JP3321147B2 - Image transmitting apparatus and image transmitting method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image transmitting apparatus and an image transmitting method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-242326,
An Internet facsimile apparatus (hereinafter referred to as IFAX) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,233 has been proposed.

In IFAX, each page of a document is read by a scanner at the time of transmission, and a plurality of pieces of image information are obtained. An e-mail attached with such image information is transmitted to IFAX on the receiving side. The IFAX on the receiving side prints the image information attached to the received e-mail with the printer.

At this time, the IFAX on the transmitting side inserts a so-called journal into each piece of image information, similarly to a normal facsimile. Thus, when the IFAX on the receiving side prints the image information, the printed material includes the journal, so that the recipient can know the transmission date and time, the transmission source, the page number, and the like.

[0005] One application of IFAX is a network scanner. The purpose of a network scanner is to process and store image information obtained by reading a document on a PC or the like. When used as a network scanner, IFAX attaches a plurality of pieces of image information obtained by reading a document to an e-mail and transmits the e-mail to a specific e-mail address in the same manner as the image communication by the Internet facsimile described above. . The operator accesses the mail server that manages the mail address on the PC that handles the image information, and receives the e-mail.

[0006]

As described above, when the conventional IFAX is used as a network scanner, the journal included in the image information is often in the way. Further, since the image information is transmitted by e-mail to the mail address of the operator, the operator
After reading the original by the AX, it is necessary to receive an e-mail attached with the image information from the mail server on the own PC.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image transmitting apparatus and an image transmitting method suitable for both a network scanner and an Internet facsimile.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, communication management information (journal) is inserted into image information when an image transmitting apparatus is used for communication.
When the image transmitting device is used for image reading, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information.

Thus, when the image transmitting apparatus is used for image reading, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information, so that it is possible to prevent the reception side from obstructing the communication management information and making it difficult to view the image.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image transmitting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: scanner means for reading an original to obtain image information; communication management information inserting means for inserting communication management information into the image information; An image transmitting apparatus comprising: a converting unit configured to convert the image information into an electronic mail; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the electronic mail, wherein the communication management information inserting unit is used when the image transmitting apparatus is used for communication. A control unit that causes the communication management information insertion unit to not insert the communication management information into the image information when the image transmission device is used for image reading while the communication management information is inserted into the image information. Take.

With this configuration, when the image transmitting apparatus is used for communication, the communication management information is inserted into the image information,
When using the image transmission device for image reading, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information. When using the image transmission device for image reading, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information. It is possible to prevent the communication management information from obstructing the image on the side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, the image transmitting apparatus further comprises a panel operation section having a transmission instruction button and a reading instruction button, and the control means controls the transmission instruction button. When the button is pressed down, the application of the image transmission device is determined to be the communication application, and when the reading instruction button is pressed, the application of the image transmission device is determined to be the image reading application. .

[0013] With this configuration, the operator can depress the transmission instruction button when using the image transmission device for communication, and depress the transmission instruction button when using the image transmission device for image reading. You can switch.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means determines a use of the image transmitting apparatus when a character string is added or inserted into a destination mail address. It was determined that the image reading application was used.

[0015] With this configuration, the operator can use the image transmitting apparatus for image reading by adding or inserting a character string when inputting the destination mail address. This eliminates the need for the operator to perform complicated operations and eliminates the need to add a special button to the image transmission device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a panel operation unit having a one-touch button, a destination mail address on the one-touch button, and whether the destination mail address is for communication. A table that holds specific information indicating whether it is for image reading, and wherein the control unit refers to the table and depresses a one-touch button to which a destination mail address for communication is assigned The use of the image transmission device is determined to be the communication use, and when the one-touch button to which the destination mail address for image reading is assigned is pressed down, the use of the image transmission device is determined to be the image read use. I decided.

With this configuration, it is possible to switch the application of the image transmitting apparatus depending on whether the destination mail address assigned to the one-touch button is for communication or image reading. Thus, the operator does not need to be conscious of switching the application. Further, it is not necessary to add a special button to the image transmitting device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, the destination mail address and specific information indicating whether the destination mail address is for communication or image reading are associated with the speed dial. Further comprising a table to be held, wherein the control unit refers to the table, and when a speed dial to which a destination mail address for communication is assigned is input, the use of the image transmitting apparatus is the communication use. Then, when a speed dial to which a destination mail address for image reading is assigned is input, it is determined that the use of the image transmitting apparatus is the image reading use.

With this configuration, it is possible to switch the application of the image transmitting apparatus depending on whether the destination mail address assigned to the speed dial is for communication or image reading. Thus, the operator does not need to be conscious of switching the application. Further, it is not necessary to add a special button to the image transmitting device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, the image transmitting apparatus further comprises a table in which destination mail addresses for image reading are registered. If not in the table, determine the use of the image transmission device is the communication use,
When the destination mail address is in the table, the use of the image transmitting apparatus is determined to be the image reading use.

