JP2004015775A - Image data communication system and image data storage server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data communication system enabling adjustment at each apparatus for printing image data with appropriate print quality. <P>SOLUTION: The image data communication system includes an image data transmission apparatus which transmits a performance request and the image data having performance according to a stored performance value; an image data storage server which receives the image data transmitted from the image data transmission apparatus, stores the image data, determines a performance content when the image data is accompanied by the performance request, and replies to the image data transmission apparatus by specifying the performance content; and a print terminal which prints out by reading out the image data stored in the image data storage server. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image data communication system and an image data storage server, and can be applied to, for example, an Internet FAX system capable of communicating facsimile (FAX) data as an attached file of an e-mail.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Recently, the development and research of an Internet FAX system for transmitting FAX data using the Internet network have been actively conducted.
[0003]
In the Internet FAX system, for example, FAX data from a general FAX device is given to the Internet FAX device, and the FAX device converts the FAX data into an e-mail attached file to a predetermined address, and sends the file to the Internet network. Send.
[0004]
Normally, the receiving device is also an Internet FAX device, which takes out FAX data given as an attached file, transfers the FAX data to a general FAX device, and prints out the FAX data. Adjustment of the print quality of FAX data and the like is also performed between Internet FAX devices.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the Internet FAX method, FAX data is provided for communication as an attached file of an e-mail, so that a device other than the Internet FAX device can be used as a receiving device to extract and receive FAX data.
[0006]
However, it is not clear how to implement such a system. For example, if the receiving device also has a device for extracting FAX data and a device for printing FAX data separately, there are two devices on the transmitting side as described above, so that at least four types of devices exist. The device is present. For this reason, there are many items that are not clearly defined, such as which device should be adjusted at which timing in data transfer, etc., and the print quality of FAX data is degraded or the FAX data is excessively quality. Transmission and reception of data may occur.
[0007]
Therefore, there is a demand for an image data communication system (or an image data storage server) that can be adjusted between devices so that the print quality of image data can be appropriately adjusted. Further, there is a demand for an image data communication system (or image data storage server) in which one device that adjusts the print quality of image data can confirm the type of the other device.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data communication system for transmitting image data having performance according to stored performance together with a performance request, and receiving image data transmitted by the image data transmission device. An image data storage server that determines and returns the contents of performance when the image data is accompanied by a performance request and stores the image data in the image data transmission device; and an image data stored in the image data storage server. And a printing terminal that reads out and prints out.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data communication system for transmitting an e-mail with image data attached thereto, receiving the e-mail transmitted by the image data transmission device, storing the image data, An image data storage server that performs a predetermined process after confirming that the transmission source device is a predetermined device, and a printing terminal that reads and prints image data stored in the image data storage server. Features.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data storage server for receiving and storing image data transmitted by an image data transmitting apparatus and transmitting and printing the stored image data in response to a print request from a printing terminal. When the received image data is accompanied by a performance request, there is provided a performance processing means for determining and returning the contents of the performance and reflecting the performance on the subsequent assembling of the image data by the image data transmitting apparatus.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image data sent by an image data sending device is received as an attached file and stored as image data, and the stored image data is stored in response to a print request from a printing terminal. In the image data storage server to be transmitted and printed, it is characterized in that it has a transmission source device confirmation means for confirming that the transmission source device of the incoming e-mail is a predetermined device and performing predetermined processing.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(A) First embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an image data communication system and an image data storage server according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The system according to the first embodiment is a facsimile data print service system.
[0013]
(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a facsimile data print service system according to the first embodiment.
[0014]
In FIG. 1, the fax data print service system 1 includes a general fax device 2, an Internet fax device 3, a print server (image data storage server) 4, a user portable information terminal 5, and a print information terminal 6.
