JP2000270194A - Image transmitter and method for transmitting image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image transmitter that transmits an image with a structure receptible by a receiver side unit to the receiver side unit. SOLUTION: A database 4 stores and registers a destination address of an image receiver and a receptible image structure in cross reference therewith and an image structure decision section 6 decides a transmission image structure of the transmitted image depending on the contents in the image transmitter. An image structure acquisition section 71 of a comparator section 7 acquires an image structure of received image data, an image structure comparison section 72 compares both the image structures, an image processing section 81 of a conversion section 8 converts different points, a coding section 82 encodes the data according to designation, a format conversion section 83 converts the format of the data to generate transmission image data. Thus, the image transmitter can transmit an image consisting of receptible and proper transmission image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computer networks such as a LAN and the Internet have become widespread. In such a network, various services such as an e-mail service, a file transfer service, and an information search service are used. For example, in a company, computers and other devices are connected by a network to improve the efficiency of business. Have been. Here, since image data can be transmitted via a LAN or a network, image transmission as an alternative to a conventional facsimile system for transmitting image data via a telephone line has been considered.

In a facsimile system, a facsimile terminal on the transmitting side and a facsimile terminal on the receiving side are connected by a telephone line network. The outline of facsimile communication is as follows. That is, at the transmitting facsimile terminal, according to the G3 or G4 protocol,
First, the receiving facsimile terminal is called. The called receiving facsimile terminal notifies the receiving side of the receiving capability of the receiving side, and the transmitting facsimile terminal instructs the receiving side of the transmitting mode according to the notified receiving capability of the receiving side, and prepares for reception. As soon as is completed, image data is transmitted from the transmitting facsimile terminal to the receiving facsimile terminal.

[0004]

As described above, image data can be exchanged via a computer network. In this case, however, unlike a facsimile system, information such as reception capability between communication terminals is different. Exchange cannot be performed. Therefore, the transmitting terminal
The data is converted into an image data format that can be handled by the transmitting terminal regardless of the receiving capability of the receiving terminal, that is, an image data format that can be handled by the receiving terminal, and transmitted.

At this time, for example, when image data having an image data size different from the paper size is transmitted, when image data encoded by a compression method that cannot be decoded is transmitted, or when only a monochrome image can be received. In such a case, for example, when the color image data is transmitted, the receiving terminal cannot properly perform reception and processing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an image transmission apparatus and an image transmission method capable of transmitting image data having an image structure in a data format adapted to a receiving apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image transmitting apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image transmitting apparatus for transmitting image data to an image receiving apparatus via a network. For the receiving device, a database in which the receiving capability is stored and registered, an image structure determining means for determining an image structure of transmission image data transmitted to the image receiving device with reference to the contents of the database, The image structure of the input image data
Comparing means for comparing the image structure of the transmission image data determined by the image structure determination means with the image structure of the input image data based on the comparison result by the comparison means; The image processing apparatus is characterized by comprising a conversion unit that generates image data, and a transmission unit that transmits the transmission image data generated by the conversion unit to the image receiving device.

An image transmitting method according to the present invention is an image transmitting method for transmitting image data to an image receiving apparatus via a network, wherein the receiving capability of the image receiving apparatus at the transmission destination is stored and registered. Determining the image structure of the transmission image data transmitted to the image receiving apparatus with reference to the contents of the database to be transmitted, the image structure of the input image data to be transmitted, and the image structure determination step. Comparing the image structure of the transmitted image data with the image structure of the input image data, and converting the image structure of the input image data into the image structure of the transmitted image data based on the comparison result of the comparing step. And a transmitting step of transmitting the transmission image data generated by the conversion step to the image receiving device. And wherein the Rukoto.

Further, in the image transmitting apparatus and the image transmitting method, for the image receiving apparatus, the correspondence relationship between the destination address of the image receiving apparatus and the receivable image structure as the receiving capability of the image receiving apparatus at the destination address is stored. It may be characterized by being stored and registered.

