JP2009213079A - Image reading apparatus and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus which provides a user with excellent user operability and convenience when transmitting an image read by the image reading apparatus together with a text generated by the user, and to provide a method of controlling the same. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading apparatus configured communicable with an external device, includes: a receiving means for receiving a message transmitted from the external device; an image reading means for reading an original image to generate image data; and a transmitting means for transmitting text information included in the message received by the receiving means and the image data generated by the image reading means to a transmission destination included in the message. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image reading apparatus control method, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus having a function of transmitting a read image to a designated transmission destination and an image reading apparatus control method.

In recent years, with the development of communication networks, transmission of information by e-mail has been used. For example, a technique related to a facsimile having a mail transmission function is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-252393 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-55486 (Patent Document 2). An image forming apparatus called a multi-function peripheral (MFP) in which functions such as a copier, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile are housed in a single housing is also provided with such a mail transmission function. is doing.
JP-A-9-252393 JP-A-11-55486

  By the way, in an image reading apparatus having a function of sending a scanned image to a designated destination by attaching it to an e-mail, it is difficult for the user to arbitrarily create and send e-mail text information on the image reading apparatus. It was. Therefore, if the user wants to send the scanned image together with the desired email text, first send the scanned image to his / her email address and then the email text received on his / her computer. And then sending the e-mail, the scan data transmission operation is complicated and lacks user convenience.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus and a control method for the image reading apparatus which are rich in user operability and convenience when transmitting an image read by the image reading apparatus together with a text generated by the user. And

  The present invention for solving the above problem is an image reading apparatus configured to be communicable with an external apparatus, and receiving means for receiving a message including text information and a transmission destination transmitted from the external apparatus, An image reading unit that reads an original image and generates image data; text information included in a message received by the receiving unit; and image data generated by the image reading unit are included in the message received by the receiving unit. Transmitting means for transmitting to the destination.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a generating unit that generates a mail including text information included in the message received by the receiving unit and the image data generated by the image reading unit, and the transmitting unit includes: The generated mail is transmitted to the destination included in the message received by the receiving means.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes authentication processing means for authenticating a user based on preset authentication information, and the generation means is received by the receiving means when the authentication of the user by the authentication processing means is successful. An e-mail including the text information included in the message and the image data generated by the image reading unit is generated.

  Preferably, the generating means, when the authentication of the user by the authentication processing means is successful, based on the authentication information used for the authentication of the user, the message of the user from the messages received by the receiving means And mail including the text information included in the specified message and the image data generated by the image reading means is generated.

  Preferably, when the message received by the receiving unit includes a certificate, the message processing unit further includes a certificate processing unit that encrypts the mail generated by the generating unit using the certificate. The means transmits the mail encrypted by the certificate processing means to a destination included in the message received by the receiving means.

  Preferably, the image processing apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores the image data generated by the image reading unit in association with an image ID that uniquely identifies the image data, and the generation unit receives the reception unit. Generating an email containing image data corresponding to the image ID stored in the storage means and text information included in the message received by the receiving means when the message includes an image ID; Features.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes display means for displaying an image ID corresponding to the image data.

  Preferably, the transmission unit transmits the mail generated by the generation unit to the plurality of transmission destinations when the message received by the reception unit includes a plurality of transmission destinations.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image reading apparatus configured to be communicable with an external apparatus, the step of receiving a message including text information and a transmission destination transmitted from the external apparatus; Generating read image data; generating a mail including text information included in the received message; and the generated image data; and the generated mail is included in the received message. Transmitting to a transmission destination.

  The present invention is also an image forming system comprising an external device and an image reading device configured to be communicable with the external device, wherein the external device sends a message including text information and a transmission destination to the image reading device. The image reading apparatus receives the message transmitted from the external apparatus, the image reading means for reading the original image and generating image data, and the reception means received by the receiving means. Generating means for generating a mail including text information included in the message and image data generated by the image reading means; and a destination included in the message received by the receiving means for the mail generated by the generating means And transmitting means for transmitting to.

  Further, the present invention is also realized as a program that causes each step of the information processing method of the present invention to be executed on a computer. The program in this case can be installed or loaded into the computer through various media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, and a communication network that can be read by the computer. It also includes the case where a computer program is recorded and distributed on a PC card or an option board.