[0015]
The FAX machine 2 is a general facsimile terminal such as a G3 (group 3) facsimile terminal. When receiving the FAX data print service in the first embodiment, the FAX device 2 transmits FAX data to the telephone number assigned to the Internet FAX device 3 as a destination. In other words, the FAX device 2 provides FAX data to the Internet FAX device 3 via a public line. For example, a service user of the print service system 1 is notified in advance of a telephone number assigned to the Internet FAX machine 3.
[0016]
The Internet FAX device 3 corresponds to, for example, an Internet FAX gateway.
[0017]
The Internet facsimile apparatus 3 functions as a general facsimile apparatus (a facsimile apparatus on the receiving side) which is directly opposed to the facsimile apparatus 2 on the transmitting side of facsimile data. The Internet facsimile apparatus 3 functions as an electronic mail transmission source apparatus for the print server 4. As an attached file of the e-mail addressed to the print server 4, FAX data from the FAX device 2 (filed file) is attached.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the Internet FAX device 3 according to the first embodiment.
[0019]
The Internet FAX device 3 includes a FAX device communication unit 11, a FAX data transfer processing unit 12, a server communication unit 13, an information storage unit 14, and the like.
[0020]
The FAX apparatus communication unit 11 executes communication processing as a general FAX apparatus on the receiving side opposite to the FAX apparatus 2 of the transmission source. For example, based on the transmission source storage information of the information storage unit 14, the communication unit 11 for a facsimile device checks whether the transmission facsimile device 2 is compatible with the Internet facsimile device 3. If there is, the process does not shift to the transmission and reception of FAX data, or the received FAX data is discarded.
[0021]
In the FAX data transfer processing unit 12, for example, based on the information storage unit 14, the destination address is the address of the print server 4 including a part of the address of the user portable information terminal 5 corresponding to the transmission source FAX device 2. An e-mail with the FAX data as an attached file is assembled.
[0022]
For the FAX data, the performance of the resolution and the paper size is required. The FAX data transfer processing unit 12 transmits the FAX data from the FAX device 2 according to the performance information stored in the information storage unit 14. Is converted appropriately so as to satisfy the performance, and, for example, the file is attached to an e-mail in the TIFF file format. The default value of the performance information stored in the information storage unit 14 is 200 dpi, A4.
[0023]
In addition, the FAX data transfer processing unit 12 includes, in the e-mail, a performance request defined in the Internet FAX full mode, which is an operation mode in which the Internet FAX devices confirm delivery. Therefore, the print server 4, which is the direct recipient of the e-mail, sends a performance reply when receiving the e-mail.
[0024]
The server communication unit 13 sends an e-mail with an image file attached to the print server 4 and receives an e-mail for performance reply from the print server 4. The performance information in the information storage unit 14 is updated to the performance information specified by the received performance reply e-mail.
[0025]
As described above, the information storage unit 14 stores the identification information of the transmission source FAX device 2, the destination address of the e-mail attached to the image file, the performance information, and the like.
[0026]
The print server 4 sends a performance reply to the performance request to the Internet FAX device 3 when receiving the e-mail attached with the image file from the Internet FAX device 3 or notifies the user portable information terminal 5 of the reception of the FAX data. Or something to do. The print server 4 sends back the requested image file data (corresponding to the original FAX data) when a print request is made from the print information terminal 6.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the print server 4 according to the first embodiment.
[0028]
The print server 4 includes an IFAX communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a user terminal communication unit 23, a print terminal communication unit 24, a registered user storage unit 25, a print data storage unit 26, and the like.
[0029]
The IFAX communication unit 21 receives an e-mail to which an image file from the Internet FAX device 3 is attached and also includes performance request information and passes it to the control unit 22, or receives a performance provided by the control unit 22. The reply information is assembled into an electronic mail and sent to the Internet FAX machine 3. It should be noted that the IFAX communication unit 21 itself behaves like an Internet FAX device with respect to the Internet FAX device 3.
[0030]
The user terminal communication unit 23 notifies the reception of the e-mail from the Internet FAX device 3, that is, the reception of the FAX data, to the user portable information terminal 5 of the registered user who is the recipient of the FAX data. If communication for authentication of the registered user is necessary at the time of this notification, the communication unit for user terminal 23 also performs communication with the personal digital assistant 5 for that purpose.
