JP4618811B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication device control method, and more particularly to a communication device having an electronic mail transmission function and a communication device control method.

  In recent years, with the spread of computers and the networking of information, electronic mail for transmitting and receiving character information over a network has become widespread. In addition to the mail text, which is text information, files in various formats can be attached to e-mails. By attaching an image file in the format specified as an attached file (TIFF: Tagged Image File Format), An Internet FAX (hereinafter also referred to as IFAX) that transmits and receives has been proposed.

In RFC 2532 (Expanded Facsimile Using Internet Mail) issued by the Internet Technology Development Organization IET (Internet Engineering Task Force), which performs standardization work on Internet technology, the receiver receives a mail attached with a TIFF file sent by the transmitter. upon successfully received, and Full Mode Internet FAX to send et email from the receiver to the transmitter that it has received normally have been proposed.

  If an email server handles emails with a large data size, the processing speed will be extremely slow, which may interfere with the delivery of other emails. In the worst case, the email server may go down and the email system may stop. Can happen.

  For this reason, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-324035 (Patent Document 1), a technique of dividing electronic mail data into a plurality of data during communication has been proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-233558 (Patent Document 2) is provided with a switch for switching whether to send an e-mail via an SMTP server or directly to a destination for each destination set in the address book. It has been proposed.
JP 2002-324035 A JP 2003-233558 A

  As described above, a mail server has a limitation on the data size of an e-mail because the processing becomes heavy (processing speed decreases) when an e-mail with a large data size attached is sent and received. .

  In this case, there arises a problem that image data having a large data size cannot be transmitted.

  The data size limit often varies from mail server to mail server.

  In addition, if the destination to be sent is an Internet environment with a firewall or the like in the middle, it is necessary to go through a mail server, but if the destination to be sent is in the same network, the mail There is no need to send it via the server. Therefore, it is not necessary to follow the data size that can be accepted by the mail server as described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and in a communication device that transmits an e-mail, data that is transmitted at once depending on whether or not the e-mail is transmitted via a mail server. The purpose is to be able to change the size of.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to follow the data size that can be accepted by the mail server as described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and in a communication device that transmits an e-mail, data that is transmitted at once depending on whether or not the e-mail is transmitted via a mail server. The purpose is to be able to change the size of.

A communication apparatus as an aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object is a communication apparatus having a transmission means for transmitting e-mail data,
And generate means that generates an e-mail data,
A first data size limit in the case of by way of the mail server to send the e-mail data and a second data size limit for sending the e-mail data without through the email server, individually Setting means for setting ;
A dividing unit that divides the email data generated by the generating unit into a plurality of pieces;
Determining means for determining whether to send e-mail data via the mail server or to send e-mail without going through the mail server;
Depending on the result of determination by said determining means, when said by way of the mail server transmits the e-mail data, the previous Kisei formed unit generated electronic mail data first data size limit beyond transmits divided by the dividing means when that have, the case of transmitting the e-mail data to the mail server without passing through the pre Kisei formed means the electronic mail data is the second generation and control means for controlling so that the split and send by dividing means when that exceeds the data size limit,
It is characterized by having.

  In this way, the e-mail data is divided and transmitted according to the limit value registered for each transmission destination.

  Accordingly, the e-mail data can be divided and transmitted according to the limit value that differs for each transmission destination, so that the e-mail data of the optimum size according to the conditions for each transmission destination can be transmitted.

  The e-mail data generation means may generate e-mail data with the image data as an attached file. In this case, facsimile image data is preferred as the image data.

  The object of the present invention is also achieved by a communication device control method corresponding to the above communication device, a computer program for realizing the communication device control method by a computer device, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program. Is done.

According to the first, seventh , eighth, and ninth aspects of the present invention, the e-mail data is divided and transmitted according to different limit values depending on whether the mail server is used or not.

  Therefore, the size of the data to be sent at one time can be changed depending on whether the e-mail is sent via the mail server or not. Therefore, if the mail is sent via the mail server, the mail cannot be sent due to restrictions on the mail server. On the other hand, when the mail server is not routed, e-mail data having a larger data size can be transmitted than when the mail server is routed.