When performing image communication similar to that of a conventional facsimile system via a computer network, the image transmitting apparatus stores in advance a database of each image receiving apparatus to be transmitted and its receiving capability. deep. By performing the comparison and conversion of the images using the reception capability information stored in the database as described above, the same function as the reception capability information exchange in the facsimile system is realized, and the image receiving device can receive the information. Image data in an image data format can be transmitted. At the same time, deterioration of the image quality of the transmission image can be suppressed by such association of the image data format.

The information on the receiving capability is information on an image structure and the like that can be processed by the image receiving apparatus. With this, it is possible to select and determine the image structure of the transmission image data. Further, as a method of making the above-mentioned database, for example, there is a method of storing and registering a destination address (an address on a computer network) in correspondence with the receiving capability of the image receiving apparatus at the destination address.

It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which general reception capability is stored and registered as default information as reception capability information used for an unregistered destination address.

The image structure stored and registered in the database and subjected to comparison and conversion with respect to the image is as follows:
The image structure includes an image size, and the converting means (converting step) divides the input image data based on the image size determined by the image structure determining means (image structure determining step) to generate transmission image data. Is possible.

[0014] Alternatively, the image structure includes an image size,
The conversion means (conversion step) can generate transmission image data by scaling the input image data based on the image size determined by the image structure determination means (image structure determination step).

Further, the image structure includes a resolution, and the conversion means (conversion step) converts the resolution of the input image data based on the resolution determined by the image structure determination means (image structure determination step) to transmit the transmission image data. Can be generated.

Further, the image structure includes the number of gradations, and the converting means (conversion step) converts the input image data into the number of gradations based on the number of gradations determined by the image structure determining means (image structure determining step). It is possible to generate transmission image data by conversion.

Further, the image structure includes a color space, and the conversion means (conversion step) converts the input image data into a color space based on the color space determined by the image structure determination means (image structure determination step). It is possible to generate transmission image data.

Further, the image structure includes an encoding method, and the conversion means (conversion step) encodes the input image data based on the encoding method determined by the image structure determination means (image structure determination step). It is possible to generate transmission image data.

Further, the image structure includes an image data format, and the conversion means (conversion step) converts the format of the input image data based on the image data format determined by the image structure determination means (image structure determination step). It is possible to generate transmission image data.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image transmitting apparatus and an image transmitting method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration in an embodiment of an image transmitting apparatus according to the present invention. The hardware control function of each section of the apparatus through the bus, and software functions such as image processing for image transmission, which will be described later, are performed by the CPU 1. The CPU 1 includes a ROM 1a storing a software program and the like necessary for the operation of the apparatus,
A RAM 1b, which is constituted by an AM or a flash memory and stores data temporarily during execution of a program or the like, is connected to the RAM 1b.

The transmitted image data is input from the image input unit 2 as input image data P1. Image input unit 2
Although various input methods are possible, an image reading device such as a scanner can be connected. In this case, the image document is read by the image reading device, and the image data is input to the device from the image input unit 2 directly or after a predetermined process. Also,
A configuration in which a separate computer or the like is connected may be adopted. In this case, various image data such as an image obtained by processing an already read image using a computer or an image created by a computer is input from the image input unit 2 as input image data P1.

Information necessary for transmission, such as a transmission destination, is input and specified from the input / output unit 3. Further, an instruction to execute transmission and the like are also issued from the input / output unit 3. The input / output unit 3 is, for example,
It comprises an operation panel having a display unit (output unit) and an input unit attached to the apparatus, or a display as a display unit and a keyboard as an input unit. Necessary information such as information on the display is displayed and output on the display unit and provided to the operator.

