JP4331767B2 - E-mail system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic mail system that transmits and receives an image in an electronic mail format via a computer network such as the Internet and a control method thereof.

  A conventional facsimile apparatus transmits image data via a telephone line according to a facsimile procedure defined by an international standard.

  In this case, since a telephone line in a public telephone network or the like has introduced a fee system that shortens the callable time per unit fee according to the distance, the communication fee becomes larger as the distance increases.

  Therefore, in order to reduce communication costs, a facsimile apparatus that displays images as data in an e-mail format and communicates by e-mail via the Internet has been considered (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the Internet, the client does not incur communication costs for data transmission between providers (Internet connection providers). That is, the communication cost for the client is only the communication cost for data transmission between the client and the provider, regardless of the distance to the final data transmission destination. Therefore, the longer the distance communication, the more cost-effective.

  The configuration of this facsimile apparatus is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the facsimile apparatus includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, an external storage unit 4, a format conversion unit 5, a format reverse conversion unit 6, a scanner unit 7, a panel unit 8, a compression / decompression unit 9, and a LAN control unit. 10 and a printer unit 11.

  In this facsimile apparatus, in a state where a facsimile document is set in the scanner unit 7, the transmission procedure is started in response to the input of the destination e-mail address from the panel unit 8 and the pressing of the start button. In this transmission procedure, the facsimile original is read by the scanner unit 7 to generate image data. The image data is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 9 and the binary compressed data obtained thereby is temporarily stored in the external storage unit 4 such as a hard disk device.

  Thereafter, the format conversion unit 5 converts the binary compressed data into character code data composed of a combination of 7-bit character codes. The character code data is converted into a destination e-mail address, a source e-mail address, and a data format. Then, a header describing the conversion method to the character code is added and converted into e-mail data in the e-mail format. As this e-mail format, for example, it is assumed that it conforms to MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) which is an e-mail standard.

  The LAN control unit 10 sends the e-mail data obtained by the format conversion unit 5 to a computer network such as the Internet using an e-mail transfer protocol such as SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

  An electronic mail server (not shown) for managing electronic mail is connected to the computer network. When the e-mail server receives the e-mail data sent as described above, the e-mail server transfers the mail to the destination address indicated in the header.

  On the other hand, this facsimile apparatus periodically makes a transfer request for e-mail data addressed to itself to the e-mail server using POP (Post Office Protocol). When the e-mail data addressed to itself exists, the e-mail data is transferred from the e-mail server, so that the e-mail data is received and temporarily stored in the external storage unit 4.

  Thereafter, the format reverse conversion unit 6 converts the character code data into binary compressed data, and the compression / decompression unit 9 decompresses the image data to reproduce the image data. The image data is temporarily stored in the external storage unit 4. .

  Then, the image data stored in the external storage unit 4 is supplied to the printer unit 11 and an image corresponding to the image data is printed.

  In the conventional facsimile apparatus that transmits and receives an image via a computer network in this way, an image file described as conditions in which various conditions such as resolution, image size, and compression method are fixed in advance is stored. In this method, the electronic mail is attached unilaterally from the transmitting side to the receiving side. Note that a mode in which an image is transmitted by this method is referred to as an S mode.

  On the other hand, in the case of a general facsimile machine that transmits image data via a telephone line, first the negotiation is performed to recognize the capabilities of the partner device (available resolution, image size, compression method, etc.) The image data is transmitted under conditions that match the capabilities of the. Further, it is confirmed whether or not the signal has been normally received by a confirmation signal returned from the partner apparatus.

  Therefore, it is considered that such a method of performing negotiation and delivery confirmation is also performed in a facsimile apparatus using electronic mail. Hereinafter, a mode for transmitting an image by this method is referred to as a B mode.

  In this B mode, first, a capability request mail for requesting notification of capability is transmitted from the image transmission source to the image transmission destination. When receiving the capability request mail, the image transmission destination returns a capability response mail attached with capability information (DIS) describing its own capability to the image transmission source. At the image transmission source, conditions for image data to be transmitted are appropriately set based on the capability information attached to the capability response mail, the image is converted so as to meet the conditions, and the compressed data of this image is converted into electronic data. Send it as an email attachment. At the image transmission destination, the image is decompressed or printed out. When such processing is completed, a confirmation mail indicating that is returned to the image transmission source. Thus, in the B mode, four e-mails are exchanged for one communication.

