JP3932939B2 - Image data transmitting apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image data transmission technique using an image data transmission apparatus capable of transmitting image data by both facsimile communication and electronic mail communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, as office automation devices have become more complex, a facsimile machine with an e-mail transmission / reception function (also called Internet fax) that can send a facsimile image in an e-mail format or print out a received e-mail image is used. Has been.
[0003]
By the way, when using e-mail, an upper limit is often set for the data size of a file sent by e-mail in the mail server so as not to put an excessive load on the server or the network.
[0004]
Also. When the mail receiving terminal is a mobile terminal, the data size that can be received is limited because the mailbox capacity is relatively small.
[0005]
As a conventional method for solving these problems, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-282865, a function for processing image information in units of pages is provided, and transmission image information is divided into units of pages, and a plurality of electronic It has been proposed that divided image information is transmitted using a mail and that the divided information for reconstructing the divided image is added to the mail.
[0006]
However, in this method, the receiving side requires dedicated software for recombining a plurality of divided mails.
[0007]
On the other hand, in recent years, the number of types of facsimile machines having a color facsimile function has increased, and color originals can be transmitted by facsimile. However, if both the transmitter and receiver do not have a color facsimile function, facsimile transmission of a color document is impossible. Models with a color facsimile function are not yet common, and even if you try to send a color document using a facsimile machine with a color facsimile function, the other party does not support it, so it is often impossible to send a color document. It was.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to transmit image data in accordance with the characteristics of the receiver and to deliver the image data to the other party more reliably. It is said.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to this invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the configuration as described in the claims is adopted. Here, prior to describing the invention in detail, supplementary explanations of the claims will be given.
[0010]
That is, according to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, to the image data transmitting device: an e-mail transmitting means for transmitting image data by e-mail communication; and a facsimile communication means for transmitting image data by facsimile communication; A destination address storage means for recording the registered address information of the destination; a destination input means for inputting the destination; the e-mail transmission means and the facsimile communication means to the destination input by the destination input means; A transmission control means for transmitting the image data using at least one of the following: a predetermined destination to which the image data is to be transmitted with reference to the registered address information of the destination stored in the destination address storage means When an e-mail address and a facsimile number are registered at the predetermined address, And be provided a transmission method control unit for transmitting the image data by the transmission method is determined based on the order-determined rules.
[0011]
In this configuration, for example, when the amount of image data is large, the image data is preferentially sent to the facsimile machine, and when sent using e-mail, the image data is rejected due to a mail server or other restrictions. Can be prevented from reaching the destination. Also, for example, when sending a color image, image data is sent preferentially by e-mail communication, and transmission of a color image does not fail due to restrictions of the facsimile apparatus.
[0012]
The destination is input by specifying a facsimile number, an e-mail address, a destination name, a registration number, and the like. The image data can be transmitted by a desired communication method regardless of the input mode. For example, even if the destination is specified by an e-mail address, if it is determined that communication using a facsimile number is preferable, transmission using the facsimile number is preferentially performed. The same applies to the reverse case. Destination input method that does not specify a communication method For example, even when a destination is specified by a destination name, communication may be preferentially performed by an optimal communication method in accordance with the size and type of image data.
[0013]
The present invention can be applied to various electronic devices or a combination system of electronic devices in addition to a facsimile apparatus with an electronic mail transmission / reception function. If the electronic mail communication function and the facsimile communication function are provided, the present invention can be applied to a computer (for example, a personal computer), a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone (with a fax adapter), and the like.
[0014]
The present invention can be widely applied to a plurality of interfaces such as image transmission from a computer (for example, a personal computer) to a printer and changing the image format according to the characteristics of the interface.
[0015]
The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus or a system but also as a method. Of course, a part of the invention can be configured as software. Of course, software products used to cause a computer to execute such software are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus with an electronic mail transmission / reception function will be described below.
