JP2004064336A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use hardware resources by storing common document images on a network of the outside device and by making the common document images extractable and usable if required. <P>SOLUTION: A facsimile device 20 is so constituted that an image of an original manuscript is read with a scanner, common image data of a document used in common are merged into the image data, and the image data are transmitted and received by being connected to the Internet. The common image data are acquired by instructions of a CPU 1 via the Internet and the acquired common image data are transmitted after being merged into the image data to be transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication device such as a facsimile device having a function of taking in image data registered in an external device via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as personal computers have become widespread in ordinary homes, communication infrastructures for using the Internet have been prepared, for example, mobile phones have a mail transmission / reception function with multifunctionalization. In addition, the use of the Internet as an information transmission means has been dramatically increased because the usage fee is becoming cheaper as the environment for connecting to the Internet at a low cost is improved. Against this background, when performing image communication for transmitting and receiving image data, communication using not only the public switched telephone network (PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network, ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network) but also the Internet is becoming widespread. is there. This seeks to take advantage of the reduction in communication charges by using the Internet.
On the other hand, the number of terminal devices that can be connected to the Internet has been increasing, and ITU-TT. 37, T .; There are also Internet fax standards such as 38, and the number of devices that support the use of the Internet is increasing. As a related art related to transmission and reception of images by a facsimile apparatus, there is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-214662. Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-215336 discloses a technology that enables the facsimile apparatus and the computer apparatus to effectively utilize the document bank function of the facsimile apparatus. There is disclosed a technology for simplifying a broadcast transmission function by accumulating a cover letter for each broadcast destination together with a common manuscript.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional image communication, a function (document attachment function) of storing image data (hereinafter, referred to as "common image data") of an image used as a common document (hereinafter, referred to as "common document image") in a communication device. Image communication may be performed using the same. For example, a cover page attached to a transmission original at the time of image transmission is read from an input device such as a scanner attached to the communication device and stored as a common document, and at the time of image transmission, the read document (image data) May be used to merge the transmitted cover page (common image data) and send it as a single document.
However, since the hardware resources of the communication device are limited, it is not preferable to register many such common documents from the viewpoint of effective utilization of the hardware resources.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus that transmits and receives images, common image data is stored on a network external to the apparatus and transmitted. It is an object of the present invention to take out and use the common image data when it is necessary to effectively use hardware resources.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention connects an image reading means for reading an image of a document, a merging means for merging common image data of a commonly used document with image data read by the means, and a network. Means, in a communication device having a transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving image data via the network, provided with a common image data obtaining means for obtaining the common image data via the network, the image data to be transmitted, The common image data acquired by the means is merged by the merging means.
Storage means for storing the common image data; means for determining whether the common image data to be merged by the merging means is stored in the storage means; and that the means is stored. When it is determined, the common image data stored in the storage unit is merged, and when it is determined that the common image data is not stored, the common image data acquired by the common image data acquisition unit is merged by the merge unit. It is good to be constituted.
[0006]
Further, in any of the above communication devices, it is preferable that an operation input unit for inputting operation information for operating the common image data acquisition unit or operation information for specifying a storage location of the common image data is provided. .
Further, a means for determining whether the common image data read by the image reading means can be stored in the storage means, and storing the common image data in the storage means when the means determines that the common image data can be stored, If it is determined that the data cannot be stored, a means for transmitting the data to the transmitting / receiving means via the network may be provided.
This communication device may be configured such that the operation input means can input destination information for specifying a destination to which the common image data is transmitted.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus 20 which is an example of a communication apparatus according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile machine 20 includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a timer control unit 4, an operation port I / F unit 5, and a hard disk I / F unit 6, and further includes a communication unit. A control unit 7, a network control unit 8, an encoding / decoding unit 9, a scanner I / F unit 10, a plotter I / F unit 11, a character generator 12, a LAN communication control unit 13, and an SRAM 14. I have it.
The CPU 1 is a unit that controls the operation of the entire facsimile machine 20, executes processing according to a program stored in the ROM 2, and controls each component including the LAN communication control unit 13.