According to the invention described in claims 10 , 11 , 12, and 13 , the e-mail data is divided and transmitted according to the limit value registered for each transmission destination.

  Accordingly, the e-mail data can be divided and transmitted according to the limit value that differs for each transmission destination, so that the e-mail data of the optimum size according to the conditions for each transmission destination can be transmitted.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the constituent elements described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

<First Embodiment>
(Network configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network connection environment including a first embodiment of a communication apparatus according to the present invention.

  MFPs (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 and 101 are multi-function copiers (also called multi-function machines) equipped with scanners and printers and equipped with a copy function, a FAX transmission / reception function, a printer function for printing data created on a computer, and the like. ).

  The MFPs 100 and 101 are connected to a network identified by a domain name xyz.co.jp, and are connected to a plurality of computer devices and network devices such as a Mail server / POP server 103 and a PC 104.

  This network is further connected to the Internet 110 spread all over the world, and is identified by a domain name of abc.co.jp to which a Mail server / POP server 120, a PC 121, an Internet FAX 122, etc. are connected via the Internet 110. Connected to the network.

  The MFP 100 is given a host name of copy1.xyz.co.jp and an e-mail address of the device ifax@copy1.xyz.co.jp, and the MFP 101 is given a host name of copy2.xyz.co.jp. And an email address for the device ifax@copy2.xyz.co.jp.

  General-purpose electronic mail software is installed in the PC 104, and an e-mail address syain1@xyz.co.jp is given.

  The Mail server / POP server 103 is a server having functions of both a Mail server and a POP server, and the Mail server / POP server 120 has the same function.

  When an e-mail is transmitted from the address syain1@xyz.co.jp of the PC 104 to the address pcmail@abc.co.jp of the PC 121, the e-mail data created by the PC 104 is sent to the Mail server 103 by the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). ) And sent from the Mail server 103 to the Mail server 120 via the Internet 110 using the SMTP protocol.

  General-purpose e-mail software is also installed in the PC 121. The PC 121 inquires of the mail server 120 whether mail has arrived using the POP3 (Post Office Protocol-Version 3) protocol at regular intervals. If you are receiving mail data.

  When sending an email from the PC 121 address pcmail@abc.co.jp to the PC 104 address syain1@xyz.co.jp, the route reverse to the above is followed, and the data created on the PC 121 is sent from the Mail server 120 to the Internet. And then sent to the Mail server 103.

  The PC 104 operates to acquire mail data delivered to the Mail server 103 using the POP3 protocol.

  The MFPs 100 and 101 are, as transmission modes, an E-mail transmission mode in which an image received by a FAX or IFAX reception function and a monochrome / color image read by a scanner are transmitted on the assumption that the image is sent to a general email address; And an IFAX transmission mode that is premised on transmission to a device that conforms to the IFAX standard.

As the transmission and reception protocols, the SMTP protocol and the POP3 protocol are used, respectively , and the same operation as the transmission / reception described above is performed.

  In the E-mail transmission mode, an image in JPEG format is transmitted. For example, when the MFP 100 or 101 transmits a color image in JPEG format by e-mail to the address syain1@xyz.co.jp of the PC 104 that is the client PC, the PC 104 receives the e-mail and uses the installed general-purpose image viewer. An attached JPEG image can be displayed. On the other hand, in the IFAX transmission mode, an image in TIFF format according to RFC2301 is transmitted. For example, the MFP 100, the MFP 101, and the Internet FAX 122 transmit / receive images in the TIFF format according to the IFAX standard.

(Functional configuration of MFP)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of MFP 100.

  The CPU 130 is a control unit that executes control of the entire system using the memory area of the RAM 132 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 131, and is connected to each unit via a CPU bus.

  The operation unit 133 includes an LCD display panel and hard keys such as a start key and a numeric keypad, and displays a soft keyboard on the LCD to detect a user's finger touching the soft key and smoothly execute a user operation. Part.

