JP2002354186A - Image input device with transmission function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image input device with a transmission function, which can easily transmit a mail text and read image data to a destination not through a personal computer by means of electronic mail and considerably enhance the convenience in comparison with a conventional method. SOLUTION: The image input device is provide with a scanner main body that scans an original to obtain the image data, a touch panel display device that is fitted to the scanner main body and includes a display section that displays at least a guidance for input operations and various pieces of operation information and an operation section that gives instruction at least to read an original, enters a destination address of electronic mail and gives instruction to convert the address into a transmitted file form, a PC card slot provided to a side face of the scanner main body, and configured so that a PC card is fitted to the PC card slot, a mobile phone or a LAN or the like is connected to the PC card so as to transmit the mail text and image data to a destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input apparatus, and more particularly, to an image input apparatus having a transmission function that enables image data obtained by scanning an original such as a photograph to be transmitted to a destination by e-mail in the form of an attached file together with a mail text. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an image input device (hereinafter, referred to as an image scanner) capable of scanning a document to obtain image data is connected one-to-one to a computer that controls the image scanner, and captures an image. On the other hand, in a general office environment, information is shared by connecting a plurality of computers via a predetermined network. in this case,
Arranging input / output devices such as image scanners and printers for each computer is excessive in terms of cost and installation space in consideration of the frequency of use, and is often shared by a plurality of computers.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are typical system configuration diagrams of the conventional method. (A) connects a plurality of personal computers 1 to n to a network, connects an image scanner to one of the personal computers 1, captures image data from the image scanner to the connected personal computer,
Transfer to other PC via network. on the other hand,
(B) incorporates an interface card (LAN I / F) in the network scanner, connects to the network by itself, and also connects the scanner server and client computer to the network, and receives a transfer request from the client computer. For example, a network scanner captures an image and transfers it to a client personal computer via a network (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-289091).
No.).

[0004]

However, (A)
In the case of, when importing an image from a computer connected to the network using the image image scanner, it is necessary to operate the other computer locally connected to the image scanner and import the image data,
There was a problem that work was troublesome and inefficient.

In the case (B), the client personal computer needs to execute a read request for image data and a data reception via the scanner server, and the scanner server must be prepared together with the scanner, which results in cost and space. There was a problem in terms of. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to easily send an email text and read image data (attached file) to an addressee without using a personal computer by e-mail. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input device with a transmission function, which can greatly improve the convenience as compared with the case where the image is transmitted to a destination.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus with a transmission function according to the present invention, a scanner body for scanning a document to obtain image data, at least guidance for input operation and various kinds of operation information attached to the scanner body. A touch panel type display device having a display unit for displaying a document and at least an operation unit for instructing reading of a document and instructing conversion to a file format for inputting and transmitting a destination address of an e-mail, and provided on a side surface of the scanner body. A PC card slot is mounted on the PC card slot, and a PC, a cellular phone, a LAN, or the like is connected to the PC card to transmit image data to the other party.

[0007] Preferably, an IC card slot for mounting an IC card storing at least address information of the other party is provided on a side surface of the touch panel display device.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention. The image input device 10 having a transmission function according to the present invention includes a control unit (CPU), an image data storage unit, a display unit for input operation guidance, an operation unit for instructing device operation, and the like, to an image scanner (also referred to as a scanner main body). File format converter for converting data file format, PC for internet connection
By integrally mounting a communication control unit or the like for mounting a card, an image input device with a transmission function alone can convert image data requested by a destination (a requester of image data transfer) in a specified file format. Using the Internet,
It is designed to be able to send e-mail. According to the present invention, a storage medium (IC card) such as an FD storing an e-mail address can be mounted on the operation unit.
A LAN card or a PC card to be connected to a mobile communication device (such as a mobile phone) can be attached to the communication control unit (PC card slot).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, which performs overall control of an image input device with a transmission function based on a predetermined control program. A memory (ROM) 2 stores various control programs. 3 is a memory (RAM)
And stores a communication environment reference table that is used for storing data of the control program, and that associates a mail address, a telephone company name, a file format, and an allowable file size. Reference numeral 4 denotes an image data storage unit which stores image data read by scanning a document. Reference numeral 5 denotes a file format conversion unit which converts the read image data into, for example, a PDF.
Convert to a file format such as a file. Reference numeral 6 denotes a scanner unit which scans a document and takes in image data.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a display unit that displays guidance for input operation and various operation information. Reference numeral 8 denotes an operation unit which performs an instruction to read a document, an input of an e-mail destination, an instruction to convert a file format, and the like by operating a display button. Reference numeral 9 denotes a communication control unit which has a PC card slot for LAN connection and mobile phone connection, and has a communication P corresponding to a communication environment.
Attach the C card and send the e-mail.

