JP2007214962A - Image transmitter and image transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the selection of image data transmitted through a predetermined communication line. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 100 generates and prints an order sheet ST in which a list of pieces of print data is arranged. A user selects image data to be transmitted by marking out marking columns on the order sheet ST. When the order sheet is read by a scanner 110, the printer 100 generates an e-mail to which the image data selected by the user is attached and transmits the e-mail to other computers PC1, etc. via a mail server SV. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting image data through a predetermined communication line.

  In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, image data photographed by a digital camera or the like is frequently transmitted as an email attachment.

  However, in order to send image data as an e-mail attachment, it is usually necessary to be proficient in the operation of the computer, and for those who are unfamiliar with the operation of the computer, this is a very high act.

  In relation to such a problem, the following Patent Document 1 displays a list of image data and e-mail addresses on a display unit of a facsimile apparatus, and selects image data to be transmitted to the user from the list and the destination of the image data. A technique for transmitting image data using a facsimile machine by making a selection is disclosed.

JP 2005-136702 A

  However, a display unit such as a facsimile machine is usually small in size, and it may be difficult to specify image data to be transmitted from the display unit.

  In consideration of such problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to facilitate selection of image data to be transmitted through a predetermined communication line.

Based on the above problems, the image transmission apparatus of the present invention is configured as follows. That is,
An image transmission device that transmits image data through a predetermined communication line,
Input means for inputting a plurality of image data;
Printing means for printing an order sheet provided with an image designation field for designating image data to be transmitted among the input image data;
Reading means for reading an order sheet in which the image data to be transmitted is designated by the image designation field;
The gist of the present invention is to include a transmission unit that transmits image data designated by the order sheet to a predetermined transmission destination.

  In the image transmission apparatus of the present invention, an order sheet provided with an image designation field for designating image data to be transmitted is printed. The user designates image data using this order sheet. When the image transmission apparatus reads the order sheet by the reading unit, the image transmission apparatus transmits the image data designated by the order sheet to a predetermined transmission destination. According to the image transmission apparatus having such a configuration, by using the order sheet, the user can easily specify the image data to be transmitted.

In the image transmission apparatus having the above configuration,
The printing means prints a transmission destination designation field for designating the transmission destination on the order sheet in addition to the image designation field,
The transmission means may be means for transmitting the specified image data to a transmission destination designated by the transmission destination designation field.

  With such a configuration, the transmission destination of the image data can be specified using the order sheet, so that the transmission destination of the image data can be easily specified.

In the image transmission apparatus having the above configuration,
The destination is represented by an email address;
The transmission unit may be a unit that transmits the designated image data attached to the e-mail to the transmission destination represented by the e-mail address.

  With such a configuration, even a person unfamiliar with the operation of the computer can easily transmit the image data by attaching it to an e-mail.

In the image transmission apparatus having the above configuration,
The destination designation field of the order sheet is a field where the e-mail address is filled in with handwritten characters,
The reading means may comprise means for converting an e-mail address handwritten in the destination designation field into a text format.

  With such a configuration, an e-mail address can be entered on the order sheet by handwriting, so even a person unfamiliar with computer operation can easily transmit image data to a desired destination. It becomes possible.

In the image transmission apparatus having the above configuration,
The printing means further prints a column for entering a message to be included in the e-mail on the order sheet,
The transmission unit may perform the transmission by including the message in the electronic mail.

  With such a configuration, various messages other than image data can be included in the e-mail and transmitted. This message includes, for example, the e-mail subject and text.

In the image transmission apparatus having the above configuration,
The printing means further prints on the order sheet a field for designating an address of a server that transmits the e-mail,
The transmission means may transmit the electronic mail via the designated server.

  With such a configuration, even a person who is unfamiliar with the operation of the computer can easily set a server for sending an e-mail.

In the image transmission apparatus having the above configuration,
And further comprising means for obtaining the e-mail address from another device for storing the e-mail address,
The printing means may print the acquired list of e-mail addresses in the transmission destination designation field.

  According to such a configuration, since a list of e-mail addresses designated as the transmission destination can be acquired from another device, the transmission destination can be easily selected from the acquired addresses. Examples of other devices that store the e-mail address include devices such as mobile information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), and computers.

In the image transmission apparatus having the above configuration,
The printing unit prints a marking field for designating the transmission destination for each image data,
The transmission means may transmit image data corresponding to the transmission destination for each transmission destination.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to transmit different image data for each transmission destination.

In the image transmission apparatus having the above configuration,
The printing means further prints a column for designating the size of the image data to be transmitted on the order sheet,
The transmission unit may perform the transmission by adjusting the size of the designated image data in accordance with the designated size.