  In this specification, the term “means” does not simply mean a physical means, but also includes a case where the functions of the means are realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

  According to the present invention, when the image data generated by the image reading apparatus is attached to a mail and transmitted, the text information received from the outside is set as the text of the mail and transmitted. A desired mail can be transmitted simultaneously with reading of an image. Thereby, the convenience and operability of the user when transmitting the image data by e-mail are significantly improved.

  Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is configured to be communicable with an external apparatus, and has a function of transmitting scanned data attached to an email (hereinafter referred to as “ScantoMail”). A case where it is applied to an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) will be described. A multifunction peripheral is an image forming apparatus in which functions such as a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile are housed in one casing.

  (1) Configuration of MFP

  The configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 1 is configured to be able to communicate with one or a plurality of external devices 2 via a network (including wired and wireless) N1 as a communication network. In FIG. 1, only one external device 2 is shown for convenience.

  The multi-function device 1 mainly includes an authentication processing unit (authentication processing unit) 11, an image reading unit (image reading unit) 12, a message processing unit (message processing unit) 13, a mail generation unit (mail generation unit) 14, A certificate processing unit (certificate processing unit) 15 and a mail transmission unit (mail transmission unit) 16 are provided.

  The authentication processing unit 11 authenticates the user based on predetermined authentication information set in advance. The authentication processing unit 11 displays a login screen on the operation display unit (display 108), and when authentication information such as a user ID is input from the user, whether or not the authentication information matches the preset authentication information. If they match, the user login is permitted, and if they do not match, the user login is not permitted.

  The image reading unit 12 reads a document image and generates image data. The image reading unit 12 executes an image reading process by the scanner engine 106 by executing a program related to the scanner among the multifunction device control programs stored in the external storage device 110, and uses the generated image data as scan data as an image memory. It memorize | stores in memory | storage means. The scan data is stored in association with an image ID that uniquely identifies the scan data.

  The message processing unit 13 receives a message transmitted from the external device 2, analyzes information (text information, transmission destination, certificate, etc.) described in the message according to a predetermined format, and transmits the analyzed information to the message It is associated with the person and memorized.

  The mail generation unit 14 generates a mail including text information and scan data included in the message. In accordance with the information analyzed by the message processing unit 13, the mail generation unit 14 sets the transmission destination in the mail transmission destination area, sets the text information in the mail text area, and sets the image data in the mail attachment file. In addition, when receiving a message including an image ID, the mail generation unit 14 specifies scan data from the image memory based on the image ID, and sets the specified scan data in an attached file of the mail. .

  If the message includes a certificate and the mail encryption is designated, the certificate processing unit 15 uses the public key included in the certificate to send the mail according to a predetermined encryption method. Encrypt. The certificate is a certificate of the other party that transmits the scan data.

  The mail transmission unit 16 transmits a mail including text information and scan data to the transmission destination specified by the message via the communication network N2.

  When the MFP 1 to which the present invention is applied executes ScantoMail processing in which scan data is attached to a mail and transmitted by the processing of each processing unit, the text information transmitted from the outside is used as the text of the mail. It is characterized in that it is captured and transmitted to a specified destination.

  Note that each processing unit (means) of the multifunction device 1 realizes the function of the means by software, that is, the CPU 101 illustrated in FIG. 2 executes a predetermined program loaded from the external storage device 110 to the RAM 103, for example. It does not simply mean a case where it is realized by execution, but includes a case where it is constituted by physical means such as a predetermined integrated circuit.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The CPU 101 is a control unit that controls the entire MFP 1 using programs and data stored in the RAM 103 from the ROM 102 and the external storage device 110, and executes and controls the ScantoMail processing according to the present invention.

  The ROM 102 is a storage unit that stores programs executed by the CPU 101, data, and the like. These are loaded into the RAM 103 and are processed by the CPU 101.

  The RAM 103 is a storage unit that provides an area for temporarily storing data received from the outside via the network I / F 104, the communication interface I / F 105, the scanner engine 106, and the input I / F 109. In addition, an area for sustainably storing programs and data loaded from the external storage device 110 is provided.

  The network I / F 104 is an interface for connecting the multifunction machine 1 (CPU 101) to a predetermined network and performing data communication with an external device. The CPU 101 transmits and receives information necessary for the ScantoMail processing of the present invention to and from the external device 2 via the network I / F 104.

