JP2005084768A - Data transmitting device, data receiving device, data transmitting method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make improvements concerning mistakes in assigning an address indicating a data delivery address and the vexatious complication of management of the address, in a data communication system. <P>SOLUTION: In a data receiving device 5, attribute information on a device is previously stored in an attribute information storage function part 504. In a data transmitting device 3 on receiving address assignment from a user through an address input 302, an attribute correspondence function part 328 first acquires attribute information on the device through a communication function part 326 and from the data receiving device 5 side corresponding to the assigned address. Then, the attribute correspondence function part 328 passes delivery address information in which the acquired attribute information is associated with the address to an output processor 340. The output processor 340, based on the delivery address information, notifies the user of the address and the attribute information corresponding to the address by an image or voice. The user confirms the presented address and attribute information, then defines the address for the delivery address, and indicates data delivery. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for delivering electronic data, such as a predetermined electronic document, from a transmission source device to a reception destination device designated by a user via a communication network.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, devices that store documents, such as devices that convert paper into electronic documents such as scanners, personal computers (PCs), web (Web) servers, and mail servers, are connected to computer networks. In addition, a device such as a printer for printing a document on paper and a device such as a personal computer or a projector for displaying in a form that can be understood by a person are also connected.

  When delivering a document between these devices, a user first designates a delivery destination. Since the delivery destination is generally a remote place and some documents to be delivered contain confidential information, a technique for preventing the delivery destination from being mistaken has been devised.

  For example, an autocomplete function is known. This auto-complete function is used when a user types in an address indicated by a character string indicating a delivery destination, in order to prevent a delivery destination designation error due to a typo. A list of delivery destinations designated is displayed, after which the user selects a desired address.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that uses an address book stored as attribute information for each destination type. For example, by using an address book that stores destination types such as destination, CC, and BC as attribute information and creating the address book separately for each group to which the address book is delivered, avoid errors between groups and prevent errors. I am doing so.

JP 2001-325187 A

  However, the auto-complete function only lists the addresses as text information, displays all the cases that have been used in the past, arranges similar addresses in alphabetical order, and performs the operation of selection. Since it is simple, there is a problem that an addressing error is likely to occur due to a selection mistake. In addition, the autocomplete function cannot be used at the first typed address.

  Further, since the technique described in Patent Document 1 requires an operation of selecting from the address book, the problem of erroneous address designation cannot be solved as in the case of the autocomplete function. In addition, since a plurality of address books are created for each destination type, there is a problem that management of the address book becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of improving an address designation mistake indicating a data delivery destination and complexity of management.

  A first data transmission method according to the present invention is a data transmission method for delivering electronic data to a data reception device corresponding to an address designated by a user via a communication network, wherein attribute information about the data reception device is provided. Is associated with the address indicating the transmission destination of the electronic data, the user is notified, and after receiving the address confirmation instruction from the user based on this notification, the electronic data is sent to the data receiving device corresponding to the confirmed address. I decided to send it. That is, when addressing a data delivery destination, first, delivery destination information in which delivery destination attribute information is associated with an address is presented to the user. The user confirms the presented delivery destination information (address and attribute information), determines the delivery destination address, and instructs data delivery.

  A second data transmission method according to the present invention is a data transmission method for delivering electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to an address designated by a user via a communication network. Regarding the address indicating the destination, the history information indicating the history instructed to transmit in the past is notified to the user in association with the address, and the address is confirmed after receiving the address confirmation instruction from the user based on this notification. The electronic data is transmitted to the data receiving device corresponding to the address. That is, when addressing a data delivery destination, first, the history information of the address and delivery destination information associated with the address are presented to the user. The user confirms the presented delivery destination information, determines the delivery destination address, and instructs data delivery.

  A first data transmission device according to the present invention is a device suitable for carrying out the first data transmission method according to the present invention, wherein attribute information relating to the data reception device is an address indicating a transmission destination of electronic data. Data that transmits electronic data to the data receiving device corresponding to the confirmed address on the condition that the notification processing unit that notifies the user in association with the address and the address confirmation instruction based on the notification by the notification processing unit has been received And a delivery processing unit.

  A second data transmission device according to the present invention is a device suitable for carrying out the second data transmission method according to the present invention, in the past with respect to an address indicating a transmission destination of electronic data. The notification processing unit that notifies the user of the history information indicating the history instructed to be transmitted is associated with the address, and on the condition that the address determination instruction based on the notification by the notification processing unit is received, A data distribution processing unit that transmits electronic data to a corresponding data receiving device is provided.

  A data reception device according to the present invention is a device suitable for use in combination with the first data transmission device according to the present invention, and includes an attribute information storage unit that stores attribute information related to the data reception device, and a data The information processing apparatus includes a communication function unit that reads out attribute information from the attribute information storage unit on condition that a request from the transmission device is received, and transmits the attribute information to the data transmission device.

  In the above, as a mode for notifying the user of attribute information and history information “in association with an address”, any mode can be used as long as the attribute information and history information corresponding to the address designated by the user can be known. It may be a thing. For example, the attribute information and history information may be output near the address, or the attribute information and history information may be output to a display window different from the display window in which the address is output, such as a pop-up display.

  The inventions described in the dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention. Furthermore, the program according to the present invention is suitable for realizing the data transmitting apparatus and data receiving apparatus according to the present invention by software using an electronic computer (computer). The program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be distributed via wired or wireless communication means.

  For example, an IP address, URL, or mail address can be used as the address. As the attribute information, the model name of the data receiving apparatus, the specification, information related to the installation position, the local time of the installation location, and the like can be used. As the history information, the previous date and time when the address was specified, the number of times the address was used in the past, the number of times the address was specified during a certain period of time, and the like can be used. Further, when a plurality of users share one data transmission apparatus, it is preferable to collect and notify history information for each user ID.

  Further, when notifying a user of attribute information or history information in association with an address, a method of displaying on a predetermined display, outputting as a print medium, or outputting as audio information can be used. In the case of display output or print output, it is preferable to make the user's recognition more efficient by using diagrams and colors that intuitively represent the information to be displayed instead of character information.

  The attribute information and history information may be acquired from the delivery destination each time, or may be stored and referred to in the data transmission device so that the information can be displayed in a short time. When referring, it may be possible to give a time stamp so as to know the information at what time, update periodically, or allow the user to instruct update to the latest information.

  According to the present invention, when the address of the delivery destination is designated by the user, first, attribute information relating to the designated data receiving device and history information of the designated address are notified to the user in association with the address. I tried to do it. As a result, it is possible to avoid erroneous designation of an address that is likely to cause a mistake only with the address indicated by the enumeration of character information.

  That is, by referring to the attribute information and history information, the user can notice when the wrong delivery destination is specified. For example, careless mistakes can be prevented when selecting a delivery address from an address book or the like. Even for the first address that has not been specified in the past, it is possible to notice an error in address specification by acquiring and checking attribute information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a data communication system configured with the first embodiment of the data transmission apparatus according to the present invention. The illustrated data communication system 1 is configured by connecting a data transmission device 3 and a data reception device 5 via a communication network 9. In the figure, each of the data transmission device 3 and the data reception device 5 is shown as one, but in actuality, a large number of these are connected to the communication network 9 to constitute the data communication system 1.

  The data transmission device 3 includes an address input unit 302 for a user to input an address, a notification processing unit 304 for notifying a user of attribute information related to the data reception device 5 in association with an address indicating a transmission destination of electronic data, And a data storage unit 306 for storing and storing electronic data for distribution.

  The address input unit 302 receives, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), or an e-mail address designation input from the user as an address indicating the data receiving device 5 as a data distribution destination. For example, an IP address is an enumeration of numbers, and an URL is an enumeration of alphabets. Therefore, the address input unit 302 can be configured with a keyboard for the user to input an address and a display for displaying the input (none of which are shown). Moreover, it is good also as a structure which inputs an address with a touchscreen, a pen, etc.

