JP2002271559A - Method, device and program for data communication and computer-readable recording medium recorded with data communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform optimal data communication, taking into consideration the ability of a party by performing a negotiation with the other party in advance, when transmitting data through electronic mail. SOLUTION: The mail address of a destination, with which the transmission method is set as 'Internet FAX', is extracted out of a destination register list and registered on a temporary storage list for transmission (S803 and S805). When a retrieval concerning all the destination registration list is finished, all the addresses of parties registered on the temporary storage list for transmission are set to after 'To'; as a transmission party of mail (S807 and S809). Next, one's own mail address is set after 'From'; (S811) and contents for inquiring about the ability of the party are described in the text of mail (S813). Then, the mail for such an inquiry is transmitted by multi-address transmission (S815). Thus, the negotiation can be performed with a plurality of parties beforehand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication method, a data communication device, a data communication program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the data communication program is recorded. A data communication method, a data communication device, a data communication program, and a computer that records a data communication program capable of performing optimal data communication in consideration of the capability of the other party by performing negotiations with the other party in advance It relates to a possible recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a facsimile apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as "FAX") for transmitting image data read by a scanner or the like to a destination using a telephone line network. Is performed, a negotiation is first performed when the line is connected to the other party, that is, information such as the printing capability of the other party is obtained via the line, and then the optimum information is obtained based on the obtained information. Data transmission is performed.

However, since data transmission by FAX uses a telephone line network, communication costs are always incurred while the line is connected to the other party, such as during negotiations and data transmission. In addition, since transmission is performed in real time, data transmission cannot be performed, for example, when the other party is talking.

[0004] For this reason, with the recent spread of the Internet, the Internet fax (hereinafter referred to as "I"), which can avoid the above problem by using the Internet.
-FAX ”) has appeared. In I-FAX,
E-mail is used to send and receive data. That is,
At the time of data transmission, desired data is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to the address (mail box) of the other party.
The receiving side reads out the transmitted e-mail from its own mailbox as appropriate and prints it out.

As described above, since I-FAX does not perform data communication in real time, there is no problem that data cannot be transmitted due to the situation of the communication partner.
In addition, since a public line network is not used, communication costs can be reduced.

[0006]

However, the I-F
According to AX, there is a problem that optimal data communication cannot be performed according to the printing ability of the other party.

That is, as described above, in the I-FAX, real-time communication is not performed because electronic mail is used for data transmission and reception. For this reason, it is not possible to confirm the connection with the destination and perform negotiation at the time of data transmission as in a conventional FAX. Without knowing the capabilities of the other party's device, the data is attached to the e-mail unilaterally and sent, so in some cases inappropriate data may be sent.

For example, for an I-FAX that can print only an A4 size document, the image data of the A3 size document may be sent from the transmission side as it is. In this case, the I-FAX on the receiving side is rejected because extra data exceeding A4 size cannot be output. As a result, useless data is transmitted.

[0009] Conversely, there is a case where an image is read and transmitted at a low resolution from the transmission side even though the receiving side has a high capability and can print at a high resolution. In this case, due to inappropriate data transmission, the capability of the receiving side cannot be fully utilized.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to negotiate with a partner in advance when transmitting data by e-mail, thereby improving the capabilities of the partner. Data communication method and data communication device capable of performing optimal data communication in consideration of
An object of the present invention is to provide a data communication program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the data communication program is recorded.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a data communication method and a data communication method capable of performing optimum data communication thereafter by appropriately returning information on its own ability in response to an inquiry about information on the ability. An object is to provide an apparatus, a data communication program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the data communication program is recorded.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a data communication method comprises the steps of: registering a destination address and information relating to capability in a memory in association with each other; And transmitting the e-mail for inquiring information on the capability of the destination to the registered address when the destination can receive and print the data by e-mail, A receiving step of receiving an e-mail about the information about the ability returned from the other party to the e-mail, and an updating step of updating information about the registered ability of the other party based on the received e-mail. including.

According to the present invention, when the destination is a device having a so-called Internet facsimile function capable of receiving data by electronic mail and printing the data, the destination, that is, in the memory, An e-mail is sent to the registered address to inquire about information on the capability.

Here, the information on the capability refers to information on a printable paper size and resolution, a data compression method, a file format, and other processing capabilities necessary for performing printing.

In response to the inquiry e-mail, when the other party returns an e-mail about information on the capability, the e-mail is received. Therefore, before sending data by e-mail to the other party, information on the capability of the other party is obtained. Then, based on the previously received e-mail (information on the capabilities of the other party), the information on the capabilities of the other party registered in the memory is updated. Therefore, optimal data communication can be performed based on the updated appropriate information.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a data communication method capable of performing optimal data communication in consideration of the capability of the other party by performing negotiation with the other party before transmitting data by e-mail. Becomes

Preferably, when a plurality of destinations capable of receiving and printing data by e-mail are registered in the memory, the transmitting step transmits the e-mail to the plurality of destinations by broadcast transmission. It is characterized by transmitting.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of destinations having a so-called Internet facsimile function are registered in the memory, an e-mail for inquiring of the plurality of destinations about information on capability by broadcast transmission. Is sent. For this reason, it is not possible to negotiate in real time only with the connected party as in the conventional facsimile machine, but it is possible to inquire all registered destinations at once about information on capabilities. Becomes

According to another aspect of the present invention, a data communication method includes a receiving step of receiving an e-mail for inquiring information on a capability, and an electronic device including information on its own capability based on the received e-mail. The method includes a creating step of creating an e-mail and a reply step of returning the created e-mail to the sender.

According to the present invention, the paper size, resolution,
When an e-mail for inquiring information about capabilities such as a data compression method and a file format is received, an e-mail containing information about its own capabilities is created in response to the e-mail and sent back to the sender.

[0021] Therefore, it is possible to provide a data communication method capable of performing optimal data communication thereafter by appropriately returning information on its own ability in response to an inquiry about information on its ability. Become.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a data communication device includes a registration unit for registering an address of a destination and information on a capability in association with each other, and the destination receives and prints data by e-mail. If it is possible, a sending means for sending an e-mail to the registered address to inquire about information on the ability of the other party, and the ability returned from the other party to the sent e-mail Receiving means for receiving an e-mail about the information about the partner, and updating means for updating information about the capability of the registered partner based on the received e-mail.

According to the present invention, when the destination is a device having a so-called Internet fax function capable of receiving data by e-mail and printing the data, the destination, that is, the memory An e-mail is sent to the registered address to inquire about information on the capability.

In response to the inquiry e-mail, when the other party returns an e-mail about information on the capability, the e-mail is received. Therefore, before sending data by e-mail to the other party, information on the capability of the other party is obtained. Then, based on the previously received e-mail (information on the capabilities of the other party), the information on the capabilities of the other party registered in the memory is updated. Therefore, optimal data communication can be performed based on the updated appropriate information.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a data communication device capable of performing optimal data communication in consideration of the capability of the other party by performing negotiation with the other party before transmitting data by e-mail. Becomes

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a data communication apparatus includes a receiving means for receiving an e-mail for inquiring information on a capability, and information on its own capability based on the received e-mail. Includes creation means for creating an e-mail and reply means for returning the created e-mail to the sender.

According to the present invention, the paper size, resolution,
When an e-mail for inquiring information about capabilities such as a data compression method and a file format is received, an e-mail containing information about its own capabilities is created in response to the e-mail and sent back to the sender.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a data communication apparatus which can perform optimum data communication thereafter by appropriately returning information on its own ability in response to an inquiry about information on its ability. Become.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a data communication program includes a registration step of associating an address of a destination with information on a capability and registering the information in a memory, and the destination receives data by e-mail. If printing is possible, an e-mail is sent to the registered address to inquire about information on the capabilities of the other party, and a reply is sent from the other party to the transmitted e-mail. And causing the computer to execute a receiving step of receiving an e-mail about the information on the competency that has been performed, and an updating step of updating the information about the registered partner's ability based on the received e-mail.