[0008]
The ROM 2 stores a basic program of the facsimile machine 20 and a program for realizing the functions characteristic of the present invention. If the program is enormous, it may be stored in a hard disk (not shown) in addition to the ROM 2. The RAM 3 stores permanent data and programs used by the CPU 1 for executing processing.
The timer control unit 4 controls a time during which the facsimile machine 20 operates. The operation port I / F unit 5 is an interface with a not-shown operation display unit (operation port). The operation display unit includes operation keys including mechanical keys and touch panel keys provided with predetermined numeric keys and character input keys, and a liquid crystal display that displays information input by the operation keys, a current operation state, time, and the like. (LCD) or other display device, which is an operation input means for performing operations necessary for facsimile transmission of image information (for example, inputting a facsimile number as a transmission destination, start / stop, etc.), and checking transmission / reception status, etc. Information necessary for using the facsimile machine 20 is input by operating the operation keys and input to the CPU 1. The operation keys include a ten key for inputting a facsimile number, a start key, a stop key, a redial key, a one-touch key used for a series of operations at the time of facsimile transmission, a shortcut key, and the like. The one-touch key and the abbreviated key operate as operation input means for inputting operation information for acquiring common image data and operation information for specifying a storage location of the common image data. These keys will be described later in detail.
[0009]
The hard disk I / F unit 6 is an interface with a hard disk that mainly stores image data. The hard disk has a dedicated area (hereinafter referred to as a “storage area”) for storing image data obtained by reading an image of a document, a plurality of received message data and transmitted message data as a file, and storing and storing common image data. And operates as storage means.
The communication control unit 7 receives a command from the CPU 1 and controls a network control unit (NCU: Network Control Unit) 8 to connect to a general public network (PSTN) and perform facsimile transmission / reception with a communication terminal on the other side, for example, T . It controls G3 facsimile communication using 30 protocols. Also, the built-in modem demodulates (modulates) the received image data from the other communication terminal and modulates the transmitted image data. Further, the tone signal is detected together with the detection of the pulse of the ringing voltage detected by the network control unit 8 and the detection of the DTMF signal, and a call is transmitted at the time of transmission. The network control unit 8 manages connection and line closing of the general public network (PSTN), detects a call signal (ringing), and takes an electrical interface with the general public network.
[0010]
The encoding / decoding unit 9 encodes / decodes and compresses the input image data (MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, etc.) and sends the compressed image data to the hard disk via the hard disk I / F unit 6. To memorize. Further, the input compressed image data is expanded and input as raw data to a plotter unit (not shown) via the plotter I / F unit 11.
The scanner I / F unit 10 is an interface with a scanner (not shown). The scanner is an image reading unit that reads an image of a document on which characters, figures, and the like are described by an image sensor, converts the image into an electric signal, and outputs image data. For example, it is an image scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The scanner binarizes the read image data into raw data, and also performs scaling processing such as reduction and enlargement when reading the original, and linear density conversion.
[0011]
The plotter I / F unit 11 is an interface with a plotter (not shown). The plotter is a unit provided with a mechanism for forming an image on a sheet by inputting received image data and image information indicating a reception result (for example, information such as a telephone number of a transmission source and a reception time) and printing the same. Writing means. The plotter may be of an electrophotographic type, an ink jet type, a toner jet type, or the like that can record an image on paper.
The character generator 12 holds character font information, and the SRAM 14 stores information such as a facsimile transmission abbreviated number, a one-touch facsimile number, and telephone directory information that need to be held even when the power of the facsimile device 20 is turned off. ing.
Upon receiving an instruction from the CPU 1, the LAN communication control unit 13 executes control in accordance with a LAN protocol (HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, TCP, UDP, IP), and decodes data received from the network or performs network control. It is composed of an LSI or the like that encodes data to be transmitted to the device and buffers transmission frames and reception frames, and operates as common image data acquisition means for acquiring common image data.
[0012]
Next, the function of the facsimile machine 20 having the above configuration will be specifically described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Steps are abbreviated as S in the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the facsimile apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the Internet 30, and can transmit and receive image data via the Internet 30, ie, a network. A server 40 that stores and stores common image data is connected to the Internet 30.