  The scanner 134 is a part that converts image data of a document placed at a predetermined position into electrical data by photoelectric conversion.

  The operation of the scanner 134 will be described in more detail. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass by the document feeder, the lamp is turned on to start the movement of the scanner unit, and the document is exposed and scanned. Reflected light from the document is guided to a CCD image sensor by a mirror and a lens, converted into an electrical signal, and converted into digital data by an A / D conversion circuit. After the document reading operation is completed, the document on the platen glass is discharged.

  The printer unit 135 is a part that prints electrical image data on recording paper.

  The operation of the printer unit 135 will be described in more detail. When a laser beam corresponding to the electrical image data is emitted from the laser emission unit and irradiated onto the photosensitive drum, a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum. It is formed.

  Developer is attached to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by the developer, and the recording paper is fed from the paper feed cassette to the transfer section at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation. Then, the developer attached to the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the recording paper.

  The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit is discharged by a discharge roller, and the sorter stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper.

  The image processing circuit 136 is composed of a large-capacity image memory, an image rotation circuit, a resolution scaling circuit, a code / composite circuit such as MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, and JPEG, and various types such as shading, trimming, and masking. Image processing can also be performed.

  The hard disk 137 is a large-capacity recording medium connected via an I / F such as SCSI or USB, and may be a recording medium such as an MO as well as the hard disk.

  The network I / F 138 is a part that executes a network data link for connecting to a network line such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or token ring represented by 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T.

  The formatter unit 139 includes a parallel interface conforming to IEEE 1284, a PC I / F circuit such as a USB, and is described in a PDL (Page Description Language) received from the PC I / F circuit or the network I / F circuit and transmitted from the personal computer. A rendering process for creating image data based on the processed data is executed. The created image is subjected to image processing by the image processing circuit 136, and printing is executed by the printer 135.

  The fax unit 140 is connected to a telephone line and functions as a fax I / F configured by a circuit such as an NCU (Network Control Unit) or MODEM (MOdulator / DEModulator).

  The operation of the fax unit 140 will be described in more detail. The image data read by the scanner 134 is subjected to image processing by the image processing circuit 136 and transmitted to another FAX via a telephone line. Alternatively, data transmitted from another FAX is received, image processing is performed by the image processing circuit 136, and printing is performed by the printer 135.

  The scanner 134, the printer 135, the image processing circuit 136, the formatter unit 139, and the fax unit 140 are connected to each other via a high-speed video bus separately from the CPU bus for transmitting and receiving data to and from the CPU 130, and transfer image data at high speed. It is configured to be able to.

  Further, the image data read by the scanner 134 is subjected to image processing by the image processing circuit 136, and printing is executed by the printer 135, thereby realizing a copy function.

  The MFP 100 creates an image in accordance with RFC 2301 by an E-mail transmission function that attaches image data read by the scanner 134 to an e-mail and transmits it to the network from the network I / F, or an image processing circuit 136, and sends the e-mail An IFAX function for transmitting and receiving data using a protocol is realized.

(Program configuration of MFP)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a program configuration stored in MFP 100.

  The program configuration is roughly divided into three layers: an IP (Internet Protocol) 200, a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / UDP (User Datagram Protocol) 201, and an application layer program 202.

  The IP 200 is an Internet protocol layer that provides a service for sending and receiving messages in cooperation with a relay node such as a router from a source host to a destination host. The IP 200 manages a source address for sending a message and a destination address for receiving the message, and executes a routing function for managing a route in the network to reach the destination host according to the address information.

  TCP / UDP 201 is a transport layer that provides a service for delivering a message from an originating application process to a receiving application process. TCP is a connection type service and guarantees a high level of communication reliability, but UDP is a connectionless type service and does not guarantee reliability.

  The application layer protocol 202 defines a plurality of protocols, such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) as a file transfer service, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) as a network management protocol, and a server protocol for printer printing. A certain LPD, HTTP as a WWW (World Wide Web) server protocol, an e-mail transmission / reception protocol SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), a mail download protocol POP3 (Post Office Protocol-Version 3), and the like are included. A Kerberos authentication program defined by RFC1510 is also installed.