  Using an IP address ensures data delivery. That is, there is no overlapping IP address, and if the IP address is known, it is possible to communicate with the corresponding data receiving device 5, so that the user can designate the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the IP address, and data delivery is ensured. Can be done. If a URL is used, it is possible to browse and operate a document corresponding to electronic data. In other words, if the browser can be viewed, even if a home page is designated as the delivery destination, it is possible to easily browse and operate the document later. Furthermore, if an e-mail address is used, a document corresponding to electronic data can be viewed and operated. In other words, if there is only a mail environment, it is possible to easily browse and operate a document later by specifying an e-mail address as a delivery destination.

  The notification processing unit 304 includes an attribute handling unit 320 and an output processing unit 340. The attribute correspondence unit 320 includes a communication function unit 326 that obtains attribute information of the data reception device 5 corresponding to the address notified from the address input unit 302 from the data reception device 5, and an attribute obtained through the communication function unit 326. And an attribute correspondence function unit 328 that generates the delivery destination information by associating the information with the address notified from the address input unit 302.

  The output processing unit 340 displays the delivery destination information generated by the attribute correspondence function unit 328 on a display (soft copy output), and the like so that the user can check the address and the delivery destination attribute information corresponding to the address. It has a function unit that notifies the user by image information by output on a print medium (hard copy output) or audio information in consideration of the visually impaired. For example, a display output unit 342 having a predetermined display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal) or a CRT (cathode ray tube) for soft copy output, and a print output by an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method for hard copy output An output unit 344 or an audio output unit 346 that emits audio information from a speaker or a piezoelectric body is provided.

  Upon receiving an address from the address input unit 302, the attribute corresponding function unit 328 issues an attribute information acquisition request including the address to the communication function unit 326 in order to acquire attribute information from the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the address. . The attribute information of the corresponding data receiving device 5 is returned from the communication function unit 326. The attribute correspondence function unit 328 generates delivery destination information in which an address and attribute information are associated with each other, and sends the delivery destination information to the output processing unit 340.

  The output processing unit 340 associates the address and attribute information and notifies the user. The output processing unit 340 basically outputs one address and attribute information corresponding to the address (not necessarily one). However, when there are a plurality of addresses designated by the user, the output processing unit 340 Notify the corresponding attribute information. For example, for the address selected by the user from the address book or directly input from the keyboard, the attribute information is displayed at a position associated with the display of the address.

  If the attribute information is displayed and output in the display output unit 342 in association with the address received via the address input unit 302, both of the delivery destination information specified by the user and the information of the specified data receiving device 5 are displayed. Confirmation can be taken. Further, if attribute information is printed out by the print output unit 344 in association with the address received via the address input unit 302, the information to be confirmed is output as a hard copy such as paper instead of a soft copy output using a liquid crystal or the like. You can make a judgment if you want to confirm it firmly.

  Further, when character information is used as attribute information, for example, “the attribute information of the delivery destination corresponding to the input address @@@ is ***” and the address received via the address input unit 302 When the attribute information is read out in association with the voice output unit 346 (if it is output as voice information), even a person with a problem in visual acuity can check with the voice information and determine whether the delivery destination is correct. . When an image is used as attribute information, additional information (character information) for audio information may be embedded in the image, and audio information may be emitted based on this additional information.

  On the other hand, the data receiving device 5 has an attribute information storage unit 500 that stores attribute information of the device itself. The attribute information storage unit 500 includes an attribute information setting function unit 502 for setting attribute information related to the attribute information storage unit 500, and a memory or hard disk for storing / holding attribute information set by the attribute information setting function unit 502 An attribute information storage function unit 504 configured by a device and the like, and a communication function unit 506 that receives the attribute information acquisition request from the data transmission device 3 and transmits the attribute information held in the attribute information storage function unit 504 Have.

  The attribute information setting function unit 502 sets (stores / holds) the attribute information related to each data reception device 5 in the attribute information storage function unit 504.

  The communication function unit 326 and the communication function unit 506 perform data communication via the communication network 9 such as a computer network. For example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), SOAP (Soap: Simple Object Access Protocol), or the like can be used. The communication function unit 326 in the attribute correspondence unit 320 sends the attribute information acquisition request from the attribute correspondence function unit 328 to the attribute information storage unit 500 on the data reception device 5 side via the communication network 9. To part 506.

  The communication function unit 506 sends an attribute information acquisition request to the attribute information storage function unit 504 to acquire attribute information, that is, reads the attribute information from the attribute information storage function unit 504. Next, the communication function unit 506 sends the attribute information via the communication network 9 to the communication function unit 326 provided in the attribute correspondence unit 320 on the data transmission device 3 side. The communication function unit 326 in the attribute correspondence unit 320 sends the attribute information to the attribute correspondence function unit 328.

  In addition, the electronic data is transmitted to the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the determined address on the condition that the data storage unit 306 and the communication function unit 326 receive an address determination instruction based on the notification from the notification processing unit 304. A data distribution processing unit 308 is configured. When the address instructed by the user via the address input unit 302 is confirmed, the communication function unit 326 on the data transmission device 3 side receives electronic data from the data storage unit 306 and receives data corresponding to the confirmed address. The electronic data is transmitted to the receiving device 5.

  In the data communication system 1 of the first embodiment, the data transmission device 3 associates the attribute information of the data delivery destination (that is, the data reception device 5) with the address when specifying the address of the data delivery destination via the address input unit 302. The delivery destination information is notified to the user via a predetermined output means of the output processing unit 340, and the user confirms the delivery destination information and determines the delivery destination address. For example, for the address selected by the user from the address book or the address directly input, the attribute information is displayed or printed at a position associated with the notification output of the address. Alternatively, the address and attribute information may be associated with each other and output by a voice message.

  The notification processing unit 304 according to the first embodiment intuitively expresses information to be output, not characters, when the delivery destination information in which the address is associated with the attribute information is displayed or printed. The user's recognition may be made more efficient by notifying in different output modes depending on the attribute information such as using a figure or color. For example, if the local time of the delivery destination is 9:00 pm, a night blue clock indicating 9:00 is displayed.

  The notification processing unit 304 according to the first embodiment acquires attribute information from the data receiving device 5 that is a data delivery destination corresponding to this address each time an address is designated by the user via the address input unit 302. The attribute information is associated with the address and notified to the user. Unlike the second or third embodiment, which will be described later, the data transmission device 3 side is not provided with means for storing and holding attribute information, and the attribute relating to the data reception device 5 for the address designated via the address input unit 302 is not provided. Even if the information cannot be acquired by itself, the attribute information is acquired by communicating with the data receiving device 5 each time, so that the required attribute information can be always obtained, and the user does not mistakenly specify the delivery destination. As described above, it is possible to reliably check the data delivery destination for the address.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting attribute information by the attribute information setting function unit 502. As shown in FIG. 2, the attribute information setting function unit 502 stores the attribute information of each device for each data receiving device 5 in the attribute information storage function unit 504 for each type of attribute information. The attribute information of the receiving device 5 is set.

  Various types of attribute information related to the data receiving device 5 can be used. For example, it is possible to use information related to the model name, specifications, and installation position of the data receiving apparatus 5, or the local time of the place where the apparatus is installed. In addition, as information related to the installation position, for example, an address where the data receiving device 5 is installed, information about the installed building (for example, building name or floor name), the latitude and longitude of the installation location, and the installation location are shown. An image (for example, an image of an area sign or a nearby landscape image), an administrator who manages the data receiving device 5, a management department, a network domain name, or the like can be used. For example, when the delivery destination is a device such as a printer, a projector, or a file server, it is effective to use the administrator, the name of the management department, or the name of the connected network domain as attribute information.