  Now, in the case of a device that supports two modes, S mode and B mode, if it is not known whether the image transmission destination is a device that supports B mode or S mode, a capability request mail is received from the transmission side as the reception side. If the capability reply mail is returned, it is determined that the image transmission destination is in the B mode, and if there is no response after a certain time, it is determined that the image transmission destination is in the S mode.

  As described above, when the image transmission destination is an apparatus compatible with the S mode, wasted time such as waiting for a capability response mail after the image transmission needs to be started until the actual image transmission is started. Will lose the immediacy of communication.

Further, when the image transmission destination is a device compatible with the B mode, since the capability exchange mail is exchanged every time, it is not efficient.
JP-A-8-242326

  As described above, conventionally, since the mode of the image transmission destination is determined based on the presence / absence of the capability response mail with respect to the capability request mail, there is a problem that the image transmission cannot be performed efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is an electronic mail system capable of starting an actual image transmission more quickly and efficiently performing image transmission, and its It is to provide a control method.

The e-mail system of the invention according to claim 1 transmits an image in an e-mail format via a computer network, and as a transmission mode thereof, a first mode for fixing a condition of a transmission image to a predetermined condition , and a transmission image a a condition in which a second mode vary depending on the capabilities of the partner device, an email address, or other unit is one of the first mode and the second mode having the electronic-mail address and mode information indicating, and a capability information indicating the capability of the partner apparatus if the partner apparatus is the second mode having the email address, the address registration means for registering in association with each other, upon transmission of the image If the specified e-mail address as a destination is registered in said address registration means, the designated collector In association with the mail address of the transmission mode determined based on the mode information registered in the address registration means, when the determined transmission mode is the second mode, in association with the specified e-mail address The determination means for determining the condition of the transmission image based on the capability information registered in the address registration means, and the e-mail address of the transmission source is extracted from the received e-mail when receiving the e-mail for transmitting the image If the extracted email address is not registered in the address registration means, the extracted email address is registered in the address registration means, and the transmission mode of the received email is determined from the email. The determined transmission mode is associated with the e-mail address registered in the address registration means. In addition to registering in the dress registration means, if the received e-mail mail contains capability information about the sender, the address registration means is associated with the e-mail address registered in the address registration means. A transmission source address registration means for registering to the transmission source address .

By taking such a means, the transmission apparatus used for transmitting the image to the partner apparatus whose e-mail address is registered in the address registration means, and the condition of the transmission image when using the second mode are the own apparatus. It is not necessary to exchange information with the counterpart device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic mail system capable of starting an actual image transmission more quickly and performing image transmission efficiently and a control method therefor.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of a facsimile machine configured by applying the electronic mail system according to the present embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as FIG.

  As shown in this figure, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, an external storage unit 4, a format conversion unit 5, a format reverse conversion unit 6, a scanner unit 7, a panel unit 8, a compression / decompression unit 9, It has a LAN control unit 10, a printer unit 11, an address book management unit 12 and an address book 13.

  The CPU 1 operates based on an operation program stored in the ROM 2 and realizes an operation as a facsimile apparatus by comprehensively controlling each part of the facsimile apparatus. The function realized by the CPU 1 operating based on the operation program stored in the ROM 2 is in addition to the well-known general control means in the conventional facsimile apparatus which performs image communication via the computer network. And means for performing image transmission processing and capability inspection processing, which will be described later.

  The ROM 2 stores an operation program for the CPU 1 to control each unit, various setting data set in advance, and the like.

  The RAM 3 temporarily stores various data necessary for the CPU 1 to perform various processes.

  The external storage unit 4 uses a hard disk device or the like, and stores image data and e-mail data.

  The format conversion unit 5 converts binary compressed data obtained by compressing image data into e-mail data in a predetermined e-mail format. This e-mail data includes a destination e-mail address, a source e-mail address, a data format, characters, and character code data obtained by converting binary compressed data into character code data composed of a combination of 7-bit character codes. It shall be configured with a header describing the conversion method to code.

  The format reverse conversion unit 6 extracts binary compressed data from e-mail data configured by converting binary compressed data.