  According to such a configuration, since the data capacity of image data to be transmitted can be limited, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication on the communication line.

  In addition to the configuration as the image transmission device described above, the present invention can also be configured as an image transmission method or a computer program in which an image transmission device including a printing apparatus and a scanner transmits an image. Such a computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. As the recording medium, for example, various media such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a memory card, and a hard disk can be used.

Hereinafter, in order to further clarify the operations and effects of the present invention described above, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples in the following order.
A. Configuration of printing device:
B. Image data transmission processing:
C. Variation:

A. Configuration of printing device:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus 100 as an image transmission apparatus according to the present invention. The printing apparatus 100 is a so-called multifunction machine type printing apparatus, and includes a scanner 110 for optically reading an image, a memory card slot 120 for inserting a memory card MC on which image data is recorded, a mobile phone CP and IrDA ( An infrared interface 130 for performing infrared communication conforming to the Infrared Data Association) standard, a network interface 135 for connecting to the Internet IN, and the like are provided. The printing apparatus 100 can print an image captured by the scanner 110 or an image read from the memory card MC.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 140 for performing various operations related to printing. A liquid crystal monitor 145 is provided at the center of the operation panel 140. The liquid crystal monitor 145 displays image data read from the memory card MC or the like and a GUI (graphical user interface) when using various functions of the printing apparatus 100.

  The printing apparatus 100 is connected to the Internet IN via the network interface 135. A mail server SV and various computers PC1 to PC3 are connected to the Internet IN. The mail server SV is a so-called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server, which is a server for sending electronic mail. The printing apparatus 100 has a function of attaching the image data input from the memory card MC or the like to the electronic mail via the mail server SV and transmitting it to the computers PC1 to PC3. The user designates image data to be transmitted using the order sheet ST output from the printing apparatus 100.

  In addition, the printing apparatus 100 can acquire a list of mail addresses from the mobile phone CP via the infrared interface 130. The printing apparatus 100 can transmit an e-mail attached with image data to a mail address selected from the list.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100. As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus 100 serves as a mechanism for printing on the printing paper P, a carriage 210 having an ink cartridge 212 mounted thereon, a carriage motor 220 for driving the carriage 210 in the main scanning direction, and the printing paper P in the sub scanning direction. And a paper feed motor 230 for conveying the paper.

  The carriage 210 includes a total of six types of ink heads 211 corresponding to the inks representing cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, and light magenta. An ink cartridge 212 containing these inks is mounted on the carriage 210, and the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 212 to the ink head 211 is ejected onto the printing paper P by driving a piezo element (not shown). The

  The carriage 210 is movably held by a sliding shaft 280 installed in parallel with the axial direction of the platen 270. The carriage motor 220 rotates the drive belt 260 in response to a command from the control circuit 150 to reciprocate the carriage 210 in parallel with the axial direction of the platen 270, that is, in the main scanning direction.

  The paper feed motor 230 rotates the platen 270 to convey the printing paper P perpendicular to the axial direction of the platen 270. That is, the paper feed motor 230 can relatively move the carriage 210 in the sub-scanning direction.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes a control circuit 150 for controlling the operations of the ink head 211, the carriage motor 220, and the paper feed motor 230 described above. Connected to the control circuit 150 are the scanner 110, memory card slot 120, infrared interface 130, network interface 135, operation panel 140, and liquid crystal monitor 145 shown in FIG.

  The control circuit 150 includes a CPU 160, a ROM 170, a RAM 180, and a flash memory 190. The ROM 170 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus 100. The CPU 160 performs various processes to be described later by developing the control program in the RAM 180 and executing it. The CPU 160 corresponds to “input means”, “printing means”, “reading means”, and “transmitting means” of the present application.

  The flash memory 190 is a storage device that stores image data IMG captured from the memory card MC or the like and a list of mail addresses ADR received from the mobile phone CP via the infrared interface 130. In the present embodiment, the flash memory is provided as the storage device, but instead, a storage device such as a hard disk drive may be provided. In addition to the cellular phone CP, the mail address ADR may be acquired from a computer connected to the printing apparatus 100, or may be input by the user using the operation panel 140.

B. Image data transmission processing:
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of e-mail transmission processing executed by CPU 160 based on a control program stored in ROM 170. This process is a process executed when an e-mail transmission function is selected from the GUI displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 145.