FIG. 2 is a basic processing flowchart of the image input apparatus with a transmission function according to the present invention. First, an operator (transmission source) receives a request for transmission of image data from a client (destination) by telephone, electronic mail, or the like (S1). At this time, the original received by the destination is received, and the format and address of the transmission data file of the destination are received.

Next, the operator sets the original on the scanner unit 6 of the image input device (S2), and inputs the electronic mail address of the other party from the operation unit 8 (S3). At the time of inputting an address, the destination list stored in the ROM 2 in advance can be displayed on the display unit 7, and the address can be selected and designated by the operation unit 8. With this selection, it is possible to prevent an input error of the mail address.

Next, the user designates his / her own file format when transmitting image data as an attached file of e-mail using the operation unit 8, and presses the start button of the operation unit 8 (S
4). Thus, the original set on the scanner unit 6 is scanned and read as image data, and is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit 4 (S5). Next, the stored image data is converted into a file format specified by the other party (S6). As a data format at this time, a general format such as a PDF format, a TIF format, a JPG format, or the like is used.

Further, it is determined whether there is a document to be transmitted,
If there is an unprocessed document, the process returns to step S2, and if there is no unprocessed document, the process proceeds to next (S7). Next, it is determined whether the transmission data should be compressed and transmitted (S8). In this case, the data cannot be received depending on the memory capacity of the other party.
A predetermined data compression is performed (S9). However, when sending an e-mail with an attached file, if the amount of transmitted data is large, the communication time becomes longer and the load on the network becomes larger, and as a result, the reliability of the entire system may be impaired. Data compression is required regardless of the memory capacity of the other party. As a data compression method, an LHA method, a ZIP method, and the like are generally used.

After the image data is compressed, the electronic mail text and the attached file are transmitted to the destination via the Internet (S10). Note that various methods can be applied to the transmission medium of the e-mail depending on the type of PC card to be mounted on the communication control unit 9. For example, by attaching a communication PC card for controlling data communication by connecting a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, and connecting a PHS or a mobile phone to the PC card, an e-mail via the Internet through a mobile communication network is provided. Can be transmitted and received. Alternatively, by mounting a LAN card to which a LAN cable can be connected, electronic mail can be transmitted and received via the LAN.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention. In the image input device with transmission function 10 of the present invention, a touch panel display 12 is attached to a scanner main body 11. The touch panel display 12 includes a display unit and an operation unit, and further has an IC card slot 16 on a side surface thereof. By mounting an IC card type storage medium storing an e-mail address in the slot 16, address information can be read into a display device. At this time, the address information is not stored in the apparatus. This is for security of personal information.

On the side of the scanner body 11, a PC
A card slot 15 is provided, and various PC cards 13 can be mounted. As shown in the figure, a mobile phone 14 as an information terminal, a wired LAN (LAN cable), a wireless LAN
Etc. can be connected. Hereinafter, a specific use example of the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention will be described with reference to an attached processing flowchart.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are processing flowcharts when the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention is used in an office environment. 4 to 6 show a series of processing. In the case of an office environment, it is assumed that mail addresses inside and outside the company are registered and stored in this device. First, the sender's signature (name, e-mail address, contact information, etc.) is input and set (S11). Next, the sender determines whether the mail address of the destination is registered in advance (S1).
2). If not registered, the address is entered (S13). Further, it is determined whether or not the mail address inputted this time needs to be registered and stored (S14), and if necessary, the mail address is registered and stored (S1).
5). If registration is unnecessary, the mail address is provisionally set and used (S16). However, it is deleted after sending the mail.