The input image data P1 input from the image input unit 2 corresponds to the transmission destination specified by the input / output unit 3, and refers to the database 4 as described later, and
Is converted into transmission image data P2, temporarily stored and stored in an image memory 5a such as a DRAM, and then transmitted from the image transmission unit 5 that controls data transmission to the LAN via a network such as a LAN. To the image receiving device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system environment in which the present apparatus operates. The image transmitting apparatus A according to the present invention is connected and operated in an environment where e-mail on the Internet can be used, for example. That is, a mail gateway is connected to the Internet, and all e-mails in the LAN are used in an environment in which communication with the Internet is performed via the mail gateway. In the system shown in FIG. 2, the image transmitting device A, the POP server B,
A terminal C such as another computer is connected to the LAN, and the transmission image data P2 transmitted from the image transmission device A corresponds to each transmission destination address via the mail gateway D via the LAN. The data is transmitted to the Internet, which is a computer network connected to the image receiving device.

With such a system configuration, transmission and reception of image data similar to the conventional facsimile system can be performed.
This can be performed via a computer network. The protocol of the e-mail is, for example, P
OP (Post Office Protocol), SMTP (Simple M
ail Transfer Protocol).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image transmitting apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The destination address corresponding to the image receiving apparatus of the other party to which the image data is to be transmitted is set in the destination input section 3a included in the input / output section 3.
And is input to the image structure determination unit 6. The image structure determination unit 6 refers to the database 4 and
The image structure corresponding to the specified destination address is determined.

Here, the image structure is information on the data format of the image data to be transmitted and received, and requires information such as image size, resolution, number of gradations, color space, coding method, image data format, and the like. Includes accordingly.

The database 4 contains a destination address,
The receivable image structure, which is the receiving capability of the image receiving device at the transmission destination address, is stored and registered in correspondence.
The image structure determining unit 6 searches the destination address specified by the destination input unit 3a from the destination addresses registered in the database 4, and if the specified destination address is registered in the database 4, The image structure (reception capability) stored in the database 4 is selected and determined as the image structure used for the transmission image data for transmission.

On the other hand, in the database 4, apart from the image structures respectively corresponding to the registered destination addresses,
A default image structure is stored. If the specified destination address is not registered in the database 4, the image structure determining unit 6 selects and determines the default image structure as the image structure used for the transmission image data.

The image data transmitted from the destination input unit 3a to the destination input / designated is input from the image input unit 2 as input image data of raster image data or the like. The input image data is compared and analyzed by the comparing unit 7, and the image is converted by the converting unit 8. As a result, transmission image data having an image structure (data format) corresponding to the transmission destination is generated, and transmitted from the image transmission unit 5 via the network.

In the comparing section 7, the input image data from the image input section 2 is input to the image structure obtaining section 71, and the image size, resolution, and the like of the image structure of the input image data (hereinafter also referred to as input image structure) are obtained. Information such as the number of gradations and the color space is analyzed and acquired. The input image data and the information about the image structure are output to the image structure comparison unit 72.
The image structure comparison unit 72 includes an image structure (hereinafter, referred to as an image structure) used for the transmission image data determined by the image structure determination unit 6.
A transmission image structure is also input.

As a result, the image structure comparing section 72 compares the input image structure acquired by the image structure acquiring section 71 with:
The transmission image structure is compared with the transmission image structure determined by the image structure determination unit 6 corresponding to the transmission destination address, and an image structure different between the two is detected and output to the conversion unit 8.

The conversion section 8 includes an image processing section 81, an encoding section 8
2, and a format conversion unit 83. The input image data having the input image structure is converted based on information from the image structure comparison unit 72 or the image structure determination unit 6, and the This is transmission image data having a transmission image structure that can be received by the image receiving device.