[0017]
First, a network environment in which this embodiment is used will be described. FIG. 1 shows this network environment. In this figure, LAN networks 100a, 100b, and 100c are connected to the Internet 101. The LAN networks 100a, 100b, 100c are provided with DNS (Domain Name System) servers 102a, 102b, 102c and mail servers (SMTP servers, POP servers) 103a, 103b, 103c. The mail servers 103a, 103b, and 103c hold a spool (mail box) that stores electronic mail transmitted to the account. In addition, the LAN networks 100a, 100b, and 100c include facsimile apparatuses with an electronic mail transmission / reception function (sometimes referred to simply as terminals, transmission terminals, and reception terminals) 104a, 104b, and 104c that serve as client apparatuses of the mail servers 103a, 103b, and 103c. Is arranged. The client device (facsimile device 104 with an electronic mail transmission / reception function) does not need to have an account of the mail server 103 in the LAN network 100 to which the client device belongs, but this is done for convenience of explanation. In this example, the facsimile apparatus 104d with an electronic mail transmission / reception function is connected to the LAN network 100c via the public network 105 and the access server 106, and makes a mail transmission / reception request to the mail server 103c. Each LAN network 100a, 100b, 100c is connected to the Internet 101 by routers 107a, 107b, 107c.
[0018]
For example, the facsimile apparatus 104a with an electronic mail transmission / reception function has an account in the mail server 103a and takes out an electronic mail from the spool of the mail server 103a. In order to send an e-mail from the facsimile apparatus 104a with an e-mail transmission / reception function to another terminal, for example, the facsimile apparatus 104c with an e-mail transmission / reception function, the e-mail request is sent to the mail server 103a. This e-mail is sent to the mail server 103c directly or via one or a plurality of relay mail servers, and the e-mail transmission / reception function facsimile apparatus 104c receives the e-mail from the spool of the mail server 103c.
[0019]
The e-mail transfer procedure will be further described with an example of Internet mail. When sending an e-mail, it is as follows. In addition, a terminal and a server are represented by (A) and (B) for convenience.
(1) Send from the sending terminal (A) to the mail server (A).
(2) The mail server (A) refers to the address resolution information of the DNS server (A) on the network, checks the delivery destination, and sends the mail to the mail server (B) when specified.
(3) The mail server (B) sorts the received mail into individual posts (spools) within the server.
(4) The receiving terminal (B) takes out the mail from its own spool in the mail server (B).
[0020]
Here, an ordinary mail server is often set with an upper limit of file size (usually about 1 to 2 Mbytes) so as not to put a load on the network. If a mail exceeding the upper limit is sent from the sending terminal, the mail server returns an error mail to the sender and does not deliver the mail to the receiving terminal. In the case of addressing to the mailing list server, the error mail is sent to the mailing list manager and not to the sender.
[0021]
In addition, the upper limit of the total capacity size is usually determined in the individual spool area of the mail server (B), and if new incoming mail exceeds that size, old mail is deleted or new mail is not accepted. Then, processing such as partial truncation of new mail is performed.
[0022]
Furthermore, depending on the receiving terminal, the total capacity may be limited due to storage area restrictions, and the same processing as the mail server (B) is performed (such as a portable terminal).
[0023]
As described above, depending on the file size of the outgoing mail, there may be cases where it does not reach the other party normally.
[0024]
In this embodiment, a configuration as described below is employed to prevent such a problem from occurring.
[0025]
Next, a hardware configuration example of the facsimile apparatus 104 with an electronic mail transmission / reception function of this embodiment will be described in detail.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration example of the facsimile apparatus 104 with an electronic mail transmission / reception function. In this figure, the facsimile apparatus 104 with an electronic mail transmission / reception function includes a CPU 201, a storage device 202 (including a ROM 203 and a RAM 204), an input A unit 205, a display unit 206, an image input unit 207, an image output unit 208, an image processing unit 209, a network control unit 210, a system bus 211, a public line interface unit 212, a network interface unit 213, and the like.
[0027]
The facsimile apparatus 104 with an electronic mail transmission / reception function is connected to the Internet or a LAN via a network interface unit 213, and is connected to a public line via a public line interface unit 212. The network control unit 212 controls the network interface unit 213 and the public line interface unit 212. The Internet may be connected via a public line interface unit 212 using a method such as dial-up.