  The communication I / F 105 is configured by, for example, an NCU, MODEM, or the like, and is an interface for performing general facsimile transmission / reception.

  The scanner engine 106 is image reading means that drives and controls a scanner (not shown) to read information recorded on a recording medium such as paper and generate scan data. The generated scan data is output to and stored in the RAM 103 or the external storage device 110.

  The printer engine 107 is a printing unit that drives and controls a printer (not shown) to print images and characters on a recording medium such as paper.

  The display 108 is configured by a liquid crystal device such as an LCD, for example, and is a display unit that displays information necessary for the ScantoMail processing of the present invention based on the control of the CPU 101. The display 108 may be an operation display unit configured by a touch panel type liquid crystal screen.

  The input interface 109 is an input means composed of buttons and switches, and is configured to allow an operator to input instructions necessary for the ScantoMail processing of the present invention.

  The external storage device 110 is a storage unit that stores a multifunction device control program and data that is software (program) for causing the CPU 101 to control the multifunction device 1. In addition, the external storage device 110 stores an authentication program and data for authenticating an operator when logging in to the multifunction machine 1, and a ScantoMail program and data defining the ScantoMail processing according to the present invention.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of the storage means provided in the multifunction machine 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the data structure shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and other configurations and data structures may be adopted.

  FIG. 3A is an authentication table for managing authentication information, and a user ID that uniquely identifies a user is stored in advance as authentication information. For example, the employee ID corresponds to the user ID. The authentication processing unit 11 permits the user to log in when the information input by the user at the time of login to the multifunction device 1 matches any of the user IDs stored in the authentication table. The authentication information is not limited to the user ID, but may be any information that can uniquely identify the user, and may be combined with a password or a plurality of other information.

  FIG. 3B is a management table for managing user information, and stores a user ID of a user and a mail address of the user in association with each other in advance. When the message processing unit 13 receives a predetermined mail, the message processing unit 13 refers to the management table based on the transmission source address, and identifies the user ID of the user who transmitted the mail.

  FIG. 3C is a message storage area for managing a message transmitted from the external device 2, and for each mail address of the message sender, text information, one or a plurality of destinations (TO, CC, (BCC) Stores one or a plurality of certificates and an encryption designation for designating whether or not to encrypt when transmitting scan data by mail. When the message processing unit 13 receives a message from the external device 2, the message processing unit 13 analyzes the message and stores message information for each sender in the message storage area. These pieces of information are referred to by the mail generation unit 14 when the scan data is attached to the mail and transmitted. Note that the information stored in the message storage area is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3C, and can be added or changed as appropriate according to the specifications and within a range that does not contradict ScantoMail processing contents. .

  (2) Message generated by external device

  FIG. 4 is an example of a message generated in the external device 2 configured to be communicable with the multifunction device 1. Although not shown, the external device 2 can be a general-purpose information processing device (computer) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, external storage device, input / output I / F, and network I / F.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining an example of a message generated in the external device 2. The message M1 includes one or a plurality of ScantoMail destinations (TO, CC, BCC), body information that forms the body of the mail, and encryption designation that specifies whether or not the mail is encrypted according to a predetermined format. Are listed. For example, <at> </ at> in the figure is information for designating the multi-function device 1 that is a message transmission destination. The message M1 can be attached with the certificate of the other party that is the transmission destination. When a plurality of transmission destinations are designated, a plurality of certificates can be attached.

  Further, the format for describing the message is not limited to that shown in FIG. In FIG. 4A, an XML (Extensible Markup Language) language is used, but any format that can be recognized by the multifunction device 1 and the external device 2 may be used. Further, the message transmission items are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4A, and may include, for example, the user ID of the sender or a message name to distinguish it from other messages. The message transmission format can be transmitted in, for example, an e-mail format or an HTTP request format.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining another example of a message generated in the external device 2. The format of the message M2 further includes an image ID of scan data in addition to the item of the message M1 described above. The image ID of the scan data is for specifying the scan data already stored in the multifunction device 1. The user creates a message specifying an image ID when creating a message after scanning a document image or when using existing scan data many times. Upon receiving this message, the multifunction device 1 generates and sends an email with the scan data of the designated image ID attached.