With this configuration, when the destination mail address is in the table, the application of the image transmitting apparatus is determined to be the image reading application. Thus, the operator does not need to be conscious of switching the application. Further, it is not necessary to add a special button to the image transmitting device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, the image transmitting apparatus further comprises a table in which a domain name of a destination mail address for image reading is registered. If the domain name of the address is not in the table, the application of the image transmission device is determined to be the communication application, and if the domain name of the destination mail address is in the table, the application of the image transmission device is changed to the image reading application. Is determined.

With this configuration, when the domain name of the destination mail address matches the domain name registered in the table, it is determined that the use of the image transmitting apparatus is for image reading. Thus, the operator does not need to be conscious of switching the application. Further, it is not necessary to add a special button to the image transmitting device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, a domain name registered when only a user name of a destination mail address is input is added to the user name. The apparatus further includes an address creation unit that sets a destination mail address, wherein the control unit determines that the use of the image transmitting apparatus is the communication use when the destination mail address is input, and only the user name is input. In this case, the application of the image transmitting device is determined to be the image reading application.

With this configuration, when the image transmitting apparatus is used for image reading, when the operator inputs only the user name, the address creating means creates the destination mail address, and the image transmitting apparatus is used for image reading. Can be determined. As a result, the operator can input the destination mail address accurately and quickly with a simple operation, and the operator does not need to be conscious of switching the application. Further, it is not necessary to add a special button to the image transmitting device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, when the image transmitting apparatus is used for the image reading use, the image information is set to a parameter of a predetermined gamma correction coefficient. It was decided to.

With this configuration, it is possible to correct the image information when the image transmitting apparatus is used for image reading.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image transmission device according to the first aspect, when the image transmission device is used for the communication purpose, the transmission means receives the electronic mail via a mail server. Side terminal to send,
In the case where the image transmitting apparatus is used for the image reading purpose, the apparatus further includes a communication control unit that causes the transmitting unit to directly transmit the electronic mail to the receiving terminal.

According to this configuration, when the image transmitting apparatus is used for image reading, the image is directly transmitted to the receiving terminal, so that the image information can be reliably and quickly transmitted to the receiving terminal.

An image transmitting method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises the steps of: reading a document to obtain image information; inserting communication management information into the image information; and converting the image information into electronic mail. And transmitting the e-mail, wherein the image information is inserted into the image information while the image information is inserted into the image information when the image information is used for communication. When used for reading, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information.

According to this configuration, when the image transmitting apparatus is used for communication, while the communication management information is inserted into the image information,
When using the image transmission device for image reading, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information. When using the image transmission device for image reading, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information. It is possible to prevent the communication management information from obstructing the image on the side.

Hereinafter, embodiments 1 to 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a network system in which an image transmitting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention operates. The Internet facsimile apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as IFAX) 1 according to the first embodiment is connected to a local area network (LAN) 2. LAN
A mail server 3 and a personal computer (PC) 4 installed in the same premises as IFAX 1 are connected to 2. The LAN 2 is connected to the Internet 5. Another LAN 6 is connected to the Internet 5. The LAN 6 has a mail server 7 and I
FAX 8 and PC 9 are connected.

The IFAX 1 sends and receives image information and the like to and from the IFAX 8 by e-mail. As shown by an arrow A in FIG. 1, the electronic mail is first transmitted to the mail server 3 on the transmitting side. The mail server 3 on the transmitting side transfers the e-mail to the mail server 7 on the receiving side. The mail server 7 on the receiving side stores the electronic mail. The IFAX 8 on the receiving side accesses the mail server 7 on the receiving side and receives an electronic mail. The above processing is called IFAX transmission processing. On the other hand, the IFAX 1 directly transmits image information (hereinafter, referred to as a scanner image) obtained by reading a document with a scanner to the PC 4 by e-mail. The IFAX 1 transmits an e-mail between the mail server 3 and the PC 4 using a mail transfer protocol, for example, SMTP (Simple Mail).
Transfer Protocol). The above processing is called network scanner processing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing hardware of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment. The CPU 11 executes a program and controls the entire apparatus. The ROM 12 stores a program executed by the CPU 11.

The RAM 13 has a work area for executing programs and a buffer area for temporarily storing various data such as e-mails and image files.

FAX voice processing section 14 modulates facsimile data and voice, outputs the modulated data to PSTN 6, and demodulates the modulated data received from PSTN 6 into facsimile data and voice data.

The scanner 15 reads an original and obtains image information. The printer 16 prints various data including the received image information.