  The scanner unit 7 reads a facsimile document and generates image data.

  The panel unit 8 has a key switch group, for example, and has an operation unit for a user to input various instructions to the facsimile apparatus and a liquid crystal display, for example, to display various information to the user. Display unit.

  The compression / decompression unit 9 compresses the image data to obtain binary compressed data. The compression / decompression unit 9 decompresses binary compressed data and reproduces image data.

  The LAN control unit 10 performs transmission / reception processing of e-mail data via a computer network.

  The printer unit 11 prints an image indicated by the image data.

  The address book management unit 12 performs management processing related to the e-mail address registered in the address book 13, and functions to perform transmission source address registration processing, transmission destination address search / registration processing, and communication condition information update processing, which will be described later. have.

  The address book 13 is configured using a RAM, an EEPROM, or the like, and stores an e-mail address registered in the address book.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the contents of the address book 13.

  As shown in this figure, in the address book 13, communication condition information indicating communication conditions for image transmission to the e-mail address can be registered in association with the e-mail address. The communication condition information includes mode information indicating a mode to be used for image transmission to the e-mail address, and capability information indicating the capability of the apparatus having the e-mail address when the mode is the B mode. Consists of. Further, the capability information includes, for example, resolution, image size, compression method, and the like, and is standardized by ITU as a facsimile transmission procedure. It is expressed by a capability identification signal (DIS) of about 80 bits defined by the 30 recommendation.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, when an e-mail is received, the address book management unit 12 executes a source address registration process as shown in FIG.

  In this sender address registration process, the address book manager 12 first analyzes the header in the received email data and extracts the sender email address (hereinafter referred to as sender address) (step ST11).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the header. Among these, the character string “aaa@zzzz.co.jp” shown after “From:” indicates the e-mail address of the transmission source. The header format shown in this figure is defined as an Internet mail standard. Therefore, the e-mail address of the transmission source can always be extracted for any e-mail.

  Subsequently, the address book management unit 12 compares the source address extracted in step ST11 with all the e-mail addresses stored in the address book 13, and determines whether or not the source address is registered in the address book 13. Check (step ST2).

  Then, only when the transmission source address is not registered in the address book 13, the address book management unit 12 registers the transmission source address in the address book 13 (step ST13).

  Subsequently, the address book management unit 12 checks whether or not data indicating the B mode is attached to the received e-mail data (step ST14).

  Here, when transmitting an image in the B mode, data on a format as shown in FIG. 5 is attached on the transmission side. Therefore, if the corresponding data is not attached, the address book management unit 12 determines that the transmission source device of the e-mail data received this time is compatible with the S mode, and sets the mode information indicating the S mode in step ST13. And registered in the address book 13 in association with the source address registered in (Step ST15). On the other hand, if the corresponding data is attached, the address book management unit 12 determines that the transmission source device of the e-mail data received this time is compatible with the B mode, and mode information indicating the B mode; The capability information indicated in the attached data is registered in the address book 13 in association with the transmission source address registered in step ST13 (step ST16).

  Thus, when the e-mail data transmitted from the other party who communicates for the first time is received, the e-mail address of the other party is registered in the address book 13 and the transmission mode supported by the other party corresponds to the e-mail address. Attached and registered. Further, if the transmission mode corresponding to the partner is the B mode, the partner's ability is registered in association with the e-mail address.

  In addition, even when e-mail data transmitted from a partner whose e-mail address has already been registered is received, mode information and capability information newly determined from the received data are registered. Even if the mode or ability has changed, the registration information is updated to the latest.

  If it is necessary to transmit image data, the CPU 1 executes an image transmission process as shown in FIG.

  In this image transmission process, the CPU 1 first requests the address book management unit 12 to search for transmission condition information of an e-mail address designated as a destination (hereinafter referred to as a destination address) (step ST21).

  Upon receiving this request, the address book management unit 12 executes a destination address search / registration process as shown in FIG.

  In this destination address search / registration process, the address book management unit 12 first compares the destination address with all e-mail addresses stored in the address book 13 to determine whether the destination address is registered in the address book 13. (Step ST31).

  If the destination address is not registered in the address book 13, the address book management unit 12 registers the destination address in the address book 13 (step ST32), and then an inspection result indicating that the destination address is not registered. Notification is given to the CPU 1 (step ST33).