  For example, when the data receiving device 5 at the delivery destination has a physical specification such as a printer or a projector, the specification information such as the type of device such as the printer or the projector, the model name, and the distinction between the color model and the monochrome model, etc. Can be set. Here, the model name and specifications of the data receiving device 5 can be set in the attribute information storage function unit 504 at the time of shipment. If the model name and specification of the data receiving device 5 are used as attribute information, the user's desire is out of the specification of the specified device (for example, the user wants to output in color but the specified destination only supports black and white) , You can notice in advance that the specified address is not appropriate.

  In addition, various information such as the address related to the installation position of the data receiving device 5, the name of the installed building or floor, the latitude / longitude of the installation position, the photograph of the installation location, the administrator or the management department, the network domain name, When installing the device, the installer may set it. In addition, the latitude and longitude of the installation position can be automatically set by providing the data receiving device 5 with GPS (Global Positioning Systems). Further, the photograph of the installation location may be taken by the device itself by incorporating a camera in the data receiving device 5, and the image file name and storage location (file path) may be automatically set.

  For example, when the delivery destination is a device such as a printer or a projector that outputs an image to a person, it is effective to use information regarding the installation position of the data receiving device 5 as attribute information. In the case of such a device, it is effective to use position information, time information, a photograph of the device or its surroundings, etc. as the attribute information. The time information is effective for delivery to a place with a time difference. The picture of the device or its surroundings is useful for users who know where to send and the device.

  If various information related to the installation position of the data receiving device 5 is used as attribute information, for example, if the user intends to deliver to the device at the point A but is at the point B, a different delivery destination in advance. You can notice that. More specifically, in the case of an address, if you know the address, or know the approximate location, for example, if you are sending to Hokkaido but the address of Okinawa is shown, you may notice an addressing mistake it can. Also, in the case of the installed building name or floor name, for example, if the user is on the first floor (1st floor) and wants to deliver to the same floor, but the wrong floor or building name is displayed, the address is specified incorrectly. You can notice that. Further, in the case of the latitude / longitude of the installation position, for example, if a Japanese address is specified but the value is completely different from the Japanese latitude / longitude, it is possible to notice an address specification error.

  In addition, in the case of a photo of the installation location, if the user has been to the location or knows the surroundings, it is possible to determine whether the location is correct by the photo. Also, even if you use representative landscape images corresponding to the address, such as “Mt. Fuji” in the case of Japan and “Goddess of Liberty” in the United States, it is possible to determine the correct location from the landscape image. It becomes.

  In addition, in the case of an administrator or a management department, it is possible to notice in advance an address specification error when it should not be delivered (for example, it was delivered outside the company), or when it is not a place where delivery was desired. . Further, in the case of a network domain name, for example, even when the name of the device is the same or similar, it can be confirmed by the domain name.

  The time information (local time information) of the place where the data receiving device 5 is installed may be set by a clock function provided in the device. If the local time of the place where the data receiving device 5 is installed is used as attribute information, it is noticed that the address designation is incorrect depending on whether the time is the same as the current time or a different time in a place with a time difference such as overseas. be able to.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an output example of delivery destination information in the display output unit 342 and the print output unit 344 of the output processing unit 340.

  The display output unit 342 and the print output unit 344 output one address and attribute information corresponding thereto. When displaying on a display device such as an LCD or CRT, the attribute information may be displayed in a window separate from the address display field. For example, it is effective when image information is used as attribute information instead of text information.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, there are various types of attribute information, and the number of attribute information that can be output for one address is not limited to one, and a plurality of information can be output. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the designated address is output to the address field, and attribute information corresponding to the address is output to the attribute field. In the case of outputting a plurality of attribute information, for example, the attribute column may be output in a line separated by commas, or may be output in a list form as shown in FIG. 3 (A1). Further, when there are a plurality of addresses designated by the user, as shown in FIG. 3 (A2), the corresponding attribute information is output for each address.

  The display output unit 342 and the print output unit 344 use diagrams and colors that intuitively represent the information to be output when the delivery destination information that associates the address with the attribute information is displayed or printed. The notification may be made in a different output mode according to the attribute information, so that the user's recognition can be made more efficient.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, when using the local time where the data receiving device 5 is installed as the attribute information, the local time is from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in the daytime and 6:00 pm -Set 6 o'clock in the morning as night, and output pictures according to each. Specifically, in the case of 3 o'clock in the day, a picture of the sun is output as shown in FIG. 3 (B1), and in the case of 3 o'clock in the evening, as shown in FIG. Output a picture.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3C, when using the local time where the data receiving device 5 is installed as attribute information, the local time is from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in the daytime and 6:00 pm -Set 6 o'clock in the morning as night, and output the back, dial, and hands in colors according to each. For example, in the case of 3 o'clock in the day, the clock is output in a red system as shown in FIG. 3 (C1), and in the case of 3 o'clock in the night, the blue system (FIG. 3 (C2)) indicates the night. For example, the clock is output in night blue).

  Although not shown in the drawings, the image is displayed in a different manner depending on the content of the attribute information, such as distinguishing between color / black and white, changing the output density, or using a predetermined picture or icon indicating a position far / near. It may be.

  In this way, by using intuitively expressed colors and figures (pictures), colors and figures stand out from letters and are easy to get into the eyes. If so, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the specified address is correct.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure regarding notification of delivery destination information to the user in the data communication system 1 of the first embodiment.

  On the data receiving device 5 side, the attribute information of the device is stored in advance in the attribute information storage function unit 504 for each type (S200). The data transmission device 3 waits until an address indicating a data delivery destination is input from the user (S102-NO). When the address input unit 302 detects that an address has been input from the user, the address input unit 302 notifies the attribute corresponding function unit 328 of the address information (S102—YES).

  When the attribute corresponding function unit 328 receives the address information from the address input unit 302, the attribute corresponding function unit 328 makes an attribute information acquisition request together with the address to the communication function unit 326 in order to acquire the attribute information from the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the address ( S124). The communication function unit 326 transmits an attribute information acquisition request to the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the address via the communication network 9. The communication function unit 326 waits until attribute information is returned from the communication function unit 506 of the data receiving device 5 (S126—NO).

  Upon receiving this attribute information acquisition request, on the data reception device 5 side, the communication function unit 506 first reads predetermined attribute information from the attribute information storage function unit 504 (S202), and then transmits the data transmission device 3 side via the communication network 9. The attribute information is transmitted to the communication function unit 326 (S204). As a result, the attribute information is returned from the communication function unit 506 of the data reception device 5 to the communication function unit 326 of the data transmission device 3 (S126—YES). Upon receiving this attribute information, the data transmitting device 3 side passes the attribute information received from the data receiving device 5 to the attribute corresponding function unit 328.

  The attribute correspondence function unit 328 generates delivery destination information in which the attribute information acquired via the communication function unit 326 is associated with the address specified from the address input unit 302, and sends the delivery destination information to the output processing unit 340. Send (S130). The output processing unit 340 associates the address with the attribute information based on the delivery destination information received from the attribute correspondence function unit 328, and notifies the user with image information or audio information (S132).

  If the user who has received the notification of the delivery destination information determines that the address specified by the address input unit 302 as the data delivery destination is correct in order to determine the address (S134-YES), the address is determined and the data An instruction to execute delivery of electronic data held in the storage unit 306 is given. In response to this, the communication function unit 326 receives electronic data from the data storage unit 306 and transmits the electronic data to the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the determined address (S136). As a result, the electronic data can be received on the data receiving device 5 side corresponding to the address determined by the user (S210).