[0028]
The CPU 201 is a control unit that controls the entire facsimile apparatus 104 with an electronic mail transmission / reception function. The ROM 203 stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and various data, a data size upper limit setting value, a destination telephone book / address book, and the like. The RAM 204 stores a data size calculation result of the transmission file. It is also used as a work area during program execution. The storage device 202 includes an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk in addition to the ROM 203 and RAM 204, and stores and expands files.
[0029]
The image processing unit 209 is a part that performs various types of image processing such as image resolution conversion, compression, gradation conversion, and color reduction, and is configured by hardware or a software program.
[0030]
The input unit 205 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting mails and mail addresses. The display unit 206 is a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like, and may also have an input function such as a touch panel.
[0031]
An example in the case of transmitting an image is shown.
(1) The destination and mail data are input by the input unit 205.
(2) The image to be transmitted is scanned from the image input unit 207 and stored in the storage device 202.
(3) The stored image is transmitted through the corresponding network interface unit 213 according to the destination type (e-mail / phone number).
[0032]
Next, the main part of the facsimile apparatus 104 with an electronic mail transmission / reception function of this embodiment will be described.
[0033]
FIG. 3 schematically shows the functions of the main part of the facsimile apparatus 104 with an e-mail transmission / reception function of this embodiment. In this figure, from the image input unit 10 (corresponding to the image input unit 207 of FIG. 2). Image data is input and transmitted from one or both of the e-mail transmission unit 11 and the facsimile transmission unit 12 via the communication method switching unit 15. The image input unit 10 may acquire image data by optically scanning a document, or may acquire an image data file stored in advance locally or in a file server or the like.
[0034]
The image data input from the image input unit 10 is also sent to the total size calculation unit 17, where the total size of the image data as an e-mail is calculated. This total size is compared with the upper limit value set by the upper limit value setting unit 18 with the comparison unit 19.
[0035]
The destination input unit 13 (corresponding to the input unit 205 in FIG. 2) receives a registered name, registration e-mail, and the like as destination data, and the destination data is sent to the transmission method control unit 14. The transmission method control unit 14 refers to the registration information in the address book storage unit 16 and determines whether both the e-mail address and the facsimile number are registered at the destination. When both are registered, the communication method switching unit 15 is controlled so that the image data is transmitted from the facsimile transmission unit 12. Otherwise, the image data is transmitted from the e-mail transmission unit 11 (as an attached file).
[0036]
The image data input from the image input unit 10 is further sent to the color image determination unit 20. The color image discriminating unit 20 discriminates whether the image data is monochrome or color, and if it is in color, causes the transmission method control unit 14 to perform control and the like such that email transmission is preferentially performed. Note that the color image determination unit 20 may determine the type of image by itself, or in some cases, information on the type of the image file is received from the image input unit 10 or the like, and the transmission method control unit 14 based on this type. The control mode may be changed.
[0037]
In this example, for example, the comparison unit 19 controls the transmission method switching unit 15 only when the total size of the image data as an e-mail exceeds the upper limit value. Therefore, when the total size of the e-mail does not exceed the upper limit value, the image data is transmitted as it is by e-mail.
[0038]
To determine whether a destination has address information of both a facsimile number (telephone number) and an e-mail address (PC, etc.), a table is prepared in which both a facsimile number and a mail address can be set for one destination. The determination is made when any of the destination name, facsimile number, mail address, index number (No.), etc. is input to the destination having both the facsimile number and the mail address.
[0039]
FIG. 4 is an example of this table. The process is executed when a destination having both a facsimile number and a mail address (here, “AAA” and “BBB”) is selected.
[0040]
If "AAA" is entered, both the facsimile number "01-2345-6789" and the mail address "aaa@bbb.ccc" are displayed and the user is allowed to select either.
[0041]
When “01-2345-4789” is input, it is displayed that the destination AAA also has a mail address “aaa@bbb.ccc”, and the user is allowed to select one.
[0042]
When “CCC” or “DDD” is selected, only one of the facsimile number / e-mail address is provided. For example, when the facsimile number “23-4567-8901” of “CCC” is input, Notify the sender of “corresponding destination email address: none (or unregistered)”.
[0043]
The operation of the next embodiment will be described in detail.
