JP2000224367A - Image information transmission method and device and storage medium recording image information transmission and reception program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easily usable transmission method for coping with any communication channels by registering a plurality of communication channels of different kinds of beforehand and transmitting stored image information and data accompanying it through the communication channel selected from them to opposite equipment for which a connection destination is set. SOLUTION: The plurality of communication channels of the different kinds are registered beforehand, the communication channel to be utilized is selected from the communication channels and the stored image information and the date accompanying it are transmitted through the communication channel to the opposite equipment for which the connection destination is set. For instance, in order to transmit images by utilizing ISDN 33, a terminal adapter(TA) 21 is connected to the serial port 11 of a personal computer body 1 and the ISDN 33 is connected to the TA 21. Also, in order to utilize a TA card 23 which is the TA of a card type, the TA card 23 is connected to a PCMCIA slot 13 and the ISDN 33 is connected to the TA card 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, as a method of transmitting image information, there are a method using an analog public line, a method using a portable telephone, and a method using a PHS.

[0003] In large-scale offices, analog public lines, I
In many cases, an SDN line is used, but in the case where there are many movements such as a salesperson, transmission from a mobile phone or PHS is convenient.

[0004]

When an analog public line is used, a modem is used. When an ISDN line is used, a terminal adapter (hereinafter referred to as TA) is used.
Use a PCMCIA card when using, L when using LAN
It is necessary to control each AN card by connecting it to a personal computer.

[0005] When using individual communication lines, it is possible to instruct the computer for each control method. However, when selecting and using, it is necessary for the user to re-instruct according to the type of line used. And so on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image information transmission method and apparatus which are compatible with all communication lines and are easy to use.

[0007]

According to the image information transmission method of the present invention, a plurality of communication lines of different types are registered in advance, and a communication line to be used is selected from the plurality of communication lines. Through the communication line, the stored image information and the data accompanying the image information are transmitted to the partner device for which the connection destination has been set.

Further, the image information transmitting apparatus of the present invention comprises: input means for inputting image information and associated data; storage means for storing the input image information and associated data; A plurality of communication means corresponding to a communication line, a means for setting a connection destination number, a means for selecting one or a plurality of communication means from among the plurality of communication means, and the image information and data accompanying the image information are set. Means for transmitting to the connection destination of the set connection number via the selected communication means.

According to the present invention, the type of communication line to be used, the modem to be connected, the TA, and the like are registered and registered in advance when the system is introduced, so that the registered line type can be used at any time and simultaneously. It was made.

[0010] By using a registration system in this manner, when transmitting using a registered line type and a used device (modem, TA, or the like), it is possible to use without being aware of what to use each time.

Further, an ISDN line, an analog line, a mobile phone, a PHS, and a LAN environment can be simultaneously used.

[0012]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a color image transmission / storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The personal computer 1 has a serial port 11 to which a terminal adapter 21 is connected, a serial port 12 to which a modem 22 is connected, and a PCMCIA slot 13 into which a TA card 23 and a modem card 24 are inserted.
And the expansion slot 14 to which the LAN card 25 is connected.
A parallel port 15 to which an image scanner 28 is connected, an expansion slot 16 into which a SCSI port 26 is inserted, and a PCM into which a PCMCIA card 27 is inserted.
CIA slot 17, various software 18 (operating system 18a, TCP / IP driver 1
8b, unique software 18c).

The unique software 18c is software for controlling each connected device in the present color image transmission / storage system, and performs the following control.

Serial port control: communication devices (TA, TA) connected to the serial ports 11 and 12 of the personal computer 1
PCMCIA control: PC connected to PC 1
Software for controlling the MCIA card 27 Image / character information transmission / reception: serial port control, PCM
Software that transmits and receives image and character information in cooperation with CIA control Image and character information control: Imports image data, adds and stores character information (database), and searches for image and character information in cooperation with software for transmitting and receiving character information , Software for displaying and printing screens, and software for automatically recognizing the received image and text information as to the date and time of reception and the communication partner, and creating a database. Here, the personal computer 1 is Windows 95, 98, Winnd
ows NT is a DOS / V or PC98 series that operates and has an interface that allows connection of devices used in the figure. However, no interface is required for devices that are not used.

For example, ISDN line 33 or analog line 3
If only one of the serial ports is used, only one serial port is required. Conversely, when three or more lines are used, if there are only two serial ports, expansion is performed.

