JP2001111759A - Image transmission system and image transmitter and image receiver used by the image transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively utilize a computer network in the case of transmission of an image where the security is a requirement and to reduce the communication cost thereby. SOLUTION: An official note transmitter 3 transmits image data denoting individual information stored in an information database 5 to a facsimile device 4 via a PSTN 1. Furthermore, the official note transmitter 3 transmits image data corresponding to format data stored in a format database 6 to the facsimile device 4 via the Internet 2. The facsimile device 4 synthesizes an image denoted by the image data arrived via the PSTN 1 with the other image corresponding to the image and arrived via the Internet 2 to reproduce an official note.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a PSTN (Public).
The present invention relates to an image transmission system that performs image transmission using a circuit switching network such as a switched telephone network and a computer network such as the Internet, and an image transmission device and an image reception device used in the image transmission system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of communicating an image with a remote place,
A facsimile machine using PSTN or ISDN is generally used. This type of facsimile machine is widely used not only in the business field but also in homes because it is easy to operate and can convey a task even when no partner is present.

A facsimile communication standard using PSTN or ISDN is based on ITU (International Telecommunications).
ion Union) as standard recommendations for G3 facsimile and G4 facsimile.

The advantages of such a conventional facsimile are as follows.
The ability to transfer data at the fastest communication speed allowed by the bandwidth of the communication line by securing a communication line with the facsimile on the direct receiving side. Being able to confirm that data has been transmitted reliably by communicating directly with the other party. Alternatively, in order to perform capability negotiation for confirming whether the format of data to be transmitted is an acceptable format on the receiving side, data can be reliably transmitted.

On the other hand, with the generalization of the Internet, services using a computer network such as the Internet instead of the conventional circuit-switched network have become active.

In particular, when the transmission distance and the data amount are large, transmission over a computer network can reduce communication cost. Therefore, a function of transmitting and receiving images via a computer network is not provided. A facsimile machine equipped in addition to the functions of the facsimile machine has appeared.

Therefore, according to such a facsimile apparatus, if an image is to be transmitted to the same type of facsimile apparatus, it is possible to reduce the communication cost by communicating via a computer network.

Conventionally, in this type of facsimile apparatus, whether to transmit an image using a circuit-switched network or a computer network, a user specifies a telephone number used in the circuit-switched network when specifying a destination. Or an address used in the computer network is specified.

[0009]

In recent years, it has been used for transmitting public documents such as resident cards.

[0010] In transmitting such public documents and the like, computer networks for which security has not been established are difficult to use due to problems such as leakage of personal information, and circuit-switched networks are mainly selected. .

For this reason, in the use of transmitting an image requiring security, image transmission via a computer network is not fully utilized.
There is a problem that the communication cost may not be sufficiently reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to effectively utilize a computer network even when transmitting an image requiring security, thereby reducing communication costs. And an image transmitting apparatus and an image receiving apparatus used in the image transmitting system.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an official document, for example, by using a predetermined circuit switching network such as PSTN and a predetermined computer network such as the Internet. For example, the image transmission device used in an image transmission system such as an official document transmission system that performs image transmission from an image transmission device such as a facsimile device to an image reception device such as a facsimile device. For example, transmitting image data using a first transmission unit including a G3 communication unit realized by software processing of an encoding / decoding unit, a modem, an NCU, and a CPU, and transmitting the image data using the computer network, for example. LAN interface and CPU software processing A second transmitting unit constituted by a facsimile mail communication unit to be realized, and a first image data indicating only a predetermined portion (for example, individual information) in one transmission image are transmitted by the first transmitting unit. And a division transmission unit realized by, for example, software processing of a CPU for causing the second transmission unit to transmit the second image data indicating only a part (for example, format data) other than the predetermined part.

[0014] Further, the image receiving apparatus receives image data arriving via the circuit switching network.
For example, encoding / decoding unit, modem, NCU, and CP
U receiving means implemented by software processing of U, second receiving means implemented by software processing of a LAN interface and a CPU for receiving image data arriving via the computer network, and the circuit switching network And combining the image of the predetermined portion indicated by the first image data arriving via the computer network with the image of the portion other than the predetermined portion indicated by the second image data arriving via the computer network to form the one sheet A synthesizing / reproducing unit that reproduces the transmission image and is realized by, for example, software processing of a CPU.