  (3) Processing for receiving a message transmitted from an external device

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of message reception processing by the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment. In addition, each process (including the partial process to which the code | symbol is not provided) in the flowchart mentioned later can be changed in order in the range which does not produce contradiction, or can be performed in parallel. The message reception process is started when the multifunction device 1 detects a message transmitted from the external device 2.

  The message processing unit 13 receives a message transmitted from the external device 2 via the network N1 (S101). This message describes text information, one or more destination information, and the presence or absence of encryption designation according to a predetermined format, and one or more certificates are attached or not attached.

  The message processing unit 13 associates the content of the received message with the sender and stores it in a message storage area provided in the RAM 103 (S102). Specifically, the message processing unit 13 specifies the sender's mail address from the received message. In addition, the message is analyzed, and each piece of information (text information, one or a plurality of transmission destination information, presence / absence of encryption designation) is extracted from the message. Then, the message processing unit 13 stores each piece of information extracted from the message in association with the sender's mail address.

  Next, the message processing unit 13 determines whether or not a certificate is attached to the message (S103). If the certificate is attached (S103; Yes), the certificate is associated with the sender's mail address. Is stored (S104). On the other hand, if it is not attached (S103; No), the process is terminated.

  According to the above, when the multi-function device 1 receives a message transmitted from the external device 2, each information in the message is stored in the message storage area for each sender mail address. Each information in this message is used in the ScantoMail process described later.

  (4) First ScantoMail processing

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first ScantoMail process by the multifunction machine 1 according to this embodiment. The first ScantoMail process is a process that is executed when the MFP 1 has already received mail text information from an external device when reading a document image. The first ScantoMail process is started when the user logs in to the multifunction machine 1.

  When logging in to the multifunction device 1, the user inputs authentication information (user ID) by operating the touch panel 108 or the input interface 109 (S201).

  The authentication processing unit 11 authenticates whether the user is a legitimate user based on the user input (S202). That is, the authentication processing unit 11 refers to an authentication table for managing authentication information, and determines whether or not a user ID input by the user is registered (S202). If the input user ID is registered in the authentication table, the use of the multifunction device 1 by the user is permitted as successful authentication (S202; Yes). Further, in order to manage users in use, a user ID is stored in a predetermined storage area. On the other hand, if the input user ID is not registered in the authentication table, the use of the MFP 1 by the user is rejected as an authentication failure (S202; No).

  Next, when the user instructs the reading of the document image by operating the touch panel 108 or the like, the image reading unit 11 reads the document image placed on the document table and reads a predetermined data format ( Scan data according to JPEG, PDF, TIFF, BMP, etc.) is generated and stored in storage means such as an image memory (S203).

  Next, when the reading of the document image by the image reading unit 11 is completed, the mail generation unit 14 determines whether or not the use of the text information transmitted by the message is designated in ScantoMail (S204). When the use of text information by a message is specified by the user via the touch panel 108 or the like (S204; Yes), the mail generation unit 14 starts the ScantoMail process, while the use of text information is not specified. In this case (S204; No), the process proceeds to the encryption process of S206.

  When the use of text information is specified (S204; Yes), the mail generation unit 14 refers to the management table based on the authentication information (user ID) input by the user at the time of login and identifies the user's mail address. To do. Then, the message corresponding to the specified mail address is specified from the message storage area. Then, the body information of the identified message is set in the body area of the mail (S205). When there are a plurality of messages transmitted by the user (for example, when the user prepares a different template for each client or each project), the mail generation unit 14 causes the touch panel 108 to display a list of messages. The user may select a message to be used from a list. In this case, the mail generation unit 14 sets the body information of the message selected by the user in the body area of the mail (S205).

  Further, the mail generation unit 14 sets the transmission destination of the identified message in the transmission destination area in the header of this mail. Further, the scan data generated by the image reading unit 11 is attached to this mail as an attached file (S205).

  When a mail is generated by the mail generation unit 14, the certificate processing unit 15 determines whether or not mail encryption is designated (S206). If mail encryption is designated (S206; Yes), the generated mail is encrypted for each destination according to a predetermined encryption method (S207). Here, mail encryption is specified in advance in a message transmitted from the external device 2, but when the user specifies the use of text information, the mail encryption is also specified. Also good. Further, when a plurality of transmission destinations are designated, it is possible to designate the presence or absence of encryption for each transmission destination.