  As described above, there are two types of IFAX transmission, Simple mode transmission and Full mode. As described later, it is possible to set whether transmission is performed in Simple mode or Full mode for each address book destination. It is.

(Operation at transmission: MFP 100 → Internet FAX 122)
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when transmitting from the MFP 100 to the Internet FAX 122 in the IFAX Simple mode.

  In this case, it is necessary to transmit to the destination (final destination) via the Internet 110, and when there is a firewall or the like (not shown) between the MFP 100 and the Internet FAX 122, transmission to the destination is not possible. The e-mail created by the MFP 100 is sent via the mail server 103 and the mail server 120.

  First, an e-mail attached with image data created by MFP 100 is sent from MFP 100 to Mail server 103 (250).

  When the communication with the Mail server 103 is normally completed, the MFP 100 registers “-” as information indicating that it is unclear whether or not the address has normally arrived in the result of the transmission log and the transmission result report. Then, alert the sender to finish.

  On the other hand, when the e-mail transmission 250 fails, information indicating that an error has occurred is registered in the transmission log and the transmission result report, and the transmission ends.

  Next, mail is sent from the Mail server 103 to the Mail server 120 via the Internet 110 (251), and mail data is transferred from the Mail server 120 to the Internet FAX 122 by electronic mail communication within the same network ( 252).

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when the MFP 100 transmits to the Internet FAX 122 in the IFAX Full mode.

  Data requesting delivery confirmation (MDN: Message Disposition Notifications) is attached to the e-mail attached with the image data created by the MFP 100, and sent from the MFP 100 to the Mail server 103 by e-mail (260). 103 is sent by mail via the Internet 110 to the Mail server 120 (261), and mail data is transferred from the Mail server 120 to the Internet FAX 122 by electronic mail (262).

  The Internet FAX 122 that has received the mail for which delivery confirmation is requested creates MDN e-mail data indicating successful communication when the image can be formed normally from the received image data, and an error occurs when the mail cannot be processed normally. MDN e-mail data is generated to indicate that has occurred.

  The MDN e-mail data created by the Internet FAX 122 is communicated by mail from the Internet FAX 122 to the Mail server 120 (263), and transmitted from the Mail server 120 to the Mail server 103 via the Internet 110 (264). Is sent to the MFP 100 by e-mail (265), and the result of delivery confirmation is notified to the sender MFP 100.

  Receiving the delivery confirmation, MFP 100 registers normal as a result of the transmission log, and prints a transmission result report.

  On the other hand, if mail transmission 261 to Mail server 120 cannot be executed normally due to some trouble after Mail server 103 receives mail from MFP 100 at 260, Mail server 103 sends a DSN (Delivery Status Notifications) error mail to MFP 100. (266).

  When the MFP 100 receives the DSN error mail from the Mail server 103, the MFP 100 ends the transmission operation, registers the error as a result of the transmission log, and prints a transmission result report indicating the transmission result error.

(Operation during transmission: MFP 100 → MFP 101)
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation when transmitting from the MFP 100 to the MFP 101 in the IFAX Simple mode.

  In this case, since both are in the same network and there is no firewall in the middle, the e-mail created by the MFP 100 is directly transmitted to the MFP 101 without passing through the Mail server 103 (270).

  If the e-mail transmission of 270 fails, “NG” indicating a transmission error is registered in the transmission log, the transmission result report is printed, and the transmission operation is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when transmitting from the MFP 100 to the MFP 101 in the IFAX Full mode.

  Data requesting delivery confirmation (MDN: Message Disposition Notifications) is attached to the e-mail attached with the image data created by the MFP 100, and the e-mail is directly transmitted from the MFP 100 to the MFP 101 without passing through the mail server 103. (280).

