JPH07298029A - Image communication equipment and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide image communication equipment capable of eliminating the trouble of entry of a destination identifier in the case of image data transmission. CONSTITUTION:Image data received by a MODEM 6 via a telephone line 7 and a destination identifier to be added to said image data are stored in a RAM 5 with cross reference and the stored image data are displayed on a display section 2, the data are edited by using a touch panel 3 to generate image data for return and the return image data generated by the edit in cross reference with the image data before edit are sent via the telephone line 7 by the MODEM 6 based on the identifier of the destination to be stored.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus and method for communicating image data via a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile has been known as an image communication apparatus for communicating image data via a communication line. That is, in such a facsimile, the electric signal obtained by scanning the original surface is encoded and modulated to generate the original image data, and the original image data is transmitted by the sender by inputting the facsimile number of the destination. On the other hand, the facsimile of the other party receives the image data sent via the telephone line at the other party's facsimile, and demodulates and decodes this image data to reproduce the original document image, which is then printed on paper. I try to print it out.

When a facsimile response is made to a document image sent in this manner, a new document is created, or necessary items are added to the sent document image. A manuscript is created, and the manuscript is sent to the telephone line by inputting the facsimile number of the other party in the same manner as described above.

As described above, in the conventional facsimile, the manuscript to be responded is created either by newly preparing the manuscript or by adding the necessary items to the manuscript printed out. There is a problem that it takes a lot of time and effort to create a manuscript, and when sending such a reply manuscript, the facsimile number of the other party must be entered, which is troublesome. was there.

By the way, recently, a portable terminal such as a portable facsimile or a pen computer, which enables image communication from outside by utilizing a wireless line, has been put into practical use. In such a mobile terminal, the image data (original) sent from the other party can be displayed on the display screen, and the image on this screen can be edited using a pen or the like. You can easily create an original.

[0006]

However, even in such a terminal device, in order to return the image data edited on the screen, the destination identifier such as the facsimile number of the destination is input, or the destination is stored in the database. There is a problem in that it is necessary to select and enter a destination identifier such as the stored facsimile number of the destination, which is troublesome for this purpose.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus and method capable of eliminating the troublesomeness of inputting a destination identifier when transmitting image data. .

[0008]

According to the present invention, in an image communication apparatus for communicating image data via a communication line, image data received via the communication line and a partner added to the image data. Storage means for storing the above identifiers in association with each other, editing means for editing the image data stored in the storage means to generate return image data, and the return image data generated by the editing means And a transmitting means for outputting via the communication line based on the identifier of the destination stored in the storage means corresponding to the image data before being edited by the means.

Further, according to the present invention, the storage means is configured to have a plurality of storage areas for the image data received via the communication line and the identifier of the other party added to the image data.

Further, according to the present invention, in the image communication method of receiving the image data and displaying the received image data, the received image data and the identifier of the other party added to the image data are set. Correspondingly stored, displaying the received image data, editing the image data based on the display to generate return image data, and corresponding the return image data to the received image data before editing. The transmission is performed based on the stored identifier of the other party.

[0011]

As a result, according to the present invention, the image data received via the communication line and the identifier of the other party added to the image data are stored in the storage means in association with each other and stored in the storage means. The edited image data is edited by the editing means to generate return image data, and the return image data generated by this editing is based on the identifier of the destination stored in the storage means corresponding to the image data before editing. Since the transmission means outputs the data via the communication line, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome input operation of the identifier.
The return image data can be automatically transmitted to the intended recipient.

Further, according to the present invention, the storage means is provided with a plurality of storage areas for the image data received via the communication line and the identifier of the destination added to the image data. After receiving, the return image data generated for these received image data can be sequentially transmitted to the other party.

Further, according to the present invention, the received image data and the identifier of the other party added to the image data are stored in association with each other, the received image data is displayed, and the image is displayed based on this display. The data will be edited to generate return image data, and this return image data will be sent based on the destination identifier stored corresponding to the received image data before editing, so it will be edited from the display screen. The return image data can be automatically transmitted to the corresponding destination.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an example in which the present invention is applied to a pen computer. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit, which includes a display unit 2, a touch panel 3 and an R unit.
The OM4, RAM5, and modem 6 are connected.

Here, the control unit 1 integrally controls the display unit 2, the touch panel 3, the ROM 4, the RAM 5, and the modem 6, and particularly, encodes image data transmitted and received through the modem 6. .Decryption control, display unit 2
The display control of various data with respect to, the creation of image data based on the position information from the touch panel 3, and various functions are executed.

The display unit 2 is composed of an LCD or the like and is capable of displaying various information such as image data and database information. Also, the icon can be displayed. The touch panel 3 is arranged on the display unit 2 so as to give the position information designated by the pen to the control unit 1. Then, by designating the icon displayed on the display unit 2, key input is possible, and also the image data displayed on the display unit 2 can be edited by the position information input by the pen.