  For example, in the case of following the S / MIME (Secure MIME) method, the mail can be encrypted using a public key included in a certificate attached to the message. In addition, since a known technique can be used for the encryption processing according to the S / MIME system, description thereof is omitted here. On the other hand, when mail encryption is not designated (S206; No), the certificate processing unit 15 proceeds to the mail transmission process of S208.

  When the encryption by the certificate processing unit 15 is completed, the mail transmission unit 16 sends the encrypted (or unencrypted) mail to the one or more destinations specified in the message via the communication network N2. (S208).

  According to the above, the user can send the scan data simultaneously with the scan of the document image if the user prepares the body of the mail in advance on his own PC (external terminal) 2 and sends it to the multifunction device 1. Therefore, the convenience of ScantoMail is improved.

  In addition, since the user can specify the text information created by the user many times when transmitting the scan data, the time for creating the text information can be shortened.

  Further, since the user can create the mail text on his / her own PC (external terminal) 2, the text can be created using a familiar user interface, and the operability in ScantoMail is improved.

  In addition, since the user can specify a plurality of destinations, it is necessary to perform scan data transmission work for each transmission destination. As a result, the operation is simplified and the time required for transmission of scan data can be shortened. it can.

  In addition, since the user can automatically encrypt the mail by attaching a certificate to the message in advance and send it to the other party, security in ScantoMail can be maintained. In addition, since it is not necessary to separately transmit a certificate to the multi function device 1, the processing at the time of encryption is simplified.

  (5) Second ScantoMail processing

  Next, the second ScantoMail process by the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The second ScantoMail process is a process executed when the multifunction device 1 receives a message after reading a document image. For example, when the scan data already exists in the multifunction device 1 when the user generates the text information, the user can include an image ID for specifying the scan data in a message including the text information and the like. The multifunction device 1 specifies scan data desired by the user from the image ID included in the received message, and transmits the scan data to the transmission destination together with the text information.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second ScantoMail process by the multifunction machine 1 according to this embodiment. The second ScantoMail process is started, for example, when the user logs into the multifunction device 1.

  7 is the same as the process (S201 and S202) related to the login to the multifunction device 1 shown in FIG. 6, and the description thereof is omitted here. .

  When the user authentication is successful, the user instructs reading of the document image by operating the touch panel 108 or the input interface 109. The image reading unit 11 reads a document image placed on the document table, generates scan data according to a predetermined data format (JPEG, PDF, TIFF, BMP, etc.), and stores it in storage means such as an image memory (S303). .

  Further, the image reading unit 11 stores the scan data in association with an image ID that uniquely identifies the scan data (S303). As the image ID, for example, a file name when storing scan data can be used. The image reading unit 11 displays this image ID on the display 108. When the user confirms the image ID displayed on the display 108, the user records the image ID by taking a memo.

  If the user wants to transmit the scan data together with predetermined text information immediately after or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the user can specify this image ID when creating a message. FIG. 4B is an example showing a message in which an image ID is specified. In the message M2, it can be seen that the image ID is specified by the configuration of “<File ID> img-11513352 </ File ID>” in addition to the information such as the transmission destination and the text. When the user operates the external device 2 to instruct the transmission of the message M2, the external device 2 transmits the message M2 to the multifunction device 1. A plurality of image IDs can be selected. Also, the image ID may be input directly by the user, or a list of image IDs may be displayed on the display of the external device 2 for selection. In this case, an image ID list request is transmitted from the external device 2 to the multifunction device 1, and the multifunction device 1 transmits a list of image IDs to the external device 2 in response to the request.

  When the message processing unit 13 of the MFP 1 receives the message, the message processing unit 13 analyzes the message, stores the message content in the storage unit in association with the transmission source address, and detects that the message includes one or more image IDs. Then, the mail generation unit 14 is activated.

  The mail generation unit 14 specifies a message corresponding to the message transmission source (mail address) from the message storage area, and generates a mail having the text information of the specified message as the text (S305). Further, the specified message destination is set as the destination of this mail. In addition, the mail generation unit 14 identifies one or more scan data corresponding to one or more image IDs specified in the message from the image memory, and attaches them to the created mail as an attached file (S305).

