JP2008236581A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the case of not accurately reproducing image data when the data size of the image data is large in a multifunction device 100 for transmitting the image data for which an original is read to a transmission destination. <P>SOLUTION: A size discrimination part 103 discriminates whether or not the size of the image data exceeds a limit size. A communication part 105 transmits character data including the image data to the transmission destination when a discriminated result by the size discrimination part 103 is the limit size or less, and transmits the image data to a prescribed repository, stores them and transmits character data describing the address of the repository to the transmission destination when the discriminated result exceeds the limit size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that transmits read image data.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus that transmits read image data by e-mail has become widespread (see Patent Document 1). In such a conventional image processing apparatus, when it is determined that the size of the image data to be transmitted exceeds the transmission limit by e-mail, the image data is compressed to a data size equal to or less than the transmission limit, It was sent after a while.
JP 2003-69799 A

  However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, when the compression rate of the image data is high, a lack of information occurs, and there is a problem to be solved that the read image data may not be accurately reproduced. It was left.

  The present invention is an image processing apparatus for transmitting read image data to a transmission destination, a size determination means for determining whether or not the size of the image data exceeds a limit size, and a determination result by the size determination means Is less than the limit size, character data is transmitted to the transmission destination together with the image data, and if the determination result exceeds the limit size, the image data is transmitted and stored in a predetermined storage location. And a communication control means for transmitting the character data describing the address of the storage location to the transmission destination.

  The size discriminating unit discriminates whether or not the size of the image data exceeds the limit size. If the discrimination result is equal to or smaller than the limit size, the communication control unit transmits a message including the image data to the destination. If the determination result exceeds the limit size, the communication control means transmits and stores the image data in a predetermined storage location, and transmits a message describing the address of the storage location to the transmission destination. Therefore, even when the size of the image data exceeds the limit size, the data size is not compressed, and the transmission destination can acquire image data from which no information is lost from the storage location. As a result, the effect that the read image data can be accurately reproduced is obtained.

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

Description of (Configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the MFP 100 as the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a reading unit 101, an image processing unit 102, a size determination unit 103, a mail creation unit 104, a communication unit 105, and setting information. A storage unit 107, an image storage unit 108, an operation unit 109, a display unit 110, and a control unit 120 are provided.

  The reading unit 101 is a part that reads image data from a document. The image processing unit 102 is a part that converts the read image data into a file. The size determination unit 103 is a part that determines whether a file can be attached to an email. The mail creation unit 104 is a part that creates a mail based on the determination result of the size determination unit. The communication unit 105 is a part that transmits an e-mail or transmits a converted file to a set server. Note that the communication unit 105 is connected to a network in order to transmit a file or mail converted by reading a document using TCP / IP. The setting information storage unit 107 is a memory that stores server setting information of a storage destination. This server setting information will be described later with reference to other drawings. The image storage unit 108 is a memory that stores the converted file.

  The operation unit 109 is a part that gives an instruction to start reading a document. The display unit 110 is a part that displays storage destination server settings and mail transmission settings. The operator inputs a setting value using the display screen 111 generated by the operation unit 109 and the display unit 110. Details of the display screen 111 will be described later with reference to other drawings. The control unit 120 is a part in which a CPU (not shown) executes a control program stored in advance in a ROM (not shown), generates and activates the above parts, and controls the entire apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a network configuration diagram of the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the multifunction peripheral 100 is connected to a network 200 together with an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server 201, a mail server 204, and a personal computer 207 as a storage server.

  The FTP server 201 is a storage server newly used by the present invention, which will be described in detail again later in the description of the operation. The size determination unit 103 (FIG. 1) is a server that is connected to the multifunction device 100 via a line when it is determined that a file cannot be attached to an e-mail. A communication unit 203 that performs communication using TCP / IP and a data storage unit 202 that receives and stores a file stored in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 1) of the multi-function peripheral 100.

  The mail server 204 is a storage server used in normal mail transmission that is connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 when the size determination unit 103 (FIG. 1) determines that a file can be attached to an email. It has the communication part 206 which communicates using TCP / IP, and the mail BOX205 which stores mail data.