  When this processing is executed, first, the CPU 160 displays a predetermined GUI on the liquid crystal monitor 145 to perform processing for allowing the user to make a preliminary selection of image data to be attached to an e-mail and a destination e-mail address. (Step S100). Preliminary selection refers to selection of these rough ranges prior to selection of image data and mail addresses by an order sheet ST described later.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 145 by the CPU 160 in step S100. FIG. 4A shows a GUI for performing preliminary selection of image data. In this GUI, “latest 50 sheets”, “last month” and “folder selection” are displayed as menus. “Latest 50 images” means selecting the latest 50 image data based on the image data shooting date and time, and “Last 1 month” means within the most recent month based on the image data shooting date and time. Represents selection of captured image data. Further, “folder selection” represents designating a folder in which image data is stored in the memory card MC or the flash memory 190.

  When “select folder” is selected by the user from the menu described above, the GUI on the liquid crystal monitor 145 is switched to a GUI for selecting a folder. The GUI after screen switching is shown in FIG. Here, an example is shown in which three folders, that is, folders with names “200504”, “200512”, and “200601” are displayed. The user selects a folder including desired image data from the displayed folders.

  When the preliminary selection of the image data is completed by the above GUI, the CPU 160 displays a GUI for performing preliminary selection of the mail address. FIG. 4C shows an example of a GUI for performing preliminary selection of mail addresses. The CPU 160 displays a list of mail addresses stored in the flash memory 190 on this GUI. This GUI shows an example in which three mail addresses and an item “new” are displayed. “New” is an option provided for sending mail to a destination not included in the list. The user selects the mail address of the other party to whom the e-mail is to be transmitted from the list of mail addresses displayed in this way by using a check box. FIG. 4C shows a case where an e-mail is sent to three persons “a@aaa.bbb.ccc”, “b@ddd.eee.fff”, and “new”. It is assumed that recently selected addresses are preferentially displayed at the top of the list. In this way, it is possible to easily select a partner who frequently transmits image data.

  Returning to FIG. After completing the preliminary selection of the image data and the mail address, the CPU 160 next inputs the image data in the range selected by the preliminary selection from the memory card MC or the flash memory 190 (step S110). Then, an order sheet ST in which the input image data and the mail address selected in step S100 are arranged is generated and printed (step S120).

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the order sheet ST generated and printed in step S120. As shown in the figure, the order sheet ST includes a transmission address column C1, a size adjustment column C2, an image designation column C3, a subject entry column C4, a body entry column C5, a server address column C6, and a self address. Column C7 is provided.

  In the transmission address column C1, the mail address specified in step S100 is arranged. FIG. 5 shows a column for entering the two e-mail addresses (“a@aaa.bbb.ccc” and “b@ddd.eee.fff”) selected in FIG. 4C and the new address. An example in which C11 is provided is shown. The user enters a new e-mail address to which image data is to be transmitted with a writing tool in the column C11 for entering a new address.

  The size adjustment column C2 is a column provided for adjusting the size of image data to be transmitted. In the size adjustment column C2, four sizes of 320 size, 640 size, 960 size, and 1280 size can be designated. The numerical value of each size represents the number of pixels on the long side of the image data after size adjustment. The user can adjust the size of the image data by painting the marking column arranged on the left side of each size with a writing tool. However, when none of the marking fields are filled, the image data size is not adjusted. If no marking field is filled, the size of the image data may be changed to a default size (for example, 1024 size).

  A reduced image of the image data input in step S110 is arranged in the image designation field C3. FIG. 5 shows a case where 10 images are arranged. At the bottom of each image, marking columns labeled “a”, “b”, and “c” are prepared. This marking column corresponds to each mail address described as “a”, “b”, or “c” in the transmission address column C1. That is, when the marking field labeled “a” is painted with a writing instrument, the image data is sent to the email address “a@aaa.bbb.ccc”, and the marking field labeled “b” is painted with a writing instrument. The image data will be sent to the email address “b@ddd.eee.fff”. Further, when the marking field labeled “c” is filled with a writing tool, the image data is transmitted to a new mail address. In FIG. 5, the same number of marking fields (“a”, “b”, “c”) as the number of destinations described in the transmission address field C1 are provided, but another marking field (for example, “Z”), and when the marking field is filled, the image may be transmitted to all the transmission destinations. By doing so, it becomes easy to select everyone as the transmission destination.

  The subject entry column C4 is a column for entering the subject of the e-mail to be transmitted. The user enters the subject of the e-mail with the writing tool in the subject entry column C4. If this entry is omitted, a default subject, for example, a subject such as “photograph (from xx)” is given to the e-mail. The part “xx” represents the name of the user preset in the printing apparatus 100.

