JP2005084861A - Email sending device, image forming system, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an email receiving system facilitating creation of email and convenient for business and other purposes. <P>SOLUTION: When voice is inputted to a microphone for recording (step S2), the words of the voice are converted into character data (step S4) and inputted as the text of email (step S5). The email can then be sent (step S9). If the email received has an attached image file and voice file, the attached image file is sent to an image processing unit part to form an image of the image file on paper. After this image formation is complete, the attached voice file is reproduced to output voice from a voice reproduction device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an e-mail transmission apparatus that transmits an e-mail, an image forming system that forms an image on a medium based on image data, a program that causes a computer to execute these functions, and a storage medium that stores the program.

  In recent years, electronic mail has been widely used in society. A technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a technique for transmitting a file attached to such an e-mail.

JP 2003-134296 A

  However, the creation of the e-mail body is generally performed by character input by key operation. Therefore, if the user inputs his / her words by voice, converts these words into character data, and automatically inputs them into the body of the email, the creation of the email is facilitated.

  In addition, the electronic mail system generally has a function of attaching and transmitting various files such as image files and audio files. Therefore, if an e-mail system that receives e-mail includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium such as paper, and an audio reproduction system that reproduces an audio file, If an audio file is attached and transmitted, an image of the image file is formed on a sheet or the like at the reception destination, and the audio file can be reproduced, it is convenient for business use.

  For example, if a site photograph is digitally photographed at a construction site and used as an image file, and an audio file in which comments on the photo are input by voice is created and sent as an attachment to an e-mail, the image file is immediately printed on paper. An image is formed, and a comment on the image can be immediately heard by reproducing an audio file, thereby improving work efficiency in the business field.

  An object of the present invention is to facilitate creation of electronic mail.

  Another object of the present invention is that when an image file and an audio file are received by e-mail, the image file is automatically formed on a medium such as paper, and the audio file is automatically played back and can be heard. It is to provide a convenient system for business and other uses.

  One of the present invention is a conversion means for converting words input by a voice input device into characters, an input means for inputting the converted characters as characters in the body of an e-mail, and the input of the characters And transmitting means for transmitting via an electronic mail network.

  Another embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium based on image data, an audio output apparatus that outputs sound, a receiving unit that receives an e-mail via a network, and the e-mail An attachment determination unit for determining whether an image file and an audio file are attached to the image, and an image for performing the image formation by the image forming apparatus based on the attached image file when there is the attachment. It is realized by the formation control means and the sound output control means for reproducing the attached sound file and outputting the sound by the sound output device when the attachment is made.

  According to the present invention, words input by the voice input device can be converted into characters, automatically input as characters in the body of the email, and sent as an email, eliminating the need for manual input from the keyboard. E-mail creation is easy.

  Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, when an e-mail attached with an image file and an audio file is received, the image file is automatically formed on a medium such as paper, and the image can be immediately taken out and viewed. Because audio files are automatically played and can be heard immediately, it is convenient for business and other uses.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  In this embodiment, as an information processing apparatus, a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, a scanner function, and an input image (a document image read by a scanner function or an image input by a printer or a FAX function) are distributed. An example in which the present invention is applied to a so-called digital color complex machine that combines the above and the like.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram including a digital color multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, a server computer 3 and a plurality of client computers that execute various types of information processing via the digital color MFP 1 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 2 that is a communication network. Assume a system in which 4 is connected. The server computer 3 supports, for example, the FTP and HTTP protocols, and realizes functions of a Web server and DNS (Domain Name Server). That is, in this system, there is an environment in which image processing functions such as an image input function (scanner function), an image output function (print function), and an image storage function provided in the digital color multifunction peripheral 1 can be shared on the LAN 2. It has been built.

  Such a system is connected to the Internet network 6 via the communication control unit 5 and is constructed so as to be able to communicate data with an external environment via the Internet network 6. The communication control unit 5 is generally a router, an exchange, a modem, a DSL modem, or the like, but it is sufficient that TCP / IP communication is possible at a minimum. The LAN 2 is not limited to wired communication, but may be wireless communication (infrared rays, radio waves, etc.). Further, an optical fiber may be used.

