JP3950558B2 - Data communication method, system and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data communication method, system and apparatus capable of exchanging data using an electronic mail system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the spread of the Internet in recent years, a WWW (World Wide Web) system using a computer communication network has attracted attention as an image information communication system. The WWW system is a client / server system based on a communication protocol called TCP / IP, similar to an Internet application such as e-mail, and includes a client application having a GUI (Graphical User Interface) called a WWW browser, and a WWW server application. Has developed as an information retrieval / browsing system realized by communicating not only image information but also data handled on a computer such as text, voice, and moving image. And while various services applying such WWW system have been proposed and realized, new attempts have been made in the field of image transmission using conventional facsimile machines and e-mails. .
[0003]
As an example, an image transmission system using a WWW system and electronic mail will be described below. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this system.
[0004]
In FIG. 7, reference numerals 71 and 72 denote data communication apparatuses having an image input / output function, a communication function via the network 73, a WWW server / client function, and an electronic mail transmission / reception function. Here, 71 is a data communication device used for transmission, and 72 is a data communication device used for outputting a received image. Reference numeral 74 denotes an image transmission destination terminal, which is a computer terminal (including a CPU unit, a memory, a display unit, etc.) connected to the network. Reference numeral 75 denotes a mail server that provides an electronic mail service to each terminal connected to the network 73, and the devices are connected to each other through the network 73.
[0005]
Next, the operation flow of the image transmission system configured as described above will be described.
[0006]
First, the transmission operator sets a transmission original in the image input unit of the data communication apparatus 71, sets the transmission destination and the like, reads the transmission original, and reads the read image data in the storage unit with a plurality of image qualities. Saved. The image data of each image quality is displayed on the receiver's terminal for confirmation of the received image in accordance with the display capability and printing capability of the receiver's terminal and the output data communication device, or The image is used as a print image transferred as print data. In addition, the location of the display and print image data file stored here is represented by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and the display layout and print instruction information described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is stored as a file embedded therein. At the same time, the HTML file or a description indicating the location thereof is transmitted to the transmission destination as the transmission document of the electronic mail according to the format of the electronic mail, and delivered to the transmission destination terminal 74 via the mail server 75.
[0007]
Here, the URL is a unified representation of information resources on the Internet, and its general format is shown below.
[0008]
resource_type: //host.domain/path
The resource_type represents a protocol or service to be used, and specifies http (Hyper Test Transfer Protocol) in the data communication apparatus of this example. Other examples include gopher, ftp, nntp, etc., but explanations of each are omitted. In addition, host. “domain” indicates an address on the Internet of a server to be accessed, and is specified in an IP address or domain name format. Here, the IP address of a WWW server in the apparatus is specified. Further, the path indicates the position of the file on the server. For example, the location of the HTML file is expressed as follows.
[0009]
http: //Server_ip_address/△△△/×××.html
Furthermore, the terminal of the transmission destination that has received the e-mail determines whether or not to confirm the image based on the information added to the e-mail, and if the image is confirmed, indicates the HTML file or the location thereof. An image can be confirmed from a URL description by a WWW browser. Furthermore, in this image transmission system, after the display image is confirmed by the e-mail recipient, it is possible to instruct to print out a high quality print image, which is the same screen as the display of the display image. Above, a means for instructing whether or not to print out the print image is provided, and this instruction content is transmitted to the data communication device 71.
[0010]
The instruction and transmission means can use the functions of the WWW browser, which will be described below.
[0011]
In the WWW system, a mechanism called CGI (Common Gateway Interface) is prepared for transmitting an input from a client (WWW browser) to a server and processing it by an external program. The instruction transmission means is realized by using this CGI.
[0012]
For example, an object (text, bitmap data, etc.) for instructing printout of a print image is embedded in an HTML document displayed on a WWW browser, and when this is selected, the instruction content prepared in advance is transferred to the server. By doing so, the server that has received this instruction can analyze the contents of the instruction and start a program for transferring and printing the printing data. In addition, if the CGI is used, the instruction contents can be transmitted not only those prepared in advance but also data input from the operator. If this is used, a specific data communication device can be transmitted. In addition, it is possible to instruct transfer and printout of a print image to an arbitrary data communication apparatus based on the input data. In this way, the data communication device 71 that has received the print instruction transfers the print image to a data communication device designated in advance or a data communication device based on data input by the operator, and is a transfer destination. The data communication device 72 performs printing processing of received image data.
[0013]
As described above, according to the system described above, before printing an image to be sent, it is possible to check the outline on the display and determine whether or not the recipient performs the printing process. The present invention has an effect that cannot be obtained by a conventional facsimile apparatus or image communication means such as attaching an image to an e-mail, such as saving unnecessary printing cost and communication cost.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the system as described above is used as a seamless service from the intranet in the company to the Internet, inconvenience occurs for the following reasons depending on the connection environment with the destination Internet.
[0015]
In other words, in an environment in which the Internet is always connected by a high-bandwidth dedicated line connection, the user can enjoy the convenience of this service comfortably, but for example, using a narrowband general line, In an environment where connection is made sequentially by dial-up, it takes time for confirmation of received images and print instructions, or reconnection is required, giving users disadvantages such as stress related to operations and communication costs. This causes the problem.