  On the other hand, if the address designation is incorrect (S134-NO), the user instructs another address via the address input unit 302 again. In response to this, the data transmission device 3 and the data reception device 5 repeat the processing after step S124.

  As described above, according to the data communication system 1 of the first embodiment, when the user designates the address of the delivery destination, the attribute information of the data receiving device corresponding to the designated address is notified to the user. Therefore, the user can notice when the wrong delivery destination is specified. Thereby, for example, careless mistakes when selecting a delivery address from an address book or the like can be prevented.

  In the configuration of the first embodiment, each time an address is designated by the user via the address input unit 302, the attribute correspondence unit 320 receives attribute information from the data receiving device 5 that is a data delivery destination corresponding to this address. The attribute information is associated with the address and notified to the user. That is, every time an address is specified, the attribute information is first obtained from the designated data delivery destination prior to data delivery. Even if an address has not been specified in the past, attribute information can be obtained without fail when selecting a desired delivery destination from a list of similar addresses arranged in alphabetical order, and address confirmation is ensured.

  Further, it is not necessary to set the attribute information of the data receiving device 5 in advance, and the setting work can be saved. In addition, since the update of the latest attribute information can be automated, the cost of managing the delivery destination information can be greatly reduced. In addition, even if it is the first address that has never been specified in the past, attribute information can be reliably acquired and notified so that the user does not mistakenly specify the delivery destination. If there is an error, you can notice it.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an outline of a data communication system configured with the second embodiment of the data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention. The data transmission device 3 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the attribute correspondence unit 320 is also provided with an attribute information storage unit. This will be specifically described below.

  As shown in the figure, the attribute correspondence unit 320 on the data transmission device 3 side has an attribute storage function unit 324 configured by a memory, a hard disk device, or the like that stores and holds attribute information related to the data reception device 5 in association with addresses. doing. Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, including the configuration on the data receiving device 5 side.

  When the address of the delivery destination is designated, the attribute corresponding function unit 328 first issues an attribute information read request to the attribute storage function unit 324, and the attribute information of the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the specified address is the attribute storage function. It is determined whether or not it is held in the unit 324. If held, the attribute information related to the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the address designated via the address input unit 302 is read from the attribute storage function unit 324 and this attribute information is associated with the address and notified to the user. To do.

  On the other hand, if the attribute information of the data receiving device corresponding to the specified address is not held in the attribute storage function unit 324, the attribute corresponding function unit 328 is the data receiving device 5 side as in the first embodiment. Attribute information is acquired from the data receiving device 5 side by issuing an attribute information acquisition request to the server. At this time, the attribute corresponding function unit 328 stores / holds the attribute information acquired once in this manner in the attribute storage function unit 324.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the attribute storage function in the attribute storage function unit 324 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the attribute storage function unit 324 stores the attribute information of the data receiving device 5 corresponding to each address for each address. For example, the time information holds a time stamp so that the time information can be known.

  When the attribute storage function unit 324 receives the attribute information read request from the attribute correspondence function unit 328, the attribute storage function unit 324 returns the attribute information of the data receiving device 5 at the corresponding address to the attribute correspondence function unit 328. If the attribute information has not been acquired in the past and the attribute information is an address that is not stored in the attribute storage function unit 324, the attribute storage function unit 324 returns “None” to the attribute corresponding function unit 328. As a result, the attribute handling function unit 328 can determine whether or not the attribute storage function unit 324 holds the attribute information of the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the designated address.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure related to notification of delivery destination information to the user in the data communication system 1 of the second embodiment. Here, it demonstrates centering on a different point from the process sequence of 1st Embodiment shown in FIG.

  The data transmission device 3 waits until an address indicating a data delivery destination is input from the user (S102-NO). When the address input unit 302 detects that an address has been input from the user, the address input unit 302 notifies the attribute corresponding function unit 328 of the address information (S102—YES).

  Upon receiving the address information from the address input unit 302, the attribute corresponding function unit 328 first issues an attribute information read request including an address to the attribute storage function unit 324 (S110). Upon receiving the attribute information read request from the attribute correspondence function unit 328, the attribute storage function unit 324 returns the attribute information to the attribute correspondence function unit 328 if the attribute information of the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the corresponding address is stored. If the address information does not store the attribute information corresponding to the corresponding address, “None” is returned to the attribute corresponding function unit 328 as information indicating that.

  The attribute handling function unit 328 determines whether or not the attribute storage function unit 324 holds the attribute information of the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the designated address based on the information from the attribute storage function unit 324 in response to the attribute information read request. Is determined (S120). When attribute information corresponding to the designated address is returned from the attribute storage function unit 324 (S120-YES), the attribute information read from the attribute storage function unit 324 is instructed via the address input unit 302. The user is notified in association with the address (S130, S132). In this case, it is not necessary to inquire the attribute information on the data receiving device 5 side, and the delivery destination information can be output in a short time.

  In addition, when the acquisition time of the attribute information indicated by the time stamp given to the attribute information returned from the attribute storage function unit 324 is older than a predetermined range, the attribute information returned from the attribute storage function unit 324 is displayed. The attribute information may be acquired from the data receiving device 5 side as in the case where “None” described later is returned without being used. By doing so, it is possible to avoid delivery to a delivery destination that has been acquired and is not in operation.

  On the other hand, when “None” is returned from the attribute storage function unit 324 (S120—NO), the attribute handling function unit 328 issues an attribute information acquisition request to the data receiving device 5 side, as in the first embodiment. After obtaining the attribute information from the data receiving device 5 side, the attribute information is associated with the address designated via the address input unit 302 and notified to the user (S124 to S132). At this time, the attribute correspondence function unit 328 sets the time information as a time stamp so that the attribute information can be understood at what time (S127), associates the address with the attribute information and the time stamp, and stores them in the attribute storage function unit 324. It is memorized (S128).

  As described above, according to the data communication system 1 of the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the data receiving device 5 has the attribute storage function unit 324. Once acquired from the data receiving device 5 side, the attribute information can be stored in the attribute storage function unit 324. When an address is designated by the user, the attribute information corresponding to the address is displayed. If it has been acquired before, the delivery destination information can be output in a short time by reducing the time to acquire again. In addition, the load on the network can be reduced.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure related to notification of delivery destination information to the user in the data communication system 1 of the third embodiment. The device configurations of the data transmitting device 3 and the data receiving device 5 are the same as those in the second embodiment. Here, it demonstrates centering on a different point from the process sequence of 2nd Embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the third embodiment, the configurations of the data transmitting device 3 and the data receiving device 5 are the same as those of the second embodiment, but the functions of the attribute storage function unit 324 and the attribute corresponding function unit 328 are different. Specifically, it is characterized in that the attribute information stored in the attribute storage function unit 324 is updated for each address at a predetermined timing. Only the attribute corresponding function in the unit 320 is different.

  Here, as a mode of “updating at a predetermined timing”, all addresses may be updated at a constant time interval, or the user may be instructed to update to the latest information. Alternatively, every time an address is designated by the user, only the address may be updated at a certain time interval, or the user may be instructed to update to the latest information. In the former case, if there are many registered addresses, the network load at the time of updating increases. However, the attribute information can be periodically acquired and updated for all addresses, so that the latest state can be maintained. On the other hand, in the latter case, only the address from which data is to be distributed is updated, so that attribute information for the address can be kept up-to-date without imposing a load on the network.

  The procedure shown in FIG. 8 is the latter example, and is an example of updating at regular time intervals. For example, when receiving the address information from the address input unit 302 (S102-YES), the attribute corresponding function unit 328 first checks whether the update time of the attribute storage function has passed (S104). If the update time has passed (S104-YES), the attribute information is acquired from the data receiving device 5 side by issuing an attribute information acquisition request to the data receiving device 5 side, as in the first embodiment. The user is notified in association with the address designated via the address input unit 302 (S124 to S132). At this time, as in the second embodiment, the attribute correspondence function unit 328 uses the time information as a time stamp so that the attribute information can be understood (S127), and the address, the attribute information, and the time stamp. Are stored in the attribute storage function unit 324 in association with each other (S128).