  Hereinafter, the processes related to mail encryption and transmission (S306, S307, and S308) are the same as the processes related to mail encryption and transmission (S206, S207, and S208) shown in FIG. To do.

  According to the above, when the user generates a message designating the image ID together with the text information and transmits it to the multifunction device 1, the multifunction device 1 identifies the scan data based on the image ID included in the message and combines it with the text information. For example, when the text information has been transmitted in advance but it is necessary to correct the text information after scanning the original image, it is necessary to transmit the same scan data with different text information. It is possible to smoothly cope with the case where there is a need to transmit a plurality of scan data collectively.

(6) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the case where the body information is set in the body area of the mail and the scan data is attached to the mail is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the scan data is The present invention can also be applied to a ScantoFAX function for faxing to a specified destination. In this case, instead of setting the body information in the body area of the mail and sending the scan data attached to the mail, the body information is set in a predetermined body area of a preset FAX cover page, and along with the scan data, What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may transmit to the designated transmission destination.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of a data structure of a storage unit included in the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. 6 is an example of a message generated in an external device 2 configured to be communicable with the multifunction device 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of ScantoMail processing by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of ScantoMail processing by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of ScantoMail processing by the multifunction machine 1 according to another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 2 ... External device, 11 ... Authentication processing part, 12 ... Image reading part, 13 ... Message processing part, 14 ... Mail generation part, 15 ... Certificate processing part, 16 ... Mail transmission part, 101 ... CPU , 102 ... ROM, 103 ... RAM, 104 ... Network I / F, 105 ... Communication I / F, 106 ... Scanner engine, 107 ... Printer engine, 108 ... Display (touch panel), 109 ... Input interface, 110 ... External storage device I / F

Claims (10)

An image reading device configured to be communicable with an external device,
Receiving means for receiving a message including text information and a transmission destination transmitted from the external device;
Image reading means for reading a document image and generating image data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the text information included in the message received by the receiving means and the image data generated by the image reading means to the destination included in the message received by the receiving means;
An image reading apparatus comprising: A generating unit that generates a mail including text information included in the message received by the receiving unit and the image data generated by the image reading unit;
The transmission means includes
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mail generated by the generation unit is transmitted to a transmission destination included in the message received by the reception unit. Further comprising authentication processing means for authenticating a user based on preset authentication information;
The generating means includes
When authentication of the user by the authentication processing unit is successful, an email including text information included in a message received by the receiving unit and image data generated by the image reading unit is generated. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2. The generating means includes
When the authentication of the user by the authentication processing means is successful, the user's message is specified from the messages received by the receiving means based on the authentication information used for the user authentication, and the specified message is The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a mail including text information included and image data generated by the image reading unit is generated. A certificate processing means for encrypting the mail generated by the generating means using the certificate when a certificate is included in the message received by the receiving means;
The transmission means includes
5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mail encrypted by the certificate processing unit is transmitted to a transmission destination included in the message received by the receiving unit. A storage unit that stores the image data generated by the image reading unit in association with an image ID that uniquely identifies the image data;
The generating means includes
In the case where an image ID is included in the message received by the receiving unit, the image data corresponding to the image ID stored in the storage unit and the text information included in the message received by the receiving unit are included. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a mail is generated. Display means for displaying an image ID corresponding to the image data;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: The transmission means includes
The mail generated by the generating unit is transmitted to each of the plurality of destinations when a plurality of destinations are included in the message received by the receiving unit. The image reading apparatus according to item. An image reading apparatus control method configured to be communicable with an external apparatus,
Receiving a message including text information and a transmission destination transmitted from the external device;
Reading a document image and generating image data;
Generating a mail including the text information included in the received message and the generated image data;
Sending the generated mail to a destination included in the received message;
An image reading apparatus control method comprising: An image reading system comprising an external device and an image reading device configured to communicate with the external device,
The external device is
A transmission means for transmitting a message including the text information and the transmission destination to the image reading apparatus;
The image reading device includes:
Receiving means for receiving a message transmitted from the external device;
Image reading means for reading a document image and generating image data;
Generating means for generating an email including text information included in the message received by the receiving means and image data generated by the image reading means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the mail generated by the generating means to a destination included in the message received by the receiving means;
An image reading system comprising: