JP4273067B2 - Document transmission method and document processing apparatus for realizing the method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a document transmission method and a document processing apparatus that implements the method, and more particularly to a document transmission method that transmits a document to a plurality of destinations having different transmission methods and a document processing apparatus that implements the method.

  From a document processing device connected to an email system, remote file system, remote database, remote printer, etc. via a network, or connected to another device through a facsimile line, email system, remote file system, remote database, remote When a single document is transmitted to a plurality of recipients using a plurality of transmission methods such as a printer and a plurality of recipients connected through a facsimile line, the specification according to the network protocol used for transmission or the document Because the format of the document to be sent differs depending on the regulations depending on the sending environment or the request, function, and performance of the receiving side, it is necessary for the user to send to each destination while appropriately converting the format of the document. Therefore, once It has not been possible to perform the transmission of the document in the Shin instructions.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of destinations that can be transmitted in the same format, if the destination is converted into a necessary format, there is a problem that the same conversion may be performed a plurality of times and the efficiency is low.

  Furthermore, when the receiving side can receive a plurality of document formats, there is also a demand for determining the document format according to the document type such as text, color, black and white.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a document processing method, a document processing apparatus, and a storage medium that can transmit input document data as document data of an appropriate file format.

In order to achieve the above object, a document processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a document and generates document data corresponding to the document, an input unit that inputs document data generated by the reading unit , The conversion means for converting the document data input by the input means into any of a plurality of image file formats, and the document data converted into any one of the image file formats by the conversion means by any of a plurality of transmission methods Transmitting means for transmitting; holding means for holding a plurality of destinations to which document data is to be sent by the transmitting means; and for each destination held by the holding means, the document data input by the input means is converted to an image file format to be converted by means, an image file format in accordance with the transmission method when transmitting by the transmitting means A setting means for setting information for identifying the document, a designation means for designating at least one of the destinations held by the holding means, and a document by the input means in accordance with designation of destinations and transmission instructions by the designation means Input of data, specification of an image file format corresponding to the specified destination set by the setting unit, specification of a transmission method when transmitting by the transmission unit, and conversion to the specified image file format by the conversion unit Control means for executing conversion and transmission of the converted document data by the transmission method according to the destination, and the information for specifying the image file format set by the setting means has an initial set value. The setting means includes the initial setting value if the information is not designated in advance by the operator. And sets the image file format to be constant.

Here, the transmission means can transmit document data by a plurality of transmission protocols, and the setting means can set an initial setting value for each protocol. The transmission protocol includes an electronic mail protocol. In addition, there is a designation unit that designates whether the input unit inputs color document data or monochrome document data, and the setting unit specifies that the designation unit inputs color document data and monochrome document data. The information for specifying the image file format is set differently from the case where it is designated to be input . Also, an instruction unit for inputting a transmission start manual instruction by said transmitting means, in response to an input of instruction by said instruction means, the input of the document data from said reading means, and conversion by the converting means, wherein Control means for sequentially executing transmission by the transmission means.

In the document processing method of the present invention, an input step of reading a document and inputting document data from a reading unit that generates document data corresponding to the document, and the document data input in the input step, a plurality of images A conversion step of converting to any one of the file formats, a transmission step of transmitting the document data converted into any of the image file formats in the conversion step by one of a plurality of transmission methods, and document data in the transmission step The document data input in the input step is an image file format to be converted in the conversion step for each destination of the holding means that holds a plurality of destinations to which the image is to be transmitted. a setting step of setting information for specifying the image file format according to the transmission method, small destination held in said holding means Both a designation step of designating one, depending on the destination specified and transmission instruction in the designation step, the input of the document data by the input step, an image file format corresponding to the destination which is the designated set in the setting step Identification, identification of a transmission method for transmission in the transmission step, conversion to the specified image file format by the conversion step, transmission by the transmission method according to the destination of the converted document data by the transmission step The information specifying the image file format set in the setting step includes an initial setting value, and in the setting step, the information is not designated in advance by the operator Sets the image file format specified by the initial setting value.

Here, in the transmission step, document data can be transmitted by a plurality of transmission protocols, and in the setting step, an initial setting value can be set for each protocol. The transmission protocol includes an electronic mail protocol. Further, there is a designation step for designating whether to input color document data or monochrome document data in the input step. In the setting step, monochrome document data is designated when color document data is designated to be input in the designation step. The information for specifying the image file format is set differently from the case where it is designated to be input . Also, an instruction step of inputting transmission start manual instruction in said transmitting step, in response to input of an instruction in the instruction step, the input of the document data from said reading means, converted in said converting step And a control step for sequentially executing the transmission in the transmission step

Furthermore, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the document processing method by a computer is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a document processing method, a document processing apparatus, and a storage medium capable of transmitting input document data as document data having an appropriate image file format according to designation of a destination by an appropriate transmission method.