  Next, the digital color multifunction peripheral 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view schematically showing the digital color multifunction peripheral 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of each part of the digital color multifunction peripheral 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital color multifunction peripheral 1 has a configuration in which an image reading device 8 that reads an image from a document is disposed above a printing device 7 that is an image forming device that forms an image on a medium such as transfer paper. It is said that. An operation panel P that allows various inputs such as display for an operator and function setting from the operator is provided on the outer surface of the image reading device 8. Further, under the operation panel P, program codes and image data stored in a storage medium M (see FIG. 3) such as an optical disk and a flexible disk are read, or program codes and images are read from the storage medium M. An external media input / output device 9 that is a device for writing data and the like is provided with an insertion opening that allows insertion of the storage medium M exposed to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the structure of the digital color multifunction peripheral 1 is roughly divided into an image processing unit A and an information processing unit B, and the printing device 7 and the image reading device 8 are image processing units. The operation panel P and the external media input / output device 9 belong to the information processing unit B.

  The image processing unit A will be described. The image processing unit A including the printing device 7 and the image reading device 8 includes an image processing control unit 10 that performs overall control of image processing in the image processing unit A. The image processing control unit 10 includes a printing unit. A print control unit 11 that controls the apparatus 7 and an image reading control unit 12 that controls the image reading apparatus 8 are connected.

  The print control unit 11 outputs a print instruction including image data to the printing apparatus 7 under the control of the image processing control unit 10, and causes the printing apparatus 7 to form and output an image on a medium such as transfer paper. The printing device 7 is capable of full-color printing. In addition to the electrophotographic method, the printing method includes various methods such as an inkjet method, a sublimation type thermal transfer method, a silver salt photography method, a direct thermal recording method, and a melt type thermal transfer method. Can be used.

  The image reading control unit 12 drives the image reading device 8 under the control of the image processing control unit 10, and reflects the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the surface of the document to a light receiving element (for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)) using a mirror and a lens. Light is collected and read, and A / D converted to generate 8-bit RGB digital image data.

  Such an image processing control unit 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 13 as a main processor and an SDRAM (Synchronous) that temporarily stores image data read from the image reading device 8 for image formation by the printing device 7. Dynamic Random Access Memory) 14, ROM (Read Only Memory) 15 storing a control program, NVRAM 16 capable of holding data even when the power is turned off to record system log / system setting / log information, The microcomputer is configured with a bus connection.

  Further, the image processing control unit 10 includes an image processing unit via an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17 serving as a storage device for storing a large amount of image data and a job history, and a HUB 19 which is a concentrator provided inside the device. A LAN control unit 18 for connecting the part A to the LAN 2 and a FAX control unit 20 for performing FAX control are connected. The FAX control unit 20 is connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) 22 that communicates with the public telephone network 21, and the digital color multifunction peripheral 1 can communicate with a remote facsimile apparatus.

  In addition, a display control unit 23 and an operation input control unit 24 are connected to the image processing control unit 10. The display control unit 23 outputs an image display control signal to the information processing unit unit B via the communication cable 26 connected to the control panel I / F 25 under the control of the image processing control unit 10. The image display is controlled on the operation panel P. Further, the operation input control unit 24 connects an input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P of the information processing unit B to the control panel I / F 25 by the control of the image processing control unit 10. Input via the communication cable 26. In other words, the image processing unit A is configured to be able to directly monitor the operation panel P of the information processing unit B via the communication cable 26.

  Accordingly, the image processing unit A is configured such that the communication cable 26 is connected to the image processing unit provided in the conventional image processing apparatus, and the operation panel P of the information processing unit B is used. That is, the display control unit 23 and the operation input control unit 24 of the image processing unit A operate as if they are connected to the operation panel P.

  With such a configuration, the image processing unit A analyzes the print data that is image information from the outside (the server computer 3, the client computer 4, the facsimile machine, etc.) and the command that instructs printing, and outputs the print data to the output image data The bitmap is expanded so that it can be printed, and the printing mode is analyzed from the command to determine the operation. The print data and command are received and operated through the LAN control unit 18 or the FAX control unit 20.

  In addition, the image processing unit A externally print data stored in the SDRAM 14 or the HDD 17, document reading data, output image data processed for output, and compressed data obtained by compressing them externally (server computer 3, Client computer 4, facsimile, etc.).

  Further, the image processing unit A transfers the read image data of the image reading device 8 to the image processing control unit 10, corrects signal deterioration due to quantization to the optical system and digital signals, and stores the image data in the SDRAM 14. Write. The image data stored in the SDRAM 14 in this way is converted into output image data by the print control unit 11 and output to the printing apparatus 7.