[0031]
The print terminal communication unit 24 executes communication with the print information terminal 6. The print terminal communication unit 24 receives the print request given from the print information terminal 6 and gives it to the control unit 22. The print data (originally FAX data) corresponding to the print request given from the control unit 22 is sent to the control unit 22. This is transmitted to the print information terminal 6. At the time of transmission of print data, if communication for authentication of a registered user is necessary, the print terminal communication unit 24 also performs communication with the print information terminal 6 for that.
[0032]
When the e-mail attached with the image file is provided from the IFAX communication unit 21, the control unit 22 determines the validity and the like based on the information stored in the registered user storage unit 25, and determines the image file portion. The print data is stored in the print data storage unit 26. When the image file portion is stored in the print data storage unit 26, it may be converted into data in a printable form. As described later, when the image file portion is read from the print data storage unit 26 and transmitted to the print terminal communication unit 24, Alternatively, the image file portion may be converted into printable data.
[0033]
When recognizing the performance request inserted in the e-mail attached to the image file, the control unit 22 determines the content of the performance to be returned, and transmits the performance reply e-mail from the IFAX communication unit 21 to the Internet FAX. This is sent to the device 3.
[0034]
Further, the control unit 22 causes the corresponding user portable information terminal 5 to notify the reception of FAX data (e-mail) from the Internet FAX device 3 from the user terminal communication unit 23.
[0035]
Furthermore, when a print request from the print information terminal 6 is given via the print terminal communication unit 24, the control unit 22 retrieves the corresponding image data (originally FAX data) from the print data storage unit 26. The print information is transmitted from the print terminal communication unit 24 to the print information terminal 6.
[0036]
The control unit 22 performs an authentication process while referring to the contents stored in the registered user storage unit 25 when authentication of the registered user is necessary during various processes.
[0037]
Although not shown, the print server 4 includes an input / output unit and the like, and can perform input / output such as registration processing of a user of a facsimile data print service.
[0038]
Although the detailed configuration of the user portable information terminal 5 is not shown, for example, a mobile phone or a portable information terminal having a browser function corresponds thereto. As described above, the reception of the FAX data is notified to the user portable information terminal 5, and the user portable information terminal 5 responds to the operation of the user by requesting the printing of the FAX data (image data) by the print server. 4 The user portable information terminal 5 is provided with information such as a print reception number from the print server 4.
[0039]
Although the detailed configuration of the print information terminal 6 is not shown, for example, an information processing apparatus including a printer unit installed in a convenience store, a station, or the like, which can be used directly or indirectly by an unspecified number of devices. Device (for example, a so-called multifunction device). The print information terminal 6 prints to the print server 4 when a print mode or a print reception number of the facsimile data is given through the input unit or by short-range wireless communication with the user portable information terminal 5. A request is given, and the image data (FAX data) returned in response to the request is printed out.
[0040]
In recent years, a print instruction for content stored in a content server is issued from a mobile terminal to obtain a reception number and the like, and the reception number and the like are input to an information processing device installed in a convenience store or a station, and the like. A system for printing and outputting contents from the information processing apparatus has also been developed and studied. As the user portable information terminal 5 and the print information terminal 6, such a system can be used (shared). In (2), the functional units for the user portable information terminal 5 and the print information terminal 6 can also use (also be used for) the system.
[0041]
Also, unlike FIG. 1, a single device in which a general FAX device 2 and an Internet FAX device 3 are combined may be used.
[0042]
(A-2) Operation of the first embodiment
Next, the overall operation of the FAX data print service system according to the first embodiment will be described.
[0043]
When the public line between the FAX device 2 and the Internet FAX device 3 is connected, and the FAX data transmitted from the FAX device 2 is given to the Internet FAX device 3, the FAX data from the FAX device 2 An electronic mail containing the performance request information and the destination address that defines both the print server 4 and the user portable information terminal 5 is assembled and transmitted.