That is, if specified by the operator, while capable of transmitting the document data as the designated image file format, to transmit the document data as a predetermined image file format in accordance with the initial setting value without the designation by the operator Is possible.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Configuration example of document processing apparatus according to this embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a basic environment in which the document processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is connected and operates.

  In FIG. 1, (101) is a document processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and is connected to a network (107) and a facsimile line (106). Reference numeral (102) denotes an electronic mail server for delivering electronic mail, which is connected to a network and supports SMTP which is a standard electronic mail transfer protocol. (103) is a file server that operates a remote file system, and is connected to a network and supports FTP as a file transfer protocol. (104) is a database that is connected to the network and supports the Salutation protocol. (105) is a printer connected to the network and supports lpr which is a protocol for network printing.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the document processing measure of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral (201) denotes a CPU, that is, a central processing unit, which controls the entire apparatus and performs arithmetic processing. Reference numeral (202) denotes a ROM, that is, a read-only memory, which is a storage area for system startup programs and fixed information. Reference numeral (203) denotes a RAM, that is, a random access memory, which is an unrestricted data storage area, and is an area where each program and data shown in the following flowchart is loaded and executed for each of various processes. . For example, the RAM (203) has an input document area (203a) for storing input documents input from the scanner (210), HD (205), FD (204), etc., and a destination list for storing the created destination list. Area (203b), a transmission document area (203c) for storing a transmission document created by converting the format from the input document according to the destination, and a program loading area for loading a program from the HD (205) or FD (204) 203d).

  Reference numeral (204) denotes a floppy disk (FD) drive, which stores and stores programs and data in the floppy disk (212), and loads them into the RAM (203) as needed during execution. Reference numeral (205) denotes a hard disk (HD) drive, from which a system or program to be processed is loaded onto the RAM (203) and started up. The started system or program is read from the hard disk drive (205) as necessary. The data and information stored in () are loaded onto the RAM (203). The hard disk is also used as a temporary storage for documents read from the scanner. For example, in the HD drive (205), an address book (301) and a format information base (304) are stored as data in addition to the temporary storage of the input document, and a document transmission control program (OS) in addition to the OS is stored as a program. 205a), a destination list creation program (205b), a document input program (205c), a format conversion program (205d), and a document transmission program (205e). Here, the format information base (304) and the format conversion program (205d) include existing data and programs for various format conversions, and the document transmission program (205e) conforms to various existing transmission protocols. Contains data and programs. These data and program may be stored in the FD (212). Here, FD, HD, CD-ROM, MO, and the like are collectively referred to as an external storage device.

(206) is a keyboard, which transmits information on the pressed key to the CPU (201). One key on the keyboard is used as a start key (206a) for instructing document transmission. Reference numeral (207) denotes a display device such as a CRT, which displays data. (208) is a network interface, and is connected to the network (107) via this interface. A fax modem (209) is connected to the facsimile line (106) through the fax modem. (210) is a scanner for reading a document. (211) is a system bus, which should serve as a data path between the above-mentioned components.
This apparatus operates when the CPU (201) executes a basic I / O program, an OS, and a document transmission program module group. The basic I / O program is written in the ROM (202), and the OS is written in the HD drive (205). When this system is started, the OS is read from the HD drive (205) into the RAM (203) by the IPL (initial program loading) function in the basic I / O program, and the operation of the OS is started.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the document processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The functions of each functional unit in FIG. 3 are realized by loading the program on the HD drive (205) into the RAM (203) and executing the program while using the resources in the device by the CPU (201). Is done.

  The destination list creation unit (300) creates a list of destinations by copying a destination item designated from the address book (301). In the address book, as shown in FIG. 4, the document format designated for each destination is described together with the transmission method and the destination. The destination may be input from the keyboard (206) together with the transmission method.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the contents of the address book (301).

  The address book contains the destination address (401), transmission method (402), document format used for each document type (text format (403), monochrome format (404), and color format. Format (405)) is described for each destination and corresponds to one of the information bases. If the document format is not specified in the address book, the format determined by the transmission method according to the information in the default document format information base (304) is used. This address book is mounted as a file existing on the HD drive (205) and can be edited as appropriate.

  When the start key (206a) is pressed, the destination list is sent to the document transmission control unit (302). In the destination list created by picking up the destination specified from the address book (301), the destination, transmission method, and document format are described as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the contents of the destination list.