The LAN interface 17 is connected to the LAN 2
Perform the necessary steps to send and receive data above.

The panel operation unit 18 has dial keys and a touch panel, and receives operations by the operator such as designation of a destination and transmission start instructions.

A program is stored in the ROM 12, and the CPU 11 executes the program. The functions realized as a result will be described below. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of IFAX1 according to the first embodiment.

IFAX1 is a fax voice control unit 100,
A scanner control unit 200 and a printer control unit 300 are provided, and control each processing unit of the FAX voice processing unit 14, the scanner 15, and the printer 16.

The IFAX 1 includes an IFAX processing unit 400 for realizing a function as an IFAX. This IFAX processing unit 400 is a LAN interface 17
To send and receive e-mails via LAN2. That is, the e-mail is received from the transmission source, and the received data is printed by the printer 16. At this time, if the image file is attached to the e-mail, the contents of the image file are printed by the printer 16. On the other hand, the IFAX processing section 400 converts the image information obtained by the scanner 15 into an electronic mail and transmits it.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a case where IFAX1 is viewed from the direction indicated by arrow C in FIG. 4 will be described. In IFAX1, scanner 1
5 and the printer 16 have other components, namely C
The PU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the FAX audio processing unit 14, the LAN interface 17, and the panel operation unit 18 are integrated together in the housing 40. IFA
On the left side of the upper surface of X1, a panel operation unit 18
Is provided. On the right side of the panel operation unit 18, a document table 41 for supplying a document to the scanner 15 is provided. The printer 1 is located on the left side of IFAX1.
The paper output trays 42, 4 for receiving printed materials discharged from the printer 6
3 are connected in the vertical direction. On the bottom surface of the IFAX 1, there is provided a paper feed unit 44 for supplying print paper to the printer 16.

FIG. 5 shows the IFAX according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the panel operation unit 18 of FIG. The panel operation unit 18 has a display unit 501 made up of, for example, an LCD at the top. On the lower side of the display unit 501, the print density,
A plurality of print setting buttons 502a to 502 for making print settings such as character size, halftone, and completed stamp
A print setting unit 502 in which d is arranged is provided.

Under the print setting section 502, a memory button 503, a function button 5
04, a quick dial button 505 and an Internet button 506 are arranged. Among these, the Internet button 506 is a button for the operator to instruct switching to an input mode for Internet facsimile communication.

Below these buttons 503 to 506, there is provided a one-touch button section 508 in which a plurality of one-touch buttons 507 are arranged. Further, a plurality of program buttons 5 are provided below the one-touch button section 508.
A program communication unit 510 is provided in which 09 are arranged.

Under the program communication unit 510, a redial / pause button 511, a shortening button 512, a subaddress / hook button 513, a clear / monitor volume button 514, a set button 515, and a monitor button 516 are arranged in this order from the left. Are placed.

On the lower side of these buttons 512 to 516 and on the left side of the center, a ten-key part 518 in which a plurality of ten-keys 517 are arranged is provided. This numeric keypad part 5
18, a stop button 519, a copy button 520, a start button 521, and a scanner button 5
22 are arranged.

The start button 521 is a button provided for instructing the start of a fax or e-mail transmission process. The scanner button 522 is a button for the operator to instruct the operation of the network scanner. .

FIG. 6 shows the IFAX according to the first embodiment.
3 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit 400 of FIG.
The scanner control unit 200 stores the raw image data obtained by reading the original by the scanner 15, in this example, bitmap data in the scanner buffer 60 prepared in the RAM 13.
1 is stored. In the following description, an image obtained by reading a document is referred to as a document image.

The start button on detecting section 602 and the scanner button on detecting section 603 are provided with the start button 521 and the scanner button 52 of the panel operating section 18, respectively.
2 is pressed down, and the detection result is determined by the determination unit 6
Give it to 04.

The determination section 604 determines whether to perform the IFAX transmission processing or the network scanner processing based on the detection results of the start button on detection section 602 and the scanner button on detection section 603. That is, when the start button on detection unit 602 detects that the start button 521 has been pressed, it determines that an IFAX transmission process is to be performed.
On the other hand, when the scanner button on detection unit 603 detects that the scanner button 522 has been pressed, it determines that a network scanner process should be performed.

The journal creating unit 605 creates a journal and stores it in the journal storage area 606 provided in the RAM 13 in the IFAX transmission processing. The journal includes, for example, source information (name or name, e-mail address, FAX number, etc.), transmission date and time, destination information (name, name, e-mail address, FAX number, etc.) and page information (page number, total number of pages) ), Which is usually attached to the header or footer of the image information.