  The personal computer 207 is a PC (personal computer) used for normal mail transmission / reception, which is a mail transmission destination, that is, a mail transmission destination. A communication unit 208 that performs communication using TCP / IP, a mailer 209 that is mail data browsing software, and an FTP client 210 that is file transfer function software that acquires data from the FTP server 201 are included.

  The file read and converted by the multi-function device 100 is transmitted to the mail server 204 via the network 200, and is transmitted from the mail server 204 to the personal computer 207. Also, the file read and converted by the multifunction device 100 may be transmitted to the FTP server 201 via the network 200. Here, the format of the file transmitted to the mail server and stored in the FTP server is, for example, PDF, TIFF, or JPEG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of server setting information according to the first embodiment.
This figure is an example of the server setting information 300 stored in the setting information storage unit 107. As shown in the figure, the transmission destination address 301 is set with the transmission destination address of the e-mail. The limit size 302 is set to the maximum size of the attached file of the email set in the mail server 204 (FIG. 2). The storage server address 303 is set with the address of the server that stores the file when the file converted by the MFP 100 (FIG. 1) after scanning the document exceeds the limit size 302.

  In this embodiment, an IP address is used. However, not only the IP address but also an DNS address can be set in an environment using a DNS server. A directory for storing files is set in the storage directory 304. In the protocol 305, a protocol for transmitting a file from the multi-function device 100 (FIG. 1) to the storage server is set. These settings are input using a soft keyboard displayed in the display screen 111 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen according to the first embodiment.
This figure is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen used in the first embodiment.
On the display screen 111, the contents of the server setting information 300 (FIG. 3) are displayed as the storage information 401. The operator selects and moves the up and down arrow buttons 402 and 403, and decides with the selection button 404. If it is determined, a check mark 407 is displayed. After the selection is completed, the user can start image reading and data transmission by selecting the transmission button 406. In addition, by using the soft keyboard 409, the storage server can be registered and edited.

Description of (Operation) FIG. 5 is a process flowchart of the first embodiment.
The operation from the time when the multifunction device 100 reads a document and transmits data will be described in the order of steps from step S001 to step S012 in the flowchart.

Step S001
When the operator selects the transmission button 406 on the display screen 111 (FIG. 4), reading of the document image by the multifunction peripheral 100 is started.

Step S002
The image processing unit 102 (FIG. 1) converts the read image data into a file.

Step S003
The image processing unit 102 (FIG. 1) stores the created file in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 1).

Step S004
The size determination unit 103 acquires the file size of the file stored in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 1) and the limit size of the mail server, and determines whether the size limit is exceeded.

Step S005
When it does not exceed the limit size, the process proceeds to step S006, and when it exceeds the limit size, the process proceeds to step S008.

Step S006
The mail creation unit 104 (FIG. 1) creates a mail with an attached file stored in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 1). At this time, a message including character data may be added.

Step S007
The communication unit 105 (FIG. 1) transmits the mail created by the mail creation unit 104 (FIG. 1) to a predetermined destination (the personal computer 207 in FIG. 2) and ends the flow.

Step S008
The communication unit 105 (FIG. 1) acquires the server setting information 300 (FIG. 3) from the setting information storage unit 107 (FIG. 1).

Step S009
The communication unit 105 (FIG. 1) connects to the FTP server 201 (FIG. 2) based on the server setting information 300 (FIG. 3).

Step S010
When connected to the FTP server, the communication unit 105 (FIG. 1) transmits the file stored in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 1) to the FTP server 201 (FIG. 2).

Step S011
The mail creation unit 104 (FIG. 1) creates a mail for notifying the storage destination by combining the storage server address 303 (FIG. 3) of the server setting information 300 (FIG. 3) and the storage directory 304 (FIG. 3).

Step S012
The communication unit 105 (FIG. 1) transmits the mail created by the mail creation unit 104 (FIG. 1) to a predetermined destination (the personal computer 207 in FIG. 2) and ends the flow.

  The server that stores the file when the limit size is exceeded is the FTP server 201 (FIG. 2), but it may be other than FTP (such as HTTP). When the transmission of data from the multifunction device 100 is completed, the user can receive the storage location notification mail using the mailer 209 (FIG. 2), and can acquire the image data using the FTP client (FIG. 2). .