  The MFP 101 that has received the mail for which delivery confirmation is requested creates MDN e-mail data indicating successful communication when the image can be formed normally from the received image data, and when the image cannot be processed normally. MDN e-mail data indicating that an error has occurred is created.

  The created MDN email data is communicated by mail from the MFP 101 to the Mail server 103 (281), and communication is performed by mail from the Mail server 103 to the MFP 100, and the result of delivery confirmation is notified to the sender MFP 100 (282). ).

  Upon receiving the delivery confirmation, the MFP 100 registers normal / error as a result of the transmission log when receiving the MDN, and prints a transmission result report.

(Operation unit display screen)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission setting screen of the operation unit 115 when an image is transmitted.

  A reading size 300 is an area for designating a paper size of an image read by the scanner unit 104. A5, A4, A3, B5, B4, automatic can be specified, and automatic is set by default.

  A resolution 301 is an area for designating the resolution of an image read by the scanner unit 104. As the resolution, any one of 200 × 100, 200 × 200, 200 × 400, 300 × 300, 400 × 400, and 600 × 600 dpi can be selected, and 200 × 200 dpi is set by default.

  When the detailed setting 302 button is pressed, a window (not shown) is displayed in which settings such as density setting at the time of scanning, original type designation, double-sided reading, continuous page designation, and image quality adjustment can be performed. Can be set.

  A destination 303 is a button for inputting an e-mail transmission destination. When this button is pressed, the address book of FIG. 9 is displayed. The detailed description will be given later with reference to FIG. 9, but ifax@abc.co.jp of the Internet FAX 122 is selected as the transmission destination here.

  The Subject 304 is an area where the subject of the e-mail can be input. In the illustrated example, “TEST” is input. A body 305 is an area in which the body of an e-mail can be input. In the illustrated example, “HELLO” is input.

  When a mail is sent from the Internet FAX machine, the reply destination 306 is not the Internet FAX machine but the mail address (usually used by the user) when the receiving user performs a reply operation. For example, it is an area for inputting an address when setting to client@xyz.co.jp). This reply destination e-mail address can also be input using the address book.

  If a reply email address is set, delivery confirmation will be sent to both the email address of this machine (ifax@abc.co.jp) and the reply email (client@xyz.co.jp). Can be instructed. Therefore, if the reply address is set to the mail address that is normally used, the delivery confirmation is also sent to client@xyz.co.jp, and the delivery confirmation can be easily performed.

(Address book display screen)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when an address book is displayed. The address book is a database that can store mail addresses of many communication devices such as Internet FAX.

  The address book is displayed in a table format composed of an address book ID 350, a selection mark 351 and a transmission e-mail address 352, and can be scrolled upward and downward using keys 353 and 354, respectively.

  At the time of transmission, a plurality of destinations can be selected from this address book, and a circle is displayed on the selection mark 351 for the selected address. In the illustrated example, ifax@abc.co.jp with ID number 6 in the address book is selected as the destination.

  The detail key 355 is a key for displaying detailed information registered for the selected address. Detailed information will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for registering detailed items in the address book displayed by pressing the detail key.

  The address 400 is a part for inputting an e-mail address. When this area is touched, an alphabet keyboard is displayed, and a character string, a number, a symbol, or the like can be input. 401 is a switch for setting one of Simple Mode / Full Mode as a transmission mode. Either a Simple Mode that does not perform delivery confirmation during transmission or a Full Mode that requests delivery confirmation is used. Can be selected. Each time this switch is pressed, Simple Mode / Full Mode is switched alternately.

  Reference numeral 402 denotes a switch for setting whether to transmit data via an e-mail server such as the Mail server 103 at the time of transmission or to send data directly without using the e-mail server. Similarly, every time the switch is pressed, the setting is switched alternately.

  Reference numeral 403 denotes a switch for setting a paper size that can be used by the receiver. When the receiver can receive a B4 size image, B4 of 404 is set to ON, and when A3 size can be received, A3 of 405 Set to ON. Since A4 size can be received by any machine, it is always ON.