The bitmap conversion processing unit 607 includes an IFAX
In the transmission process, the journal stored in the journal storage area 606 is bit-mapped. Image compression unit 60
Reference numeral 8 compresses the document image (bitmap data) stored in the scanner buffer 601 and / or the bitmapped journal. The compression format here is MH, MR, MMR, or the like. Image synthesis unit 609
Combines the original image and the compressed data of the journal with each other in the IFAX transmission process. Here, the manuscript image and the journal are prepared for each manuscript page, and their compression and synthesis are also performed for each manuscript page.

In the network scanner process, creation of a journal, bitmapping of a journal, compression of a journal, and image synthesis are not performed.

The TIFF converter 610 converts a plurality of compressed data into one TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) file. Here, one piece of compressed data corresponds to one page of the document.

The e-mail creation section 611 creates an e-mail addressed to the destination mail address input from the panel operation section 18. Here, the e-mail creation unit 611 sets the T
The TIFF file obtained by the IFF conversion unit 610 is converted into text code data, and this text code data is
For example, MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensi
on) to generate an e-mail with image information attached to the multi-part mail.

In the IFAX transmission process, the mail transmitting section 612 converts the electronic mail created by the electronic mail creating section 611 into a mail transfer protocol, in this example, SMTP (S
The mail is transmitted to the mail server 3 on the transmission side via the LAN interface 17 in accordance with the Imple Mail Transfer Protocol. The mail transmitting unit 612 acquires information on the mail server 3 on the transmitting side from the mail server information 613.

The mail transmitting section 612 transmits an electronic mail to a scanner image transmission destination such as the PC 4 in the network scanner processing. The mail transmission unit 612 sets the P
The e-mail is transferred to the receiving software executed in C4 according to the SMTP. At this time, SM
In order to use the TP, the mail transmission unit 612 needs to know the IP address of the PC 4. Therefore, a scanner image transmission destination management table 614 in which a mail address and an IP address of the PC 4 and the like are associated with each other is prepared. The e-mail transmission unit 612 outputs the PC input from the panel operation unit 18
An IP address corresponding to the destination mail address No. 4 is acquired from the scanner image transmission destination management table 614. Thus, the image can be directly transmitted to the PC 4 by the mail transmission unit 612.

Next, the IFAX 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
Will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an image transmission process in IFAX 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the IF shown in FIG.
IFAX transmission processing from AX1 to IFAX8, and
The network scanner processing from the IFAX 1 to the PC 4 will be described.

After placing an original on the original placing table 41 shown in FIG. 4, the operator of the IFAX 1 inputs a mail address from the panel operation unit 18 and presses down the start button 521 or the scanner button 522. Operator I
If the fax transmission process is to be performed, the start button 521 is depressed. If the network scanner process is to be performed, the scanner button 522 is depressed.

In step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 701, if a mail address is input from panel operation unit 18, in ST 702, start button on detection unit 602 causes start button 52
It is determined whether or not the press of No. 1 is detected. Start button 5
When detecting that the user has pressed down 21, the determination unit 604 instructs each unit to execute the following IFAX transmission processing. That is, S
In T703, the scanner control unit 200 causes the scanner 15 to read the original, and stores the resultant original image in the scanner buffer 601. Next, S
In T704, the journal creation unit 605 creates a journal and stores it in the journal storage area 606. In ST 705, bitmap processing section 607
Turns the journal into a bitmap. Next, ST7
At 06, the image compression unit 608 compresses the document image and the bitmap data of the journal, respectively, to obtain compressed data. Thereafter, in ST707, these compressed data are combined by image combining section 609. As a result,
As shown in FIG. 8, the journal 8
2 is inserted.

In ST708, TIFF conversion section 61
0 converts the synthesized compressed data into a TIFF file.
Put the file in the attachment part of the e-mail and put the destination e-mail address in the [To:] field of this e-mail. As a result, an e-mail to which the document image including the journal is attached is created. Next, ST7
In step 09, the mail transmitting unit 612 transmits the created e-mail to the IFAX 8 via the mail server 3 on the transmitting side.
Send to

On the other hand, in ST 702, determination section 604
If it is determined that the pressing of the start button 521 has not been detected, in ST710, it is determined whether or not the scanner button on detection unit 603 has detected the pressing of the scanner button 522. Here, when the determination unit 604 determines that the pressing of the scanner button has been detected, the determination unit 604
Commands each unit to execute the following network scanner processing. That is, in ST711, the scanner control unit 200 causes the scanner 15 to read the original,
The document image obtained as a result is stored in the scanner buffer 601.
To be stored. Next, in ST712, the image compression unit 6
08 compresses the original image to obtain compressed data. Thereafter, in ST713, these compressed data are
Convert to F-file, and then create email 611
Puts the TIFF file in the attached file part of the e-mail and the destination e-mail address in the [To:] field of the e-mail. As a result, an e-mail to which an original image not including the journal is attached is created. Next, in ST714, mail transmitting section 61
2 sends the created e-mail directly to the PC 4.