  Next, the information processing unit B including the operation panel P will be described. The information processing unit part B has a microcomputer configuration controlled by a general-purpose OS (Operating System) used in an information processing apparatus generally called a personal computer. The information processing unit section B has a CPU 31 that is a main processor, and the CPU 31 includes a memory unit that includes a ROM that is a read-only memory that stores a RAM that is a work area of the CPU 31, a startup program, and the like. 32 and a storage device control unit 35 that controls input / output of data to / from a storage device 34 such as an HDD that stores an OS (Operating System) and application programs are connected via a bus.

  The CPU 31 is connected to a LAN control unit 33 that is a communication interface for connecting the information processing unit unit B to the LAN 2 via the HUB 19. The IP address that is the network address assigned to the LAN control unit 33 is different from the IP address assigned to the LAN control unit 18 of the image processing unit A described above. That is, two IP addresses are assigned to the digital color multifunction peripheral 1 of the present embodiment. That is, the image processing unit unit A and the information processing unit unit B are each connected to the LAN 2, and the image processing unit unit A and the information processing unit unit B can exchange data. ing.

  Since the digital color multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to the LAN 2 via the HUB 19, it appears that only one IP address is assigned. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance is not impaired, and handling such as connection can be facilitated.

  Further, a display control unit 36 and an operation input control unit 37 that control the operation panel P are connected to the CPU 31. Here, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel P. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel P includes a display device 40 that is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an operation input device 41. The operation input device 41 includes an ultrasonic acoustic wave type touch panel 41a laminated on the surface of the display device 40 and a keyboard 41b having a plurality of keys. The keyboard 41b is provided with a start key for declaring the start of image reading, a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values, a reading condition setting key for setting the transmission destination of the read image data, a clear key, and the like. That is, the display control unit 36 outputs an image display control signal to the display device 40 via the control panel I / F 38 and causes the display device 40 to display predetermined items corresponding to the image display control signal. On the other hand, the operation input control unit 37 receives, via the control panel I / F 38, an input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator in the operation input device 41.

  In addition, a control panel communication unit 39 connected to the control panel I / F 25 of the image processing unit A via the communication cable 26 is connected to the CPU 31. The control panel communication unit 39 receives the image display control signal output from the image processing unit unit A, and receives the input control signal according to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P. Forward to. Although details will be described later, the image display control signal from the image processing unit A received by the control panel communication unit 39 is subjected to data conversion processing for the display device 40 of the operation panel P and then output to the display control unit 36. The input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P is input to the control panel communication unit 39 after being subjected to data conversion processing in a format according to the specifications in the image processing unit A. .

  As described above, the storage device 34 stores an OS (Operating System) and application programs executed by the CPU 31. In this sense, the storage device 34 functions as a storage medium that stores application programs. In the digital color multifunction peripheral 1, when the user turns on the power, the CPU 31 activates the activation program in the memory unit 32, reads the OS from the storage device 34 into the RAM in the memory unit 32, and activates the OS. Such an OS activates a program, reads information, and stores information in accordance with a user operation. As a representative OS, Windows (registered trademark) and the like are known. These operation programs running on the OS are called application programs. The OS of the information processing unit unit B is the same type of information processing apparatus (server computer 3, client computer 4, etc.), that is, a general-purpose OS (for example, Microsoft Windows (Windows is a registered trademark)). ing.

  As described above, the digital color multi-function peripheral 1 of the present embodiment has a storage medium M that stores various program codes (control programs) such as an OS, device drivers and various application programs, image data, and the like. , Flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD + R, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, etc.), magneto-optical disk (MO), semiconductor A flexible disk drive device, an optical disk drive device, and an MO drive device, which are devices that read program codes, image data, and the like stored in a storage medium M such as a medium, or write program codes, image data, and the like to the storage medium M , Media drive devices, etc. External media input-output device 9 is mounted. Such an external media input / output device 9 is controlled by an input / output device control unit 42 connected to the CPU 31 by a bus.

  Therefore, the application program stored in the storage device 34 may be one in which the application program recorded in the storage medium M is installed. Therefore, the storage medium M can also be a storage medium that stores application programs. Furthermore, the application program may be imported from the outside via, for example, the Internet network 6 and the LAN 2 and installed in the storage device 34.

  The input / output device control unit 42 is also connected to various interfaces 43 such as USB, IEEE 1394, SCSI, and the like, and various devices (such as a digital camera) can be connected via the various interfaces 43.