  Reference numeral 406 denotes a switch for setting an image compression method. When an image compressed by the MR compression method can be received by the receiver, MR of 407 is set to ON and compression is performed by the MMR compression method. If the received image can be received, the MMR 408 is set to ON. Since an image compressed by the MH compression method can be received by any receiver, it is always ON.

  The 409 resolution is a switch for setting the capability of an image that can be received by the receiver. When the receiver can receive an image having a resolution of 200 × 400 dpi, the 200 × 400 of 410 is set to ON, and the 300 × If an image with 300 dpi resolution can be received, set 300 × 300 of 411 to ON, and if an image with a resolution of 400 × 400 dpi can be received, set 400 × 400 of 412 to ON and 600 × 600 dpi When a resolution image can be received, 600 × 600 of 413 is set to ON. Since 200 × 100 dpi and 200 × 200 dpi resolution images can be received by any receiver, they are always in the ON state.

  When the switches 403, 405, 407, 408, 410, 411, 412, and 413 are turned on, the background becomes black, and the ON / OFF is switched every time the switch is pressed. When the OK key 411 is pressed, the set contents are registered in the address book.

(E-mail sending flow)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when sending an e-mail to one destination.

  Note that when a broadcast transmission that performs a transmission operation simultaneously is instructed to a plurality of destinations, the following processing sequence is executed for each destination.

  When the transmission operation is started, the process transitions to one-destination transmission (step S500).

  As described above, when the electronic mail server handles data having a large data size (data capacity), the processing speed decreases, and in the worst case, the server function may stop. In the present embodiment, in order to prevent this, a numerical value for limiting the transmission data size can be set in the user mode from the operation unit 133 in units of 1 Mbyte so that data exceeding a predetermined data size (data capacity) is not transmitted. The data size limit value set in the user mode is read (step S501).

  When “0” is set as the limit value, it is interpreted as unlimited. The same effect can be obtained by setting the limit value registered in the e-mail server by acquiring it from the e-mail server during SMTP communication.

  The image read by the scanner or the image received by the FAX / IFAX reception function is converted into TIFF image data, and BASE64 encoding processing, addition of an email header, etc. are executed on this data to create email data (step) S502).

  It is checked whether the state of the switch 402 corresponding to the transmission destination set in the address book is either via the server or not (step S503).

  If it is set not to pass through the server, regardless of the limit value read in step S501, the value is set to 0 (unlimited) (step S504), and the mail data created in step S502 is directly transmitted to the transmission destination. (Step S505), the process ends (Step S511).

  On the other hand, if it is set to pass through the server in step S503, it is determined whether or not the size of the data created in step S502 exceeds the limit value read in step S501 (step S506). If it does not exceed the value, the data created in step S502 is transmitted to the mail server (step S509), and the process is terminated (step S511).

  If the data size exceeds the limit value in step S506, it is determined whether or not the switch 401 indicating the transmission mode for each destination set in the address book is in the Simple mode (Step S507). If it is not the mode (in the case of the Full mode), if divided transmission is executed, a plurality of delivery confirmations will be requested, so that a transmission error occurs (step S510), and the process ends (step S511).

  If the simple mode is set in step S507, the mail data is divided into a plurality of pieces so as not to exceed the limit value read in step S501 (step S508), the data is transmitted to the mail server (step S509), and the process is terminated. (Step S511).

  Note that the mail data division processing in step S508 may be the method described in RFC2046 or may be divided transmission in units of pages.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the limit value when not passing through the server has been described as being fixed to 0 (unlimited). However, in the user mode, the limit value when the user does not pass through the server is input from the operation unit 133 and the value is set. Thus, the same effect can be obtained even if the mail data is divided and transmitted according to the limit value or a transmission error is caused.

  In this case, in step S504 in the flowchart of FIG. 11, processing similar to that in steps S506, 507, 508, 510, etc. is performed according to the limit value when not passing through the mail server.