[0016]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a data communication method, system, and apparatus for reducing received image confirmation, print instruction time, and reconnection as much as possible.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the data communication apparatus of the present invention provides: Save the display image and the print image with less data than the print image Image source apparatus From Contains the first URL From a mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail, and an e-mail received by the mail receiving means , The first URL The extraction means for extracting, and extracted by the extraction means First URL Based on the image sender apparatus The data receiving means for receiving the display image, and the display image received by the data receiving means Save Save Means and said Save means so Saved images for display A creation unit for creating a file including a request and a print instruction for a print image stored in the transmission source device; and an e-mail indicating a location of the file created by the creation unit To the image destination apparatus Send to Send Means and When the request for the file indicated in the e-mail is from the image transmission destination device, a transfer means for transferring the file to the image transmission destination device, and a file transferred by the transfer means When the display image is requested after being analyzed by the image transmission destination device, the display image stored in the storage unit is transferred to the image transmission destination device. Requesting means for requesting the image for printing to the image transmission source apparatus when the print instruction for the print image is given after being displayed on the image transmission destination apparatus; Have In response to the request from the requesting means, printing processing of the printing image is performed. It is characterized by that.
[0018]
here, The first URL is information indicating the location of an HTML file. The HTML file includes an instruction to display the display image, the location of the display image stored in the image transmission source device, and the print Information indicating the print instruction for the image and the location of the print image stored in the image transmission source apparatus is included. The file created by the creating unit is stored in the display instruction of the display image and the location of the display image stored in the storing unit, the print instruction for the printing image, and the image transmission source device. Information indicating the location of the print image is included, and the creating means indicates the location of the display image in the HTML file and the location of the display image in the print image. The file is created by replacing the image transmission source device with the storage unit. Data format conversion for converting the first format of the display image stored in the storage unit into a second format suitable for the display image request from the image transmission destination device transmitted by the transmission unit It further has means. Further, resolution conversion means for performing resolution conversion on the received display image based on data relating to the resolution of the display image received by the data receiving means, data relating to the resolution of the display image, and the resolution conversion And generating means for generating a file of the FlashPixTM file format for storing the processed image in the stream part for each resolution. .
[0019]
The data communication apparatus of the present invention is a data communication apparatus having an image communication agent in charge of image communication and an e-mail agent in charge of transmission / reception of e-mail, wherein the image communication agent is an image transmission source. apparatus A mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail sent from the e-mail, and indicating the location of image data from the e-mail received by the mail receiving means First URL The extraction means for extracting, and extracted by the extraction means First URL The data receiving means for receiving the display image data derived from the image data, the storage means for storing the display image data received by the data receiving means, and the electronic data received by the mail receiving means. Indicates the location of the image data included in the email First URL Indicates the location of the image data for display stored in the storage means. Second URL In Modify the received email by replacing Do Correction Means and said Correction By means Correction Notification means for notifying the electronic mail agent of the reception of the electronic mail.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
<Configuration example of data communication apparatus according to this embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the data communication apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU unit that controls each unit in the apparatus. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display unit for performing various displays such as the state of the apparatus and a display for prompting the operator to operate. Reference numeral 13 denotes an operation unit for inputting an instruction from the operator according to the display on the display unit 12, and includes a key input button and a mouse. It may be a pointing device such as a touch panel or the like. An accumulation unit 14 stores data such as an input image as a file. A communication control unit 15 controls connection with a network outside the apparatus. The image input unit 18 and the image output unit 19 are connected to the image input / output control unit 17, and these are controlled in accordance with instructions from the CPU unit 11. Further, the image conversion unit 16 converts image quality such as resolution.
[0024]
The CPU unit 11 may be a general-purpose processor including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. In this case, a program executed by the CPU and parameters used are loaded from the external storage unit 20 such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. Or may be downloaded from the host via the communication control unit 15.
[0025]
<An example of the image communication system of the present embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image communication system to which the data communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is connected.
[0026]
In FIG. 2, 21 and 24 are the data communication devices shown in FIG. 1. In order to simplify the explanation, here, 21 is a data communication device a used for transmission, and 24 is data used for output of a received image. Treated as communication device b. The data communication devices a and b have an image input and image output function, a network communication function by TCP / IP connection, a WWW server and client function, and an e-mail transmission / reception function, respectively.
[0027]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a private network a to which a data communication device a used for transmission is connected, and is connected to the Internet 28 via an Internet connection part 23. Reference numeral 26 denotes a private network b to which a data communication device b used for outputting a received image is connected, and is connected to the Internet 28 via an Internet connection unit b (27). Reference numeral 25 denotes a transmission destination terminal registered as an image transmission destination from the data communication apparatus a, which is a computer terminal (including a CPU unit, a memory, a display unit, etc.) connected to the private network b. Reference numeral 29 denotes a mail server that is connected to the private network b and provides an e-mail service to each terminal.
[0028]
<Example of Operation Procedure of Image Communication System of Example of Present Embodiment>
Next, the image communication system according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts illustrating an example of an operation procedure according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. These flowcharts are the flow of control performed by the CPU unit based on the program data stored in the memory of each device.