[0044]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which a mail address or a destination name is input as a destination, and when the destination has both a facsimile number and a mail address, it is sent to the facsimile number side. First, the destination is input by e-mail address or destination name (other than facsimile number, S10). Next, the transmission original is accumulated by a method such as optical scanning (S11). It is determined whether the input destination has both a facsimile number and a mail address (S12). If not, the sender is notified that the other party does not have a facsimile number (or is not registered), and is sent as it is with the corresponding mail address (S13, S14). If so, the total size of the mail text and attached file is calculated (S15). Then, a comparison is made with the transmission upper limit size setting value (S16). If the total size does not exceed the set value, the mail address is used for transmission (S16, S14). If the total size exceeds the set value, the sender is notified that the transmission is performed using the facsimile number, and permission is obtained if necessary (S17, S18). This notification or confirmation is performed, for example, by displaying a message as shown in FIG. Another message as shown in FIG. 10 may be displayed. If transmission by the facsimile number is not permitted, transmission by electronic mail is impossible, and processing such as transmission stop is performed (S19). If transmission using the facsimile number is permitted, transmission is performed using the facsimile number (S20).
[0045]
FIG. 6 shows an example in which a facsimile number or a destination name is input as a destination, and when the destination has both a facsimile number and a mail address, it is sent to the e-mail side. The destination is input by a facsimile number or a destination name (other than the mail address, S30). The transmission original is accumulated by a method such as optical scanning (S31). It is determined whether the input destination has both a facsimile number and a mail address (S32). If both are not present, the partner is notified that there is no corresponding mail address (or unregistered) (S33), and further notified that the facsimile number is to be transmitted (S34) and transmitted as it is with the corresponding facsimile number (S34). S35). If both are possessed, the total size of the mail text and attached file when the mail is converted is calculated (S36). Then, a comparison is made with the transmission upper limit size setting value (S37). If the total size exceeds the set value, it is notified that the facsimile number is used for transmission (S34), and the facsimile number is used for transmission as it is (S35). In this case, the notification is performed using, for example, a message as shown in FIG. If the total size of the figure does not exceed the set value, the sender is notified / confirmed that transmission by e-mail will be performed (S38), and if transmission by e-mail is not permitted, transmission will be performed using the facsimile number (S39, S39). S34, S35). If transmission by mail is permitted, transmission is performed by mail (S39, S40). Note that steps S36 and S37 indicated by broken lines may be omitted.
[0046]
FIG. 7 shows an example of sending to the e-mail side when the original to be sent is in color, a facsimile number or a destination name is input as the destination, and the destination has both a facsimile number and a mail address. In this figure, first, a destination is input by a facsimile number or a destination name (other than a mail address, S50). The transmission original is accumulated by a method such as optical scanning (S51). It is determined whether or not the transmission file is a color image. If it is not a color image, it is notified that the transmission file is a facsimile number and is transmitted using the facsimile number (S52, S53, S54). If the transmission file is in color, it is further determined whether or not the partner machine is a black and white facsimile machine (S52, S55). If not (if it is a color machine), the facsimile machine is notified of the transmission with the facsimile number. (S55, S53, S54).
[0047]
Next, it is determined whether the input destination has both a facsimile number and a mail address (S56). If they do not have both, the partner is notified that there is no corresponding mail address (or unregistered) (S57), and is further notified that the facsimile number is transmitted (S53) and is transmitted as it is with the corresponding facsimile number (S53). S54). If both are possessed, the total size of the mail text and attached file in the case of the mail is calculated (S58). Then, a comparison is made with the transmission upper limit size setting value (S59). If the total size exceeds the set value, the facsimile number is used for transmission (S53, S54). If the total size does not exceed the set value, the sender is notified / confirmed that transmission is to be made by e-mail (S60). If transmission by e-mail is not permitted, transmission is performed using the facsimile number (S61, S53). , S54). If transmission by mail is permitted, transmission is performed by mail (S61, S62).