[0015] By taking such means, the image transmitting apparatus outputs the first image data in which one transmission image shows only a predetermined portion and the second image data in which only one portion other than the predetermined portion is shown. The first image data is transmitted to a circuit switching network, and the second image data is transmitted to a computer network. Then, the image receiving device receives the first image data and the second image data, respectively, combines them, and reproduces one original transmission image. Therefore, by including a portion of the transmission image requiring security assurance in the first image data, such an image is transmitted through a more confidential circuit-switched network, and security is ensured. Is transmitted via the computer network, thereby reducing the amount of information transmitted via the circuit-switched network.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an official document transmission system to which an image transmission system according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the official document transmission system according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the official document transmission system of the present embodiment transmits an official document such as a resident card from the official document transmission device 3 to the facsimile device 4 via the PSTN 1 and the Internet 2. .

An information database 5 and a format database 6 are connected to the official document transmitting device 3.

The information database 5 stores information mainly requiring security, such as personal information described in public documents.

The format database 6 stores information that does not require security, such as headlines and borders described in public documents, fixed phrases, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the official document transmitting apparatus 3 in FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in this figure, the official document transmitting device 3
CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, information storage unit 1
4, image storage unit 15, encoding / decoding unit 16, database interface 17, modem 18, NCU 19, line signal detection unit 20, LAN interface 21, operation /
It has a display unit 22 and a clock unit 23.

Then, CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM
13, information storage unit 14, image storage unit 15, encoding / decoding unit 16, database interface 17, modem 1
The NCU 19, the line signal detector 20, the LAN interface 21, the operation / display unit 22, and the clock unit 23 are connected to each other via a system bus 24. Also N
The modem 18 and the line signal detector 20 are connected to the CU 19, respectively.

The CPU 11 implements a control process for comprehensively controlling each unit based on a control program stored in the ROM 12, thereby realizing an operation described later as an official document transmitting apparatus.

The ROM 12 stores a control program for the CPU 11 and the like.

The RAM 13 is used to store various information required for the CPU 11 to perform various processes.

The information storage unit 14 uses, for example, a flash memory and stores various setting information and other information.

The image storage unit 15 is, for example, a large-capacity DRA.
M, or a hard disk device, and temporarily stores image data to be transmitted.

The encoding / decoding section 16 performs encoding processing for redundancy compression on image data and decodes image data that has been encoded for redundancy compression. is there.

An information database 5 and a format database 6 are connected to the database interface 17. The database interface 17 takes in data from the information database 5 and the format database 6 under the control of the CPU 11.

The modem 18 modulates image data to generate a facsimile transmission signal, or modulates a command given from the CPU 11 to generate a command transmission signal.
Sends out to the TN subscriber line 1a. The modem 18 has P
The facsimile transmission data arriving via the STN subscriber line 1a and given via the NCU 19 is demodulated to reproduce image data, or the command transmission signal is demodulated to reproduce a command.

The NCU 19 is connected to a PSTN subscriber line 1a. The NCU 19 monitors the status of the connected PSTN subscriber line 1a and performs transmission processing to the network. The NCU 19 also equalizes a facsimile transmission signal to be transmitted to the PSTN subscriber line 1a and sets a level.

The line signal detector 20 receives a signal arriving via the PSTN subscriber line 1a via the NCU 19,
The arrival of a predetermined signal is detected.

The Internet 2 is connected to the LAN interface 21 via the LAN line 7 and the mail server 8. And the LAN interface 21
Data transmission via the Internet 2 is performed.

The operation / display unit 22 is provided by a user CPU.
A key input unit for receiving various instruction inputs to the CPU 11 and various information to be notified to the user
It has a display unit and the like for displaying under the control of Eleven.

The clock section 23 always performs a clocking operation and outputs current time information indicating the current time.

The control means realized by the CPU 11 operating based on the control program stored in the ROM 12 includes a G3 communication means, a FAX mail communication means and a division transmission means.

Here, the G3 communication means performs control processing for realizing image communication via the PSTN 1 in accordance with the G3 procedure.

The fax mail communication means performs control processing for transmitting a fax mail, which is an electronic mail showing an image, via the Internet 2.

When transmitting the official document to the facsimile apparatus 4, the division transmitting means transmits a part of the image data indicating the official document via the PSTN 1 under the control of the G3 communication means. Is transmitted via the Internet 2 under the control of the fax mail communication means.

FIG. 3 shows the facsimile apparatus 4 in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in this figure, the facsimile machine 4
Are a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, information storage unit 34, image storage unit 35, encoding / decoding unit 36, scanner 37, printer 38, modem 39, NCU 40, telephone control unit 41, line signal detection unit 42, LAN interface 43, an operation / display unit 44 and a clock unit 45.