[0029]
(Procedure for sending an email in the data communication device on the sending side)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process from when the operator of the data communication apparatus a performs a transmission operation until an e-mail is transmitted to the data communication apparatus b.
[0030]
In FIG. 3, first, in step S <b> 101, the transmission operator sets a transmission document on the data communication apparatus a, and in step S <b> 102, a transmission destination is set from the operation unit 13 according to the display unit 12. At this time, it is also possible to add a fixed sentence or a comment input prepared in advance. After confirming the input settings, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, a key input for starting transmission is waited, and the process proceeds to step S104 in accordance with an instruction to start transmission by the operator.
[0031]
In step S104, the data communication apparatus a reads a transmission document from the image input unit 18 connected to the image input / output control unit 17 through an instruction from the CPU unit, and further converts the image data into a plurality of image qualities by the image conversion unit 16. The file is stored in the storage unit 14. The image files created and saved in this way with different image qualities are displayed on the receiver's terminal for confirmation of the received image (a coarse image with a small amount of data), and the receiver displays this image. This is used as a print image (high quality image) transferred as print data after confirming the print image.
[0032]
Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S105, and a file described in HTML in which the display layout and the print instruction means are embedded is created based on the information about the location of the display image and the print image file created and stored so far. Further, the process proceeds to step S106, and the e-mail about the address information of the destination set in step S102, information included in the e-mail for the destination such as a fixed sentence and comment input, and the location of the HTML file created in step S105 A transmission document is created based on the above format, and the electronic mail is transmitted.
[0033]
(Procedure for receiving an email on the receiving data communication device)
Next, the data communication apparatus b receives the electronic mail transmitted from the data communication apparatus a in place of the transmission destination of the electronic mail and passes it to the transmission destination terminal 25 which is the original recipient. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart shows the flow of control executed by the CPU unit based on the program installed in the memory of the data communication device b.
[0034]
First, in step S111, the data communication device b receives mail from the mail server 29 on behalf of the destination terminal 25, determines whether it is from the data communication device of the present embodiment, and the data of the present embodiment. Those from other than the communication device are transferred to the destination terminal 25 as they are. Here, whether it is from the data communication apparatus of the present embodiment is determined based on the title of the received mail, the contents described in the text, information included in the attached data, other authentication data, or the like. Shall. If it is determined in step S111 that the data communication apparatus of this embodiment is, the process proceeds to step S112.
[0035]
In step S112, the location (described in URL) of the HTML file created in step S105, which is information related to display for image confirmation, is extracted from the received mail, and based on this, the HTML file and the display described therein are displayed. Request transfer of objects (including images for display).
[0036]
In step S113, all of these receptions are confirmed, and the process proceeds to step S114. In step S114, all the display objects are stored in the storage unit. The description of the location of the display object embedded in the HTML file is replaced with the storage destination, and the description of the print instruction embedded based on the information about the location of the image file for printing is The request destination of the instruction is corrected from the data communication device a to the data communication device b and stored in the same manner. At this time, when the data communication device b receives the print instruction, the information data necessary for the transfer request of the print image to the data communication device a is the other information managed by the HTML file and the data communication device b. Listed and / or stored in either or both files.
[0037]
In step S115, the description of the location of the HTML file included in the mail received in step S111 is corrected to the storage location of the HTML file corrected in step S114, and then in step S111, the data communication apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is delivered to the destination terminal 25 in the same manner as the mail determined to be from other than the mail.
[0038]
(Example of procedure for confirming display image and printing instruction on destination terminal)
Next, the process from receiving the mail from the data communication apparatus b to the transmission destination terminal 25 registered as the image transmission destination, confirming the display image, and giving the transfer printing instruction to the data communication apparatus b is shown in FIG. This will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart.
[0039]
In FIG. 5, first, in step S121, the e-mail recipient confirms the contents of the e-mail received by the mail client application. The contents of this e-mail are usually sent by the image transmission service using the data communication apparatus of the present embodiment, the text prompting access to the attached URL by the WWW browser, the sender Information and comments from the sender are described, but the description is not limited to this.
[0040]
In step S122, the e-mail recipient determines whether or not to confirm the image based on the described contents. If the image is to be confirmed, the process proceeds to step S123. In this case, if an e-mail client application having a function of starting a WWW browser from the URL described in the text is used, an image can be confirmed immediately. However, an e-mail client application having no such function is used. Even in such a case, it is possible to confirm the image by separately starting a WWW browser.
[0041]
In step S123, the WWW browser requests an HTML file stored in the data communication device b indicated by the URL. The data communication apparatus b has a WWW server function and transfers an HTML file designated in response to a request from the WWW browser to the WWW browser. Further, the WWW browser analyzes the HTML file and requests again a display image as a source object to be displayed described in the sentence according to the URL described. In step S124, the WWW browser displays the display image by transferring the display image requested by the WWW browser, and as a result, the recipient of the e-mail receives the image transmitted from the data communication apparatus a as the destination terminal 25. It is possible to confirm with the display device.