The image processing section 81 has an image size, a resolution,
With respect to the image data format such as the number of gradations and the color space, the image data is converted into the data format of the transmission image structure specified by the image structure determination unit 6. Further, the encoding unit 82 encodes the image data from the image processing unit 81 according to the encoding method of the designated transmission image structure. Further, the format conversion unit 83 converts the encoded image data from the encoding unit 82 into an image data format having a designated transmission image structure, and finally obtains transmission image data to be transmitted. After the obtained transmission image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 5a, for example, in accordance with an instruction from the input / output unit 3 shown in FIG.
The image is transmitted from the image transmitting unit 5 to the specified destination address.

When transmitting image data from a scanner, a computer terminal, or the like, the image transmitting apparatus according to the present embodiment uses a database 4 based on a designated destination address.
Of the registered contents of the document, and the image structure used for transmission is determined based on the contents. Based on this information, the transmitting side generates transmission image data by converting the input image data into an image structure that matches the receiving capability of the receiving side, which is the transmission destination, and uses this for transmission.

By using the receiving capability information such as the receivable image structure stored in the database as described above, even if the capability information is not exchanged between the transmitting and receiving devices, the receiving device can change the data format. It is possible to solve the problem that reception cannot be performed.

Further, depending on the data format, some image processing or conversion is required even if the data can be received by the receiving apparatus, and thus unnecessary image deterioration may occur. On the other hand, if the receiving capability is stored in a database as described above, it is possible to set the most suitable image structure in the receiving device at the same time as the receiving is possible, so that unnecessary image and image quality Deterioration can also be suppressed.

In the device configuration using such a database, even when capability information can be exchanged via the computer network of the transmitting / receiving device, it is necessary to exchange capability information when the receiving capability of the receiving side is known in advance. Since there is no such information, unnecessary capability information exchange can be omitted, image communication can be simplified, and communication time can be reduced and line congestion can be eliminated.

The image transmitting apparatus according to the above-described embodiment and the image transmitting method using the image transmitting apparatus will be further described.

First, the image structure information stored and registered in the database 4 will be described. This image structure information is registered for each destination address and stored in the database 4 as, for example, information as shown in FIG. That is, the transmission destination address (for example, XXXXX.
co. jp), the image size, the resolution, the number of gradations, the color space, the encoding method of the image data receivable by the image receiving device of the destination,
Information of an image structure such as an image data format is stored and registered.

As the image size information, for example, information such as standard size A4, B4, A3, letter, legal, roll paper, etc. is registered.

As the resolution information, for example, 20
0 × 100 dpi, 200 × 200 dpi, 200 × 4
00dpi, 300x300dpi, 400x400d
pi, 600 × 600 dpi, etc. are registered.

Further, as the gradation number information, for example, 1b
it / pixel, 8 bit / pixel, 24 bit
/ Pixel, 32 bits / pixel, etc. are registered.

As the color space information, for example, L ^*
Information such as a ^* b ^* space, RGB space, YMCK space, or the like in the case of gray scale is registered.

The coding method information includes MH coding, MR coding, MMR coding, JPEG coding, JB coding.
Information such as IG encoding is registered.

The image data format information includes, for example, TIFF file format, JPEG
Information such as a file format is registered.

A default (default) transmission image structure is set separately from information on each transmission destination. If the transmission destination address to be transmitted is not registered in the database 4, the transmission destination address is registered as the default. Use the current image structure. The default image structure information has an image structure that assumes the receiving capability of a general image receiving apparatus. For example, image size: A4, resolution: 200 × 100 dpi, number of gradations: 1 bit / pix
el, color space: gray scale, coding method: MH coding, image data format: TIFF file format, and the like.

Incidentally, regarding these image structure information,
As shown in FIG. 4, information about all necessary image structure items may be registered for each destination address, or if only a part of the information is known, only the known information is registered. May be registered. For example, if only the receivable resolution of the destination is known, only the resolution information is registered as the image structure information corresponding to the destination address. In such a case, default information is used for unregistered image structure information.