Description of (Effect) As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the size of the read image is large and cannot be transmitted by e-mail, the loss of information does not occur by interposing the FTP server, and the read image data Has the effect of being reproduced accurately.

  In the first embodiment, even when the size of the read image is large and cannot be transmitted by e-mail, the occurrence of information loss is prevented by interposing an FTP server. However, in this embodiment, instead of the FTP server, It is assumed that the storage means inside the multifunction device is interposed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, a multifunction machine 400 as an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a reading unit 101, an image processing unit 102, a size determination unit 103, a mail creation unit 104, a Web server unit 405, and communication. Unit 105, setting information storage unit 408, image storage unit 108, operation unit 109, display unit 411, and control unit 420. Hereinafter, only portions different from the first embodiment will be described in detail. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The Web server unit 405 is a part that enables HTTP access processing from an external device. The display unit 411 is a part that displays storage destination server settings and mail transmission settings. The operator inputs a setting value using the display screen 412 generated by the operation unit 109 and the display unit 411. This display screen 412 is different from the display screen 111 of the first embodiment. Details thereof will be described later with reference to other drawings.

  The setting information storage unit 408 is a memory that stores server setting information of the storage destination. The difference from the setting information storage unit 107 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment is that the server setting information of the storage destination stored therein is different. This server setting information will be described later with reference to other drawings. The control unit 420 is a part in which a CPU (not shown) executes a control program stored in advance in a ROM (not shown), generates and activates the above parts, and controls the entire apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a network configuration diagram of the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the multifunction machine 400 is connected to the network 200 together with the mail server 204 and the personal computer 500. In the first embodiment, the FTP server 201 (FIG. 2) is connected, but in this embodiment, it is not connected.

  The mail server 204 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. In the personal computer 500, the FTP client 210 (FIG. 2) included in the first embodiment is replaced with a Web browser 502 that displays a Web screen in this embodiment.

  The multifunction machine 400 includes a Web server unit 405 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, and enables HTTP access processing from an external device (the personal computer 500 in the figure). In the MFP 100 (FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment, when it is determined that a file cannot be attached to an e-mail, the file is transmitted to the FTP server 201 connected to the MFP 100 (FIG. 2) and stored. The example is different in that it is stored inside the apparatus and a message including the access destination is transmitted to the personal computer 500.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of server setting information according to the second embodiment.
This figure is an example of server setting information 800 stored in the setting information storage unit 408. The transmission destination address 801 is set with an email transmission destination address. The limit size 802 is set to the maximum size of the attached file of the email set in the mail server 204. A directory for storing files is set in the storage directory 803. These settings can be input using a soft keyboard displayed in the display screen 412. The difference from the server setting information 300 of the first embodiment is that the items of the storage server address 303 (FIG. 3) and the protocol 305 (FIG. 3) are deleted in this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen according to the second embodiment.
This figure is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen used in the second embodiment.
On the display screen 412, the contents of the server setting information 800 are displayed as the storage information 901. The user selects and moves the up and down arrow buttons 902 and 903, and decides with the selection button 904. If it is determined, a check mark 907 is displayed. After the selection is completed, the user can start image reading and data transmission by selecting the transmission button 906. Further, by using the soft keyboard 908, the storage server can be registered and edited.

Description of (Operation) FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart of the second embodiment.
The operation from the time when the multifunction device 400 reads a document and transmits data will be described in the order of steps from step S101 to step S110 in the flowchart.

Step S101
When the operator selects the transmission button 906 on the display screen (FIG. 9), reading of the original image by the multifunction machine 400 is started.

Step S102
The image processing unit 102 (FIG. 6) converts the read image data into a file.

Step S103
The image processing unit 102 (FIG. 6) stores the created file in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 6).

Step S104
The size determination unit 103 acquires the file size of the file stored in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 6) and the limit size of the mail server, and determines whether the size limit is exceeded.

Step S105
When it does not exceed the limit size, the process proceeds to step S106, and when it exceeds the limit size, the process proceeds to step S108.