In the first embodiment, the IFA
When receiving the X-mail, in the IFAX processing unit 400, when the mail receiving unit receives the IFAX mail via the LAN interface 17, the binary conversion unit
The attached file data included in the electronic mail is converted from the text code to binary data to obtain a TIFF file. The obtained TIFF file is decompressed by a TIFF decompression unit to obtain compressed data. The compressed data is decompressed by an image decompression unit to obtain raw image data. The raw image data is printed by the printer 16.

As described above, according to the IFAX 1 according to the first embodiment, the scanner button 522 is provided, and after the operator inputs the destination mail address,
Based on which of the start button 521 and the scanner button 522 is pressed, it is determined whether to perform the IFAX transmission processing or the network scanner processing. Then, when performing the IFAX transmission processing, a journal is inserted into the document image, and an e-mail is transmitted to the IFAX 8 via the mail server 3. This allows
When the e-mail is printed by IFAX 8, the journal is included in the header of each page.
Similarly to 3 / G4FAX, communication management information such as a transmission source, a transmission date and time, and the number of pages can be stored in a communication log without looking at the communication log, for example.
You can easily find out.

On the other hand, when performing the network scanner process, the IFAX 1 does not perform creation of a journal, bitmapping, compression, and combining with a document image. Therefore,
Without inserting a journal image into PC4,
Can be transferred. As a result, it is possible to prevent the journal from hindering the handling of the document image by the PC 4.

Furthermore, the IFAX according to the first embodiment
According to No. 1, the operator only presses down the scanner button 522 instead of pressing down the start button 521 after inputting the destination mail address.
Can perform a network scanner process, so that complicated operations are not required of the operator.

The IFAX 1 according to the first embodiment is
In the network scanner process, an e-mail is directly sent to the PC. In a relatively large network, F
The mail server 3 may be connected to another LAN connected via a bridge to the LAN to which the AX 1 and the destination PC belong. In this case, when the scanner image is transmitted to the PC via the mail server, the mail may be delayed. However, in the first embodiment, I
FAX 1 is capable of reliably and quickly delivering a document image to a PC.

In the network scanner process, the IFAX 1 directly communicates an image with the receiving software executed on the PC 4, so that the operator activates the mailer on the PC 4, as in the case of the mail server 3. However, since there is no need to receive an e-mail from the mail server 3 with this mailer, the operation of the operator is extremely simple.

The IFAX 1 of the first embodiment is
Since an existing mail transfer protocol such as SMTP is used in the network scanner process, the time and cost required for developing transmission software and reception software can be greatly reduced. A mail transfer protocol such as SMTP is preferable because data can be transferred through a firewall.

However, a data transfer protocol other than the mail transfer protocol may be used for the network scanner process. In this case, in addition to the mail transmission unit 612, S
A data transmission unit that executes a data transfer protocol other than MTP is prepared. Here, as the data transfer protocol, an Internet standard communication protocol such as FTP or HTTP, or a special communication protocol such as Jetsend (trademark) can be used.

In the first embodiment, the image information may be set to a parameter of a predetermined gamma correction coefficient during the network scanner process. In general, facsimile units are in millimeter units, and PCs are in inch units. Therefore, when image information is sent to a PC or the like, the linear density conversion from millimeter to inch is performed and IFAX
When the image information is sent to the printer, the line density conversion may not be performed.

<Second Embodiment> Next, an IFAX according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating an IFAX processing unit of the IFAX according to the second embodiment. The same components as those of the IFAX according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The registration unit 901 assigns a desired destination mail address to the one-touch button 507 of the panel operation unit 18 shown in FIG. 5. The registration unit 901 controls the registration by the operator, and stores the registered contents in the one-touch button stored in the RAM 13. Write to table 902. Registration unit 901
Assigns a destination e-mail address to the one-touch button 507 and, at the same time,
It registers whether it is for AX transmission processing or network scanner processing.

As shown in FIG. 10, the one-touch button table 902 stores the number 10
01, a destination mail address 1002, and a scanner flag 1003 are registered in association with each other. If the scanner flag 1003 is on, this destination mail address indicates that it is for network scanner processing, and if it is off, this destination mail address is IFAX
It indicates that it is for transmission processing.

The display control unit 903 displays the destination mail address 1 on the display 501 under the control of the registration unit 901.
A message or the like for registration of 002 is displayed.

When one of the one-touch buttons 507 is depressed, the one-touch processing unit 904 refers to the one-touch button table 902 and stores the destination mail address 1002 corresponding to the depressed one-touch button 507 in the e-mail creation unit. 611.