The common image data is stored in the server 40 before the facsimile machine 20 transmits and receives the image data. The procedure for causing the server 40 to store another common image data is as follows. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for causing the server 40 on the Internet 30 to store the common image data from the facsimile machine 20.
[0013]
In the facsimile machine 20, the CPU 1 reads a predetermined program stored in the ROM 2 and activates each component in accordance with the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
When the facsimile machine 20 starts the process of registering a common document, the process proceeds to step 1, and a message prompting the user to set a common document to be registered (saved) is displayed on the operation display unit. When the operator sets the common document on the scanner according to the message, the process proceeds to step 2 and prompts for input (designation) of an operation key dedicated to the common document such as a one-touch key or an abbreviated key (hereinafter, referred to as a “common document operation key”). Is displayed. When the operator designates (inputs) a common document operation key according to the message (here, designates a common document operation key for designating storage in the server 40), the operation information corresponding to the designation is transmitted to the CPU 1. After the input, the process proceeds to step 3, where a message prompting the user to input a storage URL (a URL assigned to the server 40) is displayed. When the operator inputs the stored URL according to the message, the process proceeds to step 4, in which the facsimile apparatus 20 operates the scanner to read the image of the set common document (common document image). The server 40 accesses the server 40 according to the specified (input) URL, and transmits the image data of the common document (common image data) to the server 40 for storage. In this case, the server 40 also stores a correspondence table described later. Access to the designated URL and storage of the common image data are performed according to the FTP shown in FIG. 11 or the HTTP shown in FIG. The protocol that the facsimile machine 20 uses will be described later.
[0014]
As described above, the facsimile machine 20 can transmit and store the common image data to the server 40 via the Internet 30. Then, the common image data can be used not only by the facsimile machine 20 but also by other communication devices connected to the Internet 30, so that the use amount of hardware resources can be suppressed as a whole. In addition, centralized management of common documents becomes possible. Since the operation can be performed by inputting a dedicated registration key, the operation is simple.
The facsimile machine 20 can store the common image data not only in the server 40 but also in the storage area of the hard disk. The procedure for that is as shown in FIG. When this process starts, the facsimile machine 20 repeats steps 1 and 2 in the same manner as described above (in step 2, a common document operation key for designating storage in a storage area). The common document image is read by operating the scanner, and the obtained common image data is stored in the storage area.
[0015]
The procedure for storing the common image data in the storage area may be performed as shown in FIG.
When this process starts, the facsimile machine 20 proceeds to step 7 and displays a message prompting the selection of a registration key on the operation display unit. When the operator selects the common document operation key according to the message, the process proceeds to step 8, and the facsimile machine 20 operates the scanner to read the common document image, and proceeds to step 9. Here, the CPU 1 accesses the storage area in the hard disk and determines whether the storage area has a free area for storing the common image data, that is, determines whether the common image data can be stored in the storage area, If there is (if it can be stored in the storage area), the process proceeds to step 10, where the common image data is stored in the storage area, and the process is thereafter terminated. If it is determined that there is no free area (it is determined that storage is not possible), the process proceeds to step 11 and accesses the server 40 according to the specified URL in the same manner as in step 5, and sends the common image data to the server 40. Then, the process is terminated.
As described above, the facsimile apparatus 20 determines whether or not there is a free area in the storage area when saving the common image data, and if there is a free area, stores it in the server 40 if not. Therefore, the amount of use in the hard disk can be kept within a certain range for effective use, and overhead during actual transmission can be suppressed.
[0016]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image data transmission processing which is a feature of the present invention.
When this process starts, the facsimile machine 20 proceeds to step 12, and displays a message prompting the user to set a document to be transmitted by facsimile (transmission document) on the scanner on the operation display unit. When the operator sets the transmission original according to the message, the scanner operates according to the instruction of the CPU 1, reads the image of the transmission original, and outputs image data (original image data). Then, the process proceeds to step 13, where the facsimile machine 20 displays information for allowing the operator to select the stored common document image on the operation display unit. In this case, for example, the facsimile machine 20 registers the title of each common document image and the number for identifying each in a table when saving the common image data in the above-described steps 5, 6, 9, and 11. (“Invoice to Company A: 01, Invoice to Company B: 02...”, Etc., and the information stored in association with this is hereinafter referred to as “correspondence table”) and registered in the correspondence table. The displayed information is appropriately edited and displayed on the operation display unit. The correspondence table also stores information for distinguishing whether the common document image is stored in the facsimile device 20 or the server 40, and is also displayed on the operation display unit.