On the other hand, if the mail address of the destination is registered in step S12, a mail address search screen is displayed, and the destination is selected and set (S17).
Next, it is determined whether the receiving device is a personal computer or a mobile phone (S18). If the result of determination is that it is a mobile phone, the process moves to the process of FIG. 7 described below (S19). As a result of the determination, if the destination is a personal computer, the original to be transmitted is set on the scanner unit (S20), the image data is read (S21), and a preview before transmission is displayed (S20).
22), the read data is confirmed and it is determined whether or not it is correct (S23). If not, step S2
2, and the image data is read again.

If the read data is correct, the flow shifts to the processing of FIG. That is, the file format of the image data to be transmitted is selected and set (S24). In this case, only the file format suitable for the communication environment of the other party may be displayed on the screen. Next, the transmission source determines whether or not the specified file format matches the communication environment of the other party, that is, whether or not the other party can handle the communication environment with reference to the communication environment reference table (see FIG. 8) ( S25). If the result of the determination is that the file format cannot be handled by the other party, it is determined whether or not to automatically set the file format (S26). If not, the process returns to step S24 to match the communication environment of the other party. Set the file format at the sender. On the other hand, in the case of automatic setting, the file format is automatically set, and then the process proceeds.

That is, the read image data is converted into the set file format, and the data size is displayed (S2).
7). At the same time, the transmittable data capacity suitable for the destination is also displayed. Next, based on the displayed data capacity and the permissible amount, when the data capacity of the destination is exceeded, the transmission source determines whether to compress the data (S28). If data compression is required, compression processing is performed (S29), and the data size after compression is displayed on the screen (S30).

Next, it is determined whether or not a pre-registered fixed phrase is used as the body of the e-mail (S31). If it is not a fixed phrase, an arbitrary message is input from the operation unit (S32), and if it is a fixed phrase, an appropriate fixed phrase is selected and taken in (S33). Then, the mail body is displayed (S34), and it is determined whether the mail body is correct (S3).
5) The setting conditions such as the destination, the file format of the attached file, the text of the mail, etc. are displayed, and the transmission source performs final confirmation (S36).

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not to transmit to the destination (S37). If transmission is not to be performed to the destination for some reason, the process returns to step S11. The transmission result is displayed (S38). Then, it is determined whether there is any problem in the transmission result (S39). If there is no problem, the destination is provisionally set (see step S16).
Is determined (S40), and if the setting is provisional,
The destination data is cleared (S41), and the memory storing the transmission data and the read data is cleared (S42).

FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart when the other party is a mobile phone. In the above case, the other party is a personal computer, but in the case of a mobile phone, step 19 in FIG.
Is performed. That is, this flowchart is performed in step S
FIG. 19 specifically illustrates a processing flowchart before transmission to the mobile phone of the other party shown in FIG. First, the destination mail address is set (S19a), and from the set mail address, the telephone company used by the destination is selected with reference to the communication environment reference table shown in FIG. 8 (S19a).
19b). Next, it is checked whether the telephone company matches the mail address (S19c). If not, it is determined whether or not the telephone company is automatically set from the mail address (S19).
d). If the automatic setting is not performed, the process returns to step S19b. If the automatic setting is performed, the telephone company is automatically set (S19).
e). If the telephone company and the e-mail address match, the telephone company is determined (S19f), and the handling file format of the destination is displayed (S19g), and step S20 is performed.
(See FIG. 4).

FIG. 8 shows an example of the communication environment reference table. E-mail addresses and telephone companies have the correspondence shown in this table. That is, a character string "aaaaaa", "bbbb", "ccccc",
“Dddd” and the like are character strings unique to each mobile phone and PHS company. Therefore, the telephone company of the other party can be determined from this part. Further, a file format and a data allowance which can be transmitted are set for each telephone company. Therefore, by referring to this table, the file format and the allowable data amount of the destination can be known in advance, and the data can be transmitted correctly.