The ROM 4 stores the control program for the control unit 1. The RAM 5 has a work area for temporarily storing data handled by the control of the control unit 1 and an image data storage area for storing image data. FIG. 2 shows an example of the image data storage area of the RAM 5 as described above. In addition to the transmission image data storage area 51 for temporarily storing the image data created for transmission, the image data received from the other party. Is added to the received image data storage area 52 for storing the received image data, the edited image data storage area 53 for storing the edited image data as a result of editing the received image data, and the received image data received from the other party. A plurality of sets # 1 to #n are provided in the identifier storage area 54 for storing the identifier such as the facsimile number of the other party.

The RAM 5 may be detachable in addition to the above-mentioned built-in RAM. That is, various data such as image data and database information may be stored in the card memory.

The modem 6 performs modulation / demodulation processing when transmitting / receiving image data, and here, for example, a procedure according to the regulations of G3 facsimile is adopted. A telephone line 7 is connected to this modem 6.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, when transmitting image data, desired image data is created by inputting positional information from the touch panel 3 with a pen while confirming the image on the screen of the display unit 2.

Then, this image data is encoded by using the MH system or the MR system, and is temporarily stored in the transmission image data storage area 51 of the RAM 5. And
Connect the modem 6 to the telephone line 7, and from this state, display unit 2
When the transmission icon displayed on the touch panel 3 is designated by the touch panel 3, the other party's terminal (not shown) and the telephone line 7 are connected by the procedure of G3 facsimile described later, and
The transmission image data is read from the transmission image data storage area 51 and output to the modem 6. As a result, the image data is modulated by the modem 6 by a predetermined modulation method and transmitted to the other party via the telephone line 7. In this case, the transmission image data output via the modem 6 is transmitted as image data 81 to which an identifier 82 such as a facsimile number relating to the sender is added, as shown in FIG. In addition,
The position of the identifier 82 is not limited to this and may be added before the image data or may not be adjacent to the image data 81.

FIG. 4 shows a G3 facsimile communication procedure in the control unit 1 described above. In this case, when the calling station A calls the called station B, the called station B calls. It outputs to the call station A a signal indicating that it is a facsimile as a called station selection signal CED and a signal indicating what function it has as a digital identification signal DIS. Then, the calling station A sends a digital command signal DCS to the called station B.
As a training, a signal for transmitting the communication method is output, and then “0” data is transmitted for 1.5 seconds to check the data transmission, and the called station B calls the calling station A.
When the network status OK is transmitted as the reception preparation confirmation signal CFR, the original data is transmitted as a message from the calling station A to the called station B, and then the end of the data is transmitted as the procedure end signal EOP. This allows the called station B to call the calling station A.
To the called station B as a message confirmation signal MCF to inform the called station B to disconnect the line as a line disconnection command DCN, thereby ending a series of processes.

Next, when receiving the image data, the image data input through the telephone line 7 is demodulated by the modem 6, and the image data 81 shown in FIG. 3 is the RA shown in FIG.
The identifier 82 relating to the other party written in the # 1 set of the received image data storage area 52 of M5 and added to the image data 81 is the received image data storage area 52.
Is written in the identifier storage area 54 corresponding to.

Thereafter, when image data is similarly received, the image data 81 and the identifier 82 shown in FIG. 3 are stored in the received image data storage area 52 of each of the groups # 2 to #n of the RAM 5 shown in FIG. And the identifier storage area 5 corresponding to this
4 are written one after another.

Next, in the case where the return image data is created by editing based on the image data written in the RAM 5 and is output, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed.

In this case, in step 501, temporarily, as shown in FIG.
# 1 set of received image data storage area 52 of the RAM 5 shown in FIG.
Is designated, this received image data storage area 52
Image data is read out and displayed on the display unit 2.

Then, with respect to the image data displayed on the display unit 2, the return image data is created by editing in step 502. In this case, the edit icon displayed on the display unit 2 is designated by the touch panel 3, and then the desired return image data is edited while the image data is edited on the screen of the display unit 2 by the position information input by the pen. To create. The image data for return is encoded, and the received image data storage area 5 stores the image data before editing.
It is temporarily stored in the edited image data storage area 53 of # 1 corresponding to No. 2.

Then, in step 503, a transmission operation is started. In this case, when the modem 6 is connected to the telephone line 7 and the transmission icon displayed on the display unit 2 is designated by the touch panel 3 in this state, it is determined in step 504 whether or not the facsimile is returned.