  On the other hand, if the update time has not passed (S104-NO), the attribute correspondence function unit 328 indicates that the attribute information of the data reception device 5 corresponding to the designated address is the attribute storage function unit 324, as in the second embodiment. Then, the process is switched according to whether or not the data is held (S110, S120).

  Thus, according to the data communication system 1 of the third embodiment, in addition to the processing procedure of the second embodiment, the attribute information held in the attribute storage function unit 324 is periodically updated or updated. The attribute information is acquired and stored again from the corresponding device at a predetermined timing after being acquired and stored once. Can be updated to state. For example, there may be a delivery destination that is inactive after being acquired once, so by periodically acquiring and updating attribute information, such attribute information is invalidated, etc. Attribute information can be kept up-to-date.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of a data communication system configured with the fourth embodiment of the data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention. The fourth embodiment is characterized in that it is configured to use history information of addresses previously input as information to be output in association with addresses.

  The data communication system 1 of the fourth embodiment shown in the figure is configured by connecting a data transmission device 3 and a data reception device 5 via a communication network 9. In the figure, each of the data transmission device 3 and the data reception device 5 is shown as one, but in actuality, a large number of these are connected to the communication network 9 to constitute the data communication system 1. The data receiving device 5 only needs to have the communication function unit 506 so that the electronic data sent from the data transmitting device 3 side can be received.

  On the other hand, the data transmission device 3 of the fourth embodiment indicates an address input unit 302 where a user inputs an address, and history information of an address designated via the address input unit 302, indicating the transmission destination of this electronic data. A notification processing unit 304 that notifies a user in association with an address, a data storage unit 306 that stores and stores electronic data for distribution, and a communication function unit 307 are provided. Data for transmitting electronic data to the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the determined address on condition that the data storage unit 306 and the communication function unit 326 have received an address determination instruction based on the notification from the notification processing unit 304 A distribution processing unit 308 is configured. When the address designated by the user via the address input unit 302 is confirmed, the communication function unit 307 on the data transmission device 3 side receives electronic data from the data storage unit 306 and receives data corresponding to the confirmed address. The electronic data is transmitted to the receiving device 5.

  The address input unit 302 can use the same ones as in the first to third embodiments, and an IP address, URL, or e-mail address, for example, is used as an address indicating the data receiving device 5 as a data distribution destination. Accept specified input from the user. The effects obtained by the IP address, URL, or e-mail address are the same as in the first to third embodiments.

  The notification processing unit 304 according to the fourth embodiment includes a history correspondence processing unit 330 and an output processing unit 340. The history correspondence processing unit 330 corresponds to the history storage function unit 334 configured by a memory or a hard disk device that stores / holds history information for each address input in the past, and the address notified from the address input unit 302. A history correspondence function unit 338 that reads the history information from the history storage function unit 334 and generates delivery destination information in association with the history information and the address notified from the address input unit 302 is provided. Although not shown, the history corresponding function unit 338 has a clock function unit for acquiring the current time.

  The output processing unit 340 displays the delivery destination information generated by the history corresponding function unit 338 on a display (soft copy output) or a print medium so that the user can check the address and the history information corresponding to the address. It has a function part which notifies a user by image information by output (hard copy output) or audio information in consideration for the visually impaired. For example, as in the first to third embodiments, it includes a display output unit 342 for outputting a soft copy, a print output unit 344 for outputting a hard copy, or an audio output unit 346 for generating audio information. The effects obtained by each are the same as those in the first to third embodiments. In addition, the output process part 340 is good to change the output aspect according to the content of log | history information. For example, it is preferable to notify the user by changing the output color according to the number of times N.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the history information storage function in the history storage function unit 334 of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, each time an address is specified and electronic data is transmitted to a predetermined data receiving device 5, the history storage function unit 334 stores the address, the number N of times the address is stored, and the last stored time. T is stored as history information corresponding to the address. For example, the history storage function unit 334 receives the address, the time information T, and the number of times N when a history storage request is made from the history correspondence function unit 338, and stores this in a memory or the like. When receiving a history reading request from the history handling function unit 338, the history storage function unit 334 receives an address, and returns the number of times N and time information T corresponding to the address to the history handling function unit 338. If an address that has never been stored in the past is designated, N = 0 and T = 0 are returned as information indicating that.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an output example of delivery destination information in the display output unit 342 and the print output unit 344 of the output processing unit 340 according to the fourth embodiment.

  The display output unit 342 and the print output unit 344 output one address and history information corresponding thereto. When displaying on a display device such as an LCD or CRT, history information may be displayed in a window separate from the address display field. For example, it is effective when outputting history information by image information rather than character information.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10, in the fourth embodiment, the history information uses the number N of times an address is stored and the time T stored last, and outputs it to one address. The obtained history information is not limited to one, and a plurality of pieces of information can be output. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the designated address is output to the address field, and the history information corresponding to the address is output to the attribute field. In the case of outputting a plurality of history information, for example, the history information may be output in a line separated by commas, or may be output in a list form as shown in FIG. If there are a plurality of addresses designated by the user, as shown in FIG. 11 (B), the corresponding history information is output for each address.

  The display output unit 342 and the print output unit 344 use diagrams and colors that intuitively express information to be output when the delivery destination information in which addresses and history information are associated is displayed or printed. Depending on the contents of the history information, notification may be made in a different output mode, so that the user's recognition can be made more efficient.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, for example, when the number of times N is less than a predetermined number (for example, 6 times), blue or light is used, and when the number is high, red or dark is used. Change the concentration and notify the user. Or, if the last stored time T is close to the current time, it will be dark and if it is far away, that is, if the last stored time T is within a certain period of time, it will be thin if it is not dark. It is preferable to notify the user by changing the output density and output color as time passes. Although omitted from the drawing, the history information may be displayed by switching between color / monochrome or by displaying a predetermined picture or icon.

  In this way, by using intuitively expressed colors and figures (pictures), colors and figures stand out from letters and are easy to get into the eyes. If so, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the specified address is correct.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure regarding notification of delivery destination information to a user in the data communication system 1 of the fourth embodiment.

  The data transmission device 3 waits until an address indicating a data delivery destination is input from the user (S302-NO). When the address input unit 302 detects that an address has been input from the user, the address input unit 302 notifies the history corresponding function unit 338 of the address information (S302—YES). When receiving the address information from the address input unit 302, the history handling function unit 338 first issues a history read request including the address to the history storage function unit 334 in order to acquire the history information corresponding to the address (S310).

  When the history storage function unit 334 receives a history read request from the history correspondence function unit 338, the history storage function unit 334 returns the history information to the history correspondence function unit 338 and stores the history information corresponding to the corresponding address. If the address does not store history information, N0 = 0 and T = 0 are returned as information indicating that.

  The history handling function unit 338 determines whether or not history information corresponding to the designated address is held in the history storage function unit 334 based on information from the history storage function unit 334 in response to the history read request. When the history information corresponding to the designated address is returned from the history storage function unit 334, the history information read from the history storage function unit 334 is associated with the address specified via the address input unit 302. Delivery destination information is generated, and this delivery destination information is sent to the output processing unit 340 (S330).

  Based on the delivery destination information received from the history handling function unit 338, the output processing unit 340 uses the address in the past (the current time T stored in the history storage function unit 334) and the address at which the delivery destination was specified last time. The history information such as the number of times N is associated with the address and notified to the user by image information or audio information (S332).