The contents stored in the database 4 include the addition of the destination address and its image structure information, the change of the registered destination address and its image structure information, or the default image structure information. Can be changed. For example, information on a newly transmitted transmission destination is sequentially registered.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an image transmitting method by the image transmitting apparatus shown in FIG. Here, steps S101 and S103 show a case where a scanner, which is an image reading device, is connected to the image input unit 2 to transmit image data obtained by reading an original. When other image input methods are used, these steps may be replaced with corresponding steps to transmit an image.

First, in step S101, a document to be transmitted is set on the scanner connected to the image input unit 2, and a destination address is input and designated from the destination input unit 3a. Subsequently, in step S102, in response to an instruction to start transmission processing such as pressing a start button of the apparatus, an original set in the scanner is read in step S103 to generate input image data, and image transmission is performed from the image input unit 2. Input to the device.

Steps S104, S105, and S10
Reference numeral 6 denotes an image structure determination step, which corresponds to the image structure determination unit 6 in FIG. In step S104, the destination address specified in step S101 is searched from the destination addresses registered in the database 4. If the destination address is registered, the image structure stored and registered in the database 4 corresponding to the destination address is selected and determined as the transmission image structure in the transmission mode in step S105. You. On the other hand, if the destination address is not registered, the default image structure stored in the database 4 is selected and determined as the transmission image structure in step S106.

Steps S107 and S108 are comparison steps, and correspond to the comparison unit 7 in FIG. 3. Further, step S107 is performed by the image structure acquisition unit 71 and step S108.
Respectively correspond to the image structure comparison unit 72. In step S107, the input image size, the input resolution, the number of input gradations, and the input color space are analyzed and acquired for the image structure of the input image data read in step S103. Subsequently, the transmission image structure determined in step S105 or S106 is compared with the input image structure acquired in step S107 in step S108. However, here, the comparison is performed on the image structure other than the encoding method and the image data format.

Steps S109, S110, and S11
Reference numeral 1 denotes a conversion step, which corresponds to the conversion unit 8 in FIG.
110 corresponds to the encoding unit 82, and step S111 corresponds to the format conversion unit 83, respectively. Step S1
In step 09, if the image structures do not match in step S108, the corresponding input image structure is converted to a transmission image structure.

Further, in step S110, the image data is encoded according to the encoding method specified in the transmission image structure, and in step S111, the image data is format-converted according to the image data format specified. Finally, transmission image data that matches the transmission image structure is generated. The obtained transmission image data is stored in the image memory 5a in step S112 which is a transmission step, and is transmitted from the image transmission unit 5 to the transmission destination address.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing more specifically the comparison and conversion of the image structures in steps S108 and S109 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, steps S201, S203, S20
5 and S207 are image structure comparison steps S108
Steps S202, S204, S206, and S208 correspond to step S109 of image structure conversion, respectively.

First, in step S201, it is compared whether the input image size and the transmission image size match, and if they do not match, image size conversion is performed in step S202 in accordance with the transmission image size.

In step S203, it is compared whether or not the input resolution matches the transmission resolution. If they do not match, the resolution is converted in step S204 in accordance with the transmission resolution.

In step S205, it is compared whether the number of input gradations and the number of transmission gradations match, and if not, in step S206, gradation number conversion is performed in accordance with the number of transmission gradations. Done.

In step S207, it is compared whether the input color space and the transmission color space match, and if they do not match, color space conversion is performed in step S208 in accordance with the transmission color space.

For each conversion step shown in FIG.
Further explanation will be given.

First, the image size conversion in step S202 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image size conversion. In this example, image size conversion is performed by image division. First, when image size conversion is started in step S300, the input image size and the transmission image size are compared in step S301.

If it is determined in step S301 that the input image size is larger than the transmission image size, the process proceeds to step S301.
At 303, it is determined whether or not the number of image divisions is reduced by the 90 ° rotation. Here, if the number of divisions is reduced by 90 ° rotation, step S304
At 90 ° is performed. If the number of divisions does not decrease, the image is left as it is.