  The destination list contains the destination address (501), transmission method (502), document format used for each document type (format for text (503), format for black and white (504), color Format (505)) is described for each destination.

  The document transmission control unit (302) classifies the destination list for each document format actually used for transmission according to the document type data (303) indicating the document type. When the document format is not specified in the destination list, information from the default document format information base (304) that specifies the default document format for each transmission method is used.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the content structure of the default document format information base (304).

  The default document format information base includes the transmission method (601), the document format used for each type of document (text format (602), monochrome format (603), color format (604). )) Is described for each transmission method, and corresponds to one information base. The default document format information base is mounted as a file existing on the HD drive (205) and can be edited as appropriate according to the requirements of the system environment to be used.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the destination list when the default document format setting, the document format, and the classification by the communication method are completed in the case of the color format (705) as the document type.

  The destination address (701), transmission method (702), and document format (705) used for each document type are rearranged in the classification order.

  As a default document format, LIPS is inserted in the destination (imn.ikj.jp), JPEG is grouped by classification according to the document format, and e-mail is grouped by classification according to the communication method. Therefore, the document transmission control unit (302) instructs the format conversion unit (308) to perform format conversion for each destination having a common format according to the classification according to the document format, and the document transmission unit (309). In addition, according to the classification by the communication method, transmission is instructed collectively for each destination of the common communication method.

  The document transmission control unit (302) designates a document input destination (scanner (210) or hard disk (205)) in the document input unit (305), and instructs the document input. The input document is temporarily held in the input document area (203a) or the like by the document input unit (305). When the input of the document is completed, the document transmission control unit (302) gives the format of the document format to the format conversion unit (308) according to the classified destination list, and instructs conversion. The format conversion unit (308) converts the input document data into a designated document format.

  When the conversion of the document is completed, the document transmission control unit (302) transfers the document data from the format conversion unit (308) to the document transmission unit (309). The document transmission unit (309) is given a destination list that uses the converted document format. FIG. 8 shows an example of a destination list given to the document transmission unit (309) from the destination list classified as shown in FIG.

(A) of FIG. 8 is a destination list that instructs the document transmission unit (309) to send a document that has been JPEG-compliant format conversion by the format conversion unit (308) to two recipients by e-mail transmission. is there.
FIG. 8B is a destination list for instructing the document transmission unit (309) to transmit a file whose format has been converted to JPEG by the format conversion unit (308) to one recipient.

  The document transmission unit (309) transmits the input document data to a designated destination by a designated transmission method. After document transmission to all destinations included in the destination list is completed, the document transmission control unit (302) temporarily stores the document data stored in the document input unit (305) and the format conversion unit (308). Instruct to delete

<Example of processing procedure of document processing apparatus of this embodiment>
(First processing procedure example)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document transmission control unit after the start key (206a) is pressed and the destination list / document type is given to the document transmission control unit (302).

  In step S701, one input destination is read. In step S702, it is checked whether a document format corresponding to the designated document type is designated. For a destination for which no document format is specified, in step S703, the document format is specified from the information in the default document format information base (304) and the specified document type, and is added to the destination list. In step S704, the process returns to step S701, the next destination is read, and steps S701 to S704 are repeated for all destinations in the destination list.

  In step S705, the destinations are classified using the document format in the specified document type as a key (for example, Format1, Format2, etc.). Further, in step S706, a plurality of destinations using the same document format are classified using the transmission method as a key (in the example of FIG. 7, the JPEG document format is classified into email and file transfer protocol (ftp)). ..

  In step S707, the document input unit (305) is instructed to input a document, and in step S708, the input of the document is awaited. The input document is temporarily stored in the document input unit (input document area (203a)).

  In step S709, the input document is designated with the document format required by the first destination in the classified destination list, and the format conversion unit (308) is instructed to convert the format of the document data (FIG. 7). In the example, JPEG first, then TIFF-MMR, etc.). The converted document data is temporarily held in the format conversion unit (transmission document area (203c)). In step S710, it is checked whether or not the converted format is the last format classified in step S706. If it is the last, in step S711, deletion of the document data temporarily held in the document input unit is instructed. To do.

  Next, in step S712, a list of destinations using the first transmission method for transmitting the document format specified in step S709 is created from the destination list classified in step S706 ((a in FIG. 8). )reference). In step S713, the destination list created in step S712 is used as a parameter together with the transmission method, and the document transmission unit (309) is instructed to transmit the document held in the format conversion unit. In step S714, the process returns to step S712, and a list of destinations using the next transmission method for transmitting the document format specified in step S709 is created (see FIG. 8B), and steps S712 to S714 are performed. The process is repeated for all transmission methods for transmitting the document format specified in step S709.