In the above description, the office environment has been described.
Next, a processing flowchart in the case of a personal environment will be described. 9 to 11 are processing flowcharts when the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention is used in a personal environment. 9 to 11 show a series of processing. In the case of a personal environment, the e-mail address is not registered as the sender, but is read each time the e-mail is sent.

First, the name of the sender is entered (S51),
It is determined whether the destination mobile phone has a destination registered (S52). If there is, the destination is displayed on the mobile phone (S53), and it is determined whether or not to download the mail address (S54). At the festival where the address data is downloaded, it is possible to specify in advance whether to download only one destination, download all destinations, or selectively download multiple destinations.

When downloading at step S54 (S55), it is determined whether or not the download has been completed (S56). If the download has been completed, the result of the download is displayed (S57). On the other hand, if the destination is not registered in step S52, the destination is registered from the operation unit of the image input device with the transmission function (S58). When the result of the download is displayed, the display is confirmed and the destination is set (S59).

Then, the original to be transmitted is set on the scanner unit (S60), the image data is captured (S61), a preview is performed before transmission (S62), and the read data is confirmed and determined (S63). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of transmission destinations (S6).
4) In the case of a plurality, the grouping process of the other party is performed (S65). Details of this processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Then, a destination group is designated (S6
6) Specify the file format to be transmitted (S67).
That is, as described in the office environment, the communication environment reference table (see FIG. 8) determines whether the specified file format matches the communication environment of the other party, that is, whether the other party can handle the file format. The transmission source determines (S68). If the result of the determination is that the file format cannot be handled by the other party, it is determined whether or not to automatically set the file format (S69). If not, the process returns to step S67 to match the communication environment of the other party. Set the file format at the sender. On the other hand, in the case of automatic setting, the file format is automatically set, and then the process proceeds.

That is, the read image data is converted into the set file format, and the data size is displayed (S7).
0). At the same time, the transmittable data capacity suitable for the destination is also displayed. Next, based on the displayed data capacity and the allowable amount, when the data capacity of the destination is exceeded, the transmission source determines whether to compress the data (S71). If data compression is necessary, compression processing is performed (S72), and the data size after compression is displayed on the screen (S73).

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, it is determined whether a pre-registered fixed phrase is used as the body of the e-mail (S74). If it is not a fixed phrase, a message is input from the operation unit (S75). If it is a fixed phrase, an appropriate fixed phrase is selected and taken in (S76). Then, the body of the mail is displayed (S77), it is determined whether the body of the mail is correct (S78), and the setting conditions such as the destination, the file format of the attached file, and the body of the mail are displayed. Is performed (S79).

Next, it is determined whether or not to transmit to the destination (S
80) If for some reason you do not want to send to the other party,
Returning to step S51, when transmitting, a transmission result is displayed (S81). Then, it is determined whether or not there is any defect in the transmission result (S82). If there is no defect, it is determined whether or not the transmission has been completed for all the partner groups (S8).
3) If completed, delete the transmission source data (S8)
4) The memory storing the transmission data, the read data, and the like is cleared, and a series of processing ends (S85).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the process of grouping the destination in step S65 of FIG. First, the mail address of the other party is confirmed (S65a), and it is determined whether the personal computer and the mobile phone are mixed in the other party (S65b). If they are mixed, the mixture of personal computers and mobile phones is displayed (s65c). If not, it is determined whether or not a plurality of mobile phone companies are mixed (S65d). If so, the display of the mixed telephone companies is displayed (S65e).

Next, from the display of the mixture of the personal computer and the portable telephone and the mixture of the plurality of telephone companies, it is determined whether or not to perform the grouping (s65f). When performing grouping (S65g), the result of grouping is displayed (S65).
h). On the other hand, if a plurality of mobile phone companies are not mixed in step S65d, one destination group is created (S65h), and the result is displayed. If an error is displayed in step S65f (S65i), the process is interrupted (S65j).