  Next, if the user who has received the notification of the delivery destination information determines that the address designated by the address input unit 302 as the data delivery destination is correct in order to determine the address, the user is notified that the correctness is correct. In order to notify, by inputting the same address again through the address input unit 302, the execution of the delivery of the electronic data held in the data storage unit 306 is instructed. Another address is again designated via the address input unit 302 (S340). When the address input unit 302 detects that the address has been re-input by the user, the address input unit 302 notifies the history corresponding function unit 338 of the address information.

  When receiving the address information from the address input unit 302, the history handling function unit 338 determines whether the previously input address is the same as the re-input address (S342). When a different address is input, that is, when the address designation is incorrect (S342-NO), the history handling function unit 338 repeats the processing after step S312.

  On the other hand, when the same address is input (S342-YES), the communication function unit 307 receives the electronic data from the data storage unit 306 and transmits the electronic data to the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the determined address. (S344). As a result, the electronic data can be received on the data receiving device 5 side corresponding to the address determined by the user (S210). Further, the history corresponding function unit 338 adds “1” to the number N, and obtains the current time T via a clock function unit (not shown in FIG. 9) (S346). Then, the history handling function unit 338 sends the determined address, the number N, and the current time T to the history storage function unit 334, and stores them in the history storage function unit 334 (S348).

  As described above, according to the data communication system 1 of the fourth embodiment, when a user designates a delivery address, history information corresponding to the designated address is notified to the user. Based on the experience sent by the user in the past, the user can notice if the wrong delivery destination is specified. Thereby, for example, careless mistakes when selecting a delivery address from an address book or the like can be prevented.

  For example, if you notify the user of the date and time when you specified the delivery address last time as history information, if the last specified date and time is displayed in a situation that has been specified recently or has not been specified for a long time, You can notice. Also, if you notify the user of the number of times the address has been used in the past as historical information, you want to send it to a frequently used delivery destination. Can be noticed that this is an error.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the history information storage function of the history storage function unit 334 in the data communication system 1 of the fifth embodiment. The device configurations of the data transmitting device 3 and the data receiving device 5 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

  In the fifth embodiment, the configurations of the data transmitting device 3 and the data receiving device 5 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, but the functions of the history storage function unit 334 and the history corresponding function unit 338 are different. Specifically, the present invention is characterized in that history information of the history storage function unit 334 is stored for each user ID in preparation for a case where a plurality of users share the data transmission device 3. Specifically, the user inputs the user ID from the address input unit 302 together with the address.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an output example of delivery destination information in the display output unit 342 and the print output unit 344 of the output processing unit 340 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the history storage function unit 334 uses an address, the number N of times the address is stored, and the last stored time T as history information corresponding to the user ID and address for each user ID. Remember. By doing so, the history corresponding function unit 338 can use the user ID as a part of the address and notify the user of the user ID as history information as shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the data communication system 1 of the fifth embodiment, since history information is stored in the history storage function unit 334 for each user ID, it is particularly used when specifying data delivery. The user ID is registered before delivery without specifying the user, and after that, when the user delivers data in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment, the delivery destination history for each user ID as shown in FIG. For example, when a delivery destination that has not been used by the user is designated, an address designation error can be determined by frequency (number of times). For example, when a plurality of users share the data transmission device 3 and a user performs delivery using a user ID, if the history information of the same user ID is notified, the plurality of users will receive the same delivery. Even when delivery is performed from the beginning, the delivery destination history can be managed and notified for each user, so it is possible to confirm in advance whether or not the delivery destination is correct.

<Sixth Embodiment>
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the history information storage function of the history storage function unit 334 in the data communication system 1 of the sixth embodiment. The device configurations of the data transmitting device 3 and the data receiving device 5 are the same as those in the fourth and fifth embodiments. As shown in the figure, each time an address is specified and electronic data is transmitted to a predetermined data receiving device 5, the history storage function unit 334 calculates the address, the number N of times the address is stored, and the time T at that time. The history information corresponding to the address is stored. For example, after the number of times N (5) and time T (October 10, 2002) are stored as the history information of the address “xxx.xxx.xxx” in the L1st address, the second address in the L2 and L3 addresses When the data distribution to the same address “xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx” as the L1th is further performed, the number of times N (5) Is incremented by “1”, and the time T (2003.03.31) at that time is stored as history information.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an output example of delivery destination information in the display output unit 342 and the print output unit 344 of the output processing unit 340 according to the sixth embodiment. The sixth embodiment is characterized in that the number of addresses determined during a certain period, that is, the frequency S within a predetermined time is notified as history information. The “certain fixed period” may be, for example, a certain fixed period closest to the current time (that is, the most recent), or an arbitrary period (from a past point in time 1 to a certain point in time 2). The data transmitting device 3 is preferably provided with means capable of switching and specifying these “certain periods”.

  The user inputs an address from the address input unit 302. As shown in FIG. 15, the history storage function unit 334 stores the address, the number N of times the address is stored, and the stored time T at each address as history information corresponding to the address. . The history corresponding function unit 338 refers to the history information to obtain the frequency S within a predetermined time which is the number of addresses determined (that is, data delivery) during a certain period, that is, the frequency of data delivery during that time, The difference from the fourth embodiment is that the frequency S within a predetermined time can be notified to the user as history information. That is, as a characteristic part of the sixth embodiment, the output content of the history information based on the delivery destination information notified to the user includes at least a predetermined time frequency S as shown in FIG. In addition to the frequency S within a predetermined time, as in the fourth embodiment, the date and time when the delivery destination was specified last time (current time T stored in the history storage function unit 334), the number N of times the address was used in the past, and the like. You may be notified.

  Note that the frequency S within a predetermined time is also recognized in a different output manner depending on the degree, such as using an intuitively expressed diagram (for example, indicated by the length of a bar) or a color. May be made more efficient. For example, as shown in FIG. 16B, for example, when the frequency S within a predetermined time is less than a predetermined number of times (for example, 6 times), blue or light is used, and when the frequency is high, red or dark is used. It is better to notify the user by changing the color and output density.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure related to notification of delivery destination information to a user in the data communication system 1 of the sixth embodiment. Here, the description will focus on the differences from the processing procedure of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

  The history correspondence processing unit 330 of the data transmission device 3 first presets the frequency S within a predetermined time to “0” (S300). When receiving the address information from the address input unit 302, the history handling function unit 338 first issues a history read request including the address to the history storage function unit 334 in order to acquire the history information corresponding to the address (S310). Thereafter, the current time T is acquired via a clock function unit (not shown in FIG. 9), and it is determined whether the read history information is within a predetermined time with respect to the current time T (S316). If it is within the predetermined time, “1” is added to the frequency S within the predetermined time.

  The history corresponding function unit 338 repeats such processing until reading of all history information is completed for the specified address, thereby obtaining a frequency S within a predetermined time indicating a frequency within a certain fixed period of time. Confirm (S314-YES, S316, S318). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 15, when the address “xxx.xxx.xxx” is specified, the L1 and L4 history information is read, and the total number of times N = 6 Those within a predetermined time with respect to the current time T are targets of the frequency S within the predetermined time.

  When the history correspondence function unit 338 determines the frequency S within the predetermined time (S314-NO), the history corresponding function unit 338 instructs the history information read from the history storage function unit 334 and the frequency S within the predetermined time via the address input unit 302. The delivery destination information is generated in association with the received address, and this delivery destination information is sent to the output processing unit 340 (S334). Based on the delivery destination information received from the history handling function unit 338, the output processing unit 340 associates the history information with the address and notifies the user with image information or audio information (S336). Here, as a characteristic part of the sixth embodiment, the output content of the history information based on the delivery destination information includes at least the frequency S within a predetermined time. Hereinafter, it is the same as that of 4th Embodiment.