FIG. 8 shows a specific example of the conversion when the input image size is larger than the transmission image size.
In this example, as shown in FIG.
Image P2 (dotted line) with the input image P
The size of 1 (solid line) is large both in the horizontal and vertical directions. If the image is divided as it is, the number of divisions of the transmission image is four. on the other hand,
As shown in FIG. 8B, when the input image P1 is rotated by 90 °, the number of divisions of the transmission image is two. Therefore, in such a case, the image is rotated by 90 °.

Next, in step S305, the input image is divided into images. This image division may be performed at an arbitrary division position within a range in which the number of divisions is minimum. However, the image size of each of the divided transmission images (divided images) is smaller than the transmission image size. Is performed after the division position and the like are determined. As a method of determining the division position, the position may be uniquely determined from the input image size and the transmission image size. The division position may be selected and determined.

For example, in FIG. 8B, the vertical length of the rotated input image P1 is equal to the transmission image size l2, but the horizontal length is equivalent to two transmission image sizes. 2
It is smaller than × l1 by l3. At this time, the input image P1
Are divided into two divided images each having a horizontal length smaller than l1. For example, in FIG.
1 is divided into two divided images P1a and P1b each having a horizontal length smaller than l1 by l3 / 2.

Next, in step S306, it is determined whether or not the image size of the divided image is equal to the transmission image size for all the divided images. Regarding the same divided image, the divided image is directly used as the transmission image.
In addition, for a divided image whose image size is smaller than the transmission image size, white pixels are added in step S307, the image size is made equal to the transmission image size, and the image size conversion ends in step S308. .

For example, for the two divided images P1a and P1b shown in FIG. 8C, white pixels are added to the hatched areas A and B as shown in FIG. 8D. , Two transmission images P2a and P2b each having an image size equal to the transmission image size are generated and used for image transmission.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S301 that the input image size is smaller than or equal to the transmission image size, white pixels are added in step S302, and the image size is made equal to the transmission image size. ,
In step S308, the image size conversion ends. If the input image size is equal to the transmission image size, the input image is used as it is as a transmission image without adding white pixels in step S302.

FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the conversion when the input image size is smaller than the transmission image size.
Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, the input image P1 is smaller than the image size of the transmission image P2. In this case, white pixels are added to the area C as shown in FIG. A transmission image P2c having an image size equal to the transmission image size is generated and used for image transmission.

The addition of a white pixel in step S302 or S307 may be added to any part around the input image or the divided image. 8 and 9
In, the addition is performed so that the upper left of the input image or the divided image coincides with the transmission image. For example, the addition is performed so that the input image or the division image is located at the center of the generated transmission image. May be performed.

Next, the resolution conversion in step S204 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. As the resolution conversion method, any method can be used according to the input resolution and the transmission resolution, the device configuration, and the like. That is, a suitable method may be selected depending on the characteristics of the input image, which one of the image quality, the file size, and the like is prioritized at the time of conversion, or a conversion method fixed in advance may be used. Is also good.

For example, as a conversion method for reducing the number of pixels, there is a simple scaling method that has a simple circuit configuration and can perform high-speed processing, and a projection reduction method that gives priority to image quality. As a simple conversion method for increasing the number of pixels, there is a simple scaling method similar to the above, and as a method for preventing the dullness of the edge of a character, a nearest neighbor method, a photograph or a picture To maintain such a gradation, there is a conversion method by interpolation such as a bilinear method or a cubic convolution method. In addition, a character part and a photograph part are determined in the input image,
Different conversion methods may be switched for each part.

Next, the gradation number conversion in step S206 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. As the gradation number conversion method, any method can be used according to the number of input gradations, the number of transmission gradations, the device configuration, and the like. For example, the number of input gradations is 8 bits / pixel, and the number of transmission gradations is 1 bi.
When the input image is t / pixel, the error diffusion method or the dither method is used if the input image is an image having a gradation such as a photograph, and the simple binarization method is used if the input image is an image such as a character. Conversion may be performed.