Step S106
The mail creation unit 104 (FIG. 6) creates a mail with an attached file stored in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 6).

Step S107
The communication unit 105 (FIG. 6) transmits the mail created by the mail creation unit 104 (FIG. 6) to a predetermined destination (the personal computer 500 in FIG. 7) and ends the flow.

Step S108
The communication unit 105 (FIG. 6) acquires server setting information 800 (FIG. 8) from the setting information storage unit 107 (FIG. 6).

Step S109
The mail creation unit 104 (FIG. 6) creates a mail for notifying the storage destination by combining the address 801 and the storage directory 803 of the multifunction device 400 (FIG. 8) itself.

Step S110
The communication unit 105 (FIG. 6) transmits the mail created by the mail creation unit 104 (FIG. 6) to a predetermined destination (the personal computer 500 in FIG. 7) and ends the flow.

  When the transmission of data from the multi-function device 400 is completed after the operation described above, the user can receive the storage location notification mail using the mailer and acquire the image data using the Web browser. The operation for acquiring data using a Web browser will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a sequence chart of processing in the second embodiment.
In the figure, the personal computer 500 and the multifunction device 400 are opposed to each other in the horizontal direction, and a common time elapse is represented on the vertical axis. The operation of acquiring data using a Web browser in the order of steps from step S201 to step S207 will be described below.

Step S201
When the user receives the mail, the user activates the Web browser and accesses the image data storage destination in the MFP 400 described in the received mail.

Step S202
A TCP / IP connection is established by accessing the multifunction device using a Web browser.

Step S203
A GET request for image data is transmitted to the multi-function device 400 using the HTTP protocol.

Step S204
When the MFP 400 receives a GET request for image data, the Web server unit 405 (FIG. 6) acquires the image data stored in the image storage unit 108 (FIG. 6).

Step S205
The multi-function device 400 returns image data to the personal computer 500 via the communication unit 105 (FIG. 6).

Step S206
Image data acquisition by the personal computer 500 is completed.

Step S207
The personal computer 500 disconnects the TCP / IP connection and ends the sequence.

Description of (Effect) As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained even in an environment where no FTP server is installed.

  In the present invention, the embodiment is described as being limited to the multifunction peripheral, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a scanner device, a copying machine, a FAX device, a printer, and the like.

1 is a block diagram of a multifunction machine of Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the server setting information of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen according to the first embodiment. 3 is a process flowchart of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a network configuration diagram of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing of the server setting information of Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen according to the second embodiment. 10 is a process flowchart of Embodiment 2. 6 is a sequence chart of processing of Example 2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Multifunction machine 101 Reading part 102 Image processing part 103 Size discrimination | determination part 105 Communication part 107 Setting information storage part 108 Image storage part 109 Operation part 110 Display part 111 Display screen 120 Control part

Claims (6)

An image processing apparatus that transmits read image data to a transmission destination,
Size determining means for determining whether or not the size of the image data exceeds a limit size;
When the determination result by the size determination means is equal to or smaller than the limit size, character data is transmitted to the transmission destination together with the image data, and when the determination result exceeds the limit size, the image is stored in a predetermined storage location. An image processing apparatus comprising: communication control means for transmitting and storing data, and transmitting character data describing an address of the storage location to the transmission destination.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting information storage unit that stores in advance information about the limit size, the address of the transmission destination, and the storage location. An image processing apparatus that transmits read image data to a transmission destination,
Size determining means for determining whether or not the size of the image data exceeds a limit size;
When the determination result by the size determination means is equal to or smaller than the limit size, character data is transmitted to the transmission destination together with the image data, and when the determination result exceeds the limit size, the image data is stored inside the apparatus. An image processing apparatus comprising: communication control means for transmitting character data including an access destination to the transmission destination.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a setting information storage unit that stores in advance information about the limit size, the address of the transmission destination, and an access destination within the apparatus.   4. The communication control unit according to claim 3, further comprising a step of reading out the image data from an access destination in the apparatus and transmitting the image data to the transmission destination when receiving an image data acquisition request from the transmission destination. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character data is an e-mail.

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