  Further, it is preferable that the limit value set here is larger than that when the mail server is used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the communication device that transmits and receives images using the e-mail protocol, the switch for setting whether or not to transmit to the address book that manages the transmission destination via the mail server is provided. As a result, the upper limit of the send data size can be set for destinations that pass through the mail server to reduce the load on the mail server, and the destination that can be sent without going through the mail server is directly connected to the destination regardless of the data size. Can be sent. Therefore, when registering in the address book, it is possible to set the size of the data to be transmitted at a different value only by setting whether to pass through the mail server or not. The load on the mail server can be reduced without complicated operations.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted, and description will be made focusing on characteristic parts of the present embodiment. The second embodiment is also a communication device similar to the first embodiment, and differs from the first embodiment in that the maximum size of transmission data can be set for each destination.

(Address book display screen)
FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a screen for registering detailed items in the address book according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as in FIG. 10, and stores information on the Internet FAX and e-mail destinations. .

  When the screen of FIG. 12 is compared with the screen of FIG. 10 described with respect to the first embodiment, it is different in that an area for inputting a maximum transmission data size of 415 is added.

  The maximum transmission data size is set by a number input in the area 415. The unit of setting is 1 MByte, and the maximum transmission size can be changed for each destination.

  For example, when the capacity limit of the Mail server 103 is 5 Mbytes and the capacity limit of the Mail server 120 is 3 MBytes, the MFP 100 (e-mail address ifax@copy1.xyz.co.jp) to the PC 104 (e-mail address syain1@xyz.co.jp) When the e-mail is transmitted to the e-mail, since the e-mail passes through the mail server 103, the capacity limit is set to 5 Mbytes according to the mail server 103.

  Further, when an e-mail is transmitted to the Internet FAX 122 (e-mail address ifax@abc.co.jp), since the e-mail passes through the Mail server 103 and the Mail server 120, the capacity limit is set to 3 Mbyte in accordance with the Mail server 120. .

  Therefore, when the address book destination 400 is syain1@xyz.co.jp (PC 104), 5 MByte is set as the maximum transmission data size 415, and the destination 400 is ifax@abc.co.jp (Internet FAX 122). In some cases, by setting 3 MByte as the maximum transmission data size 415, it is possible to prevent transmission of mail data exceeding the limit capacity to each destination.

(E-mail sending flow)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation when an e-mail is transmitted to one destination in the second embodiment.

  Note that when a broadcast transmission that performs a transmission operation simultaneously is instructed to a plurality of destinations, the following processing sequence is executed for each destination.

  When the transmission operation is started, the process transitions to one-destination transmission (step S600).

  Next, the value of the maximum transmission size 415 set in the address book described with reference to FIG. 12 is read (step S601).

  The image read by the scanner or the image received by the FAX / IFAX reception function is converted into TIFF image data, and BASE64 encoding processing, addition of an email header, etc. are executed on this data to create email data (step) S602).

  The created mail data is compared with the data size read in step S601 to determine whether the created mail data exceeds the maximum transmission size (step S603), and the created mail data does not exceed the maximum transmission size. In that case, the process proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, if the mail data created in step S603 exceeds the maximum transmission size, it is determined whether the switch 401 indicating the transmission mode for each destination set in the address book is in the Simple mode. (Step S604) If it is not the Simple mode (in the Full mode), if divided transmission is executed, a plurality of delivery confirmations will be requested, so that a transmission error occurs (Step S605), and the process ends (Step S610).

  If the Simple mode is set in step S604, the mail data is divided into a plurality of pieces so as not to exceed the maximum transmission size read in step S601 (step S606).

  Then, it is checked whether the state of the switch 402 corresponding to the transmission destination set in the address book is set to pass or not through the server (step S607).

  If it is set not to pass through the server, the mail data created in step S602 is directly transmitted to the transmission destination (step S609), and the process is terminated (step S610). If it is set to pass through the server in step S607, it is transmitted to the mail server (step S608), and the process is terminated (step S610).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the maximum transmission data size can be set for each destination in the address book, and image information of an appropriate size according to the mail server used for each destination is transmitted. can do.