The determination unit 905 identifies the number 1001 of the pressed one-touch button 507, and then refers to the one-touch button table 902 to determine whether to perform the IFAX transmission processing or the network scanner processing.

FIG. 11 shows an IFA according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a registration operation of a one-touch button 507 in X. In ST1101, after destination mail address 1002 is input, in ST1102,
The registration unit 901 causes the display control unit 903 to display the display 50
Display the message of "IFAX or SCAN" on 1. The operator selects either IFAX or network scanner (SCAN).

In ST 1103, registration section 901 sets
It is determined whether the operator has selected the network scanner. If the operator selects a network scanner, in ST1104, registration section 901 turns on scanner flag 1003. After that, ST1105
, The registration unit 901 determines that the destination mail address 100
2 is registered in the one-touch button table 902.

On the other hand, if the operator selects IFAX in ST1103, ie, does not select a network scanner, the scanner flag 1004 is turned off in ST1106. After that, ST11
At 05, the registration unit 901 sets the destination mail address 1
002 is registered in the one-touch button table 902.

Next, an image transmission process in the IFAX according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an image transmission process in IFAX according to the second embodiment. The same steps as those in Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In ST 1201, determination section 905 determines
The press of the one-touch button 507 is detected, and the number 10
Recognize 01. After detecting pressing of start button 521 in ST 1202, determination section 905 sets ST 1
In step 203, referring to the one-touch button table 902, the number 1 of the depressed one-touch button 507
It is determined whether the scanner flag 1003 corresponding to 001 is on. Here, if the scanner flag 1003 is off, the determination unit 905 determines that each unit is in ST703.
To perform the IFAX transmission process of ST709. On the other hand, if the scanner flag 1003 is ON, the control unit instructs each unit to execute the network scanner process of ST711 to ST714.

As described above, the IFAX according to the second embodiment uses the one-touch button function to
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the X transmission process and the network scanner process are distinguished. Embodiment 2
According to this, the scanner flag 1003 is added to the one-touch button table 902,
If 3 is off, it is determined that the process is an IFAX transmission process,
On the other hand, if the scanner flag 1003 is ON, it is determined that the process is a network scanner process. As a result, the operator need only depress the one-touch button 508 and depress the start button 521 in the same manner as in normal facsimile transmission, so that there is no need to consider the processing content. In the second embodiment, the first embodiment is used.
Since the scanner button 522 is not necessarily required, the number of parts does not increase and the mold does not change.
AX development and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, the case where the scanner flag is added to the one-touch button registration table has been described. However, instead of the one-touch button, the scanner flag is added to the speed dial registration table. The same processing as described above may be performed.

Third Embodiment Next, an IFAX according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit of the IFAX according to the third embodiment. The same components as those of the IFAX according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The input data analysis unit 1301 analyzes input data input from the panel operation unit 18, and the input data is obtained by adding a specific character string (＠ in this example) 1302 to the head of the destination mail address. Check if there is.

The judgment unit 1303 is provided by the input data analysis unit 13
01, a specific character string 1 in the input data
It is determined whether to perform the IFAX transmission processing or the network scanner processing depending on whether or not 302 is included.

When the input data includes a specific character string 1302, the mail address extraction unit 1304 extracts the destination mail address from the input data and passes it to the e-mail creation unit 611.

In the IFAX according to the third embodiment, when performing the IFAX transmission process, the operator normally inputs a destination mail address. On the other hand, when performing the network scanner process, a specific character string (＠ in this example) is added to the head of the user name of the destination mail address.

Hereinafter, an image transmission process in IFAX according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an image transmission process in IFAX according to the third embodiment. The same steps as those in Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In ST 1401, input data analysis section 1301 receives input data from panel operation section 18. Next, in ST1402, start button 52
1 is detected, the input data analysis unit 1301
Parses the input data. Next, in ST1403, determination section 1303 determines whether or not the input data includes character string $ 1302 based on the analysis result of input data analysis section 1301.

[0096] In ST1403, when determining section 1303 determines that character string $ 1302 is not included, it instructs each section to execute the IFAX transmission processing in ST703 to ST709. On the other hand, the determination unit 1303 determines that the character string ＠
If it is determined that 1302 is included in the input data,
Each unit is instructed to execute the network scanner process of ST1404, ST711 to ST714. ST1
In 404, the mail address extraction unit 1304
The e-mail address is extracted from the input data and passed to the e-mail creation unit 611.