According to the present invention, there is provided a data communication program capable of performing optimum data communication in consideration of the capability of a destination by negotiating with the destination in advance when transmitting data by e-mail. It becomes possible.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a data communication program includes a receiving step of receiving an e-mail for inquiring information about capabilities, and information on its own capabilities based on the received e-mail. A computer is caused to execute a creating step of creating an e-mail and a replying step of returning the created e-mail to a sender.

According to the present invention, there is provided a data communication program capable of performing optimum data communication thereafter by appropriately returning information on its own capability in response to an inquiry about information on its capability. Becomes possible.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium records the data communication program according to any of the above.

According to the present invention, a data communication program capable of performing optimum data communication in consideration of the capability of the other party by performing negotiation with the other party before transmitting data by e-mail, or By appropriately returning the information about its own ability in response to the inquiry about the information about the ability, it becomes possible to provide any of the data communication programs that enable the subsequent optimal data communication.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Here, a case where the present invention is applied to an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) equipped with an I-FAX function will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an environment in which a plurality of MFPs are connected to the Internet and data communication is possible between them. Here, six areas from area 1 to area 6 are connected to the Internet. As the area, for example, a company is assumed. In general, each area may be provided with a plurality of MFPs. However, in FIG.
This shows a case where an FP is placed. In each area, one mail server is provided.

The MFPs (100, 2,
00, 300, 400, 500, 600) and the mail server (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) are connected to the Internet. Each MFP can transmit and receive data by e-mail using the Internet via a mail server.

Here, the present invention relates to the MFP 100,
The following description is provided as applied to 300, 400, and 600. Since these MFPs have the same functional configuration, the MFP 100 will be described as a representative example.

FIG. 2 shows an MF according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an overall configuration of P100. M
The FP 100 mainly includes a scanner function for reading an image, a print function for printing image data, a FAX function for transmitting and receiving data using a telephone network,
And an I-FAX function for transmitting and receiving data using the Internet by e-mail.

Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes a main control unit 119 for controlling the entire apparatus, and an operation panel 101 for receiving an input operation from a user.
A scan control unit 103 that controls the scanner, an image data storage unit 105 that stores image data read by the scanner, a transmission / reception data management unit 111 that manages data that transmits and receives data using the Internet, A mail transmission / reception unit 107 for transmitting / receiving an e-mail, a network control unit 109 represented by a network card or the like, and a destination data storage unit 1 for storing data on a destination of a communication destination and the like.
13, a facsimile control unit 115 for transmitting and receiving data using a telephone line network, and a print control unit 117 for controlling a printing operation.

The scan control unit 103 controls the scanner according to the operation input by the user from the operation panel 101. The image data read by the scanner is stored in the image data storage unit 10.
5 is stored once. The image data stored in the image data storage unit 105 is printed out as necessary, or transmitted to the other party using a telephone line network or the Internet.

Next, a case where image data is transmitted to the other party via the Internet by the I-FAX function will be described. When the destination to which transmission is desired is already registered in the destination data storage unit 113, the destination address and the print capability of the destination are stored in the destination data storage unit 113 in accordance with the user's operation from the operation panel 101. The information is read.

The original image to be transmitted is read by the scanner based on the read information. For example, a document image is read at a resolution corresponding to the I-FAX of the other party. Also, appropriate data processing such as enlargement / reduction is performed, if necessary, in accordance with the size of the printable document of the destination. Thereafter, the data is compressed by a compression method that can be processed by the other party and converted into a file format. Then, the file is attached to the electronic mail, and sent from the mail transmitting / receiving unit 107 to the destination via the Internet.

FIG. 3 shows the operation panel 10 of FIG.
1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when a user selects a transmission method in FIG. The operation panel 101 is composed of, for example, a touch panel. here,
The file format that can be expanded by the other party's I-FAX is TI
It is assumed that there are three types: FF, JPEG, and PDF. Therefore, when choosing a file format,
As shown in this figure, TIFF, JPEG, and PDF
Is displayed, and the user can freely select from them. Then, by clicking the OK button, the file format is determined.