[0042]
After the display image is confirmed by the e-mail recipient, the process proceeds to step S125. In the image communication system of the present embodiment, it is possible to request transfer and printout of a high-quality print image to a designated device simultaneously with confirmation of an image by display on the transmission destination terminal 25. In step S125, there is provided means for instructing whether or not to transfer the print image and print it out on the same screen as the display image display, and to transmit the instruction content to the data communication apparatus b. Here, it is possible to use CGI via the above-mentioned HTTP as a transmission means. If an instruction to print out the printing image is requested in step S125, the process proceeds to step S116, and the instruction request information is transmitted to the data communication apparatus b by the above-described instruction and transmission unit, and the printing image is printed out. If no instruction is given, the process ends.
[0043]
(Example of instruction processing procedure at the data communication device on the receiving side)
Next, the process from when the data communication apparatus b receives the transfer print request until it is analyzed and the process is terminated will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0044]
In FIG. 6, first, in step S131, the instruction content of the received transfer print request is confirmed, and the data communication apparatus b evaluates the validity of the instruction content. As a result of the request, an error notification is returned and the process is terminated. If it is determined in step S131 that the data is valid, the process proceeds to step S132 to determine whether or not the instruction content is a print instruction. If the instruction content is not a print instruction, the process ends.
[0045]
If the instruction content is a print instruction, the process further proceeds to step S133, where information about the print image to be transferred is extracted, and the print image is sent via HTTP to the data communication apparatus a storing the image file. Request. Further, the data communication apparatus b performs print processing on the received print image by the image output unit 19 via the image input / output control unit 17.
[0046]
In the description of the present embodiment, HTML is used in order to realize a confirmation image display and print image print instruction means by using a commonly used WWW browser. It is not limited to this.
[0047]
<Another example of the image communication system of the present embodiment>
In recent years, with the expansion of various services using wireless communication, by using a terminal equipped with wireless communication function on a portable small personal computer called a mobile computer, Information can be shared and transmitted / received, and it can be used in various business situations without being restricted by time or place. The present invention is effectively used even in such an environment and produces its effect.
[0048]
Hereinafter, an example of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0049]
FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram for explaining another example of the image communication system to which the data communication apparatus of the present embodiment is connected.
[0050]
In FIG. 8, 81 and 84 are the data communication apparatuses already shown in FIG. Here, 81 is treated as a data communication apparatus a used for transmission, and 84 is treated as a data communication apparatus b used for output of a received image. The data communication devices a and b have an image input and image output function, a network communication function by TCP / IP connection, a WWW server and client function, and an e-mail transmission / reception function, respectively.
[0051]
A private network 82 is connected to the data communication device a used for transmission, and is connected to the Internet 87 via the Internet connection unit 83. Further, the data communication device b is also connected to the Internet 87 and installed so that it can be used by the mobile computer user as described above. For example, the data communication device b is placed in a public place and provides a wide range of services to general users. In addition, it may be one that is placed in an office building or the like, and a service is provided only to a limited user, and a communication function with a mobile computer by a communication means such as infrared communication. have.
[0052]
Reference numeral 85 denotes a transmission destination portable communication terminal registered as an image transmission destination from the data communication apparatus a, which is a mobile computer (including a CPU unit, a memory, a display unit, etc.) having a wireless communication function, and wirelessly. It connects with the Internet 87 via the connection part 86 which provides the internet connection service by communication.
[0053]
<Example of Operation Procedure of Image Communication System of Other Example of Present Embodiment>
Next, another example of the image communication system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 6 used in the description of the previous embodiment. These flowcharts are the flow of control performed by the CPU unit based on the program data stored in the memory of each device.
[0054]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process until the e-mail is transmitted to the image communication agent of the present embodiment installed in the portable communication terminal 85 when the operator of the data communication apparatus a performs a transmission operation. The destination terminal indicated by the email address is not always connected to the network, and there is no difference from the previous embodiment except that the email is received via wireless communication. Is omitted.
[0055]
Next, the process until the image communication agent of the present embodiment installed in the mobile communication terminal 85 receives an electronic mail on behalf of the electronic mail agent and passes it to the electronic mail agent that is the original recipient. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart shows the flow of control executed by the CPU unit of the portable communication terminal 85 based on the program installed in the memory of the portable communication terminal 85.
[0056]
First, in step S111, the image communication agent receives an e-mail from the data communication apparatus a via the Internet connection unit 86 instead of the e-mail agent, and determines whether it is from the data communication apparatus of the present embodiment. Judgment is made, and those from other than the data communication apparatus of the present embodiment are directly passed to the e-mail agent. If it is determined in step S111 that the data communication apparatus of this embodiment is, the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, the location (described in URL) of the HTML file created in step S105, which is information relating to display for image confirmation, is extracted from the received mail, and based on this, the HTML file and the display object ( (Including display images) is requested via the Internet connection unit 86.
[0057]
Furthermore, in step S113, all these receptions are confirmed, and the process proceeds to step S114. In step S114, all the display objects are stored in the storage unit. Further, the description of the location of the display object embedded in the HTML file is replaced with this storage destination and stored. In step S115, the description of the location of the HTML file included in the mail received in step S111 is replaced with the storage location of the HTML file modified in step S114. In step S111, the data communication device other than the data communication device of the present embodiment is replaced. It is passed to the e-mail agent in the same way as the e-mail determined to be from.