[0044]
Here, when the FAX data from the FAX device 2 is converted into an image file, the Internet FAX device 3 converts the FAX data into a file of image data having performance according to the internally stored performance information (that is, dpi and paper size). I do.
[0045]
In the print server 4 to which such an e-mail is given, the performance reply to the performance request is transmitted to the Internet FAX device 3, the attached image file is stored therein, and the reception of the FAX data is performed by the user. The information terminal 5 is notified.
[0046]
When notified of the reception of the FAX data, the user portable information terminal 5 gives the print server 4 a request to print the FAX data (image file) according to the operation of the user. At this time, information such as a print reception number is provided from the print server 4 to the user portable information terminal 5.
[0047]
When printing FAX data (image file), the user goes to a nearby print information terminal 6 installed in a convenience store or a station. Then, the user operates the input unit to give information such as the print mode of the facsimile data and the print reception number to the print information terminal 6, or the user's portable information terminal 5 and the print information terminal 6 carried by the user. The information such as the FAX data print mode and the print reception number is given to the print information terminal 6 by the short-range wireless communication.
[0048]
At this time, a print request is given from the print information terminal 6 to the print server 4, and in response thereto, the image data (initial FAX data) returned from the print server 4 is printed out by the print information terminal 6.
[0049]
As described above, the performance request is sent from the Internet FAX device 3 to the print server 4, and the print server 4 sends the performance response to the Internet FAX device 3, so that printing can be expected in an optimal state for the user and the like.
[0050]
On the other hand, since the performance requests of many Internet FAX devices 3 reach the print server 4 and e-mails and the like from devices other than the Internet FAX device 3 also reach the print server 4, the print server 4 must process it. Often not.
[0051]
Therefore, it is desired that the print server 4 efficiently processes the performance request and the like. Hereinafter, the process of the print server 4 when receiving the e-mail including the performance request will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Will be described.
[0052]
When the print server 4 receives the e-mail including the performance request and with the attached file, the print server 4 determines whether any one of the following four conditions C1 to C4 is satisfied (S1).
[0053]
Condition C1: A subject (e.g., a part corresponding to a header) of the e-mail includes a predetermined character string such as “I-FAX”.
[0054]
Condition C2: It conforms to a dedicated industry standard or the like for recognizing that the e-mail is sent by the Internet FAX machine 3.
[0055]
Condition C3: The image file format of the attached image file conforms to the image file format specified for the e-mail sent by the Internet FAX device 3. If the prescribed image file format is, for example, the TIFF file format, the attached image file has a resolution of 200, 400 or 600 dpi, and the number of horizontal pixels is fixed at the paper size. Is what it is.
[0056]
Condition C4: The body of the electronic mail includes a predetermined character string such as “I-FAX”.
[0057]
If all of the conditions C1 to C4 are not satisfied, the print server 4 determines that the source device of the electronic mail is not the Internet FAX device 3 (S2), and omits the performance reply (S3).
[0058]
On the other hand, if any one of the conditions C1 to C4 is satisfied, the print server 4 determines that the source device of the e-mail is the Internet FAX device 3 (S4), and then returns. Move on to the performance content determination process.
[0059]
In the process of determining the content of the performance to be returned, first, the print server 4 determines whether or not the registered user (in other words, the person related to the Internet FAX device 3 as the transmission source) regarding the received e-mail specifies the performance in the contract. If the performance is specified by the contract (S5), the content of the specified performance is returned to the Internet FAX device 3 (S6).
[0060]
In the case where the performance is specified in the contract, the performance may be absolutely specified such as 400 dpi and A4 paper size, and the judgment processing is performed so that the number of received e-mails differs up to 100 times or more. The performance may be defined so as to be accompanied.
[0061]
If the performance is not specified in the contract, it is determined whether or not the source address of the e-mail can specify the return performance (S7), and the source address can specify the return performance. If so, the content of the performance to be returned is determined and the response is sent to the Internet FAX device 3 (S8).