  In step S715, the process returns to step S709, the next document format is designated, and steps S709 to S715 are repeated for all the document formats in the classified destination list.

  After the transmission for all the destinations is completed, in step S716, the deletion of the document data temporarily held by the format conversion unit is instructed, and the document transmission process is terminated.

(Second processing procedure example)
In the first processing procedure example, after the destination list is classified, the document is input and sequentially converted into a necessary document format and transmitted. However, the format conversion unit (308) and the document transmission unit (309) As long as resources such as RAM (203), hard disk (205), Network Interface (208), Fax Modem (209) necessary for operation are available, more efficient document transmission is possible by performing parallel operation It is.

  A second processing procedure example will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document transmission control unit after the start key (206a) is pressed and the destination list / document type is given to the document transmission control unit (302).

  In step S801, the input destination is read. In step S802, it is checked whether a document format corresponding to the designated document type is designated. In step S803, for the destination for which the document format is not designated, the document format is specified from the information in the default document format information base (304) and the designated document type, and is added to the destination list. In step S804, the process returns to step S801, the next destination is read, and steps S801 to S804 are repeated for all destinations in the destination list.

  In step S805, the destinations are classified using the document format in the designated document type as a key. In step S806, a plurality of destinations using the same document format are classified using the transmission method as a key. In step S807, the document input unit (305) is instructed to input a document, and in step S808, the input of the document is awaited. The input document is temporarily stored in the document input unit.

  Thereafter, in step S809, two tasks, task A for managing format conversion and task B for managing transmission of converted document data, are generated, and these two tasks are operated in parallel. In step S810, the end of the operations of task A and task B is waited, and when both tasks are completed, the document transmission is completed. Task A and task B are given the destination list classified in step S806 as a parameter.

  In task A, first, in step S813, the format conversion unit (308) is instructed to convert the format of the document data for all document formats included in the destination list classified in step S806. The format conversion unit (308) performs as many document format conversions as possible in parallel by performing parallel operations as long as resources such as RAM (203) and hard disk (205) necessary for the operation can be used. In step S814, the document transmission control unit (302) waits for completion of format conversion from the format conversion unit (308), and the document transmission unit (309) needs the document format for the document data that has been converted in step S815. The transmission of the document is instructed with the destination and the transmission method as parameters.

  The document transmission unit (309) also performs as many parallel operations as possible so that resources such as RAM (203), hard disk (205), network interface (208), and fax modem (209) necessary for operation can be used. The document transmission of the transmission method is operated in parallel. In step S816, it is checked whether a format conversion completion notification has been received from the format conversion unit (308) for all document formats included in the given destination list. If all conversion notifications have been received, in step S817 The deletion of the document data held in the document input unit is instructed, and the processing of task A ends.

  On the other hand, task B waits for a document transmission completion notification from the document transmission unit (309) in step S820. The document transmission completion notification includes the document format and the transmission method. In step S821, it is checked whether there is a document format in the destination list that has been transmitted in all transmission methods. If there is a transmission completed for all transmission methods, in step S822, the deletion of the document data of the document format is instructed to the format conversion unit (308). In step S823, it is checked whether deletion of all document formats has been instructed. If deletion of all document formats has been instructed, the operation of task B ends.

  The above-described embodiment can also be realized by loading a program into a general computer and executing it from a storage medium in which the flowchart of FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 is encoded and stored.

  In this example, the document transmission program module group is a program code based on the flowchart of FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 based on the schematic block diagram of FIG. 3, and is recorded in the storage medium FD (212), for example. FIG. 12 shows the structure of the recorded contents.

  The document transmission program execution file 1203 and related data 1204 recorded in the storage medium FD (212) can be loaded into the computer system (1300) through the FD drive (204) as shown in FIG. When this storage medium FD is set in the FD drive (204), the document transmission program execution file (1203) and related data (1204) are stored under the control of the OS (1102) and the basic I / O program (1101). It is read from the storage medium FD (212), loaded into the RAM (203), and becomes operable.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which the document transmission program is loaded into the RAM (203) and can be executed. As a configuration, a basic I / O program (1101), an OS (1102), a document transmission program module group (1103), related data (1104), and a work area (1105) are arranged as shown in the figure.

  In the above example, the document transmission program execution file (1203) and related data (1204) are directly loaded into the RAM (203) and executed from the storage medium FD (212), but in addition to this, the storage medium FD ( 212) from the HD (205) to the RAM (203) when the document transmission program execution file (1203) and related data (1204) are temporarily stored (installed) in the HD (205) and the document transmission program is operated. You may make it load to.

