JP2000332932A - Image data communication equipment and its operation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store a comment about an image in the same image file for image data and to transmit it to a server in image data communication equipment performing data communication by using a portable telephone. SOLUTION: Image data is read from a memory card (step 51). The attached information of an image is selected (step 52). A comment about the image is inputted by using a portable telephone (step 54). The comment is received from the portable telephone. The image data, the attached information and the comment are stored in one single image file. The image file is transmitted to the portable telephone and transmitted to a server by using the portable telephone (step 59).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data communication device capable of performing data communication with a portable communication terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device via a network, and an operation control method thereof.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Image data can be transmitted to a server using a personal computer.
The personal computer can be connected to a network using a built-in modem or a built-in modem, and the server can be accessed via the network.

[0003] To transmit image data to a server, a personal computer is required. Although personal computers have become widespread, they are still not easy to handle for inexperienced users.

[0004] On the other hand, the penetration rate of mobile phones is remarkable. Development of a device that can use a portable communication terminal device such as a mobile phone is being sought.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a device for utilizing a portable communication terminal device and an operation control method of such a device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data communication apparatus capable of inputting characters and communicating data with a portable communication terminal apparatus capable of communicating with a communication apparatus via a network. Character data receiving means for receiving character data representing characters input in a terminal device, image data reading means for reading image data recorded on an image recording medium, character data received by the character data receiving means and the image data An image file generating means for generating an image file in which the image data read by the reading means are stored in one file, and an image file generated by the image file generating means via the portable communication terminal device Characterized by comprising an image file transmitting means for transmitting to the communication device. That.

The first invention also provides an operation control method for the above device. That is, this method is an operation control method of an image data communication device capable of inputting characters and communicating data with a portable communication terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device via a network. A terminal device receives character data representing a character input, reads image data recorded on an image recording medium, and stores the received character data and the read image data in one file. Is generated and the generated image file is transmitted to the portable communication terminal.

According to the first aspect, characters (comments) are input in the portable communication terminal device. Character data representing the input character is transmitted from the portable communication terminal device to the image data transmitting device. Character data is received by the image data transmitting device. Further, in the image data transmitting device, the image data recorded on the image recording medium is read.

An image file is generated such that character data and image data are stored in one file. The generated image file is transmitted from the image data transmitting device to the communication device via the portable communication terminal device.

An image file can be transmitted to the communication device using the portable communication terminal device.

Since the character data is stored in the same image file as the image data, the character data representing the character information of the image represented by the image data (character information desired by the user such as an image message and a title) is stored in the image data. The data can be transmitted to the communication device in association with the image data.

Since characters can be input from the portable communication terminal device, it is not always necessary to provide character input means in the image data transmitting device. The size of the image data transmitting device can be reduced.

Since the image data and the character data are stored in one image file, the image data and the character data are associated with each other. In the communication device that receives the image file, it is possible to prevent the correspondence between the image data and the character data from being unclear.

[0014] The attached information recorded on the attached information recording medium may be read, and the character data, the image data, and the read attached information may be stored in one image file.

The additional information may be information that is not unique to the image data, such as a password for downloading the image data, the name of the user, and the date and time of transmission.

The portable communication terminal sets a transmission destination of the communication device to which the image file generated by the image file generation means is to be transmitted, and transmits the image file to the communication device of the set transmission destination. The device can also be controlled.

The destination of the image file can be set without using the portable terminal device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data communication apparatus capable of performing data communication with a portable terminal apparatus capable of communicating with a communication apparatus via a network, and storing transmission destination data indicating a transmission destination of the communication apparatus. Destination data storage means for controlling the portable communication terminal device to transmit an image file to the destination communication device represented by the destination data stored in the destination data storage means Communication terminal device control means, destination data storage means for storing the destination data transmitted from the communication device, and receiving the destination data transmitted from the communication device via the portable communication terminal device Destination data receiving means, and controlling the destination data storage means to store the destination data received by the destination data receiving means Characterized in that it comprises a that storage control unit.

The second invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the above device. That is, this method is an operation control method of an image data communication device capable of performing data communication with a portable communication terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device via a network, and includes destination data representing a destination of the communication device. The portable communication terminal device is controlled so as to transmit an image file to the communication device of the transmission destination represented by the stored transmission destination data, and the transmission transmitted from the communication device is controlled. The destination data is received via the portable communication terminal device, and the received destination data is stored.

According to the second aspect, the destination data transmitted from the communication device is received via the portable communication terminal device. The received destination data is stored in the image data transmitting device. An image file is transmitted via the portable communication terminal device to the destination communication device represented by the stored destination data.