  The text entry field C5 is a field for entering the text of the e-mail. The user enters the text of the e-mail with the writing tool in the text entry field C5. The text entered here is captured as image data by the scanner 110 and attached to an e-mail.

  The server address column C6 is a column for entering the IP address of the mail server SV used for sending an e-mail. In many cases, the address of the SMTP server prepared for the Internet provider to which the user subscribes is entered. However, if this address is set in advance in the printing apparatus 100, the entry in this field can be omitted. Note that the mail server SV may be prepared by the manufacturer of the printing apparatus 100 independently, and the IP address of the mail server SV may be preset in the printing apparatus 100, for example.

  The self-address column C7 is a column for entering a mail address of a user who intends to send an e-mail. However, if the user's e-mail address is set in the printing apparatus 100 in advance, the entry in this field may be omitted.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. The user enters necessary items on the order sheet ST printed in step S120 (step S130). FIG. 6 shows an example of an order sheet ST in which necessary items are entered by the user. When the user completes the entry of the order sheet ST, the user sets the order sheet ST in the scanner 110 and performs an operation to start reading the order sheet ST using the operation panel.

  When CPU 160 detects a reading start operation by the user, CPU 160 reads order sheet ST using scanner 110 and analyzes the entered items (step S140).

  Further, the CPU 160 performs character recognition processing for converting handwritten characters entered in the order sheet ST into a text format such as a new mail address entry field C11, a subject entry field C4, a server address field C6, and a self address field C7. This is performed (step S150). This process can be realized by a well-known OCR technique. In this embodiment, the characters entered in the text entry field C5 are not recognized, but are read as image data representing a message in step S140. By doing so, the character recognition process can be simplified, and illustrations other than characters can be included in the text. However, as a matter of course, the text recognition process may be performed on the text as in the case of the subject.

  Next, the CPU 160 adjusts the size of each image data to the size designated by the size adjustment column C2 of the order sheet ST (step S160). Then, the designated image data is attached to the transmission destination designated by the image designation column C3, the message entered in the text entry column C5, the subject entered in the subject entry column C4, and the self An e-mail with its own e-mail address entered in the address field C7 is generated (step S170).

  Finally, the CPU 160 transmits the e-mail generated in step S170 via the mail server SV specified by the server address field C6. FIG. 7 shows an example of the transmitted electronic mail.

  According to the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment described above, image data to be transmitted attached to an e-mail is selected from the order sheet ST instead of the liquid crystal monitor 145 provided in the printing apparatus 100. can do. Therefore, it is not necessary to select image data on a small screen, and user convenience can be improved. Further, by using the order sheet ST of the present embodiment, not only image data and a destination can be selected, but also various settings such as image data size designation and mail server designation can be performed. Even an unaccustomed person can easily send an e-mail attached with image data.

C. Variation:
Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and it goes without saying that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a function realized by software may be realized by hardware. In addition, the following modifications are possible.

(C1) Modification 1:
The layout of the order sheet ST can take various forms other than those shown in FIG. For example, the server address column C6 and the self address column C7 may be omitted, and all these settings may be performed using the operation panel 140 of the printing apparatus 100. The subject entry field C4 and the body entry field C5 may be omitted, and a default subject and body stored in advance in the printing apparatus 100 may be added to the e-mail. Further, the transmission address column C1 may be omitted, and all the destination e-mail addresses may be specified using the operation panel 140 of the printing apparatus 100.

(C2) Modification 2:
In the order sheet ST shown in FIG. 4, in the subject entry column C4, the server address column C6, and the self address column C7, a default subject or a preset IP address is printed in a light color in advance in these columns. It is good also as what is done. The user may fill in these fields when using a subject different from the default or when using a mail server different from normal. By doing so, the user can easily confirm how the default subject, server address, and the like are set. In such a configuration, when the CPU 160 of the printing apparatus 100 reads the order sheet ST with a scanner, the CPU 160 performs image processing to remove the light color printed on the order sheet ST, thereby handwriting on the light color characters. Extracted characters can be extracted.

(C3) Modification 3:
In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 selects the image data using the order sheet ST when transmitting the image data by attaching it to an e-mail. On the other hand, for example, when transferring image data to a server (such as a Web server or an FTP server) that stores image data, selection of the image data to be transferred may be performed by the order sheet ST. In addition, when a facsimile apparatus as an image transmission apparatus transmits an image to another facsimile apparatus or the like through a telephone line, the image to be transmitted may be selected by the order sheet ST. In the above embodiment, the transmission destination of the image data is designated using the e-mail address. However, the server for storing the image data can be designated by the IP address or URL, and the facsimile apparatus can be designated. Can be done by phone number.