Then, the CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM
33, information storage unit 34, image storage unit 35, encoding / decoding unit 36, scanner 37, printer 38, modem 39,
The NCU 40, the line signal detection unit 42, the LAN interface 43, the operation / display unit 44, and the clock unit 45 are connected to each other via a system bus 46. Also NCU
A modem 39 and a telephone control unit 41 are connected to 40, and a line signal detection unit 42 is connected to the telephone control unit 41.

The CPU 31 realizes an operation as a facsimile apparatus by performing a control process for comprehensively controlling each unit based on a control program stored in the ROM 32.

The ROM 32 stores a control program for the CPU 31 and the like.

The RAM 33 is used to store various information necessary for the CPU 31 to perform various processes.

The information storage section 34 uses, for example, a flash memory and stores various setting information and other information.

The image storage unit 35 is, for example, a large-capacity DRA.
M, a hard disk device, or the like, and temporarily stores received image data and image data waiting to be transmitted.

The encoding / decoding unit 36 performs encoding processing for redundancy compression on image data and decodes image data that has been encoded for redundancy compression. is there.

The scanner 37 reads a transmission original and generates image data indicating the transmission original.

The printer 38 prints the image indicated by the image data on the recording paper.

The modem 39 modulates image data to generate a facsimile transmission signal or modulates a command given from the CPU 31 to generate a command transmission signal.
Send to TN subscriber line 1b. The modem 39
The facsimile transmission data arriving via the STN subscriber line 1b and given via the NCU 40 is demodulated to reproduce image data, or the command transmission signal is demodulated to reproduce a command.

The NCU 40 is connected to the PSTN subscriber line 1b. The NCU 40 monitors the status of the connected PSTN subscriber line 1b and performs a process of transmitting a signal to the network. The NCU 40 also equalizes a facsimile transmission signal transmitted to the PSTN subscriber line 1b and sets a level.

An external telephone (not shown) is connected to the telephone controller 41 as necessary. And telephone control unit 4
1 performs a well-known control process for enabling a telephone call via the PSTN subscriber line 1b using a connected external telephone.

Line signal detecting section 42 receives a signal arriving via PSTN subscriber line 1b via NCU 40 and telephone control section 41, and detects the arrival of a predetermined signal.

The LAN interface 43 is connected to the Internet 2 via the LAN line 9 and the mail server 10.
Is connected. And the LAN interface 43
Performs data transmission via the Internet 2.

The operation / display unit 44 is provided by a user CPU.
A key input unit for receiving various instruction inputs to the CPU 31 and various information to be notified to the user;
It has a display unit for displaying under the control of 31.

The clock unit 45 always performs a clocking operation and outputs current time information indicating the current time.

The control means realized by the CPU 31 operating based on the control program stored in the ROM 32 includes image communication in the G3 procedure via the PSTN 1 and transmission of FAX mail via the Internet. In addition to the well-known general means in the facsimile apparatus such as a means for realizing the above, a synthesizing / reproducing means is provided.

The synthesizing and reproducing means synthesizes each of the image data transmitted from the official document transmitting apparatus 3 to the PSTN 1 and the Internet 2 and reproduces the image data indicating the official document.

Next, the operation of the official document transmission system configured as described above will be described.

In the official document transmission device 3, the transmission of the official document to the facsimile device 4 is performed, for example, in response to a request from the facsimile device 4 or a predetermined instruction operation on the operation / display unit 22. The CPU 11 executes an official document transmission process as shown in FIG.

In the official document transmission process, the CPU 11 first retrieves the format data relating to the official document whose transmission has been instructed from the format database 6 (step ST1). As shown in FIG. 5, the format data is information indicating a fixed portion commonly used in an official document, such as a headline, a frame line, or a fixed sentence.

Then, the CPU 11 creates a FAX mail for transmitting the image indicated by the format data to the facsimile apparatus 4 as a destination by the FAX mail communication means, and transmits the FAX mail to the Internet 2 (step ST).
2). At this time, for example, the CPU 11 declares that the transmission is divided transmission in the header of the facsimile mail, and notifies the identification information for identifying the corresponding image data.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 extracts individual information relating to the official document whose transmission has been instructed from the information database (step ST3). The individual information is irregular information such as personal information, and information for which security is required is included in the personal information.

Then, the CPU 11 uses the G3 communication means to
For example, image data indicating an image shown in FIG. 6 indicating information acquired in real time, such as the individual information and the date information, is generated, and transmitted to the facsimile machine 4 via the PSTN 1 by the G3 procedure. (Step S
T4). At this time, the CPU 11 declares, for example, that the transmission is divided transmission in the NSF signal, and notifies identification information for identifying the corresponding image data.