[0062]
For example, when the domain name of the transmission source address includes “co.jp”, the print server 4 determines the content of the high-resolution performance and returns it to the Internet FAX device 3.
[0063]
If the performance of replying from the source address of the e-mail cannot be determined, the print server 4 determines whether or not the print information terminal 6 to which the registered user regarding the received e-mail frequently prints out is determined ( S9) When the print information terminal 6 that frequently prints out is determined, the maximum performance that the print information terminal 6 can print (or the performance determined by the state of the communication path to the print information terminal 6 or the communication environment). Is returned to the Internet facsimile apparatus 3 based on the content of the performance to be returned (S10).
[0064]
The print information terminal 6 to which the registered user frequently prints out is determined, for example, when the total number of prints so far is 5 or more, and 70% or more of the print information terminals 6 are the same print information terminal 6. Say. Further, the information of the maximum performance printable by the print information terminal 6 may be obtained from the print information terminal 6 through the communication process by the print server 4 at the timing of this reply process. A database describing the maximum performance information for each information terminal 6 may be built in and obtained from the database.
[0065]
If the print information terminal 6 to which the registered user frequently prints out is not determined, the print server 4 changes its own state (for example, the remaining capacity of the HDD and the communication state at that time) to a state that defines the performance. It is determined whether or not the performance is determined (S11). If the self status is in a status that defines the performance, the performance determined in that status is determined as the content of the performance to be returned, and is returned to the Internet FAX device 3 (S12). .
[0066]
For example, when the remaining capacity of the HDD of the print server 4 is equal to or less than 20% of the total capacity of the HDD, the print server 4 determines the lowest performance as the content of the returned performance.
[0067]
If the state of the print server 4 is not in a state where the performance is specified, the print server 4 returns the default performance to the content of the performance to be returned to the Internet FAX device 3 (S13).
[0068]
As described above, the contents of the performance to be returned in response to the performance request are determined from various viewpoints with priorities.
[0069]
(A-3) Effects of the first embodiment
According to the facsimile data print service system of the first embodiment, facsimile data can be printed out by any print information terminal 6.
[0070]
In addition, the print server 4 can determine from various viewpoints that the electronic facsimile is the e-mail that is the transmission source of the Internet FAX device 3 without looking at the contents of the image file attached to the e-mail. , And can respond quickly.
[0071]
Further, although the print server 4 is not an Internet FAX device, it can execute a performance reply in response to a performance request, so that the Internet FAX device 3 of the transmission source can transmit an image file (FAX data) having appropriate performance. .
[0072]
Furthermore, since the content of the performance to be returned is determined according to a plurality of viewpoints in which the priority order is determined, the performance can be appropriately determined, and the processing of each device can be made efficient.
[0073]
(B) Second embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the image data communication system and the image data storage server according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to the drawings. The system of the second embodiment is also a facsimile data print service system, similarly to the first embodiment, and the components of the system are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0074]
The difference between the FAX data print service system of the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the print server (image data storage server) 4 sends the received e-mail to the Internet FAX device 3. This is the part of the process for confirming.
[0075]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the print server 4 when receiving an e-mail in the second embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same and corresponding processing steps as those in FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment. Is shown.
[0076]
In the case of the second embodiment, even if the print server 4 determines that the transmission source is the Internet FAX device 3 (see step S4), the print server 4 immediately proceeds to the determination of the return performance and the performance return process (from step S5). Instead, the number of receptions of the e-mail attached to the image file from the transmission source is confirmed, and when the number of receptions is equal to or more than the predetermined number, the process shifts to the determination of the reply performance or the performance reply process.
[0077]
In the example of FIG. 5, the initial value of the number-of-times parameter CNT is set to 0, incremented by one each time an e-mail is received from the same Internet FAX device 3 (S21), and the number-of-times parameter CNT is 2 or more (in other words, (3 times or more) (S20), the response performance is determined and the process returns to the performance response process (step S5 and subsequent steps).