[0058]
In the processing so far, the difference from the previous embodiment is that the image communication agent functions in the mobile communication terminal 85 instead of the data communication device b.
[0059]
Next, the process from when the e-mail agent receives mail from the image communication agent, confirms the display image, and gives a transfer print instruction to the data communication apparatus b will be described.
[0060]
In FIG. 5, first, in step S121, the e-mail recipient confirms the contents using the e-mail agent. The contents are the same as in the previous embodiment. In step S122, the e-mail recipient determines whether or not to confirm the image based on the described contents. If the image is to be confirmed, the process proceeds to step S123, and the display object indicated by the URL is displayed on the WWW browser. Demands. The image communication agent has a WWW server function, and transfers an HTML file designated in response to a request from the WWW browser to the WWW browser. Further, the WWW browser analyzes the HTML file and requests again a display image as a source object to be displayed described in the sentence according to the URL described. In step S124, the WWW browser displays the display image by the transfer of the display image requested by the WWW browser, and as a result, the e-mail recipient receives the image transmitted from the data communication apparatus a as the destination mobile phone. This can be confirmed on the display device of the communication terminal 85.
[0061]
After the display image is confirmed by the e-mail recipient, the process proceeds to step S125. In the image communication system of the present embodiment, simultaneously with the confirmation of the image by the display of the transmission destination terminal 85, it is possible to request the designated device to transfer and print out a high-quality print image. The image communication agent has a function of designating a data communication device, transferring an image for printing, and requesting printout, and transmitting the designated content via a communication function such as infrared communication of the portable communication terminal 85. Done. If the data communication apparatus b is requested to print out an image for printing in step S125, the process proceeds to step S116, and the instruction request information is transmitted to the data communication apparatus b by the above-described instruction and transmission means. If no instruction to print out an image for printing is given, the process ends.
[0062]
In FIG. 6, first, in step S131, the instruction content of the received transfer print request is confirmed. When the data communication apparatus b evaluates the validity of the instruction content and determines that the data is invalid, the HTTP communication described above is performed. As a result of the request, an error notification is returned and the process is terminated. If it is determined in step S131 that the data is valid, the process proceeds to step S132 to determine whether or not the instruction content is a print instruction. If the instruction content is not a print instruction, the process ends.
[0063]
If the instruction content is a print instruction, the process further proceeds to step S133, where information about the print image to be transferred is extracted, and the print image is sent via HTTP to the data communication apparatus a storing the image file. Request. Further, the data communication apparatus b performs print processing on the received print image by the image output unit 19 via the image input / output control unit 17.
[0064]
<Example of using FlashPixTM file format>
It should be noted that information regarding the location of image data and image files stored in the data communication apparatus shown in the present embodiment, address information of a transmission destination, fixed text, information included in an e-mail for a transmission destination such as a comment input, etc. All the data required for the service to the destination can be handled as individual information files. By using the FlashPixTM file format shown below, image data of each quality (resolution) is By storing it as data and storing other information in an extended property set, it can be easily managed by handling it as a single file.
[0065]
Furthermore, when transferring the display image using the communication function that is the function of the image communication agent described in the present embodiment, it is necessary and sufficient according to the display capability of the receiving terminal and other than the maximum resolution image data and image data. By requesting only the transfer of information and reproducing the data of each layer by resolution conversion processing on the image communication agent side, a replica of the display image in the FlashPixTM file format is created, minimizing the amount of communication data, It is possible to provide a variety of image display services that take advantage of features such as quick image handling using tiled hierarchical resolution images in the FlashPixTM file format.
[0066]
(Description of FlashPixTM file format)
In the FlashPixTM (FlashPix is a registered trademark of Eastman Kodak, USA) file format, image attribute information and image data are structured and stored in a file. This structured image file is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
[0067]
Each property and data in the file is accessed by storage and stream corresponding to the directory and file of MS-DOS. 9 and 10, the shaded portion is storage and the non-shadowed portion is a stream. Image data and image attribute information are stored in the stream portion. The image data is hierarchized at different resolutions, and the images of the respective resolutions are called Subimages and are indicated by Resolution 0, 1,..., N. For each resolution image, information necessary for reading the image is stored in the Subimage header, and image data is stored in the Subimage data. A property set is defined by classifying attribute information according to the purpose of use and contents thereof, and includes a Summary Info. Property Set, an Image Info. Property Set, an Image Content Property Set, and an Extension list property Set.
[0068]
(Description of each property set)
The Summary Info.Property Set is not specific to FlashPix, but is a mandatory property set in Microsoft's structured storage, and stores the title, title, author, thumbnail image, etc. of the file.
[0069]
Image Contents property Set is an attribute that describes a method of storing image data (FIG. 13). This attribute includes the number of hierarchies of image data, the width and height of the image with the maximum resolution, the width, height, color configuration for each resolution image, and the quantization table and Huffman table when using JPEG compression. Describe the definition.
[0070]
Image Info.Property Set stores various information that can be used when using an image, for example, information on how the image is captured and how it can be used.