On the other hand, in the facsimile machine 4, P
In response to an incoming call from the STN 1 or an incoming FAX mail via the Internet 2, the CPU 31 executes a reception process as shown in FIG.

In the receiving process, the CPU 31 firstly started the FA at the start of the current receiving process.
Check whether X mail has arrived (step ST
11).

Here, if a fax mail has arrived, CPU 31 receives the arrived fax mail (step ST12) and reproduces image data from the fax mail (step ST13). And CPU 31
Stores the reproduced image data in the image storage unit 35 (step ST14).

Subsequently, CPU 31 determines whether or not the received FAX mail has been transmitted by division by checking the header (step ST15).

If the received FAX mail is not the one transmitted by division, the CPU 31 proceeds to step ST1.
The printer 38 is caused to print an image based on the image data reproduced in Step 3 (Step ST16). When the printing of the image is completed, the CPU 1 ends the current reception process.

However, if the received FAX mail has been transmitted by division, the CPU 31 checks whether or not the corresponding individual information has arrived (step S).
T17).

Here, if the corresponding individual information has not arrived yet, the CPU 31 terminates the current reception processing as it is.

Now, instead of the arrival of FAX mail, PS
If the process at the time of reception is started in response to an incoming call from the TN1, the CPU 31
Facsimile data is received according to the three procedures (step ST18), and image data is reproduced from the facsimile data (step ST19). And the CPU 31
The reproduced image data is stored in the image storage unit 35 (step ST20).

Subsequently, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the received facsimile data has been transmitted in a divided manner by confirming the notification content of the NSF signal (step S).
T21).

If the received facsimile data is not the divided data, the CPU 31 causes the printer 38 to print an image based on the image data reproduced in step ST13 (step ST16). When the printing of the image is completed, the CPU 1 ends the current reception process.

However, if the received FAX mail has been divided and transmitted, the CPU 31 confirms whether or not the corresponding format data has arrived (step ST22).

Here, if the corresponding format data has not yet arrived, the CPU 31 terminates the current reception process as it is.

In the state where the processing of steps ST12 to ST14 has already been performed and the image data relating to the format data is stored in the image storage unit 35, the individual information corresponding to the format data is stored in steps ST18 to ST20. When the image data relating to the individual information is acquired in the image storage unit 35 or the image data relating to the individual information is already stored in the image storage unit 35 after the processing of steps ST18 to ST20 has been performed, When the image data regarding the corresponding format data has been acquired, the CPU 31 determines “YES” in step ST17 or step ST22.

Therefore, in this case, the CPU 31 combines two corresponding image data stored in the image storage unit 35 (step ST23). Specifically, as described above, if the image data indicating the image in FIG. 5 and the image data indicating the image in FIG. 6 have been divided and transmitted from the official document transmission device 3, these image data are combined. Fig. 8
Will be generated.

Subsequently, the CPU 31 causes the printer 38 to print an image as shown in FIG. 8, for example, based on the image data after the combination (step ST24). When the printing is completed, the CPU 31 ends the current reception process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, individual information including information for which security is required, such as personal information, is transmitted via the PSTN 1.
The risk of information leakage is low, and sufficient security can be ensured.

In addition, since the format data which does not cause any problem even if leaked is transmitted via the Internet 2, the amount of information transmitted via the PSTN 1 can be reduced. As a result, the cost for using the PSTN 1 can be reduced. The burden can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the image transmission system of the present invention is applied to an official document transmission system for transmitting an official document. However, the image to be transmitted is not limited to an official document, and may be arbitrary. The present invention is also applicable to a system for transmitting an image and a general-purpose system for transmitting an unspecified image.

In the above embodiment, the general-purpose facsimile apparatus 4 is shown as an image receiving apparatus. However, an image receiving apparatus dedicated to the image transmission system of the present invention may be used.

In the above embodiment, the format data and the individual information separated from the beginning are respectively transmitted. However, the format data and the individual information may be separated from one image. In that case, the area to be separated may be fixedly determined,
Alternatively, the user may be arbitrarily specified.

In the above-described embodiment, the G3 system is used as a communication procedure via the PSTN 1. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where another system such as the G2 system or a unique system is used.

In the above embodiment, the PSTN 1 is used as the circuit switching network.
The present invention can be applied to a case where another network such as a DN is used.

In the above embodiment, the Internet is used as the computer network. However, the present invention can be applied to other networks such as a LAN and a WAN (Wide Area Network).