[0048]
FIG. 8 shows an example in which image data is transmitted using both a facsimile number and a mail address when the destination has both a facsimile number and a mail address. In FIG. Input and store the image data (S70, S71). Next, it is determined whether the input destination has both a facsimile number and a mail address (S72). If they do not have both, the partner is notified that neither the corresponding facsimile number nor the mail address is present (or not registered) (S73), and the corresponding facsimile number or mail address is transmitted as it is (S74). If both are possessed, the total size of the mail text and attached file when the mail is converted is calculated and compared with the transmission upper limit size setting value (S75). If the total size exceeds the set value, the facsimile facsimile number is transmitted (S76, S77). If the total size does not exceed the set value, the sender is notified / confirmed that transmission by e-mail is to be made (S78), and if transmission by e-mail is not permitted, transmission by facsimile is performed (S79, S77). ). If transmission by e-mail is permitted, it is further confirmed whether the facsimile number is also sent at the same time, and if it is confirmed, it is transmitted by both e-mail and facsimile (S79, S80), S81, S82). If it is not confirmed, it is transmitted only by mail (S81, S83). This confirmation can be performed using, for example, a message as shown in FIG.
[0049]
As described above, according to this embodiment, image data can be transmitted by selecting a receiving terminal of an appropriate communication method. For example, it is assumed that a large number of documents are to be sent when the other party has both a PC and a FAX. When the partner machine is a mail address (PC), the transmission file size that can be sent at once on the network is limited. In portable terminals, the file size that can be received is relatively small. Therefore, it is difficult to send a large file, but if the other party is a telephone line (facsimile), there are no restrictions, so any number of files can be sent.
[0050]
On the other hand, when considering communication charges, mail is generally less expensive than telephone lines.
[0051]
Also, assume that a color document is to be sent. If the partner machine is a PC, it can be opened depending on the software, whereas if it is a facsimile, it cannot be received unless it has a color function itself. Therefore, the possibility of sending the color image to the other party is higher when the image is sent to the PC.
[0052]
Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the image data can be reliably transmitted to the other party. For example, when sending a document, if the other party has both a PC and a FAX, it can be delivered to the other party more reliably by sending to both.
[0053]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above example, even when destination information including designation of a communication method is input, a communication method suitable for image data can be used preferentially. Can be confirmed. However, the user may be allowed to specify a mode for performing communication in any communication method without specifying a communication method. In this case, communication is immediately performed in the determined communication method without confirming the communication method. You may make it perform.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an appropriate communication method can be selected according to the size and type of image data, and the image data can be transmitted to an appropriate receiving terminal. Also, by making the transmission method redundant, it is possible to transmit image data more reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network environment according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the above-described embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing functions of main parts of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a table used in the above embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the above-described embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating still another operation of the above embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating still another operation of the above-described embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of message display used in the above-described embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of message display used in the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining still another example of message display used in the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating still another example of message display used in the above-described embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Image input section
11 Email sending part
12 Facsimile transmission section
13 Address input part
14 Transmission control controller
14 Transmission system controller
15 Communication system switching part
16 Address book storage
17 Total size calculator
18 Upper limit setting part
19 Comparison part
20 Color image discriminator
100 network
101 Internet
102 DNS server
103 mail server
104 Fax machine with e-mail transmission / reception function
105 public network
106 Access server
107a router
201 CPU
202 storage device
203 ROM
204 RAM
205 Input section
206 Display section
207 Image input unit
208 Image output unit
209 Image processing unit
210 Net controller
211 System bus
212 Net controller
212 Public line interface
213 Net interface part

Claims (1)

Means for inputting image data;
E-mail transmission means for transmitting the image data by e-mail communication;
A facsimile communication means for transmitting the image data by facsimile communication;
A destination address storage means for recording the registered address information of the destination;
A destination input means for inputting the destination;
Transmission control means for transmitting the image data to the destination input by the destination input means using at least one of the e-mail transmission means and the facsimile communication means;
With reference to the registered address information of the destination stored in the destination address storage means, an e-mail address and a facsimile number are registered in the predetermined destination for the predetermined destination to which image data is to be transmitted. said image data when there have a transmission method control unit that transmits by using the E-mail address,
An image data transmitting apparatus characterized by enabling the transmission method control means when the image data to be transmitted is color image data and the destination facsimile apparatus is a facsimile apparatus that handles only monochrome images .

Images