Next, the color space conversion in step S208 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. As the color space conversion method, any method can be used according to the input color space, the transmission color space, the device configuration, and the like. For example, if the input color space is an RGB plane-sequential color image and the transmission color space is a black-and-white image, the RGB image is first converted to an L ^* a ^* b ^* image, and then only the L ^* component is extracted. May be used to convert the image into a black and white image.

The data format of the image structure for which the image structure conversion is performed is not necessarily performed for all of the above-described image size, resolution, number of gradations, and color space.
What is necessary is just to set it as necessary for each thing. Further, it is also possible to compare and convert other data formats. When a data format specified as an image structure is added or deleted in this manner, the data is stored in the database 4 correspondingly.
Also add or delete registered data format items.

The order of these comparisons and conversions does not need to be as shown in FIG. 6, and may be performed in any order according to the device configuration and the like. For the encoding and format conversion, any conversion method may be used. In addition, if necessary, a configuration may be adopted in which conversion is performed after comparison.

Further, as described above, various conversion methods can be selected and applied. For example, regarding the image size conversion, in the above example, when the input image size is larger than the transmission image size, the input image is divided into a plurality of divided images to generate the transmission image, but the image size is reduced. If it is a condition that the image can be transmitted after being transmitted, the image size conversion (reduction conversion) may be performed on the receiving side so that one image can be output on one sheet of paper or the like, and the transmission image may be obtained.

For example, when the input image size is A3 and the transmission image size is A4, the input image of A3 is
The image may be reduced in size and transmitted as a transmission image. If necessary, the transmission image can be generated by performing the reverse conversion on the contrary. When resolution conversion is used to perform such image size conversion, conversion can be performed simultaneously in combination with the resolution conversion described above. In addition, after the resolution conversion is performed, the resolution may be further converted for the image size conversion.

[0081]

The image transmitting apparatus and the image transmitting method according to the present invention have the following effects as described in detail above. That is, when exchanging image data by image transmission via a computer network, the transmitting device prepares in advance a database of the receiving capabilities such as image structures that can be received and processed by the receiving device, and refers to the stored and registered contents of the database. An image having the same function as the capability information exchange performed in the conventional facsimile system by generating the transmission image data by comparing and converting the image structure of the input image data to be transmitted based thereon. Transmission can be realized.

In a facsimile system, an original is set, and its contents are read as an image and transmitted.
On the other hand, in the present apparatus, by connecting an image reading device such as a scanner to the image input unit and installing the same, it is possible to perform image transmission similar to a facsimile system of reading and transmitting a document. Further, the application of the image transmitting apparatus and method is not limited to the above-described ones. For example, a computer terminal or the like is connected to an image input unit, and an image created or processed on a computer is directly input and used for transmission. It is possible to cope with transmission of various images.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration in an embodiment of an image transmission device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system environment in which the image transmission device operates.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image transmission device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of image structure information stored and registered in a database.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of an image transmission method according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating comparison and conversion of image structures.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image size conversion.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of image size conversion.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another specific example of image size conversion.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 1a ... ROM, 1b ... RAM, 2 ... Image input part, 3 ... Input / output part, 3a ... Destination input part, 4 ... Database, 5 ... Image transmission part, 5a ... Image memory, 6 ...
Image structure determination unit, 7: comparison unit, 71: image structure acquisition unit,
72: image structure comparing unit, 8: converting unit, 81: image processing unit, 82: encoding unit, 83: format converting unit.