The I-FAX of the other party is, for example, TI
When only two types of file formats, FF and JPEG, are received, the PDF is not displayed, and only the two types of file formats are displayed so as to be selectable. When only one type is received, only one type is displayed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a destination registration list registered in the destination data storage unit 113 of FIG. Referring to this figure, in the destination registration list, “paper size”, “resolution”, “file format”, and “compression method” of the destination “sending address”, “transmission method”, and printing capability are listed. Each is registered.

The "transmission method" includes "FAX" when the destination device performs data communication by facsimile using a telephone line network, and "Internet" when communication is performed by Internet facsimile using the Internet.
“FAX” is registered, and “E-mail” is registered when data communication is performed by ordinary e-mail.The “transmission address” includes telephone numbers if the transmission method is FAX, Internet FAX and E-mail. If it is -mail, each mail address is registered.

The “paper size” and “resolution” include
The paper size and resolution at which the other party can print are registered, and the "file format" and "compression method" register the file format that can be expanded by the other party and the data compression method that can be decompressed.

At the beginning, that is, before the negotiation is performed, the maximum paper size at the time of transmission is registered in “paper size”. In “resolution”, “file format”, and “compression method”, default values provided for each “transmission method” are registered in advance.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, specific examples of the transmission mail and the reply mail when actually performing the negotiation will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an outgoing mail for MFP 100 to inquire about information on the capabilities of the other party. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reply mail when replying information on its own capability to the transmission mail of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, a transmission mail for inquiring information on the capability of the other party includes a T
After "o", all the e-mail addresses of the target party are entered. In FIG. 4, the “transmission method” is “Intern
et FAX ". Therefore, the corresponding No. 2, No. 6, N
o. 8, no. No. 17 to No. 17 All transmission addresses up to 21 are described under “To”. And "Fr
om ", the sender's own mail address" xxx@yyy.zzz.aa "is described.

Then, the description "Check mode" indicating the mode for inquiring the capability is entered in the mail text. Then comes the description of the ability you want to check.
Here, “Resolution”, “Compression method”, “Paper size”, and “File format” are each “Resolutio
n, Compression, Paper Size, and File
Format ”.

[0055] M that has received the outgoing mail from MFP 100
FP 300, MFP 400, and MFP 600 each analyze the contents of the mail. If the e-mail is determined to be an e-mail for inquiring about the capability, information on the capability of the user such as printing is described in a reply e-mail and transmitted to MFP 100.

Here, the MFPs 300 and 4 shown in FIG.
00, and the mail addresses of MFP 600 are “cdef@bbe.tte.te.k”, “mari@prin.ne.jp”, and “kiki@keke.koko.de”, respectively.

The reply mail 1, the reply mail 2, shown in FIG.
And reply mail 3 are MFP 300, MFP
400 and an e-mail returned from MFP 600 to MFP 100. Note that the MFP 2 shown in FIG.
00 and MFP 500 do not take any action because they do not correspond to the present invention.

In the reply mail, the destination To of the header is
The mail address “xxx@yyy.zzz.a” of the MFP 100
“a” is described, “From” describes your own e-mail address, and “Check mode repl”
A description for identifying a response corresponding to a capability inquiry, such as “y”, is entered. After that, a value for each capability is described. The description method is as shown in FIG. Alternatively, for example, a predetermined code or the like may be described.

In this manner, MFP 300, MFP 4
00, and MFP 100 that has received the reply mail from MFP 600 updates the data at the corresponding location in the destination registration list based on the contents of the reply mail.
Specifically, an address described after “From” in the header part of the reply mail and a description about the capability are extracted, and the content of the registration data is rewritten while referring to the “transmission address” shown in FIG. become.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the result of updating the data of the corresponding destination registration list in response to the reply mail of FIG. Here, No. MFP 30 of 6
0 and data of the ability corresponding to the mail address of No. 0.
No. 17 corresponding to the MFP 400 and No. 17 data. The data corresponding to the twenty MFPs 600 has been updated. For those who have not received the reply mail as shown in FIG. 6, the registration data is not rewritten.

Next, a flow of a process of negotiation and update of registered data in the MFP according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when MFP 100 inquires about information on the capability of the transmission destination. Referring to this figure, first, at step S80
At 1, the search processing of the destination registration list shown in FIG. 4 is performed. That is, if the transmission method is "Internet FA
The “transmission address” of the destination “X” is extracted from the destination registration list (“YE” in step S803).
S "). Then, in step S805, the extracted" transmission address "is registered in the transmission temporary storage list.