The terminal adapter 21, the ISDN line 33, and the TA card 23 are compatible with the INS net 64.
The image scanner 28 and the image data storage device 29
Works with ndows 95, 98 or Windows NT. The digital camera memory card 32 stores images according to JPEG. Operating system 18a, TCP
/ IP driver 18b is compatible with Windows 95, 98 or Wi
Works with ndows NT. The original software 18c performs serial port control (control of communication devices connected to the serial port) PCMCIA control, image / character information transmission / reception, and image character information control.

In this example, a single system is used for both outgoing and incoming calls, and it is possible to adopt a system configuration dedicated to outgoing calls and incoming calls only.

Next, a procedure for using the present color image transmission / storage system will be described with reference to FIG. First, the initial setting procedure will be described.

I. Initial setting (1) First, the system provider determines the line type and the number of lines in consultation with the user based on the form of use and the amount of work, and prepares necessary equipment for each of the determined number of lines and the line type. At this time, it is necessary to pay attention to the calculation of the number of lines because one channel can use a plurality of channels in the ISDN line.

(2) Set up the prepared equipment, software provided by the manufacturer, and independently developed software 18c as shown in the system connection diagram of FIG.

To transmit an image using the ISDN line 33, a terminal adapter (hereinafter referred to as TA) 21 is required.
To the serial port 11 of the personal computer 1
21 is connected to an ISDN line 33. To use the TA card 23 which is a card type TA, the TA card 23 is connected to the PCMCIA slot 13 and the ISDN line 33 is connected to the TA card 23. To use the analog line 34, connect the modem 22 to the serial port 12,
The analog line 34 is connected to the modem 22. To use the modem card 24 which is a card type modem, PCMC
A modem card 24 is connected to the IA slot 13, and an analog line 34 is connected to the modem card 24.

For use in a LAN environment, a LAN card 2
5 is connected to the expansion slot 14 of the personal computer body 1 or a slot provided as a standard equipment, and is connected to a router or another personal computer or the like by a LAN wiring 35. An image scanner 28 for taking in an image is connected to the parallel port 15. When the parallel port 15 is used in a printer or the like, the SCSI port 26 or the like is connected to the expansion slot 16 and the image scanner 2 is connected to the SCSI port 26 or the like.
8 is connected.

To use the mobile phone 30 or the PHS 31, the PCMCIA card 27 must be inserted into the PCMCIA slot 1
7 and the mobile phone 30 and the PHS 31 are connected to the PCMCIA card 27. The digital camera memory card 32 for capturing images is also a PCMCIA card 2.
Connect to 7 and use.

As software for using these devices, an operating system (hereinafter referred to as an OS) 18a provided by a personal computer maker or the like, a TCP / IP
In addition to the driver 18b and the like, the originally developed software 18c and software of (serial port control, PCMCIA control, image data control) are registered.

Image data transmitted using these devices or a digital camera memory card 32,
Image data and character information captured from the image scanner 28 are stored in an image data storage device 29 such as a hard disk (hereinafter, referred to as HD) or a magneto-optical disk (hereinafter, referred to as MO).

The amount of image data and character information to be transmitted and stored is calculated, and the required amount of HD or backup MO is set up.

(3) Registration of communication partner information Using the originally developed software 18c, register the communication partner information (communication partner ID, communication partner type, line type, telephone number) in the system by the number of communication partners. .
Details of the registration will be described later. The receiving side also registers in advance which line type is used for communication.

The details for this automatic reception will be described later. Further, it also registers which image data storage device stores the transmitted image information.

II. System operation (1) System startup Turn on the personal computer 1 of the system and start the system menu.

(2) Preparation for Communication and Automatic Reception The originally developed software 18c detects the connected device according to the initially registered information, and automatically makes the device usable. That is, the personal computer 1 that receives the image data and character information issues a command to the connected device, and waits for reception. When there is an incoming call, it automatically responds and stores it in the registered image data storage device 29. The detailed operation will be described later.

(3) Use of communication (transmission) On the transmission side, image information is read from a digital camera or an image scanner 28, or is created with image processing software, or image data transmitted from another personal computer is processed or left as it is. Make preparations for transfer. Using the proprietary software 18c, the user selects image data to be transmitted with the communication partner and instructs transmission. The system that has received the instruction automatically activates the connected device connected to the specified line to the designated partner, and makes a call.
When the other party responds, the designated image information and character information are automatically transmitted. When transmission of the designated image information and character information is completed, the line is automatically disconnected and the communication is terminated.