・ Information on how to capture and / or generate digital data (File Source)
・ Copyright information (Intellectual property)
・ Information (Content description) about the contents of the image (person, place, etc. in the image)
・ Camera information
-Information on camera settings (exposure, shutter speed, focal length, flash usage, etc.) at the time of shooting (Per Picture camera settings)
・ Digital camera characterization
-Information such as film manufacturer name, product name, type (negative / positive, color / black and white) (Film description)
・ Information on the type and size when the original is a book or print (Original document scan description)
-In the case of scanned images, information about the scanner and software used, and the person who operated it (Scan device)
Extension list property Set is an area used when adding information not included in the basic specifications of FlashPix.
[0071]
The FlashPix Image View Object in FIG. 10 is an image file that stores viewing parameters and image data used when displaying an image. The viewing parameter is a set of processing coefficients that are stored in order to apply image rotation, enlargement / reduction, movement, color conversion, and filtering processing when displaying an image.
[0072]
The Source / Result FlashPix Image Object is an entity of FlashPix image data, the Source flashPix Image Object is essential, and the Result FlashPix Image Object is optional. Source FlashPix Image Object stores original image data, and Result FlashPix Image Object stores an image obtained as a result of image processing using viewing parameters.
[0073]
Source / Result desc. Property set is a property set for identifying the image data, and stores an image ID, a property set that cannot be changed, a last update date and time, and the like.
[0074]
Transform property set stores an Affine transform coefficient, a color conversion matrix, a contrast adjustment value, and a filtering coefficient for rotation, enlargement / reduction, and movement.
[0075]
(Description of image format including images of multiple resolutions divided into tiles)
Next, handling of image data will be described.
[0076]
FIG. 11 shows an example of an image file composed of a plurality of images having different resolutions. In FIG. 11, the maximum resolution image is composed of C × R in columns × rows, and the next largest image is C / 2 × R / 2. Thereafter, the columns and rows are sequentially reduced by 1/2. The process is repeated until both columns and rows are equal to or less than 64 pixels.
[0077]
As a result of such hierarchization, header information and image data are required for the image attribute information for “the number of hierarchies in one image file” and the images of the respective hierarchies. Information on the number of hierarchies in one image file, the width and height of the image with the maximum resolution, or the width, height, color composition, compression method, etc. of each resolution image is shown in the Image Contents Property Set in FIG. Described in
[0078]
Further, each resolution layer image is divided into 64 × 64 tiles as shown in FIG. If the image is divided into 64 × 64 tiles sequentially from the upper left of the image, some of the tiles at the right and lower ends may be blank depending on the image. In this case, 64 × 64 pixels are constructed by repeatedly inserting the rightmost image or the lowermost image.
[0079]
In FlashPixTM, the image in each tile is stored by JPEG compression, single color, or non-compression. JPEG compression is an image compression method internationally standardized by ISO / IEC JTC1 / SC29, and the description of the method itself is omitted here. The image data thus divided into tiles is stored in the Subimage data stream, and the total number of tiles, the size of each tile, the data start position, and the compression method are all stored in the Subimage header (FIG. 14).
[0080]
The single color is a method of expressing the color of one tile without recording the value of each pixel only when the one tile is composed of the same color. This method is particularly useful for images generated by computer graphics.
[0081]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), or a device composed of a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). You may apply to the system which consists of an apparatus.
[0082]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and store the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0083]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0084]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. However, it is needless to say that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0085]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0086]
When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an e-mail notifying the image transmission is received on behalf of the recipient, and based on this, the data related to the display of the image is transferred and held, and then the original reception is received. Internet that is not always connected by using a narrow-band line by transferring the display image by the image communication server of the transmission source when the image is confirmed by the recipient's display. Even in a connection environment, it is possible to provide a data communication method, system and apparatus capable of suppressing generation of useless communication costs and smoothly performing a check operation of received images without stress.
[0088]
Furthermore, it accepts printing instructions for received images on behalf of the image communication server of the transmission source, and requests the image communication server to transfer the print images as appropriate, so that it can communicate with the Internet on the receiving side such as congestion and low-cost time zone usage. A transfer request according to the connection status is possible.
[0089]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data communication apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image communication system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of mail transmission in the data communication device on the transmission side of the image communication system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for proxy reception of mail in the data communication device on the receiving side of the image communication system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure example of confirmation of a display image and a print instruction at a transmission destination terminal of the image communication system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure example of instruction processing in the data communication device on the receiving side of the image communication system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a conventional example.
FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram illustrating another example of the image communication system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structured image file in a FlashPix ™ (FlashPix is a registered trademark of Eastman Kodak, USA) file format.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a structured image file in a FlashPix ™ (FlashPix is a registered trademark of Eastman Kodak, USA) file format.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an image format including images of a plurality of resolutions.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an image format including an image divided into tiles.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining attributes describing a storage method of image data.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a Subimage header.