[0017]
The operator selects a desired common document while referring to the display (operation information (for example, the URL of the server 40) for specifying a storage location of the common image data) is set in association with the common document operation key. Therefore, by inputting the common document operation key, the corresponding operation information is input to the CPU 1). Then, in response to the selection, the process proceeds to step 14, where the CPU 1 determines whether the image data (common image data) of the designated common document is stored in the facsimile device 20 or the server 40. If it is stored in the facsimile machine 20, the process proceeds to step 15, and if it is stored in the server 40, the process proceeds to step 18. In step 15, the CPU 1 instructs the hard disk I / F 6 to access the storage area and read out the common image data corresponding to the selected common document. Then, the process proceeds to the subsequent step 16, where the CPU 1 operates as a merging means, merges the read common image data with the original image data obtained in the step 12 to create transmission data with a common document, and in the subsequent step 17, The transmission data with the common document is transmitted, and the process ends.
[0018]
On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step 14 to step 18, the CPU 1 operates as the common image data obtaining means, accesses the server 40 according to the URL obtained from the operation information by the input of the common document operation key, and is stored there. Get common image data. Then, the process proceeds to a step 19, wherein the CPU 1 displays a message for allowing the operator to determine whether or not it is necessary to store the common image data acquired from the server 40 on the operation display unit. When the operator refers to the display and decides on one of them, the CPU 1 determines whether or not it is necessary to save the image data of the common document image acquired from the input contents. If it is not necessary, the process returns to step 16 if necessary, and the CPU 1 operates as a merging means to merge the common image data obtained from the server 40 with the original image data obtained in step 12 to create transmission data with common document, In the subsequent step, the transmission data with the common document is transmitted, and the process ends.
[0019]
In step 20, the CPU 1 accesses the storage area in the hard disk and determines whether or not the storage area has a free area for storing the common image data acquired from the server 40. Proceed to step 22 if it is determined that there is no free area. In step 21, the common image data obtained from the server 40 is stored in the storage area, and the process returns to step 16, in which the obtained common image data is merged with the original image data to create transmission data with a common document. In step, the transmission data with the common document is transmitted, and the process ends. When the process proceeds to step 22, since there is no free area, any common image data in the storage area is deleted according to the size of the acquired common image data, LRU, FIFO algorithm, or the like, and then the acquired common image data is deleted. Save. Thereafter, returning to step 16, the acquired common image data is merged with the document image data to create transmission data with a common document, and the transmission data with the common document is transmitted in a subsequent step, thus ending the processing.
As described above, the facsimile machine 20 acquires common image data of a commonly used document via a network, merges the acquired common image data with image data of a transmission original, and transmits the image data. Therefore, the amount of hardware resources required for storing the common image data can be reduced and used effectively.
[0020]
The determination as to whether to store the acquired common image data in the facsimile machine 20 is recorded in the initial setting information or the like. The facsimile transmission itself may be facsimile transmission in accordance with the G3 standard performed by operating the communication control unit 7 and the network control unit 8 or Internet facsimile transmission in accordance with HTTP performed by operating the LAN communication control unit 13.
Further, the facsimile machine 20 may operate according to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart shows a procedure for registering common image data obtained by reading a common document in association with a common document operation key (data registered by this procedure is referred to as “common document registration data”). After the processing is started, the facsimile apparatus 20 reads the common document image in the same manner as in step 8 described above, and subsequently executes the processing in the same manner as steps 9, 10, and 11 described above, and stores a free space for storing the common image data. If the area is in the storage area, it is stored in the storage area; otherwise, it is stored in the server 40. In step 25, operation information for specifying the storage location of the common image data is registered in association with the common document operation key. Then, the common document registration data is stored in the hard disk. After that, the process ends.
