data modem
12 External I / F

Claims (1)

Equipped with a buffer memory for error retransmission in facsimile communication
Conversion means for converting image data to be transmitted by mail from the first encoding format to the second encoding format;
Means for storing the image data to which the conversion means is converted into a second encoding format in the buffer memory,
Detecting means for detecting the amount of image data based on the capacity of the buffer memory;
As a result of detection by the detection means, transmission means for converting the amount of image data whose converted image data amount does not exceed one mail into data in an encoding format for transmission and transmitting it as one mail When
A communication terminal device with an electronic mail function.

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