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

[0092]

According to the present invention, the image transmission used in the image transmission system for transmitting the image from the image transmitting apparatus to the image receiving apparatus by using a predetermined circuit switching network and a predetermined computer network arbitrarily. First transmitting means for transmitting image data to the device using the circuit switching network, second transmitting means for transmitting image data using the computer network,
The first transmitting means transmits the first image data indicating only a predetermined portion in the transmission image of the sheet, and transmits the second image data indicating only a portion other than the predetermined portion to the second transmitting device. First receiving means for receiving image data arriving via the circuit-switched network, the image receiving apparatus further comprising:
Second receiving means for receiving image data arriving via the computer network; and an image of the predetermined portion indicated by the first image data arriving via the circuit switching network and the image arriving via the computer network. A synthesizing and reproducing means for synthesizing an image of a portion other than the predetermined portion indicated by the second image data to reproduce the one transmission image; Is included in the first image data, such an image is transmitted through a more confidential circuit-switched network, and a portion where security is not required is transmitted through a computer network. This reduces the amount of information transmitted over the circuit-switched network, Fruit, security also effectively utilizing the computer network against the transmission of the required image, which makes it possible to reduce the communication cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an official document transmission system configured by applying an image transmission system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the official document transmitting apparatus 3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the facsimile machine 4 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart showing a processing procedure in official document transmission processing by a CPU 11 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of an image represented by format data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image indicated by individual information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a reception process by the CPU 31 in FIG. 3;

8 is a diagram showing an image obtained by combining the image shown in FIG. 5 and the image shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PSTN 1a, 1b ... PSTN subscriber line 2 ... Internet 3 ... Official document transmission device 4 ... Facsimile device 5 ... Information database 6 ... Format database 7, 9 ... LAN line 8, 10 ... Mail server 11, 31 ... CPU 12 ROM 32, 33 RAM 14, 34 Information storage unit 15, 35 Image storage unit 16, 36 Encoding / decoding unit 17 Database interface 18, 39 Modem 19, 40 NCU 20, 42 ... Line signal detectors 21 and 43 LAN interfaces 22 and 44 Operation and display units 23 and 45 Clock units 24 and 46 System bus 37 Scanner 38 Printer 41 Telephone control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image transmission system for transmitting an image from an image transmitting apparatus to an image receiving apparatus by arbitrarily using a predetermined circuit switching network and a predetermined computer network. A first transmission unit for transmitting image data using the computer network, a second transmission unit for transmitting image data using the computer network, and a first image data indicating only a predetermined portion of one transmission image. Split transmission means for causing the first transmission means to perform transmission, and for causing the second transmission means to transmit second image data indicating only a portion other than the predetermined portion, and the image receiving apparatus A first receiving unit for receiving image data arriving via the circuit switching network; Second receiving means for receiving the image data arriving via the circuit switching network, wherein the image of the predetermined portion indicated by the first image data arriving via the circuit switching network and the second image data arriving via the computer network are An image transmission system, comprising: a synthesizing / reproducing means for synthesizing an image of a portion other than the predetermined portion to reproduce the one transmission image. 2. An image obtained by combining an image indicated by predetermined first image data arriving via a predetermined circuit switching network and an image indicated by predetermined second image data arriving via a predetermined computer network. From an image transmitting device to an image receiving device having a function of reproducing the transmitted image, used in an image transmission system that performs image transmission using the circuit switching network and the computer network arbitrarily, A first transmission unit for transmitting image data using the circuit switching network; a second transmission unit for transmitting image data using the computer network; and only a predetermined portion of one transmission image is shown. The first image data is transmitted by the first transmission means, and the second image data of only the part other than the predetermined part is shown. An image transmitting apparatus, comprising: a divided transmitting unit that causes the second transmitting unit to perform transmission. 3. A first image data indicating only a predetermined portion in one transmission image is transmitted through a predetermined circuit switching network, and a second image data indicating only a portion other than the predetermined portion is transmitted. An image transmission system that transmits an image from an image transmission device having a function of transmitting through a predetermined computer network to an image reception device by using the circuit switching network and the computer network arbitrarily. First receiving means for receiving image data arriving via a circuit switching network; second receiving means for receiving image data arriving via the computer network; and the first receiving means arriving via the circuit switching network. Arrived via the computer network with the image of the predetermined portion indicated by the image data An image receiving apparatus comprising: a synthesizing and reproducing unit that synthesizes an image of a portion other than the predetermined portion indicated by the second image data to reproduce the one transmission image.