[0078]
When it is determined that all the conditions C1 to C4 are not satisfied and the transmission source is not the Internet FAX device 3, a clearing process of the number-of-times parameter CNT corresponding to the transmission source address is also executed (the process in step S2). ).
[0079]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, performance reply is more careful than in the first embodiment. This is because once the performance is returned, an image file having the performance is transmitted.
[0080]
FIG. 5 shows a case where the number of receptions is incremented by 1 if any one of the conditions C1 to C4 is satisfied before the number of receptions reaches the predetermined number. Is not satisfied and other conditions are satisfied, the number of receptions may be cleared. That is, the number of receptions corresponding to the performance request may be determined based on the number of receptions satisfying the same condition.
[0081]
(C) Other embodiments
In each of the above embodiments, the condition that the print server 4 determines the source of the e-mail by the Internet FAX apparatus 3 is four. However, only one of the above four conditions is used for the determination. Or two or more of them may be combined.
[0082]
In the above embodiments, the content of the performance to be returned is determined from four viewpoints (see S5, S7, S9, and S11 in FIGS. 4 and 5). The viewpoints to be determined may be more or less. Further, the priority order of a plurality of viewpoints for determining the content of the reply performance is not limited to those of the above embodiments.
[0083]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the system in which the e-mail attached with the image file is provided to the print server 4 is the Internet FAX apparatus 3, but other types of apparatuses capable of sending the e-mail attached with the image file are used. May be. Here, the format of the image file attached to the e-mail is not limited to the Tiff format, but may be another format such as JPEG. Further, the original image data is not limited to the FAX data.
[0084]
Furthermore, the flow of the process of printing out the image data stored in the print server 4 from the print information terminal 6 does not have the features of the present invention, and the flow and processing after the image data is stored in the print server 4 are not described. The configuration may be different from those of the above embodiments.
[0085]
Further, the method of determining the reply performance described in each of the above embodiments can be applied not only to a system in which image data is given as an attached file of an e-mail, but also to a communication system in which image data itself is exchanged. .
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image data communication system and the image data storage server of the present invention, it is possible to determine and return an appropriate performance content in response to a performance request for image data from a transmission source device.
[0087]
Further, according to the image data communication system and the image data storage server of the present invention, the image data storage server determines whether or not the source device of the e-mail having the image data as the attached file is a predetermined device with high accuracy. You can check.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a facsimile data print service system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the Internet FAX apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a print server according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the print server according to the first embodiment receives an electronic mail attached to an image file.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the print server according to the second embodiment when receiving an e-mail attached to an image file.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. FAX data print service system 2. General FAX device 3. Internet FAX device 4. Print server (image data storage server) 5. User portable information terminal 6. Print information terminal

Claims (26)

An image data transmitting device that transmits image data having performance according to the stored performance together with a performance request,
An image data storage server for receiving and storing the image data transmitted by the image data transmitting device, and when the image data is accompanied by a performance request, defining and returning the contents of the performance and storing the image data in the image data transmitting device; ,
A print terminal for reading and printing the image data stored in the image data storage server. 2. The image data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the image data storage server has first performance determining means for determining the content of the performance to be returned in accordance with the contents of the contract with the system user. 9. The image data storage server according to claim 8, further comprising: a second performance determining unit that determines the content of the performance to be returned based on a character string included in the source address of the image data accompanied by the performance request. 3. The image data communication system according to 1 or 2. The image data storage server has a third performance determining unit that determines the content of the performance to be returned based on the printing capability of the printing terminal on which the image data received from the same transmission source is frequently printed. The image data communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The image data storage server according to claim 1, further comprising: a fourth performance determination unit that determines the content of the performance to be returned based on a state of the server at the time of reception. 6. Image data communication system. It is preferable that the image data storage server has a reception number monitoring unit that activates a performance reply on condition that image data accompanied by a performance request has been received N times (N is 2 or more) consecutively from the same transmission source. The image data communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: An image data sending device for sending an e-mail with image data as an attached file,