[0034]

As described above, according to the image input apparatus with the transmission function of the present invention, the mail text and the read image data (attached file) can be transmitted to the other party without using a personal computer. Since the data can be easily transmitted by e-mail, the convenience can be greatly improved as compared with the case where the image is read from a conventional image scanner to a personal computer and then transmitted to the other party.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a basic processing flowchart of an image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 1) of a process when the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention is used in an office environment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 2) of a process when the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention is used in an office environment.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart (part 3) when the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention is used in an office environment.

FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart when a destination is a mobile phone in step S19 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an example of a communication environment reference table used in the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart (part 1) of a process when the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention is used in a personal environment.

FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart (part 2) when the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention is used in a personal environment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart (part 3) of a process when the image input device with a transmission function according to the present invention is used in a personal environment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process of grouping the other party in step S65 of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are typical system configuration diagrams of a conventional method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part (CPU) 2 ... ROM 3 ... RAM 4 ... Image data storage part 5 ... File format conversion part 6 ... Scanner part 7 ... Display part 8 ... Operation part 9 ... Communication control part 10 ... Image input device with transmission function DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Image scanner 12 ... Touch panel type display 13 ... PC card 14 ... Cellular phone 15 ... PC card slot 16 ... IC card slot

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 11/00 302 H04M 11/00 302 (72) Inventor Kazuaki Kikuta 1405 Daimaru Daimaru, Inagi-shi, Tokyo Fujitsu A. Within Isotec Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Susumu Terai 1405, Daimaru, Daijo, Inagi, Tokyo Fujitsu A. Isotec Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) JJ13 5K101 KK01 LL01 LL05 LL12 NN01 NN14 NN18 NN25 RR12

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image input apparatus with a transmission function, comprising: a scanner main body for scanning a document to obtain image data; and being attached to the scanner main body, for displaying at least input operation guidance and various operation information. A display device having a display unit and at least an operation unit for instructing reading of a document, inputting a destination address of an e-mail, and instructing conversion to a file format to be transmitted; and a display device provided on a side surface of the scanner body. A PC card slot, wherein a PC card is inserted into the PC card slot, an information terminal is connected to the PC card, and the image data with a transmission function is transmitted to the destination. apparatus. 2. The image input device with a transmission function according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal is a mobile phone. 3. A wireless LA card is inserted in the PC card slot.
The image input device with a transmission function according to claim 1, wherein a PC card for N or a PC card for wired LAN can be connected. 4. The image input device with a transmission function according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a touch panel display. 5. The image input device with a transmission function according to claim 1, wherein an IC card slot for mounting an IC card storing at least address information of a destination is provided on a side surface of the display device. 6. An image input device with a transmission function, comprising: a control unit for performing overall control of the image input device with a transmission function based on a predetermined control program; and a control unit for scanning a document and reading image data. A scanner unit, a display unit for displaying input operation guidance and various operation information, and an operation unit for instructing reading of the original, inputting a destination address of an e-mail, and instructing conversion to a file format to be transmitted. And a memory for storing a communication environment reference table that is used for storing data of a control program and that corresponds to an e-mail address, a telephone company name, a file format, and a file capacity, and stores image data obtained by scanning and reading a document. An image data storage unit for storing, and a file which can transmit the read image data to a destination by referring to the communication environment reference table. File format conversion unit for converting to a file format, and a communication control unit for controlling transmission of an e-mail including a mail text and image data to a destination via a PC card for connection with a mobile phone and a LAN connection An image input device with a transmission function, comprising: 7. When transmitting image data to a destination, the communication control unit refers to the communication environment reference table to determine a file allowable amount of the destination, and based on the determination result, a file to be transmitted. The image input device with a transmission function according to claim 6, wherein the data compression is performed. 8. The communication control unit according to claim 6, wherein the communication control unit determines whether the other party is a personal computer or a mobile phone, and when the mobile phone is a mobile phone, determines the file format of the other party by referring to the communication environment reference table. Image input device with transmission function. 9. The image input device with a transmission function according to claim 8, wherein the communication control unit performs grouping of the personal computer and the mobile phone when the destination includes a personal computer and a mobile phone.