  Now, after making a request for inspection in step ST21, the CPU 1 waits for an inspection result notification from the address management unit 12, and receives the inspection result notification as described above. (Step ST22). Then, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the destination address has been registered in the address book 13 (step ST23).

  If a test result notification indicating that the destination address is unregistered is given as described above, a capability request mail in B mode is created and transmitted to the destination address (step ST24). Then, it waits for a certain amount of time until the ability response mail for the ability request mail arrives, and determines whether or not the ability reply mail has arrived during this time (step ST25).

  Here, if the ability reply mail does not arrive within a certain time, this is indicated and a reply arrival status notification is sent (step ST26), and if the ability reply mail arrives, the reply arrival situation attached with the ability reply mail is attached. Notification is given to the address book management unit 12 (step ST27).

  After notifying the test result in step ST33, the address book management unit 12 waits for the response arrival status notification from the CPU 1, and if the response arrival status notification is given as described above, (Step ST34). The address book management unit 12 recognizes the received response arrival status notification and determines whether or not the capability response mail has not arrived (step ST35).

  Here, in the case of an apparatus compatible with the B mode, if a capability request mail is received, a capability response mail is returned. Accordingly, if the capability reply mail has not arrived, the address book management unit 12 determines that the destination device of this time is compatible with the S mode, and the destination in which the mode information indicating the S mode is registered in step ST32. The address book 13 is registered in association with the address (step ST36). On the other hand, if a capability response mail has arrived, the address book management unit 12 determines that the destination device of this time is compatible with the B mode, and mode information indicating the B mode and the capability response mail described above. Is registered in the address book 13 in association with the destination address registered in step ST32 (step ST37).

  Thus, the e-mail address of the partner who communicates for the first time is registered in the address book 13, and the transmission mode supported by the partner is registered in association with the e-mail address. Further, if the transmission mode corresponding to the partner is the B mode, the partner's ability is registered in association with the e-mail address.

  Then, the address book management unit 12 notifies the CPU 1 of the communication condition information determined here (step ST38).

  After notifying the response arrival status in step ST26 or step ST27, the CPU 1 waits for the communication condition information from the address book management unit 12, and if the communication condition information is given as described above. This is received (step ST28). Then, the CPU 1 determines the transmission mode based on the mode information in the communication condition information, determines various parameters related to the image to be transmitted, and performs image transmission under the determined conditions by a known procedure (step) ST29). When the transmission mode is the B mode, parameters such as the number of pixels in one line, the resolution, and the compression method are variably set based on the capability information. When the transmission mode is the S mode, the number of pixels in one line is 1728 pixels, the resolution is 200 dpi, the compression method is a facsimile standard one-dimensional encoding method (MH method), etc., and each parameter is a default value. Set to fixed to.

  The case where the destination address has not been registered in the address book 13 has been described above. However, if the destination address has already been registered in the address book 13, the address book management unit 12 associates the address with the destination address 13 The inspection result notification with the communication condition information registered in is attached to the CPU 1 (step ST39).

  In this case, in step ST29, the CPU 1 sets the transmission mode and various parameters based on the communication condition information attached to the test result notification, that is, the communication condition information registered in the address book 13, and performs image transmission. .

  By the way, the communication condition information registered in the address book 13 is updated to the latest information when the mail is received from the corresponding address as described above. However, when transmitting to the e-mail address registered in the address book 13, the transmission mode and various parameters are set based on the registered communication condition information without confirming with the other party. For this reason, if the mode or capability has changed due to the replacement of the counterpart device, etc., there is a risk of transmission using the old transmission mode and various parameters.

  Therefore, the address book management unit 12 executes a communication condition information update process as shown in FIG. 8 at a predetermined timing such as once a month.

  In this communication condition information update process, the address book management unit 12 first initializes the variable n to “1” (step ST41).

  Subsequently, the address book management unit 12 sets the nth e-mail address registered in the address book 13 as a test address (step ST42), and requests the CPU 1 to transmit a capability request mail to this test address. (Step ST43).

  When the CPU 1 receives a request for transmission of the capability request mail from the address book management unit 12, the CPU 1 executes a capability inspection process as shown in FIG.