[0021] Destination data representing a destination can be stored in the image data transmitting device from the communication device.

[0022] Destination change data for changing the destination data is received via the portable terminal device and stored in the destination data storage means based on the received destination change data. It is preferable to change the transmission destination data.

The stored destination data can be changed by the communication device.

[0024] Attached information storage means for storing attached information about an image may be provided. In this case, the attached information transmitted from the communication device is received via the portable terminal device, and the received attached information is stored in the attached information storage means.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and shows an outline of an image data communication system.

The image data communication system includes an image data transmission device (image data communication device) 1, a mobile phone 20, and a server 40. The image data transmitting device 1
Data communication (short-range communication) with the mobile phone 20 is possible. The mobile phone 20 can input characters,
Further, data communication with the server 40 via the network is possible. As will be described later, the image data read by the image data transmitting apparatus 1 is transmitted to the
Can be sent to 40.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the image data transmitting apparatus 1.

At approximately the center above the plane of the image data transmitting device 1, a monitor display device 2 is provided. Additional information described later is displayed on the monitor display device 2. A numeric keypad 4 is formed below the monitor display device 2.
Using the numeric keypad 4, a telephone number (a telephone number for the mobile phone 20 to access the server 40) can be input. The keypad 4 includes a down arrow key 5, an up arrow key 6, and an execution key 7.

A notch 8 for mounting a memory card 9 is formed on the lower surface of the image data transmitting device 1. An opening (not shown) for mounting a modem card 10 for data communication with the mobile phone 20 is formed on the right side of the image data transmitting apparatus 1.

Further, on the right side of the monitor display device 2, a power switch 3 is formed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image data transmitting apparatus 1.

The overall operation of the image data transmitting apparatus 1 is controlled by a controller 11.

A signal indicating depression of the power switch 3 and a signal indicating depression of various keys included in the keypad 4 are input to the controller 11. The display of various types of information on the monitor display device 2 is controlled by the controller 11.

The image data recorded on the memory card 9 mounted on the image data transmitting apparatus 1 is read by the controller 11 via the image interface 13.

The image data transmitting apparatus 1 includes an attached information memory 12. The additional information memory 12 stores information unique to the user of the image data transmitting apparatus 1 and additional information indicating general information on a series of image data to be transmitted to the server. This additional information may be input from the keypad 4 or may be read from the memory card 9 on which the additional information is recorded.

Further, the image data transmitting apparatus 1 includes a telephone number and a protocol memory 14. The telephone number and the protocol memory 14 store the telephone number of the destination of the image data and data indicating the protocol used by the server 40 of the destination. The telephone number and data stored in the protocol memory 14 can be input from the keypad 4 or may be read from the memory card 9.

The auxiliary information stored in the auxiliary information memory 12, the telephone number, the data representing the telephone number and the protocol stored in the protocol memory 14, and the image data read from the memory card 9 are stored in a modem card. Sent by 10 to the mobile phone 20.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mobile phone 20. As shown in FIG.

The entire operation of the mobile phone 20 is controlled by a controller
Controlled by 21.

The mobile phone 20 is provided with a keypad 32, and the telephone number of a call destination (transmission destination of image data) is input using the keypad 32. Character input is also possible using the keypad 32. The telephone number or character information input from the keypad 32 is displayed on the monitor display device 22.

The mobile phone 20 is provided with a transmission / reception circuit 24 so that data communication with the image data transmission apparatus 1 is possible. Further, data transmitted via the network is received by the antenna 23, and is taken into the mobile phone 20 by the transmission circuit 26. The data can be transmitted to the server 40 by the transmission circuit 26 using the antenna 23.

The voice of the user is captured by the microphone 27 into the mobile phone 20 and input to the controller 21 via the interface 28. The input voice is converted into a voice signal and transmitted via the transmission circuit 26. The audio signal received by the antenna 23 is transmitted to the speaker via the transmission circuit 26, the controller 21, and the interface 30.
It is given to 29 and output as audio.

The mobile phone 20 includes a timer 31 for counting time.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when transmitting an image file including image data to the server 40 using the image data transmitting apparatus 1 and the mobile phone 20.

The image data transmitting apparatus 1 has a memory card 9
Is attached, and the image data to be transmitted to the server 40 is read (step 51). Specifically, the memory card 9
Is attached, the file names of the image data recorded on the memory card are listed on the monitor display device 2. The user moves the cursor displayed on the monitor display device 2 up and down by the down arrow key 5 or the up arrow key 6, and designates the file name of the image data to be transmitted.
When the execution key 7 is pressed, the file of the image data to be transmitted is determined, and the image data is stored in the memory card 9.
Read from. The read image data is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) in the controller 11.