As described above, the operator can communicate without being aware of the line type or the like simply by selecting the transmission partner ID and the information to be transmitted and instructing the transmission.

The detailed operation will be described later.

Next, the mechanism of automatic transmission and reception in this embodiment will be described.

1. First, before starting communication, communication environment information (Table 1), communication partner information (Table 2), and information storage environment information (Table 3) are registered.

[0038]

[Table 1]

[0039]

[Table 2]

[0040]

[Table 3]

FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting communication-related information.

First, 0 is set to the channel number (step 41). The channel number is incremented by 1 (step 42),
The port type number, the port number, the connected device, and the information of idle / in use are set (steps 43 to 46). It is determined whether a predetermined number of ports have been set (step 4).
7) If not completed, the process returns to step 42 to perform the next channel setting, and if completed, ends the process.

FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting communication partner information. Company code, communication partner ID,
Set the communication partner name (steps 51-5)
3). Next, communication priorities are set (step 54).
A communication partner type is selected (step 55), a line type is set (step 56), and a telephone number and a transmission / reception category are set (step 57). Steps 54 to 57 are performed for the number of lines (step 58), and steps 51 to 58 are performed for the communication partner (step 59).

2. Next, the mechanism of automatic reception is shown in FIG.
This will be described below.

(1) After the communication environment information and communication partner information are registered, when the system is started, the communication environment information and communication partner information are automatically read (step 61), and the registered port type Then, a communication start is instructed to the connected device having the port number, and an incoming call waiting state is set (steps 62 to 65).

When there is an incoming call, the present system waits to receive the notification at any time.

(2) Upon receiving the notification of the incoming call, the system immediately responds (steps 66 and 67), and the communication partner information (login information) of the transmission source is transmitted in advance.
The communication partner is identified with the communication partner information set in the system (step 68). If it is correctly identified, it responds with a login OK and receives image information and character information (step 69).

(3) At the end of reception, a logout request is sent.
K is returned to the transmission source, the communication is temporarily terminated, and the received information is stored in the device or directory designated in the information storage environment information, with the communication type as the information name of the communication date and time, text or image, as the information name. (Step 70).

The communication partner information transmitted at the same time is also stored, so that the sender can be identified. When the communication ends, the port and the connected device are instructed to end (step 7
2).

3. Next, the mechanism of automatic transmission is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to (2).

(1) When a user of the present system transmits image information and character information to a communication partner, first, information to be transmitted is selected from a database or the like (step 81). A plurality of information can be selected by displaying the information on a list and clicking the information name.

(2) The previously set communication partner information is displayed, and a communication partner is selected (step 82).

(3) Information below the communication type is automatically selected in descending order of priority from the selected communication partner information, and character information on a database is converted for each communication type (steps 82 and 83).

(4) An empty line is selected from the communication environment information (step 85), the port and the connected device are initialized, and a call is made to the telephone number set in the communication partner information (steps 86 and 87). If a plurality of lines are set when there is no response during a call, a communication type having the next highest priority is selected, converted, and transmitted.

(5) When the communication partner device responds, the transmission source communication partner information (login information) is transmitted (step 88). When a login OK response is sent from the communication partner, the selected and converted information is transmitted.

(6) When transmission is completed, a logout request is sent, and when logout OK is received, the transmission result is displayed on the screen, and the communication time, communication partner name, and information name are recorded as update records (step 89).

(7) Disconnect the line of the used channel number, and instruct initial setting and incoming call waiting again (step 9).
0).

(8) The above is repeated until the transmission is completed (step 91).

3 and 4 described above are the contents of the unique software 18c.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of transmission and reception.
The transmission side first searches the image database, selectively displays data to be transmitted, and selects a transmission partner from the communication partner information DB. On the other hand, the receiving side selects communication channels 1 to 4, a modem, and a communication line. The sender moves on to start sending,
Convert character information from database to text file,
Initialize the modem and determine the destination from the list of transmission files. The receiving side initializes the modem and enters an idle state (waiting for an incoming call). When the sender dials, the receiver detects the incoming call. The transmitting side connects with the receiving side, and the connection is completed.
When the transmitting side transmits a login request, the receiving side receives this, checks it against the communication partner information DB, and returns a login OK to the transmitting side. The transmitting side receives the login request response. Next, the transmitting side transmits the character information, the image file, and the logout request. The receiving side receives these and returns a logout request OK to the transmitting side. The sender receives the logout request. The sender receives the logout request. The transmission side and the reception side disconnect the line and record the communication start date and time, the communication partner name, the communication result, etc. in the communication record DB. The reception side merges the character information into the image DB and associates the image file with the image DB. Save and return to idol.