  In this embodiment, the mail data is divided according to the limit value regardless of whether or not the mail server is routed. However, the limit value is eliminated when the mail server is not routed as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, the limit value when not passing through the mail server may be set to a predetermined value.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the image data is an attached file has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of e-mail data can be employed.

  In the above-described embodiment, only the communication device configured by one device has been described. However, a function equivalent to the communication device of the present invention may be realized by a system configured by a plurality of devices.

  Note that the present invention is a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments (in the present embodiment, programs corresponding to the sequence diagrams and flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 13). ) Is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, the form does not need to be a program.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in 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.

It is a figure which shows the network connection environment containing embodiment of the communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of MFP 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a program configuration stored in MFP 100. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation when transmitting from the MFP 100 in the Simple mode. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when transmitting from the MFP 100 in the full mode. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when transmitting from the MFP 100 to the MFP 101 in the Simple mode. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation when transmitting from the MFP 100 to the MFP 101 in the full mode. It is a figure which shows the example of the transmission setting screen of the operation part at the time of transmitting an image. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen when an address book is displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which registers the detailed item of an address book. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of transmitting an electronic mail to one address | destination. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which registers the detailed item of the address book of 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when sending an e-mail to one destination in the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100, 101 MFP
103, 120 Mail server / POP server 104, 121 PC
110 Internet 122 Internet FAX

Claims (8)

A communication device having a transmission means for transmitting e-mail data,
And generate means that generates an e-mail data,
A first data size limit in the case of by way of the mail server to send the e-mail data and a second data size limit for sending the e-mail data without through the email server, individually Setting means for setting ;
A dividing unit that divides the email data generated by the generating unit into a plurality of pieces;
Determining means for determining whether to send e-mail data via the mail server or to send e-mail without going through the mail server;
Depending on the result of determination by said determining means, when said by way of the mail server transmits the e-mail data, the previous Kisei formed unit generated electronic mail data first data size limit beyond transmits divided by the dividing means when that have, the case of transmitting the e-mail data to the mail server without passing through the pre Kisei formed means the electronic mail data is the second generation and control means for controlling so that the split and send by dividing means when that exceeds the data size limit,
A communication apparatus comprising: It further has a registration means for registering, for each destination, whether to send e-mail data via a mail server or to send e-mail data without going through a mail server ,
It said determination means, the communication apparatus according to claim 1, in accordance with what is more registered before Kito recording means and performing the determination. Further comprising a selection means for selecting a second transmission mode that does not perform the first confirmation transmission mode or delivery performing feed delivery receipt,
The control means is a case where when the first transmission mode is selected by the selection means, e-mail data is transmitted via a mail server, and the e-mail data generated by the generation means is the first e-mail data. Or the e-mail data generated by the generating means exceeds the second data size limit value, when the e-mail data is transmitted without going through the mail server. 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the communication unit is configured not to transmit e-mail data by the transmission unit. Before Kisei formation means, a communication device according to generate the e-mail data in which the image data and attachments claim 1, wherein in any one of 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the image data is facsimile image data. A method of controlling a communication device having an e-mail transmission function,
A generation step of generating e-mail data by the generation means;
A first data size limit value when sending e-mail data via a mail server and a second data size limit value when sending e-mail data without going through a mail server Setting process to set individually by,
A dividing step of dividing the email data generated in the generating step into a plurality of pieces by a dividing unit;
A determination step of determining by the determination means whether to transmit the e-mail data via the mail server or to transmit the e-mail without passing through the mail server;
When the e-mail data is transmitted via the mail server according to the determination result of the determination step, when the e-mail data generated in the generation step exceeds the first data size limit value When the e-mail data is transmitted without being transmitted via the mail server, the e-mail data generated in the generation process exceeds the second data size limit value. A control step that is controlled by the control means so as to be divided and transmitted in the division step.
A method for controlling a communication apparatus, comprising: The computer program for making a computer perform the procedure of the control method of the communication apparatus of Claim 6 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the communication apparatus control method according to claim 6 .

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