The process of extracting the “transmission address” of the destination whose transmission method is “Internet FAX” (searching the destination registration list) is performed for all the destinations registered in the destination registration list. That is, in step S807, it is determined whether or not the search has been performed up to the end of the destination list.
O "), the process returns to step S801, and the search is continued (steps S801 to S805). When the search for all the destination lists is completed (step S807)
"YES"), and the process proceeds to step S809.

In step S809, all of the transmission addresses of the destinations registered in the transmission temporary storage list are set to be lower than the transmission destination "To" of the E-mail. As a result, broadcast transmission for inquiry is performed to all destinations whose transmission method is "Internet FAX".

Then, in step S811, E-
Your own mail address is set below "From" of mail. Next, in step S813, the content for inquiring about the capability of the other party is described in the mail text. Specifically, “Check mode” as shown in FIG.
Followed by “Resolution”, “Compression”, “PaperSi”
"ze" and "File Format" are described.

In step S815, the e-mail for inquiring about the created ability is sent in step S815.
Sent. That is, all Internet faxes registered in the destination registration list are transmitted by broadcast transmission.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the MFP that has received the inquiry from MFP 100 returns information on its own capabilities. Referring to this figure, first, when the MFP receives a mail (step S
(“YES” in Step 901), and in Step S903, it is determined whether or not there is a description “Check mode” in the text.

If there is a description "Check mode"("YES" in step S903), step S905
In step (1), an address described under "From" which is a header part of the mail is checked. Then, in step S907, the “From” address is set as the “To” address of the reply E-mail.

Next, in step S 909, information on the user's own ability with respect to the inquiry is described in the body of the E-mail. That is, after “Check mode reply”, information of the own capability is added in a predetermined format, and E-mail
The body is created. As shown in FIG. 6, for example,
“Resolution = 200 × 100”, “Compression = JPE
G, MMR ”,“ Paper Size = A4 ”,“ File Format = T ”
IFF "and the like are described.

Then, in step S 911, “F
The e-mail address of the user is set to the “rom” address. The e-mail created in this way is transmitted as a reply e-mail to the MFP 100 that has sent the inquiry about the capability confirmation.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when MFP 100, which has received a reply mail from the destination MFP, updates the data in the destination registration list. Referring to this figure, when MFP 100 receives an e-mail (“YES” in step S101), in step S103, MFP 100 displays “Check mode rep” in the mail text.
It is determined whether there is a description “ly”.

If there is a description of "Check mode reply"("YES" in step S103), step S10
At 5, the "From" address is checked. The source address is checked, and step S10
At 7, it is determined whether or not the address exists in the destination registration list owned by the user.

If the address exists (step S
“YES” at 107), at step S109,
It is determined whether the “transmission method” registered corresponding to the “transmission address” is “Internet FAX”. If it is "Internet FAX"("YES" in step S109), the data is updated in step S111. That is, the contents of the data (“paper size”, “resolution”, “file format”, “compression method”) registered corresponding to “transmission address” in the destination registration list are not It is updated with data on

As described above, when a reply mail relating to the user's own ability is received, the data in the corresponding part in the corresponding destination registration list is appropriately updated.

As described above, according to the MFP in the present embodiment, it is possible to acquire information on the capability of the other party before actually performing data communication using the Internet by the I-FAX function. . Moreover,
Rather than performing a one-to-one negotiation as in a conventional FAX, it is possible to perform a negotiation with all registered destinations having an I-FAX function.

For this reason, data transmission is performed based on the destination registration list updated to appropriate data, and a state in which the destination cannot be received due to a setting error at the time of transmission or a capability of the destination is utilized. It is possible to avoid occurrence of a situation such as inappropriate and inappropriate data transmission.

Therefore, it is possible to perform optimal data communication in consideration of the printing ability of the other party.