  As described above, the image processing unit A is an image processing apparatus that forms an image on a medium such as paper based on image data, and the information processing unit B performs various information processing, and the information processing unit B The information processing apparatus and the electronic mail transmission apparatus that control each part of the image processing unit A and the image processing unit A centrally, and the entire digital color multifunction peripheral 1 is an image forming system.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the information processing unit B, a voice input device 51 and a voice output device 52 are connected via a predetermined interface (various interfaces 43). The audio input device 51 includes a microphone 53, and the audio output device 51 includes a speaker 54 and an amplifier 55. Further, the microphone 53 and the speaker 54 are disposed on the operation panel P (see FIG. 4).

  The image processing unit A and the information processing unit B can be connected to the Internet (network) 6 via the LAN control units 18 and 33, respectively. Therefore, the digital color multifunction peripheral 1 can transmit an electronic mail via the Internet 6.

  That is, as described above, the standard OS capable of executing the application program is running in the information processing unit B. The functions of the standard OS and the application program can access a server on the Internet 6 and use Internet services such as e-mail and file transfer. Therefore, the user can transfer a file such as an image file in the HDD 17 or the storage device 34 to a partner who can access the Internet 6 as an attached file of an e-mail.

  Since the information processing unit B uses the standard OS as described above, it is possible to use an application program whose operation is guaranteed by the standard OS. In the information processing unit B, a desired application program for executing the program of the present invention installed in the storage device 34 is created by an email creation support program, email reception support program, etc. Processing to send to the other party and reception processing of e-mail from the other party can be executed as follows. The e-mail creation support program, the e-mail reception support program, etc. are read from the storage medium M or downloaded from a network such as the Internet 6 and installed in the storage device 34.

  When the above-described e-mail creation support program and e-mail reception support program are started from the standard OS, the CPU 31 displays an e-mail creation screen 61 as shown in FIG. 6 on the display device 40 by the e-mail creation program. In the e-mail creation screen 61, an e-mail transmission information display A1, a file attachment operation button A2, an attached file name display A3, an e-mail transmission command button A4, and the like are displayed. In the e-mail transmission information display A1, it is possible to specify a destination and a subject.

  When creating the text of the e-mail, the user can select the tab A5 and switch to the text creation screen 66 of FIG. 7 to input a message. On this screen 66, by operating the keyboard displayed on the touch panel 41a in the text input field A7, the text of the e-mail can be input in the same manner as in the case of creating a general e-mail.

  When the voice input button A6 is operated on the screen 66 of FIG. 7, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is started by the e-mail creation support program. That is, the CPU 31 displays the voice input screen 62 shown in FIG. 9 (step S1). Then, when the user speaks into the microphone 53 with the voice input button A9 being operated, the words are taken from the microphone 53 and recorded to create a voice file. At this time, if the user wants to listen to the recorded voice again, if the playback button A8 is operated, the created voice file is played back and outputted from the speaker 54. If the operation is performed again, a new sound file can be created by taking in a new sound. When the voice is input in this way (Y in step S2) and the confirm button A10 is operated (Y in step S3), the words included in the voice of the created voice file are converted into characters using a known conversion system. Data is converted (converting means) (step S4). Returning to the body creation screen 66 of FIG. 7, the converted characters are input as the body text of the e-mail and displayed in the body input field A7 (input means) (step S5). Here, the conversion error in step S4 can be corrected by operating the keyboard displayed on the touch panel 41a. Thereafter, returning to the e-mail creation screen, if the send button A4 is operated (Y in step S6), if necessary items for e-mail transmission such as designation of a destination are input (Y in step S7, S8), An electronic mail can be transmitted via the Internet 6 (transmission means) (step S9).

  It is also possible to send a file with various files attached by operating the file attachment button A2. Therefore, an image file stored in the HDD 17 or a voice file recorded by the voice recording function described above can be attached to an electronic mail and transmitted.

  Another process based on the e-mail reception support program will be described. When the user performs an operation for receiving an e-mail, the e-mail reception support program accesses a mail server on the Internet 6 to inquire whether or not a new e-mail has been received. Download email. At this time, an e-mail reception screen 71 as shown in FIG. On the email reception screen 71, a list of newly received emails and past emails is displayed in the received email display field A11. If a desired received mail is selected from the received mail display column A11, the text of the electronic mail is displayed.

  As described above, when a new electronic mail is received, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is started based on the electronic mail reception support program. That is, when a new electronic mail is received (reception means) (Y in step S11), the CPU 31 determines whether an image file and a sound file are attached to the electronic mail (attachment determination means) (step S12). ). If an image file and an audio file are attached (Y in step S12), a message to that effect is displayed in the message display field A12 (step S13), and an automatic print / playback mode as described later is set. It is determined whether it has been performed (step S14). When the automatic print / playback mode is set (Y in step S14), the image data of the attached image file is transmitted to the image processing unit A, and an instruction to execute image formation based on the image data is given. (Image formation control means) (step S15). When the image formation is completed, the CPU 31 receives an end command from the image processing unit A. When this command is received (Y in step S16), the above-mentioned message attached to the e-mail is sent. The audio file is reproduced and output from the speaker 54 (audio output means) (step S17).