  In addition to the FD (212), the medium for recording the document transmission program may be a CD-ROM, an IC memory card, or the like. Further, the document transmission program module group may be recorded in the ROM (202), and may be configured to be a part of the memory map, and directly executed by the CPU (201).

It is a figure which shows the environment where the document processing apparatus of this Embodiment is connected. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a basic hardware structure of the document processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the function structural example of the document processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a content structure of the address book in the document processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a content structure of the destination list in the document processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a content structure of the default document format information base in the document processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a content structure of the classified destination list in the document processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a content structure of the destination list | wrist sent to the document transmission part in the document processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the 1st process sequence of a document transmission control part. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd process sequence example of a document transmission control part. It is a figure which shows the memory map example of RAM in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a program structure of the storage medium in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of the program load in this Embodiment.

Claims (11)

Reading means for reading a document and generating document data corresponding to the document;
Input means for inputting document data generated by the reading means ;
Conversion means for converting the document data input by the input means into any of a plurality of image file formats;
Transmission means for transmitting the document data converted into any of the image file formats by the conversion means by any one of a plurality of transmission methods;
Holding means for holding a plurality of destinations to which document data is to be sent by the sending means;
For each destination held by the holding unit, the document data input by the input unit is an image file format to be converted by the conversion unit, and the transmission method when transmitting by the transmission unit is used. Setting means for setting information for identifying the corresponding image file format;
Designating means for designating at least one of the destinations held by the holding means;
When input of document data by the input unit, specification of an image file format corresponding to the specified destination set by the setting unit, and transmission by the transmission unit in accordance with a destination designation and transmission instruction by the designation unit Control means for executing the transmission method specified by the conversion means, conversion to the specified image file format by the conversion means, and transmission of the converted document data by the transmission means according to the destination. ,
The information specifying the image file format set by the setting means includes an initial setting value, and the setting means specifies the image specified by the initial setting value if the information is not designated in advance by the operator. A document processing apparatus that sets a file format. The transmission means is capable of transmitting document data by a plurality of transmission protocols,
The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit can set an initial setting value for each protocol.   The document processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission protocol includes an electronic mail protocol. Designating means for designating whether to input color document data or monochrome document data with the input means;
2. The setting means sets information for specifying an image file format in a manner that distinguishes between designation when color document data is inputted by the designation means and designation when monochrome document data is inputted. 4. The document processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3. Instruction means for inputting a manual instruction for starting transmission by the transmission means;
In response to input of an instruction by the instruction means, control means for sequentially executing input of document data from the reading means, conversion by the conversion means, and transmission by the transmission means The document processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . An input step of inputting document data from a reading unit that reads a document and generates document data corresponding to the document;
A conversion step of converting the document data input in the input step into any of a plurality of image file formats;
Transmitting the document data converted into any one of the image file formats in the conversion step by any of a plurality of transmission methods;
The document data input in the input step is an image file format to be converted in the conversion step for each destination of the holding unit that holds a plurality of destinations to which the document data is to be transmitted in the transmission step, and the transmission A setting step for setting information for specifying an image file format according to the transmission method when transmitting in the step;
A designation step of designating at least one of the destinations held by the holding means;
In response to the destination designation and transmission instruction in the designation step, input of document data in the input step, identification of the image file format corresponding to the designated destination set in the setting step, and transmission in the transmission step Specifying a transmission method, converting to the specified image file format by the conversion step, and performing a transmission by a transmission method according to the destination of the converted document data by the transmission step, and
The information for specifying the image file format set in the setting step includes an initial setting value. In the setting step, if the information is not designated in advance by the operator, the information is specified by the initial setting value. A document processing method characterized by setting an image file format. In the transmission step, document data can be transmitted by a plurality of transmission protocols,
The document processing method according to claim 6 , wherein an initial setting value can be set for each protocol in the setting step. The document processing method according to claim 7 , wherein the transmission protocol includes an electronic mail protocol. A designation step for designating whether to input color document data or monochrome document data in the input step;
Claim 6, wherein the setting step, characterized in that sets information for specifying an image file format to distinguish between the case and the specified inputs the case and monochrome document data specified by entering the color document data in the designated step 9. The document processing method according to any one of items 1 to 8 . An instruction step for inputting a manual instruction for starting transmission in the transmission step;
In response to the input of the instruction in the instruction step, the control step of sequentially executing the input of the document data from the reading unit, the conversion in the conversion step, and the transmission in the transmission step. The document processing method according to claim 6, wherein the document processing method is one of the following. Computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a document processing method by a computer according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

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