When the image data to be transmitted is determined, the monitor display device displays a list of the auxiliary information stored in the auxiliary information memory 12. The attached information includes a transmission date of the image data, a sender name, a password, and the like. Similarly to the selection of the image data, the auxiliary information to be transmitted is determined from the auxiliary information displayed in a list on the monitor display device 2 by using the down arrow key 5, the up arrow key 6, and the execution key 7. I do. Data representing the determined attached information is temporarily stored in a memory in the controller 11.

A comment is added to the image data, and the
When transmitting to 40, the mobile phone 20 is used. If a comment has been entered (step 53), the mobile phone 20
A comment is input using the keypad 32 (step 54). Data representing a comment input from the keypad 32 of the mobile phone 20 is transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 24 to the image data transmission device 1. The data representing the comment is received by the modem card 10, input to the controller 11 of the image data transmitting device 1, and is temporarily stored in a built-in memory.

In the controller 11 of the image data transmitting apparatus 1, the image data temporarily stored, the data indicating the attached information, and the data indicating the comment are stored in the same single image file (creation of the image file) ( Step 55).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the created image file.

The image file includes a start code recording area, an attached information recording area, an image data recording area, and an end code recording area.

The start code recording area is an area in which a start code indicating the start of an image file is recorded.

The attached information recording area is an area in which data representing attached information and data representing a comment on an image represented by image data recorded in the image data recording area are recorded. As described above, the attached information includes a transmission date, a sender name, a password, and the like. The comment is specific to the image data to be transmitted, and includes a message, a title, and the like for the image represented by the image data.

Image data to be transmitted is recorded in the image data recording area.

The end code recording area is an area in which an end code indicating that the image file ends is recorded.

As described above, the controller creates the image file in which the image data, the data representing the attached information, and the data representing the comment are stored.

Returning to FIG. 5, it is confirmed whether the destination of the created image file is selected from a telephone number and a telephone number registered in the telephone number stored in the protocol memory 14. (Step 56).

Monitor display device 2 of image data transmission device 1
Indicates whether to select from registered phone numbers or to newly enter a phone number.
When a registered telephone number is selected (the down arrow key 5, the up arrow key 6, and the execute key 7 will be used), the telephone number and the telephone number stored in the protocol memory 14 are read and displayed on the monitor. A list is displayed on the device 2. The user selects a desired telephone number from the displayed telephone numbers (step 57). When newly inputting a telephone number, the keypad 4 of the image data transmitting apparatus 1 is used (input manually) (step 58).

The created image file and data representing the selected or inputted telephone number are transmitted from the image data transmitting device 1 to the mobile telephone 20. Mobile phone 20
The image file is transmitted to the server 40 of the selected or inputted telephone number via the network (step 59).

FIG. 7 shows a telephone number and protocol memory 14.
Shows the directory structure of the telephone number and the protocol file (file name: HTSET.TXT) stored in the file.

The sub directory "HT ******" is managed by the root directory "ROOT". This sub-directory "HT ******" defines "HTSET.TXT
Is managed. By overwriting the "HT ******" file, the telephone number and protocol file are overwritten.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the telephone number and the contents of the protocol file "HTSET.TXT". FIG.
Shows the telephone number and the file contents before updating (before overwriting) the protocol file "HTSET.TXT", and FIG. 9 shows the telephone number and the file contents after updating the protocol file "HTSET.TXT". I have.

The file "HTSET.TXT" stores a telephone number and a protocol of the server 40 having the telephone number in a one-to-one correspondence. Phone numbers and protocols can be specified by address. The protocol is
It is unique to the server 40.

The additional information file stored in the additional information memory 12 also stores the additional information specified by the address in the same manner as the telephone number and the protocol file.

FIG. 10 shows the telephone number of the image data transmitting apparatus 1, the telephone number stored in the protocol memory 14,
6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a server 40 updates a protocol file and attached information stored in an attached information memory 12.

It is assumed that the file shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the telephone number and protocol memory 14.

A telephone number for updating the telephone number and the protocol, a protocol file, or an auxiliary information file (setting file) for updating the auxiliary information is transmitted from the server 40 to the mobile phone 20 via the network. The setting file received by the mobile phone 20 is transmitted from the mobile phone 20 to the image data transmitting device 1. The setting file is input to the controller 11 of the image data transmitting device 1 and is temporarily stored in a built-in memory.