  In the above-described automatic print / playback mode, when an image file and an audio file are attached to the received e-mail as described above, the image file is image-formed by the image processing unit A, and the audio file is played back. This mode is set to execute automatically. The automatic printing / reproducing mode can be set in advance by selecting the tag A13 and opening the setting screen 72 of FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, by selecting the automatic print / play button A14 on the setting screen 72 (Y in step S21) and selecting the OK button A15 (Y in step S22), the automatic print / play mode is displayed. Is set in a nonvolatile memory or the like constituting the memory unit 32 (setting means) (step S23). With this setting, it is determined that the automatic printing / reproducing mode is set in step S14 described above (Y in step S14).

  In step S14, it is not determined whether the print / playback mode is set, but rather whether the print / playback mode is executed by displaying the selection screen 73 as shown in FIG. May be selected by the user. That is, the process proceeds to step S15 only when the user selects the print / play button A16 on the above-described keyboard (input device) on the selection screen 73 of FIG. 13 displayed on the display device 40 (audio output). Control means, image formation control means).

  The processing shown in FIG. 8 converts the words input by the voice input device 51 into characters, and automatically inputs them as characters in the body of the e-mail, so that the e-mail can be sent. E-mail creation becomes easier.

  In addition, when an e-mail attached with an image file and an audio file is received by the processing of FIG. 11, the image file is automatically formed on a medium such as paper, and the image can be immediately taken out and viewed. Since it is automatically played and can be heard immediately, it is convenient for business and other uses.

1 is a system configuration diagram including a digital color multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing a digital color multifunction peripheral. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing electrical connections of each part of the digital color multifunction peripheral. It is a top view which shows the structure of an operation panel. It is a block diagram of the electrical connection of a voice input device and a voice output device. It is a top view of an e-mail creation screen. It is a top view of a text creation screen. It is a flowchart of the process performed with an information processing unit. It is a top view of a voice input screen. It is a top view of an e-mail reception screen. It is a flowchart of the process performed with an information processing unit. It is a top view of a setting screen. It is a flowchart of the process performed with an information processing unit. It is a top view of a printing / generation selection screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 6 Network 51 Audio | voice input apparatus 52 Audio | voice output apparatus A Image forming apparatus M Storage medium

Claims (8)

A voice input device for inputting voice;
Conversion means for converting words input by the voice input device into characters;
An input means for inputting the converted characters as characters in the body of the email;
A transmission means for transmitting via an e-mail network in which the character is input;
An e-mail transmission device comprising: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium based on image data;
An audio output device for outputting audio;
Receiving means for receiving e-mail over a network;
Attachment determination means for determining whether an image file and an audio file are attached to the e-mail;
An image forming control means for forming the image in the image forming apparatus based on the attached image file when the attachment is present;
When the attachment is present, audio output control means for reproducing the attached audio file and outputting the sound with the audio output device;
An image forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the sound output control unit outputs the sound after the image formation by the image formation control unit is completed.   When the image file and the audio file are attached, the audio output control means inquires of the user whether or not to reproduce the audio file through a predetermined output device, and through the predetermined input device. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the audio output is executed on condition that an instruction to reproduce the audio file is issued. Further comprising setting means for setting in advance to execute reproduction of the audio file by the audio output control means when the attachment is present;
The voice output control means executes the voice output on the condition that the setting is present when the attachment is present,
The image formation control means executes the image formation on condition that the setting is present when the attachment is made;
The image forming system according to claim 2. Conversion means for converting words input by the voice input device into characters;
An input means for inputting the converted characters as characters in the body of the email;
A transmission means for transmitting via an e-mail network in which the character is input;
A computer-readable program that causes a computer to execute. Receiving means for receiving e-mail over a network;
Attachment determination means for determining whether an image file and an audio file are attached to the e-mail;
An image forming control unit for causing the image forming apparatus to form an image on a medium based on the attached image file when the attachment is made;
Audio output control means for reproducing the attached audio file and causing the audio output device to output audio when the attachment is present;
A computer-readable program that causes a computer to execute. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 6 or 7.

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