An image data storage server that receives the e-mail transmitted by the image data transmission device and accumulates image data, and that performs a predetermined process by confirming that the transmission source device is a predetermined device;
A print terminal for reading and printing the image data stored in the image data storage server. The image data storage server has a first confirmation unit that determines whether or not the transmission source device is a predetermined device based on whether or not a predetermined character string is included in the e-mail header. The image data communication system according to claim 7, wherein: 8. The image data storage server according to claim 7, further comprising a second confirmation unit that determines whether the transmission source device is a predetermined device based on whether the e-mail satisfies an industry standard. Or the image data communication system according to 8. The image data storage server includes a third confirmation unit that determines whether or not the transmission source device is a predetermined device based on a file format of the image data attached to the electronic mail. Item 10. The image data communication system according to any one of Items 7 to 9. The image data storage server has a fourth confirmation unit that determines whether the transmission source device is a predetermined device based on whether a predetermined character string is included in the body of the e-mail. The image data communication system according to claim 7. The image data communication system according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the device to be determined as the predetermined device is an Internet facsimile device. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined processing recognized when the predetermined apparatus is confirmed is performance return processing to the transmission source apparatus in response to a performance request for image data from the transmission source apparatus. 13. The image data communication system according to any one of claims 12 to 12. An image data storage server that receives and stores the image data transmitted by the image data transmission device and transmits and prints the stored image data in response to a print request from a printing terminal.
Image data storage characterized by having performance processing means for determining and returning the contents of performance when the received image data is accompanied by a performance request, and reflecting the performance in the assembly of the next and subsequent image data by the image data transmission device. server. 15. The image data storage server according to claim 14, further comprising, as the performance processing unit, a first performance determination unit that determines a content of a performance to be returned according to a contract content with a system user. 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said performance processing means includes a second performance determining means for determining the content of the performance to be returned based on a character string included in the source address of the image data accompanied by the performance request. Or the image data storage server communication system according to 15. The performance processing unit includes a third performance determination unit that determines the content of the response performance based on the printing capability of the printing terminal on which the image data received from the same transmission source is frequently printed. An image data storage server according to any one of claims 14 to 16. The image according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the performance processing unit includes a fourth performance determination unit that determines the content of the performance to be returned based on a state of the server at the time of reception. Data storage server. The performance processing unit includes a reception count monitoring unit that activates a performance reply on condition that image data accompanied by a performance request is received N times (N is 2 or more) continuously from the same transmission source. An image data storage server according to any one of claims 14 to 18. Image data sent from an image data sending device as an attached file and received as an e-mail to store the image data, and in response to a print request from a printing terminal, send the stored image data and print the image data. In the storage server,
An image data storage server, comprising: a source device confirmation unit that confirms that a source device of an incoming electronic mail is a predetermined device and performs a predetermined process. The transmission apparatus includes a first confirmation unit that determines whether the transmission apparatus is a predetermined apparatus based on whether a predetermined character string is included in an e-mail header. The image data storage server according to claim 20, wherein: The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second confirmation unit configured to determine whether the transmission source device is a predetermined device based on whether the e-mail satisfies an industry standard. 22. The image data storage server according to 20 or 21. The transmission source device confirmation means includes a third confirmation means for determining whether or not the transmission source device is a predetermined device based on a file format of image data attached to the electronic mail. An image data storage server according to any one of claims 20 to 22. The transmission apparatus includes a fourth confirmation unit configured to determine whether the transmission source apparatus is a predetermined apparatus based on whether a predetermined character string is included in an e-mail text. The image data storage server according to any one of claims 20 to 23. The image data storage server according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the device to be checked whether the device is the predetermined device is an Internet facsimile device. 21. The process according to claim 20, wherein the predetermined process recognized when the predetermined device is confirmed is a performance return process to the transmission source device in response to a performance request for image data from the transmission source device. 26. The image data storage server according to any one of items 25 to 25.

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