Next, an operation of registering a communication partner will be described.

First, a "utility" button on the main menu bar (FIG. 6) is clicked. The utility menu of FIG. 7 is displayed. Here, when the “communication partner selection” button is clicked, FIG. 8 is displayed. The data displayed on the screen is a registered communication partner. To narrow down the registered partners, enter the kana name (or just the first character) and click the "Search" button.

To register a new communication partner, click the "New" button. Then, FIG. 9 is displayed,
Register the company code of the person to be newly registered. FIG. 10 is displayed, and the ID number of the partner to be registered is registered.
The ID number is a number necessary to determine where the sender is when an image or the like is received. The ID number also has security, such as rejecting reception if the receiving party does not register the ID number of the other party.

When each item is set and the "register" button is clicked, new communication partner information is registered (FIG. 11). First, the type of communication partner is selected (see FIG. 1).
2). Next, the line type (analog,
ISDN, mobile phone, PHS) (FIG. 13).
If the communication partner type and line type are registered incorrectly,
Communication cannot be performed normally. If the communication partner has two types of telephone line receptacles, two types of registration are required.

To modify an already registered communication partner, select the corresponding partner and click the "Modify" button (FIG. 14). Then, FIG. 15 is displayed, each information is corrected, and the “register” button is clicked. If you do not need the registered information, click the "Delete" button.

Next, preparation for automatic reception will be described.
If nothing is displayed on the screen of the communication server in the reception status column as shown in FIG. 16, automatic reception cannot be performed, and thus initial setting of the communication server is required. The receiving state is set for each communication channel. For example, when the communication of the communication channel 1 is enabled, the “setting” button of the communication channel 1 is clicked. Then, the display of FIG. 17 is displayed. When the selected channel is to be used, “Use this communication channel” is checked. As a result, various settings such as a modem and a line can be made, and a modem / terminal adapter to be used is selected (FIG. 18). Click the "Modem Properties" button to set modem details. The port to which the modem or the like is connected is set (FIG. 19). Next, line setting, that is, the type of line used by a modem / terminal adapter or the like is set (FIG. 20).

When the setting of each channel is completed, the message "modem initializing ..." is displayed once in the communication status, and then the display changes to "idle" (FIG. 21). If the "idle" display does not appear, there is a possibility that the channel setting is incorrect or the modem setting is incorrect, so perform the setting again.

Next, "automatic reception" will be described. In order to automatically receive an image or the like from another communication station, it is necessary to start up the communication server in the state shown in FIG. When an image or the like is received while the communication server is activated and displayed, the reception screen of FIG. 23 is displayed. When the communication is completed, as shown in FIG. 24, how the communication state has been completed is displayed in the reception status column. When the communication is abnormally terminated, the status of the abnormality is displayed in the reception status column, so that the cause of the abnormality can be grasped.

Next, transmission of image and character information will be described.

Select an image to be transmitted. In the case of FIG. 25, if no image is selected, data other than the image is to be transmitted, so it is necessary to select the data to be transmitted. Note that character information is always transmitted.

To select one image, click on the image to be selected. To select a plurality of images, surround the plurality of images while pressing the left button of the mask, select the first image to be selected, and click the last image while pressing the "Shift" key. While pressing the “Ctrl” key, images to be selected are clicked one by one. Clicking the "Send" button at the top of the screen displays the destination selection screen of FIG. Click “▼” of “Destination name” to select the destination. Transmission partner selection screen (Fig. 2
In 7), select the person you want to send. When the transmission destination is determined, the user clicks "Execute transmission" (FIG. 28). FIG. 29 is displayed and transmission is started. The state of “preparing for transmission”, “calling”, “connection completed”, “login request”, “sending file”, and “end of transmission” transits and is displayed. When the transmission is completed, the screen returns to the previous screen. `` Manual disconnection '' when transmission is forcibly terminated during transmission
Click the button. In this case, the transmission partner ends the reception when the reception status is “abnormal termination”.

The processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is performed by using an FD as an image information transmission program and an image information reception program.
(Floppy disk), CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk) and other recording media, and can be executed using a personal computer or the like.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, by registering the line type to be transmitted and necessary software once, a user who does not have such knowledge can easily use the transmission system. it can. In addition, it is possible to select and use communication means that is easy for the user to use, for example, to make effective use of the analog line or to use a mobile phone because the user frequently moves.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image information transmission / storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for using the image information transmission / storage system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting communication-related information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of automatic transmission / reception.

FIG. 5 is a transmission / reception sequence diagram.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a main menu bar in communication partner registration.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a utility menu.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication partner setting list screen in communication partner registration.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication partner setting screen in communication partner registration.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication partner setting screen in communication partner registration.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication partner setting screen in communication partner registration.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a communication partner type screen in communication partner registration.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a line type screen in communication partner registration.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a communication partner setting list screen in communication partner registration.

FIG. 15: Communication partner setting (edit) in communication partner registration
It is a figure showing a screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen display of the communication server in automatic reception.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an initial setting screen of the communication server.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an initial setting screen of the communication server.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an initial setting screen of the communication server.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an initial setting screen of the communication server.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an automatic reception setting end screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a startup screen of the communication server.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a reception screen of the communication server.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display of reception completion of the communication server.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a screen for transmitting an image of character information.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a destination selection screen.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a transmission partner setting (partner selection) screen.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a transmission partner selection (selection end) screen.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a transmission execution screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 PC body 11,12 Serial port 13,17 PCMCIA slot 14,16 Expansion slot 15 Parallel port 18 Software 18a Operating system 18b TCP / IP driver etc. 18c Original software 21 Terminal adapter 22 Modem 23 TA card 24 Modem card 25 LAN card 26 SCSI board 27 PCMCIA card 28 Image scanner 29 Image data storage device 30 Mobile phone 31 PHS 32 Digital camera memory card 33 ISDN line 34 Analog line 35 LAN wiring 41 to 47, 51 to 59, 61 to 72, 81 to 91
Steps

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Kuniaki Kawamura 3-19-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroyuki Nakagawa 3-192 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) AA30 AA34 AA35 AA37 AB17 AB38 AB41 AB42 AC40 AF02 AF03 BA00 5E501 AB03 AB30 BA05 CA02 CB13 CB14 5K034 AA17 CC02 HH01 JJ11

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of communication lines of different types are registered in advance, a communication line to be used is selected from the plurality of communication lines, and the stored image information and the associated image information are selected via the communication line. An image information transmission method for transmitting data to be transmitted to a partner device for which a connection destination is set. 2. An image information transmitting apparatus for transmitting image information and accompanying data via a communication line, comprising: means for inputting image information and accompanying data; and input image information and accompanying data. Storage means for storing data; a plurality of communication means corresponding to a plurality of different types of communication lines; a means for setting a connection destination number; and a means for selecting one or a plurality of communication means from the plurality of communication means And an image information transmitting apparatus having means for transmitting the image information and the data accompanying the image information to the connection destination of the set connection number via the selected communication means. 3. An image information transmission program for transmitting image information and accompanying data via a communication line, comprising: a port type for each channel, a port number, a connected device,
A process of setting communication environment information including information in use, a process of setting communication partner information including a communication partner ID, a line type, and a telephone number; selecting information to be transmitted; Select an empty channel, make the selected channel in use, initialize the port and connected device, make a call to the communication partner, and when the communication partner answers, send the communication partner information of the sender, and the response from the communication partner A recording medium storing an image information transmission program for causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting information selected as being present. 4. An image information receiving program for receiving image information and accompanying data via a communication line, comprising: a port type for each channel, a port number, a connection device,
A process of reading communication environment information including information on use and communication environment information including a communication partner ID, a line type, and a telephone number, and instructing a connected device having a registered port type and port number to start communication. Waits for an incoming call, and if there is an incoming call notification, identifies the communication partner based on the transmitted communication partner information, and if correctly identified, receives image information and character information from the communication partner. Recording medium storing an image information receiving program for causing a computer to execute a process of storing the information and communication partner information.