[0021]
Since the facsimile apparatus 20 stores the common document registration data and inputs operation information to the CPU 1 by inputting the common document operation key, a specific operation relating to the common document can be performed by a specific key operation of the operation input unit. The user can transmit the transmission data with the common document without being aware of the location where the common document is stored, and the input operation can be performed easily.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the common document registration data 26 to be created. In the common document registration data 26, a type 26a and a URL 26b are shown in association with each other. “One-touch 01” of the type 26a indicates that a specific URL is stored in the URL 26b and a common document is stored outside (the server 40). The common document image registered in “one touch 01” is obtained by FTP (RETR). The “abbreviated 005” of the type 26 a also indicates that a specific URL is stored in the URL 26 b and the common document image is stored in the server 40. This is obtained by HTTP (GET). “One-touch 22” of the type 26a is stored as “HD area”, and indicates that a specific URL is not stored in the URL 26b and a common document image is stored in the storage area.
[0022]
FIGS. 9 to 12 are simplified diagrams showing communication procedures according to a protocol executed by the facsimile machine 20.
FIGS. 9 to 12 show Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and T.V. 30 shows a simplified communication procedure.
In FIG. 9, transmission data is transmitted by e-mail transmission from a client (the facsimile machine 20 in the above-described embodiment) to a server (the server 40).
In FIG. 10, data is transferred between a client (the facsimile machine 20 in the above-described embodiment) and a server (the server 40).
In FIG. 11, data is transferred by exchanging files between the client and the server.
In FIG. 12, image communication is performed by facsimile transmission from the sender to the gateway.
In the above embodiment, a facsimile apparatus has been described as an example of a communication apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to a facsimile apparatus as long as it has a function of transmitting and receiving images.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the communication device according to the present invention can extract a necessary common document image from the outside of the device and use it when necessary, so that hardware resources can be effectively used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus as an example of a communication apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for storing common image data from a facsimile apparatus in a server on the Internet.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for storing common image data in a storage area of a hard disk.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining whether or not there is a free area in a storage area of a hard disk and storing common image data.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering common image data obtained by reading a common document in association with a common document operation key.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image data transmission processing which is a feature of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention and a server connected via the Internet.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of created common document registration data.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a simplified communication procedure using SMTP.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a simplified communication procedure using HTTP.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a simplified communication procedure using FTP.
FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a communication procedure by 30.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: CPU 2: ROM
3: RAM 4: Timer control unit
5: Operation port I / F unit 7: Communication control unit
6: Hard disk I / F unit 8: Network control unit
9: Encoding / decoding section 10: Scanner I / F section
11: Plotter I / F unit 13: LAN communication control unit
12: Character generator 14: SRAM
20: Facsimile machine 30: Internet
40: Server

Claims (5)

Image reading means for reading an image of a document, merging means for merging common image data of a commonly used document with image data read by the means, means for connecting to a network, and image data via the network. In a communication device having transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving,
A common image data acquiring unit for acquiring the common image data via the network, wherein the common image data acquired by the unit is merged with the image data to be transmitted by the merging unit; A communication device characterized by the above-mentioned. The communication device according to claim 1,
Storage means for storing the common image data,
Means for determining whether the common image data to be merged by the merging means is stored in the storage means,
When the means determines that the common image data is stored, the common image data stored in the storage means, when it is determined that it is not stored, the common image data acquired by the common image data acquisition means , Each of which is configured to be merged by the merging means. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
A communication apparatus, comprising: operation input means for inputting operation information for operating the common image data acquisition means or operation information for specifying a storage location of the common image data. The communication device according to claim 2 or 3,
Means for determining whether the common image data read by the image reading means can be stored in the storage means,
Means for storing the common image data in the storage means when the means determines that the data can be stored, and transmitting the common image data to the transmitting / receiving means via the network when determining that the data cannot be stored. Communication device. The communication device according to claim 4,
A communication device, wherein the operation input means is configured to be capable of inputting destination information for designating a destination to which the common image data has been transmitted.

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