In the controller 11, the temporarily stored setting file is stored in the telephone number (and protocol).
It is checked whether the setting file is a setting file of the information file or the setting file of the additional information (step 62). If the file is a telephone number setting file (YES in step 62), the received telephone number and protocol file are overwritten on the telephone number and protocol memory 14 (step 63). As a result, the telephone number, the telephone number stored in the protocol memory 14, and the protocol file ("HTSET.TXT" file) are updated from the contents shown in FIG. 8 to the contents shown in FIG. Here, the telephone number stored in the address “AD1” is “03-OOOO”.
O-1111 "to" 03-xxxx-5555 ". Further, the protocol is updated from “A” to “B”. A server 40 that can access the mobile phone 20 via a network
Thus, the telephone number and the contents of the protocol file stored in the image data transmitting apparatus 1 can be updated.

If the received setting file is not a telephone number setting file (NO in step 62), the processing in step 63 is skipped.

If the received setting file is an attached information file (YES in step 64), the attached information file is provided from the controller 11 to the attached information memory 12. The attached information file stored in the attached information memory 12 is overwritten on the received attached information file (step 65). As well as the telephone number and the protocol file, the attached information file can be overwritten by the server 40.

In the above example, the telephone number, the protocol,
The file or attached information file has already overwritten the file already stored in the memory 12 or 14,
It goes without saying that only some data may be corrected without overwriting. Also, when the telephone number, the protocol file, or the attached information file is first stored, it may be transmitted from the server 40 and stored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an outline of an image data transmission system.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the image data transmitting apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image data transmitting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mobile phone.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when transmitting an image file to a server.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of an image file.

FIG. 7 shows a directory structure in which a telephone number and a protocol file are stored.

FIG. 8 shows the contents of a telephone number and a protocol file.

FIG. 9 shows the contents of a telephone number and a protocol file.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when updating a telephone number and a protocol file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image data transmission device 2, 22 Monitor display device 4, 32 Keypad 9 Memory card 10 Modem card 11, 21 Controller 12 Auxiliary information memory 14 Telephone number, protocol memory 14

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Claims (8)

[Claims] An image data communication device capable of inputting characters and communicating data with a portable communication terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device via a network, comprising: Character data receiving means for receiving character data representing a given character, image data reading means for reading image data recorded on an image recording medium, character data received by the character data receiving means and read by the image data reading means Image file generating means for generating an image file in which the obtained image data is stored in one file, and the image file generated by the image file generating means to the communication device via the portable communication terminal device An image data communication device comprising: an image file transmitting unit that transmits. 2. An accessory information reading means for reading accessory information recorded on an accessory information recording medium, wherein the image file generating means is read by the character data, the image data and the accessory information reading means. The image data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the attached information generates an image file in which one file is stored. 3. A destination setting unit for setting a destination of the communication device to which the image file generated by the image file generating unit is to be transmitted, and the communication device of a destination set by the destination setting unit The image data communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: portable communication terminal device control means for controlling the portable terminal device so as to transmit an image file to the image data communication device. 4. An image data communication device capable of mutually communicating data with a portable terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device via a network, and destination data storing destination data indicating a destination of the communication device. Storage means, portable communication terminal device control for controlling the portable communication terminal device to transmit an image file to the communication device at the destination represented by the destination data stored in the destination data storage means Means, destination data storage means for storing the destination data transmitted from the communication device, destination data reception for receiving the destination data transmitted from the communication device via the portable communication terminal device Means, and a storage system for controlling the destination data storage means to store the destination data received by the destination data receiving means. Means, image data communication apparatus having a. 5. The destination data receiving means receives destination change data for changing the destination data via the portable communication terminal device, and the destination data storage means 5. The image data communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit is changed based on the received destination change data. 6. An attached information storage means for storing attached information on an image, an attached information receiving means for receiving the attached information transmitted from the communication device via the portable terminal device, and an attached information reception. 5. The image data communication device according to claim 4, further comprising: an auxiliary information storage control unit that controls the auxiliary information storage unit to store the auxiliary information received by the unit. 7. An operation control method for an image data communication device capable of inputting characters and communicating data with a portable communication terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device via a network. The apparatus receives character data representing a character input in a device, reads image data recorded on an image recording medium, and stores an image file in which the received character data and the read image data are stored in one file. An operation control method for an image data communication device, comprising: generating and transmitting the generated image file to the portable communication terminal. 8. An operation control method for an image data communication device capable of performing data communication with a portable communication terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device via a network, comprising: transmitting destination data representing a destination of the communication device; Controlling the portable communication terminal device to transmit an image file to the communication device of the destination represented by the stored destination data, wherein the transmission destination transmitted from the communication device is stored. An operation control method for an image data communication device, comprising: receiving data via the portable communication terminal device; and storing the received destination data.