Claims (18)

A mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail including a first URL from an image transmission source device that stores a display image having a smaller data amount than a print image and the print image ;
Extracting means for extracting the first URL from the email received by the mail receiving means;
Data receiving means for receiving the display image from the image transmission source device based on the first URL extracted by the extracting means;
Storage means for storing the display image received by the data receiving means;
Creating means for creating a file including a request for a display image saved by the saving means and a print instruction for a print image saved by the transmission source device;
An e-mail indicating the location of the file created by the creating means, a sending means for sending to the image destination device ;
A transfer means for transferring the file to the image transmission destination device when a request for the file indicated in the electronic mail is received from the image transmission destination device;
When the file transferred by the transfer unit is analyzed by the image transmission destination device and the display image is requested, the display image stored by the storage unit is transferred to the image transmission destination device. Further, when the display image is displayed on the image transmission destination apparatus and a print instruction for the print image is issued, request means for requesting the print image to the image transmission source apparatus It has a door,
Data communication apparatus according to claim Rukoto performed print processing of the print image is the request of the request means.   The first URL is information indicating the location of an HTML file. The HTML file includes an instruction to display the display image, the location of the display image stored in the image transmission source device, and the print 2. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising information indicating a print instruction for an image and a location of a print image stored in the image transmission source apparatus.   The file created by the creating means includes the display instruction for the display image and the location of the display image saved by the saving means, the print instruction for the print image, and the print saved by the image transmission source device. Information indicating the location of the image,
  The creation unit replaces the location of the display image of the display image and the print image indicated in the HTML file with the storage unit from the image transmission source device, thereby replacing the file. The data communication device according to claim 2, wherein the data communication device is created. The first type having the saved display image in the storage means, the data format converting means for converting the second format suitable for the request of the display image from the image transmission destination device that transmitted by said transmitting means The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Resolution conversion means for performing resolution conversion on the received display image based on data relating to the resolution of the display image received by the data receiving means;
2. The data according to claim 1, further comprising: generation means for generating a file of a FlashPixTM file format for storing data relating to the resolution of the display image and the resolution-converted image for each resolution in a stream portion. Communication device. A data communication apparatus having an image communication agent in charge of image communication and an e-mail agent in charge of sending and receiving e-mails,
The image communication agent is
Mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail transmitted from the image transmission source device ;
Extracting means for extracting a first URL indicating the location of image data from the email received by the mail receiving means;
Data receiving means for receiving display image data derived from the image data based on the first URL extracted by the extracting means;
Storage means for storing the display image data received by the data receiving means;
Replacing the first URL indicating the location of the image data included in the e-mail received by the mail receiving means with the second URL indicating the location of the image data for display stored in the storage means. A correcting means for correcting the received e-mail ;
A data communication apparatus comprising: a notification means for notifying the electronic mail agent of the reception of the electronic mail corrected by the correction means. In a data communication system in which at least a data communication device having an image transmission function, a data communication device having an image reception function, and a terminal device having an e-mail reception function are connected via the Internet,
A data communication device having the image receiving function,
Mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail including a first URL transmitted from the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function storing the display image having a smaller data amount than the print image and the print image ; ,
Extracting means for extracting the first URL from the email received by the mail receiving means;
Data receiving means for receiving the display image from the data communication device having the image transmission function based on the first URL extracted by the extracting means;
Storage means for storing the display image received by the data receiving means;
Creating means for creating a file including a request for a display image saved by the saving means and a print instruction for a printing image saved by the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function;
An e-mail indicating the location of the file created by the creating means, a sending means for sending to the terminal device ;
A transfer means for transferring the file to the terminal device when a request for the file indicated in the electronic mail is received from the terminal device;
When the display image is requested after the file transferred by the transfer unit is analyzed by the terminal device, the display image stored by the storage unit is transferred to the terminal device, and Request means for requesting the print image to the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function when the display image is displayed on the terminal device and the print image is instructed to be printed. Yes, and
Data communication system according to claim Rukoto print processing of a print image by request of the requesting unit is made.   The first URL is information indicating the location of an HTML file, and the HTML file includes a display instruction of the display image and a location of a display image stored in the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function. 8. The data communication system according to claim 7, further comprising information indicating a print instruction for the print image and a location of the print image stored in the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function. .   The file created by the creating means is a data communication device having a display instruction for the display image and a location of the display image saved by the saving means, a print instruction for the print image, and the image transmission function. Contains information about the location of the saved print image,
  The creation means replaces the location of the display image of the display image and the print image indicated in the HTML file from the data communication device having the image transmission function with the storage means. The data communication system according to claim 8, wherein the file is created. In a data communication system in which at least a data communication device having an image transmission function, a data communication device having an image reception function, and a terminal device having an e-mail reception function are connected via the Internet,
An image communication agent in charge of image communication and an e-mail agent in charge of sending and receiving e-mail;
The image communication agent
Mail receiving means for receiving an electronic mail transmitted from the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function;
Extracting means for extracting a first URL indicating the location of image data from the email received by the mail receiving means;
Data receiving means for receiving display image data derived from the image data based on a first URL indicating the location of the image data extracted by the extracting means;
Storage means for storing the display image data received by the data receiving means;