  In this capability inspection process, the CPU 1 first creates a capability request mail in the B mode and transmits it to the inspection address (step ST51). Then, the CPU 1 waits until a capability response mail for the capability request mail arrives for a certain period of time, and determines whether or not the capability response mail has arrived during this time (step ST52).

  Here, if a capability reply mail does not arrive within a certain time, a response arrival status notification indicating that is received (step ST53), and if a capability reply mail arrives, a reply with the ability reply mail attached is received. A status notification is sent to the address book management unit 12 (step ST54).

  The address book management unit 12 waits for a response arrival status notification from the CPU 1 after making a transmission request for the capability request mail in step ST43, and if the response arrival status notification is given as described above. This is received (step ST44). Then, the address book management unit 12 recognizes the received response arrival status notification and determines whether or not the capability response mail has not arrived (step ST45).

  Here, in the case of an apparatus compatible with the B mode, if a capability request mail is received, a capability response mail is returned. Therefore, if the capability reply mail has not arrived, the address book management unit 12 determines that the device to be inspected is compatible with the S mode, and associates the mode information indicating the S mode with the inspection address. Overwrite and register in the book 13 (step ST46). On the other hand, if the capability reply mail has arrived, the address book management unit 12 determines that the device to be inspected is compatible with the B mode, and mode information indicating the B mode and the capability reply mail Are overwritten and registered in the address book 13 in association with the inspection address (step ST47).

  Subsequently, the address book management unit 12 determines whether or not the variable n has reached the number of registered e-mail addresses in the address book 13 (step ST48). If the variable n is smaller than the number of registered e-mail addresses in the address book 13, the address book management unit 12 increases the variable n by “1” from the previous value (step ST49), and then step ST42. The subsequent processing is repeated. That is, the address book management unit 12 sequentially performs the processes in steps ST42 to ST47 for each e-mail address by sequentially changing the e-mail addresses as inspection addresses. If the variable n has reached the number of registered e-mail addresses in the address book 13 in step ST48, that is, the processes in steps ST42 to ST47 are performed for all e-mail addresses registered in the address book 13. When the execution is completed, the communication condition information update process is terminated.

  Thus, if the mode or capability of a device having an e-mail address registered in the address book 13 has changed due to replacement or the like, the communication condition information associated with the e-mail address is updated to the latest one.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the e-mail address and the communication condition information indicating the communication condition for transmitting an image to the e-mail address are registered in the address book 13 in association with each other. . When image transmission to an e-mail address registered in the address book 13 is performed, the transmission mode and various parameters are set based on the communication condition information registered in the address book 13 in association with the e-mail address. Set.

  Therefore, when transmitting an image to an e-mail address registered in the address book 13, it is not necessary to perform processing such as transmission of a capability request mail or monitoring and reception of a capability response mail. Can start sending.

  Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the destination address and the transmission source address when the first communication is performed with the first communication partner, and the communication conditions determined by exchanging the capability request mail and the capability response mail at the time of the communication Are automatically registered in the address book 13 in association with each other. Therefore, when transmitting an image to a partner who has performed communication in the past, it is possible to shorten the time until the image transmission is surely started and increase the efficiency. Further, there is no need for the user to perform a registration operation, and the burden on the user is not increased.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the process for checking the communication condition relating to the e-mail address registered in the address book 13 and updating the communication condition information is periodically performed. Therefore, even if the mode or capability of a device having an e-mail address registered in the address book 13 changes due to replacement or the like, the change is always reflected in the registered communication condition information, and image transmission is performed under appropriate communication conditions. It can be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the e-mail system of the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus that specially transmits and receives images. However, the implementation is not limited to a facsimile apparatus, and may be arbitrary.

  In the above embodiment, in the communication condition information update process, the newly obtained communication condition information is unconditionally overwritten and registered. However, the newly obtained communication condition information and the already registered communication condition are used. The communication condition information newly obtained may be overwritten and registered only when there is a change in comparison with the information.

  In the above embodiment, the e-mail address is automatically registered in the address book 13, but the e-mail address may be registered in the address book 13 in response to an input from the user.