If it is a facsimile return, the identifier storage area 5 corresponding to the # 1 set of received image data storage area 52 in which the image data before editing is stored in step 505.
It is determined whether or not the identifier regarding the destination is written in 4. If the identifier relating to the destination is written in the identifier storage area 54, the facsimile number of the destination is automatically generated by the identifier in the identifier storage area 54 in step 506, and the destination terminal not shown in the figure is represented by the facsimile number. Is connected, the edited image data is read from the edited image data storage area 53, and the modem 6 modulates the image data by a predetermined modulation method.
It will be transmitted to the other party via the telephone line 7.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 505 that the identifier relating to the other party is not written in the identifier storage area 54, the process proceeds to step 507, in which the ordinary dial input touch panel 3 is used to connect to the other party terminal not shown. After that, the edited image data storage area 53
The edited image data is read from, the image data is modulated by the modem 6 by a predetermined modulation method, and is transmitted to the other party via the telephone line 7.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the image data is received, the received image data 81 and the identifier 82 such as the facsimile number of the other party of the received image data 81 are stored in the received image data in the RAM 5. The image data stored in the area 52 and the identifier storage area 54 are displayed, the image data written in the received image data storage area 52 is displayed on the display unit 2 and edited by the touch panel 3 to create return image data. When data is transmitted, the image data for return can be automatically transmitted by reproducing the facsimile number of the other party from the identifier 82 corresponding to the image data 81 before editing. To send back the edited image data, enter the facsimile number of the recipient again or store it in the database. Compared to what to select and input the facsimile number of the hand, it can be omitted troublesome labor for inputting the facsimile number can be solved the trouble of such input operations.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be carried out by appropriately modifying it without changing the gist.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the facsimile number is stored as the identifier stored together with the image data has been described, but the name of the other party may be used as the identifier. In this case, the database is searched by the name used as the identifier to obtain the facsimile number.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the return image data is returned to one destination has been described. However, for example, even if the image data sent by facsimile is sent from an individual, You can also send it back to multiple people by searching for the group to which an individual belongs. FIG. 6 illustrates such an example. For a group A facsimile, a B1 to B3 group facsimile, and a B1 to B3 group facsimile, C11.
.. to C14, C21 to C24, and C31 to C34 are hierarchically connected, for example, when there is a facsimile transmission from the C12 facsimile, if the return is designated by the B group, the C12 belongs. It can also be returned to the B group (B1) and all of the C groups (C11 to C14) to which this B1 belongs. Such an embodiment is, for example, a LAN (Local).
It is effective when used for a terminal connected by Area Network).

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the image data received via the communication line and the identifier of the other party added to the image data are stored in association with each other, and the stored image is stored. The data is edited to generate return image data, and the return image data generated by this editing is output via the communication line based on the destination identifier stored corresponding to the image data before editing. As a result, the troublesome work of inputting the identifier can be omitted, and the troublesomeness of the input operation of the identifier can be eliminated.

Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of storage areas for the image data received via the communication line and the identifier of the other party added to the image data are provided, for example, a plurality of images can be stored. After receiving the data, generate return image data for these received image data,
It is also possible to automatically send the respective pieces of return image data to the corresponding destination.

Further, according to the present invention, the received image data and the destination identifier added to the image data are stored in correspondence with each other, the received image data is displayed, and the image is displayed based on this display. The data will be edited to generate return image data, and this return image data will be sent based on the destination identifier stored corresponding to the received image data before editing, so it will be edited from the display screen. The return image data can be promptly transmitted to the corresponding other party without being affected by the troublesomeness of the identifier input operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image data storage area of a RAM used in one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of image data used in one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a communication procedure of a G3 facsimile used in one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 2 ... Display part, 3 ... Touch panel, 4 ... ROM, 5 ... RAM, 51 ... Transmitted image data storage area, 52 ... Received image data storage area, 53 ... Edited image data storage area, 54 ... Identifier storage Area, 6 ... Modem, 7 ... Telephone line, 81 ... Image data, 82 ... Identifier.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image communication device for transmitting and receiving image data via a communication line, wherein the image data received via the communication line and a destination identifier added to the image data are stored in association with each other. Means, editing means for editing the image data stored in the storage means to generate return image data, and the return image data generated by the editing means to the image data before being edited by the editing means. An image communication apparatus, comprising: a transmission unit that outputs via the communication line based on the identifier of the other party correspondingly stored in the storage unit. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit has a plurality of storage areas for image data received via the communication line and a destination identifier added to the image data. . 3. An image communication method for receiving image data and displaying the received image data, wherein the received image data and a destination identifier added to the image data are stored in association with each other. , Displaying the received image data, editing the image data based on the display to generate return image data, and storing the return image data in correspondence with the received image data before editing. An image communication method, characterized in that the image is transmitted based on the identifier.