The data communication method for acquiring information on the capability of the other party shown this time is realized by a program for causing the above-described series of processing operations to function. The data communication program may be pre-installed on a hard disk in the computer, or may be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a magnetic tape. In any case, the data communication program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

Note that computer-readable recording media include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks (flexible disks, hard disk devices, etc.) and optical disks (CD-ROM / MO / MD).
/ DVD etc., IC card (including memory card) and optical card etc., mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash RO
A medium that fixedly holds the program, such as a semiconductor memory such as M, may be used.

The content stored in the recording medium is not limited to a program but may be data.

In the embodiment shown this time, the MFP
Is described as an example, but any device having an I-FAX function may be used. Further, when performing the negotiation, the negotiation may be performed individually instead of the broadcast transmission. As a result, it is possible to acquire information only for a necessary partner.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of MFPs connected to the Internet,
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which data communication is possible with each other.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an overall configuration of MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when a transmission method is selected on the operation panel 101 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a destination registration list registered in a destination data storage unit 113 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an outgoing mail for the MFP 100 to inquire about information on the capabilities of the other party.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reply mail for returning information on its own capability to the transmission mail of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the result of receiving the reply mail in FIG. 6 and updating the data of the corresponding destination registration list.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when MFP 100 inquires about information on the capability of a destination.

FIG. 9 shows an MF that has received an inquiry from MFP 100.
13 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when P returns information on its own ability.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when MFP 100, which has received a reply mail from the destination MFP, updates the data in the destination registration list.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mail server devices, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600
MFP, 101 operation panel, 103 scan control unit, 105 image data storage unit, 1
07 mail transmission / reception unit, 109 network control unit, 111 transmission / reception data management unit, 113 destination data storage unit, 115 fax control unit, 117
Print control section, 119 Main control section.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/32 H04L 13/00 305C F-term (Reference) 5C062 AA02 AA29 AB42 AC22 AC35 AE08 AF02 AF14 BD09 5C075 AB90 CD07 CF90 DD90 5K030 GA03 HA08 HB04 HC01 JT05 KA01 KA06 KA13 LD02 LD11 MB18 5K034 AA17 BB06 CC04 EE11 HH01 HH02 HH06 HH17 HH63

Claims (8)

[Claims] A registration step of associating an address of a destination and information on a capability with each other and registering the information in a memory; and when the destination can receive and print data by e-mail, the registration is performed. Sending an e-mail for inquiring information on the capability of the other party to the given address; A data communication method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving the e-mail; and an updating step of updating information on the registered partner's ability based on the received electronic mail. 2. When a plurality of destinations capable of receiving and printing data by e-mail are registered in the memory, the transmitting step performs electronic transmission to the plurality of destinations by broadcast transmission. The data communication method according to claim 1, wherein the data communication is performed. 3. A receiving step of receiving an e-mail for inquiring information on the ability, a creating step of creating an e-mail containing information on the own ability based on the received e-mail, A replying step of returning the e-mail to the sender. 4. Registering means for registering the address of the destination and information on the capability in association with each other, and when the destination is capable of receiving and printing data by e-mail, the registration is performed. Sending means for sending an e-mail for inquiring information on the capability of the other party to the address; receiving an e-mail about the information on the ability returned from the other party in response to the transmitted e-mail; A data communication apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit that performs updating; and an updating unit that updates information about the registered capability of the other party based on the received electronic mail. 5. A receiving means for receiving an e-mail for inquiring information about the ability, a creating means for creating an e-mail including information about the own ability based on the received e-mail, And a reply means for returning the e-mail to the sender. 6. A registration step in which an address of a destination and information on the capability are registered in a memory in association with each other, and when the destination can receive and print data by e-mail, the registration is performed. Sending an e-mail for inquiring information on the capability of the other party to the given address; A receiving step of receiving, based on the received e-mail, an updating step of updating information about the registered partner's ability,
Data communication program for causing a computer to execute the program. 7. A receiving step of receiving an e-mail for inquiring information on the ability, a creating step of creating an e-mail including information on own ability based on the received e-mail, A data communication program for causing a computer to execute a reply step of replying the e-mail to the sender. 8. A computer-readable recording medium on which the data communication program according to claim 6 is recorded.