(C4) Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, image data is preliminarily selected by a predetermined GUI displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 145. However, this process may be omitted. In this case, it is assumed that all image data input from the memory card MC or the like is printed on the order sheet ST, and the user selects desired image data from the printed image data. The destination e-mail address is also preliminarily selected by the GUI. However, by printing the entire list of addresses stored in the flash memory 190 on the order sheet ST, a desired destination can be selected from the list. It is good also as what selects. Further, the destination e-mail address may be all handwritten on the order sheet ST.

(C5) Modification 5:
In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 is a single unit that inputs image data, prints the order sheet ST, reads it, and transmits image data. On the other hand, a process equivalent to the above-described e-mail transmission process may be executed by connecting the printing apparatus 100 and a computer and installing a predetermined program in the computer. In this case, the computer inputs image data, causes the printing apparatus 100 to print the order sheet ST, reads the order sheet ST via the printing apparatus 100, and attaches the image data to the designated transmission destination. An email may be sent. In such a configuration, a system constituted by the printing apparatus 100 and a computer corresponds to the image transmission apparatus of the present application.

2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. It is a flowchart of an email transmission process. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a GUI displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 145. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an order sheet | seat. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an order sheet entry. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the transmitted email.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printing apparatus 110 ... Scanner 120 ... Memory card slot 130 ... Infrared interface 135 ... Network interface 140 ... Operation panel 145 ... LCD monitor 150 ... Control circuit 160. ..CPU
170 ... ROM
180 ... RAM
190 ... flash memory 210 ... carriage 211 ... ink head 212 ... ink cartridge 220 ... carriage motor 230 ... paper feed motor 260 ... drive belt 270 ... platen 280 .. .Sliding axis MC ... Memory card IN ... Internet CP ... Mobile phone ST ... Order sheet SV ... Mail server

Claims (12)

An image transmission device that transmits image data through a predetermined communication line,
Input means for inputting a plurality of image data;
Printing means for printing an order sheet provided with an image designation field for designating image data to be transmitted among the input image data;
Reading means for reading an order sheet in which the image data to be transmitted is designated by the image designation field;
An image transmission apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit image data designated by the order sheet to a predetermined transmission destination. The image transmission device according to claim 1,
The printing means prints a transmission destination designation field for designating the transmission destination on the order sheet in addition to the image designation field,
The image transmitting apparatus, wherein the transmitting means is means for transmitting the designated image data to a destination designated by the destination designation field. The image transmission device according to claim 2,
The destination is represented by an email address;
The image transmitting apparatus, wherein the transmitting unit is a unit that transmits the specified image data attached to an e-mail to a transmission destination represented by the e-mail address. The image transmission device according to claim 3,
The destination designation field of the order sheet is a field where the e-mail address is filled in with handwritten characters,
The image transmission device, wherein the reading unit includes a unit that converts an e-mail address handwritten in the transmission destination designation field into a text format. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein:
The printing means further prints a column for entering a message to be included in the e-mail on the order sheet,
The image transmitting apparatus that performs the transmission by including the message in the electronic mail. The image transmission device according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The printing means further prints on the order sheet a field for designating an address of a server that transmits the e-mail,
The image transmitting apparatus, wherein the transmission unit transmits the e-mail via the designated server. The image transmission apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
And further comprising means for obtaining the e-mail address from another device for storing the e-mail address,
The image transmission apparatus, wherein the printing unit prints the acquired list of e-mail addresses in the transmission destination designation field. The image transmission device according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
The printing unit prints a marking field for designating the transmission destination for each image data,
The transmission means transmits image data corresponding to a transmission destination for each transmission destination. The image transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The printing means further prints a column for designating the size of the image data to be transmitted on the order sheet,
The image transmission apparatus that performs the transmission by adjusting the size of the designated image data according to the designated size. An image transmitting apparatus including a printing apparatus and a scanner transmits image data,
Enter multiple image data,
Among the input image data, an order sheet provided with an image designation field for designating image data to be transmitted is printed by the printing apparatus,
The order sheet in which the image data to be transmitted is designated by the image designation field is read by the scanner,
An image transmission method for transmitting image data designated by the order sheet to a predetermined transmission destination. A program for a computer to transmit image data using a printing apparatus and a scanner,
The ability to input multiple image data,
A function of printing an order sheet provided with an image designation field for designating image data to be transmitted among the input image data by the printing apparatus;
A function of reading an order sheet in which the image data to be transmitted is designated by the image designation field by the scanner;
A computer program for causing a computer to realize a function of transmitting image data designated by the order sheet to a predetermined transmission destination.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the computer program of Claim 11.

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