Replacing the first URL indicating the location of the image data included in the e-mail received by the mail receiving means with the second URL indicating the location of the image data for display stored in the storage means. A correcting means for correcting the received e-mail ;
A data communication system comprising: notifying means for notifying the e-mail agent of reception of the e-mail modified by the modifying means. A data communication method in a data communication system in which at least a data communication device having an image transmission function, a data communication device having an image reception function, and a terminal device having an e-mail reception function are connected via the Internet. ,
A data communication apparatus having the image transmission function in which a display image having a smaller data amount than a print image and the print image are stored ,
When an e-mail including the first URL is transmitted to the terminal device via the Internet,
A data communication device having the image receiving function,
A step of intercepting the e-mail,
Receiving the display image and storing it in a storage means based on the first URL extracted from the proxy received e-mail;
Creating a file including a request for a display image stored by the storage unit and a print instruction for a print image stored by a data communication device having the image transmission function;
Sending an e-mail indicating the location of the created file to the terminal device ;
If there is a request for the file indicated in the e-mail from the terminal device, transferring the file to the terminal device;
When the transferred image is analyzed by the terminal device and the display image is requested, the display image stored in the storage unit is transferred to the terminal device, and the display image is further displayed. If the image is print instruction of the print image on which is displayed on the terminal device, possess and performing a request of the print image relative to a data communication apparatus having the image transmission function,
Data communication method according to claim Rukoto performed print processing of the printing image by the request.   The first URL is information indicating the location of an HTML file, and the HTML file includes a display instruction of the display image and a location of a display image stored in the data communication device having the image transmission function. 12. The data communication method according to claim 11, further comprising information indicating a print instruction for the print image and a location of the print image stored in the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function. .   The created file is stored in a data communication device having a display instruction for the display image and the location of the display image stored in the storage unit, a print instruction for the print image, and the image transmission function. Contains the location of the printable image,
  In the step of creating the file, the location of the display image out of the display image and the print image indicated in the HTML file is transferred from the data communication device having the image transmission function to the storage unit. It is characterized by creating the file by replacement. The data communication method according to claim 12. A data communication method in a data communication system in which at least a data communication device having an image transmission function, a data communication device having an image reception function, and a terminal device having an e-mail reception function are connected via the Internet. The data communication system has an image communication agent in charge of image communication and an e-mail agent in charge of sending and receiving e-mail;
A data communication device having the image transmission function,
When an electronic mail including a first URL indicating the location of image data is transmitted to the terminal device via the Internet,
The image communication agent is
Intercept the email,
Receiving and storing image data for display derived from the image data based on a first URL indicating the location of the image data extracted from the received e-mail;
The received email is modified by replacing the first URL indicating the location of the image data included in the received email with the second URL indicating the location of the stored image data for display. do it,
A data communication method comprising: notifying the electronic mail agent of the reception of the modified electronic mail. The image reception function in a data communication system in which at least a data communication device having an image transmission function, a data communication device having an image reception function, and a terminal device having an e-mail reception function are connected via the Internet. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for controlling a data communication device having
The electronic mail including the first URL transmitted to the terminal device from the data communication device having the image transmission function that stores the display image and the print image having a smaller amount of data than the print image is received by proxy. Means to
Means for receiving the display image from the data communication device having the image transmission function based on the first URL extracted from the proxy received e-mail and storing it in the storage means ;
Means for creating a file including a request for the stored display image and a print instruction for the print image stored in the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function;
Means for transmitting an e-mail indicating the location of the created file to the terminal device ;
Means for transferring the file to the terminal device when a request for the file indicated in the e-mail is received from the terminal device;
When the transferred image is analyzed by the terminal device and the display image is requested, the display image stored in the storage unit is transferred to the terminal device, and the display image is further displayed. Means for requesting the print image to perform print processing to the data communication device having the image transmission function when an image is displayed on the terminal device and an instruction to print the print image is given. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to function.   The first URL is information indicating the location of an HTML file, and the HTML file includes a display instruction of the display image and a location of a display image stored in the data communication device having the image transmission function. 16. The storage medium according to claim 15, further comprising information indicating a print instruction for the print image and a location of the print image stored in the data communication apparatus having the image transmission function.   The created file is stored in a data communication device having a display instruction for the display image and the location of the display image stored in the storage unit, a print instruction for the print image, and the image transmission function. Contains the location of the printable image,
  The means for creating the file includes the display image indicated in the HTML file. 17. The file is created by replacing the location of the display image of the image and the image for printing from the data communication device having the image transmission function with the storage unit. Storage media. Control the terminal device in a data communication system in which at least a data communication device having an image transmission function, a data communication device having an image reception function, and a terminal device having an e-mail reception function are connected via the Internet A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for performing an electronic mail agent in charge of transmission / reception of an electronic mail with a computer program for realizing an image communication agent in charge of image communication A computer program for realizing,
As a computer program for realizing the image communication agent,
Means for intercepting and receiving an electronic mail transmitted to the electronic mail agent by the data communication device having the image transmission function;
Means for receiving and storing image data for display derived from the image data based on a first URL indicating the location of the image data extracted from the proxy received e-mail;
The received email is modified by replacing the first URL indicating the location of the image data included in the received email with the second URL indicating the location of the stored image data for display. Means to
A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to function as means for notifying the electronic mail agent of receipt of the modified electronic mail.

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