As described above, the IFAX according to the third embodiment determines whether or not the data entered by the operator includes character string $ 1302, in other words, character string $ 1302 is added to the destination mail address. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that IFAX transmission processing and network scanner processing are distinguished based on whether or not the processing has been performed. According to the third embodiment, before the operator inputs the destination e-mail address, the operator specifies the specific character string $ 130.
By simply inputting 2, the user can instruct processing contents. Moreover, unlike the second embodiment, since the processing is not determined based on the registered contents, the operator can instruct the desired processing regardless of the registered contents. In the third embodiment, since the scanner button 522 as in the first embodiment is not necessarily required, the number of parts does not increase and the mold does not change.
IFAX development and manufacturing costs can be reduced. In the third embodiment, a character string is added to the head of the destination mail address. Alternatively, a character string may be inserted in the destination mail address.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, an IFAX according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit of the IFAX according to the fourth embodiment. The same components as those of the IFAX according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The mail address recognizing unit 1501 recognizes the destination mail address input from the panel operation unit 18 and passes it to the determining unit 1502. Scanner table 1503
Has registered therein a destination mail address used as a destination of the network scanner processing. Judgment unit 150
2 determines whether to perform the IFAX transmission process or the network scanner process based on whether or not the destination mail address received from the mail address recognition unit 1501 is registered in the scanner table 1503.

Hereinafter, an image transmission process in IFAX according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an image transmission process in IFAX according to the fourth embodiment. The same steps as those in Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In ST1601, mail address recognition section 1501 receives the destination mail address from panel operation section 18. Next, in ST1602, when pressing of start button 521 is detected, mail address recognizing section 1501 recognizes the destination mail address and passes it to determining section 1502.

Next, in ST1603, determination section 1
502, the destination mail address is the scanner table 15
03 is determined. Here, if the determination unit 1502 determines that the destination mail address is not in the scanner table 1503, the I / O of ST703 to ST709 is performed for each unit.
An instruction is given to execute a facsimile transmission process. On the other hand, the determination unit 1502 determines that the destination mail address is
If it is determined in step 503 that each of the sections has been set, ST711 to S711
An instruction is issued to execute a network scanner process in T714.

As described above, the IFAX according to the fourth embodiment distinguishes between the IFAX transmission processing and the network scanner processing based on whether or not the destination mail address input by the operator is in the scanner table 1503. This is different from the first embodiment in the point. According to the fourth embodiment, the operator only needs to input the destination mail address, and does not need to consider the selection of the processing content at all. Further, in the fourth embodiment, since the scanner button 522 as in the first embodiment is not necessarily required, an increase in the number of parts and a change in the mold do not occur, and the cost of IFAX development and manufacturing is reduced. can do.

In the fourth embodiment, the destination mail address used for the network scanner processing is registered in the scanner table 1502. However, only the domain name is registered in place of the destination mail address, and the determination unit 1502
When the domain name of the input destination mail address matches the registered one, it is possible to determine that the network scanner process is to be performed.

Further, contrary to the case of the fourth embodiment,
When the destination mail address is registered in the scanner table 1502, the determination unit 1502 can determine to perform the IFAX transmission process.

<Fifth Embodiment> Next, an IFAX according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit of the IFAX according to the fifth embodiment. The same components as those of the IFAX according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The input data analysis unit 1701 analyzes the input data and sends the result to the judgment unit 1702. The input data analysis unit 1701 determines that the input data is an at mark “＠”.
, Ie, whether the input data is a user name.

The judgment unit 1702 is provided with the input data analysis unit 17
The subsequent processing is determined based on the result of the analysis by “01”.

When the input data is a user name, the default domain adding unit 1703 adds the RAM 1
A mail address is obtained by adding the default domain name 1704 stored in No.3, and the mail address is sent to the e-mail creation unit 611.

Hereinafter, an image transmission process in the IFAX according to the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an image transmission process in IFAX according to the fifth embodiment. The same steps as those in Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

After placing the document on the document table of the IFAX, the operator presses down the Internet button 506 of the panel operation unit 18 to switch the input mode of the panel operation unit 18 to the character string input mode. Thereby, the operator can press the one-touch button 507 of the panel operation unit 18.
By using the program button 509, a character string such as an alphabet or a symbol can be input.

In ST1801, input data analysis section 1701 receives input data input from panel operation section 18 by the operator. Next, ST1802
In, when the start button 521 is pressed down,
The input data analysis unit 1701 analyzes input data.
The input data analysis unit 1701 determines this analysis result
Send to 702.

In ST1803, determination section 1702
Determines whether or not the input data includes the at mark “＠”. Here, when the at mark is not included, the determination unit 1702 determines that the input data is the user name of the mail address.

Here, when determining section 1702 determines that the input data is not a user name, each section performs ST703 to ST703.
It is instructed to execute the IFAX transmission process of ST709. On the other hand, when determining section 1702 determines that the input data is a user name, it determines in each section ST1804 and ST1804.
It instructs to execute the network scanner processing of 711 to ST714.