  As described above, according to the data communication system 1 of the sixth embodiment, when a user designates a delivery destination address, the history information corresponding to the designated address is used as a history information corresponding to the designated address for a certain period of time. Since the user is notified of the frequency S within the predetermined time indicating the number of times designated in the above, the user can be aware of the wrong delivery destination based on the experience the user has sent in the past. The user can confirm the information of the delivery destination by the notified delivery destination information even when sending to the frequently used delivery destination, or even when the delivery destination is extremely rare. Thus, it is possible to prevent an error in specifying the delivery destination due to a selection error.

  For example, if the user is notified of the frequency S within a predetermined time for a certain period of time that is the latest (that is, the most recent) with respect to the current time, the user used the delivery destination that was used frequently but now occasionally. When specified, you can be aware of an addressing error if you are notified of the most recent usage. Further, if the user is notified of the frequency S within a predetermined time from a certain time point 1 to a certain time point 2 in the past, the delivery destination that was frequently used once (between a certain time point 1 and a certain time point 2) When a small number of uses is presented, you can notice an addressing error.

<Example configuration on an electronic computer>
The above-described mechanism for performing notification processing of attribute information and history information before data distribution is not limited to hardware, and software using an electronic computer (computer) based on a program code that realizes the function. It can also be realized. Therefore, a program suitable for realizing the data transmission method and apparatus according to the present invention by software using an electronic computer (computer) or a computer-readable storage medium storing this program can be extracted as an invention. . By adopting a mechanism that is executed by software, it is possible to enjoy the advantage that the processing procedure and the like can be easily changed without changing hardware.

  When making a computer execute a series of notification processes by software, a program (such as an embedded microcomputer) in which a program constituting the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), Various functions can be executed by installing a system on a chip (SOC) that implements a desired system by mounting functions such as logic circuits and storage devices on a single chip, or by installing various programs. It is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer capable of doing so.

  The recording medium causes a change state of energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. to the reading device provided in the hardware resource of the computer according to the description content of the program, and in the form of a signal corresponding thereto. The program description can be transmitted to the reader. For example, a magnetic disc (including a flexible disc), an optical disc (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)), a DVD (which is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from a computer, (Including Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc (including MD (Mini Disc)), or package media (portable storage media) made of semiconductor memory, etc. It may be configured by a ROM, a hard disk, or the like in which a program is recorded that is provided to the user in a state. Or the program which comprises software may be provided via communication networks, such as a wire communication or radio | wireless.

  For example, a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes a function of notifying a user of attribute information and history information by image information or audio information is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or Even when the CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium, the same effect as in the case of hardware configuration is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements functions of attribute information and history information notification processing and data distribution processing.

  Also, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only functions for performing attribute information and history information notification processing and data distribution processing are realized, but also the computer program operates on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. Even if the OS (operating system; basic software) or the like performs a part or all of the actual processing and the function of performing the attribute information and history information notification processing and data distribution processing is realized by the processing. Good.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit may perform a part or all of the actual processing, and a function of performing notification processing of attribute information and history information and data distribution processing may be realized by the processing.

  The program is provided as a file describing a program code for realizing a function of performing attribute information and history information notification processing and data distribution processing. In this case, the program is not limited to being provided as a batch program file. It may be provided as an individual program module according to the hardware configuration of the system configured by a computer. For example, it may be provided as add-in software incorporated in existing browser software or mail software.

  FIG. 18 shows the configuration of the data transmission device 3 and the data reception device 5 in software using a CPU and memory, that is, the data transmission device 3 and the data reception device 5 are configured using the functions of an electronic computer such as a personal computer. It is the figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions in the case of constructing. As software, for example, a browser application, a mail application, a facsimile (FAX) application, or a processing program for another application, the same as that in the conventional data transmission device 3 and data reception device 5 is incorporated. A control program for transmitting and receiving data to and from the outside via the communication network 9 is also incorporated.

  A computer system 900 constituting the data transmitting device 3 and the data receiving device 5 is connected to a communication network 9 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 902, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 904, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 906, and the Internet. A communication I / F (interface) 908 that mediates delivery of communication data, a clock circuit 909 that manages time, and an input device 912 such as a keyboard and a mouse. When the data transmission device 3 is configured by the computer system 900, the display control unit 919 displays attribute information and history information on a display 926 such as a CRT or LCD (liquid crystal).

  Further, for example, recording / reading for reading and recording data from a storage medium such as a memory reading unit 907, a hard disk device 914, a flexible disk (FD) drive 916, or a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM) drive 918. An apparatus may be provided. Data is exchanged between the hardwares via the data bus 901.

  The CPU 902 controls the entire system via the system bus 901. The ROM 904 stores a control program for the CPU 902 and the like. The RAM 906 is configured by an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores program control variables, data for various processes, and the like. The RAM 906 obtains an electronic document (not only character data but also image data) obtained by a predetermined application program, image data obtained by the scanner unit 960 provided in the own apparatus, and further obtained from the outside. This includes an area for temporarily storing the electronic data.

  A program that causes a computer to execute the above-described processing is distributed through a recording medium such as a CD-ROM 922. Alternatively, the program may be stored in the FD 920 instead of the CD-ROM 922. An MO drive may be provided to store the program in the MO, or the program may be stored in another recording medium such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory card 924 such as a flash memory. Further, the program may be downloaded and acquired from another server or the like via a communication network such as the Internet, or may be updated.

  In addition to the FD 920 and the CD-ROM 922, the recording medium includes an optical recording medium such as a DVD, a magnetic recording medium such as an MD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as a PD, a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, an IC card, A semiconductor memory such as a miniature card can be used. An FD 920, a CD-ROM 922, or the like as an example of a recording medium can store a part or all of the functions of the processing in the data transmission device 3 and the data reception device 5 described in the above embodiment.

  For example, the hard disk device 914 stores an area for storing data for various processes by the control program, temporarily storing a large amount of captured image data acquired by the scanner unit 960, print data acquired from the outside, and the like. Contains. The hard disk device 914, the FD drive 916, or the CD-ROM drive 918 is used for registering program data for causing the CPU 902 to execute processing such as content acquisition, address acquisition, or address setting by software. Used.

  By the CPU 902, ROM 904, RAM 906, other storage medium drives (907, 914, 916, 918), and the clock circuit 909, the attribute correspondence unit 320 and the history correspondence processing unit 330 shown in FIGS. Alternatively, a data distribution processing unit 308 and the like are configured. A processing circuit 940 is provided in which not all processing of each functional part of the data transmitting device 3 and the data receiving device 5 described in the above embodiment is performed by software, but a part of these functional portions is performed by hardware. May be.

  For example, when the data transmission device 3 is configured by a computer, the CD-ROM drive 918 reads data or a program from the CD-ROM 922 and passes it to the CPU 902. The software is installed from the CD-ROM 922 to the hard disk device 914. The hard disk device 914 stores data or a program read by the FD drive 916 or the CD-ROM drive 918 and data created by the CPU 902 executing the program, and reads the stored data or program to read the CPU 902. To pass.

  The software stored in the hard disk device 914 is read by the RAM 906 and then executed by the CPU 902. For example, the CPU 902 performs the notification process and the data distribution process based on programs stored in the ROM 904 and the RAM 906, which are examples of recording media.