  In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a functional block diagram showing a main part configuration of a facsimile machine configured by applying an electronic mail system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows typically an example of the content of the address book 13 in FIG. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the address book management part 12 in a transmission source address registration process. The figure which shows an example of the header in electronic mail data. The figure which shows the format of the attached data in the case of transmitting an image in B mode. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of CPU1 in an image transmission process. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the address book management part 12 in a transmission destination address search and registration process. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the address book management part 12 in a communication condition information update process. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of CPU1 in a capability test | inspection process. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional facsimile apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... External storage part, 5 ... Format conversion part, 6 ... Format reverse conversion part, 7 ... Scanner part, 8 ... Panel part, 9 ... Compression / decompression part, 10 ... LAN control unit, 11 ... printer unit, 12 ... address book management unit, 13 ... address book

Claims (3)

The image is transmitted and received via the computer network in the e-mail format, and the transmission mode is a first mode in which the condition of the transmission image is fixed to a predetermined condition , and the condition of the transmission image is changed according to the capability of the counterpart device In an e-mail system having a second mode,
And e-mail address, and mode information indicating whether the other unit is one of the first mode and the second mode having that email address, if the partner apparatus is the second mode having the electronic-mail address to the capability information indicating the capability of the partner device, the address registration means for registering in association with each other,
Upon transmission of the image, if the specified e-mail address as a destination is registered in the address registration means, based on the mode information registered in the address registration means in association with the specified e-mail address The transmission mode is determined, and when the determined transmission mode is the second mode, the transmission image condition is set based on the capability information registered in the address registration unit in association with the designated e-mail address. A decision means to decide ;
Upon receiving an e-mail for transmitting an image, an e-mail address of a transmission source is extracted from the received e-mail, and if the extracted e-mail address is not registered in the address registration unit, the extracted e-mail address Is registered in the address registration unit, and the transmission mode of the received email is determined from the email, and the determined transmission mode is associated with the email address registered in the address registration unit. And if the received e-mail contains capability information related to the sender, the capability information is registered in the address registration unit in association with the e-mail address registered in the address registration unit. Original address registration means;
An e-mail system comprising: The source address registration means
Means for extracting an e-mail address of a transmission source from the received e-mail when an e-mail for transmitting an image is received;
If the extracted email address is not registered in the address registration means, means for registering the extracted email address in the address registration means;
If the extracted e-mail address is not registered in the address registration unit, data indicating that the transmission mode is the second mode is not attached to the received e-mail. Means for determining that the transmission mode is the first mode, and registering mode information indicating the first mode in the address registration means in association with the e-mail address registered in the address registration means;
If the extracted e-mail address is not registered in the address registering means, if the received e-mail is attached with data indicating that the transmission mode is the second mode, the received e-mail address Means for determining that the transmission mode is the second mode, and registering mode information indicating the second mode in the address registration means in association with the e-mail address registered in the address registration means;
If the extracted e-mail address is not registered in the address registration unit, and if the received e-mail includes capability information regarding the transmission source, the e-mail to be registered in the address registration unit Means for registering with the address registration means in association with the address;
The electronic mail system according to claim 1, comprising: The image is transmitted and received via the computer network in the e-mail format, and the transmission mode is a first mode in which the condition of the transmission image is fixed to a predetermined condition , and the condition of the transmission image is changed according to the capability of the counterpart device In an e-mail system having a second mode,
And e-mail address, and mode information indicating whether the other unit is one of the first mode and the second mode having that email address, if the partner apparatus is the second mode having the electronic-mail address a step of the capability information indicating the capability of the partner apparatus are registered in the registration means in association with each other,
Upon transmission of the image, if the specified e-mail address as a destination is registered in the registration means, the transmission based on the mode information registered in the registration means in association with the specified e-mail address Determining a mode of the transmission image based on capability information registered in the registration unit in association with the designated e-mail address when the determined transmission mode is the second mode. When,
Upon receiving an e-mail for transmitting an image, the e-mail address of the transmission source is extracted from the received e-mail, and if the extracted e-mail address is not registered in the registration means, the extracted e-mail address is Registering with the address registration means;
Determining the transmission mode of the received email from the email, and registering the determined transmission mode in the registration unit in association with the email address registered in the registration unit;
If the received e-mail contains capability information about the sender, registering the capability information in the registration unit in association with the e-mail address registered in the registration unit;
An electronic mail system control method comprising:

Images