In ST1804, default domain adding section 1703 adds default domain name 1704 to the input data, that is, the user name. The default domain adding unit 1703 sends the generated destination mail address to the electronic mail creating unit 611.

As described above, the fifth embodiment
Is based on whether the input data entered by the operator before depressing the start key 521 is only the user name,
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the IFAX transmission process and the network scanner process are distinguished. According to the fifth embodiment, the operator only needs to input the user name when instructing the network scanner process. When IFAX is used as a network scanner, the fifth embodiment is extremely effective because the destination PC often belongs to the same domain as IFAX.

Further, according to the fifth embodiment, input data analyzing section 1701 analyzes the input data, and based on the analysis result, determining section 1702 determines that the input data is the user name of the mail address. In this case, the default domain adding unit 1703 sets the default domain name 170
4 is added and added to this user name. This allows
The operator only needs to enter the username,
The destination mail address can be input easily and without error from the panel operation unit 18 which is relatively difficult to input.

Further, unlike the second embodiment, since the processing is not determined based on the registered contents, the operator can instruct the desired processing regardless of the registered contents.

In the fifth embodiment, since the scanner button 522 as in the first embodiment is not necessarily required, an increase in the number of parts and a change in the mold do not occur, and the development and manufacturing of the IFAX are not performed. Cost can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the first to fifth embodiments. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention can be implemented using a general commercially available digital computer and microprocessor programmed according to the techniques described in the first and second embodiments.
Further, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention includes software created by those skilled in the art based on the techniques described in the first and second embodiments.

Also, a computer program product that is a storage medium containing instructions that can be used to program a computer implementing the present invention is included in the scope of the present invention. This storage medium is a disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk, a CDROM and a magnetic disk, a ROM, a RAM, an EPROM, an EEPROM,
Examples include a magnetic or optical card, but are not particularly limited thereto.

[0122]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the image transmission device is used for communication purposes, the communication management information is inserted into the image information, whereas when the image transmission device is used for image reading purposes, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information. When the transmitting device is used for image reading, the communication management information is not inserted into the image information, so that it is possible to prevent the reception side from obstructing the communication management information from obstructing the image. As a result, the present invention can provide an image transmitting apparatus and an image transmitting method suitable for both the use of the network scanner and the Internet facsimile.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a network system in which an image transmitting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention operates.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing hardware of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a panel operation unit of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing image transmission processing in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a document image in which the journal according to the first embodiment is inserted.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a one-touch button table according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of registering a one-touch button in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing image transmission processing in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an image transmission process in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing image transmission processing in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing an IFAX processing unit of the Internet facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an image transmission process in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,8 Internet facsimile machine 3,7 Mail server 4,9 PC 2 LAN 5 Internet 100 FAX voice control unit 200 Scanner control unit 300 Printer control unit 400 IFAX processing unit 521 Start button 522 Scanner button 602 Start button on detection unit 603 Scanner Button-on detection section 604 Judgment section 605 Journal creation section 606 Journal storage area 607 Bitmap processing section 608 Image compression section 609 Image synthesis section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387 (56) References JP-A-9-163038 (JP, A) JP-A-5-30238 (JP) JP-A-5-167832 (JP, A) JP-A-5-153297 (JP, A) JP-A-2-3111070 (JP, A) JP-A-11-261735 (JP, A) 11-177752 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G06F 13/00 351-357

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A scanner for reading image data to obtain image information; a compression unit for compressing image information obtained by the scanner; a communication management information insertion unit for inserting communication management information into the image information; A conversion unit for converting the image information into an electronic mail, a transmission unit for transmitting the electronic mail, and a panel operation unit having a transmission instruction button and a reading instruction button, wherein the transmission instruction button is depressed. A series of processing of reading processing by the scanner means, image compression processing by the compression means, image synthesis processing by the communication management information insertion means, e-mail conversion processing by the conversion means, and transmission processing by the transmission means. When the reading instruction button is depressed, reading processing by the scanner means, image compression processing by the compression means, E-mail conversion processing by the conversion means,
An image transmission device, wherein a series of operations of a transmission process by the transmission unit are sequentially executed. 2. A scanner step of reading an original to obtain image information, a compression step of compressing image information obtained by the scanner step, a communication management information insertion step of inserting communication management information into the image information, The image transmitting method, comprising: a converting step of converting the image information into an electronic mail; a transmitting step of transmitting the electronic mail; and a detecting step of detecting pressing of a transmission instruction button and a reading instruction button. When the instruction button is depressed, the scanner step, the compression step, the communication management information insertion step, the conversion step, and the transmission step are sequentially executed, and when the read instruction button is depressed, the scanner step, The compression step, the conversion step, and the transmission step are sequentially performed. The image transmission method to be used.