  For example, the computer system 900 constituting the data transmission device 3 includes a scanner I / F unit 950 that functions as an interface with the scanner unit 960, a display control unit 919 that controls the display output unit 342, an image processing unit 967, and a raster. A printer I / F unit 952 that functions as an interface with the print output unit 344 having the scan unit 968, and notifies the user of attribute information and history information in addition to the original data distribution function of the data transmission device 3 Fulfills the function of That is, prior to data distribution to the data receiving device 5 corresponding to the address instructed by the user, the attribute information and history information are notified to the user, and an address confirmation instruction is received from the user based on this notification. Later, it performs the function of transmitting electronic data to the data receiving device corresponding to the determined address.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the data communication system comprised by providing 1st Embodiment of the data transmitter which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the setting method of the attribute information by an attribute information setting function part. It is a figure which shows the example of an output of the delivery destination information in the output process part of 1st Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of the process sequence regarding the notification to the user of the delivery destination information in the data communication system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the data communication system comprised by providing 2nd Embodiment of the data transmitter which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the attribute storage function in the attribute storage function part of 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of the process sequence regarding the notification to the user of the delivery destination information in the data communication system of 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of the process sequence regarding the notification to the user of the delivery destination information in the data communication system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the data communication system comprised by providing 4th Embodiment of the data transmitter which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the history information storage function in the history storage function part of a 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of an output of the delivery destination information in the output process part of 4th Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of the process sequence regarding the notification to the user of the delivery destination information in the data communication system of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the history information storage function in the history storage function part of a 5th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of an output of the delivery destination information in the output process part of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the history information storage function in the history storage function part of a 6th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of an output of the delivery destination information in the output process part of 6th Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of the process sequence regarding the notification to the user of the delivery destination information in the data communication system of 6th Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions in the case of constructing | assembling a data transmitter and a data receiver using the function of an electronic computer.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data communication system, 3 ... Data transmission apparatus, 5 ... Data reception apparatus, 9 ... Communication network, 302 ... Address input part, 304 ... Notification processing part, 306 ... Data storage part, 307 ... Communication function part, 308 ... Data Distribution processing unit, 320 ... attribute correspondence unit, 324 ... attribute storage function unit, 326 ... communication function unit, 328 ... attribute correspondence function unit, 330 ... history correspondence processing unit, 334 ... history storage function unit, 338 ... history correspondence function unit 340 ... Output processing unit, 342 ... Display output unit, 344 ... Print output unit, 346 ... Audio output unit, 500 ... Attribute information storage unit, 502 ... Attribute information setting function unit, 504 ... Attribute information storage function unit, 506 ... Communication function

Claims (26)

A data transmitting device for delivering electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to an address designated by a user via a communication network,
A notification processing unit that notifies the user of attribute information related to the data receiving device in association with the address indicating the transmission destination of the electronic data;
A data distribution processing unit that transmits the electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to the determined address, on condition that an address determination instruction based on the notification by the notification processing unit is received. Data transmission device. The notification processing unit
Having a predetermined display output unit,
The data transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display output unit displays and outputs the address and the attribute information in association with each other. The notification processing unit
Has a predetermined print output section,
The data transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print output unit prints the address and the attribute information in association with each other. The data transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the notification processing unit outputs the address and the attribute information in association with each other using a predetermined color or a diagram. The notification processing unit
Having a predetermined audio output unit,
The data transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the voice output unit outputs the voice information in association with the address and the attribute information. The notification processing unit notifies the user of any one of an IP address, a URL, and an e-mail address as the address in association with the attribute information. The data transmission device according to item 1. The notification processing unit includes a model name of the data receiving device, specifications of the data receiving device, information related to an installation position of the data receiving device, and a local time of a place where the data receiving device is installed, 7. The data transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information is notified to the user in association with the address. 7. The notification processing unit includes an address where the data receiving device is installed, information about a building where the data receiving device is installed, latitude and longitude of a place where the data receiving device is installed, and the data receiving device Corresponding to the address as information related to the installation position of the data receiving device, any of an image showing a place where it is installed, a management department that manages the data receiving device, and a network domain name of the data receiving device The data transmission device according to claim 7, wherein the data transmission device is notified to the user. The notification processing unit acquires attribute information about the data receiving device from the data receiving device corresponding to the address each time an address is specified by the user, and uses the attribute information in association with the address. The data transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the data transmission device is notified to a person. An attribute information storage unit for storing attribute information related to the data receiving device;
The notification processing unit reads attribute information about the data receiving device corresponding to the address from the attribute information storage unit, and notifies the user of the attribute information in association with the address. The data transmission device according to any one of 1 to 9. The data transmission device according to claim 10, wherein the attribute information storage unit updates the stored attribute information at a predetermined timing. A data transmitting device for delivering electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to an address designated by a user via a communication network,
A notification processing unit for notifying a user of history information indicating a history instructed to transmit in the past with respect to the address indicating a transmission destination of the electronic data;
A data distribution processing unit that transmits the electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to the determined address, on condition that an address determination instruction based on the notification by the notification processing unit is received. Data transmission device. The notification processing unit
Having a predetermined display output unit,
The data transmission device according to claim 12, wherein the display output unit displays and outputs the address and the history information in association with each other. The notification processing unit
Has a predetermined print output section,
The data transmission apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the print output unit prints the address and the history information in association with each other. The data transmission device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the notification processing unit outputs the address and the history information in association with each other using a predetermined color or a diagram. The notification processing unit
Having a predetermined audio output unit,
The data transmission device according to claim 12, wherein the voice output unit outputs the voice information in association with the address and the history information. The notification processing unit notifies the user of any one of an IP address, URL, and mail address as the address in association with the history information. The data transmission device according to item 1. The notification processing unit may use any one of the previous date and time when the address is specified, the number of times the address has been used in the past, and the number of times the address is specified during a recent period as the history information. The data transmission device according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the data is notified to the user in association with each other. A history information storage unit for storing the history information related to the address;
19. The notification processing unit reads the history information corresponding to the address from the history information storage unit, and notifies the user of the history information in association with the address. The data transmission device according to any one of the above. The data transmission device according to claim 19, wherein the history information storage unit stores the history information for each user. A data receiving device for receiving electronic data distributed from a data transmitting device,
An attribute information storage unit for storing attribute information related to the data receiving device;
A communication function unit that reads out the attribute information from the attribute information storage unit and transmits the attribute information to the data transmission device on condition that a request from the data transmission device is received. Data receiving device. A data transmission method for delivering electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to an address designated by a user via a communication network,
Attribute information about the data receiving device is notified to the user in association with the address indicating the transmission destination of the electronic data,
After receiving an address confirmation instruction from the user based on the notification, the electronic data is transmitted to a data receiving device corresponding to the confirmed address. A data transmission method for delivering electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to an address designated by a user via a communication network,
Regarding the address indicating the transmission destination of the electronic data, history information indicating a history instructed to transmit in the past is notified to the user in association with the address,
After receiving an address confirmation instruction from the user based on the notification, the electronic data is transmitted to a data receiving device corresponding to the confirmed address. A program for delivering electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to an address designated by a user via a communication network,
Computer
A notification processing unit that notifies the user of attribute information related to the data receiving device in association with the address indicating the transmission destination of the electronic data;
The data receiving device corresponding to the determined address is made to function as a data distribution processing unit that transmits the electronic data on condition that an address determination instruction based on the notification by the notification processing unit is received. Program to do. A program for a data receiving device that receives electronic data distributed from a data transmitting device,
Computer
A communication function unit that reads attribute information related to the data receiving device stored in advance in a predetermined storage medium and transmits the attribute information to the data transmitting device on condition that a request from the data transmitting device is received A program characterized by functioning as a program. A program for delivering electronic data to a data receiving device corresponding to an address designated by a user via a communication network,
Computer
A notification processing unit for notifying a user of history information indicating a history instructed to transmit in the past with respect to the address indicating a transmission destination of the electronic data;
The data receiving device corresponding to the determined address is made to function as a data distribution processing unit that transmits the electronic data on condition that an address determination instruction based on the notification by the notification processing unit is received. Program to do.