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Claims (18)

[Claims] An image transmitting apparatus for transmitting image data to an image receiving apparatus via a network, comprising: a database in which the receiving capability of the image receiving apparatus as a transmission destination is stored and registered; and a content of the database. The image structure determining means for determining the image structure of the transmission image data transmitted to the image receiving device, the image structure of the input image data to be transmitted, and the image structure determining means. Comparing means for comparing the image structure of the transmission image data with the image structure, based on a comparison result by the comparison means, converting the image structure of the input image data into the image structure of the transmission image data, Converting means for generating transmission image data; and transmitting the transmission image data generated by the conversion means to the image receiving apparatus. Image transmitting apparatus characterized by having a transmission means for transmitting. 2. The database stores, for the image receiving device, a correspondence relationship between a destination address of the image receiving device and the receivable image structure as the receiving capability of the image receiving device at the destination address. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transmitting apparatus is registered. 3. The image structure includes an image size, and the conversion unit divides the input image data based on the image size determined by the image structure determination unit to generate the transmission image data. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The image structure includes an image size, and the conversion unit generates the transmission image data by scaling the input image data based on the image size determined by the image structure determination unit. 2. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image structure includes a resolution, wherein the conversion unit converts the resolution of the input image data based on the resolution determined by the image structure determination unit to generate the transmission image data. The image transmission device according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The image structure includes a number of tones, and the conversion unit converts the input image data to a number of tones based on the number of tones determined by the image structure determining unit and transmits the image data. The image transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the image transmission device generates image data. 7. The image structure includes a color space, and the conversion unit performs color space conversion on the input image data based on the color space determined by the image structure determination unit to convert the transmission image data. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transmitting apparatus generates the image. 8. The image structure includes an encoding system, and the conversion unit encodes the input image data based on the encoding system determined by the image structure determination unit to convert the transmission image data. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transmitting apparatus generates the image. 9. The image data structure includes an image data format, and the conversion unit converts the format of the input image data based on the image data format determined by the image structure determination unit to generate the transmission image data. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 10. An image transmitting method for transmitting image data to an image receiving device via a network, wherein the receiving capability of the image receiving device of the transmission destination is stored in a database that is stored and registered. Determining an image structure of transmission image data transmitted to the image receiving device; an image structure of input image data to be transmitted; and the image structure determined by the image structure determination step. A comparing step of comparing the image structure of the transmission image data with the image structure, and converting the image structure of the input image data into the image structure of the transmission image data based on a comparison result obtained by the comparison step. A conversion step of generating data; and the image reception of the transmission image data generated by the conversion step. Image transmission method characterized by comprising a transmission step of transmitting to the location, the. 11. The database stores a correspondence relationship between the destination address of the image receiving apparatus and the receivable image structure as the receiving capability of the image receiving apparatus at the destination address. The image transmission method according to claim 10, wherein the image transmission method is registered. 12. The image structure includes an image size, and the converting step divides the input image data based on the image size determined by the image structure determining step to generate the transmission image data. The image transmission method according to claim 10, wherein: 13. The image structure includes an image size, and the conversion step generates the transmission image data by scaling the input image data based on the image size determined by the image structure determination step. The image transmission method according to claim 10, wherein 14. The image structure includes a resolution, wherein the converting step converts the resolution of the input image data based on the resolution determined by the image structure determining step to generate the transmission image data. The image transmission method according to claim 10, wherein: 15. The image structure includes a number of tones, and the converting step includes converting the input image data to a number of tones based on the number of tones determined in the image structure determining step, and transmitting the image data. 11. The image transmission method according to claim 10, wherein image data is generated. 16. The image structure includes a color space, and the conversion step performs a color space conversion on the input image data based on the color space determined by the image structure determination step to convert the transmission image data. The method according to claim 10, wherein the image is transmitted. 17. The image structure includes a coding method, and the converting step codes the input image data based on the coding method determined by the image structure determining step to convert the transmission image data. The method according to claim 10, wherein the image is transmitted. 18. The method according to claim 18, wherein the image structure includes an image data format, and the converting step includes:
11. The image transmission method according to claim 10, wherein the transmission image data is generated by converting the format of the input image data.