JP4623072B2 - Data transmission / reception system, reception device, and transmission device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to data transmission / reception in a network.

  Various data such as documents and photographs are transmitted and received between devices connected to a network such as a LAN. Data transmission is performed by various communication methods. For example, image data can be transmitted as facsimile transmission. Various files can be transmitted by attaching the file to an e-mail. When transmitting data, the transmission source operator selects a transmission method, designates a transmission destination (destination) by a telephone number, an e-mail address, etc., and transmits the data.

  It is known to provide speed dials, one-touch keys, and the like corresponding to the transmission settings in order to facilitate the setting of destinations during data transmission. Address information such as the destination and transmission conditions can be registered in the speed dial, one-touch key, etc., and the sender can select the speed dial, one-touch key, etc., and the transmission settings registered in the selected speed dial, one-touch key, etc. Transmission is performed using. (Hereinafter, abbreviated dials, one-touch keys, etc. are simply referred to as one-touch keys.) It is known to register destination information (destination, transmission conditions, etc.) based on transmission history in order to facilitate registration with one-touch keys. Yes. For example, in the facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-225035, the telephone number and identification information of the other party are extracted from the response signal of the other party and registered in the memory in association with the one-touch key. Further, in the facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-283923, when it is determined that the data transmission is normally completed, the telephone number of the transmission destination is registered in the speed dial.

In data transmission using the one-touch key, when a plurality of one-touch keys are provided, the transmission setting is identified based on the character information displayed on the one-touch key when the one-touch key is selected. However, there are cases where identification cannot be easily performed due to the limitation of the display area. In this case, it is necessary to display the detailed information about the one-touch key and confirm the transmission destination again. In view of this, it has been proposed to display an icon (image) representing a destination on a one-touch key so that the destination can be easily identified visually. For example, in the facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-256124, an icon is designated for a one-touch key and registered in a database that stores destination information. At the time of transmission, a one-touch key is displayed as an icon to make it easy for an operator to specify a destination of a transmission destination. When the operator selects an icon, transmission is performed by designating a destination registered in the icon. In the facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-290643, it is possible to edit icons and acquire icons from an external apparatus.
JP-A-6-225035 JP-A-7-283923 JP 2001-256124 A JP 2002-290643 A

  As described above, by displaying the icon, the operator can easily identify the one-touch key. In this case, it is necessary to create as many icons as the number of destinations to be registered in the transmission source device, and it takes time to create icons and to select / download / operate from contents stored outside the device. The operation was troublesome. Therefore, it is desirable to facilitate transmission settings (including icons) at the transmission source.

  An object of the present invention is to facilitate registration to a key in data transmission using a key in which destination information is registered in advance, such as a one-touch key.

The transmission device according to the present invention is a single transmission used in a data transmission / reception system in which one or more transmission devices that transmit data and one or more reception devices that receive data are connected via a network. The device includes a key that is displayed and operated to instruct transmission to the receiving device, the destination information of the receiving device is registered in the key, and can be registered in the key of the operating device. Receiving means for receiving at least storage information of destination information including image data displayed on the key as a reply to transmission of the data, and storing the destination information based on the storage destination information received by the receiving means an acquisition unit to access previously in obtaining the destination information, the destination information of the receiving apparatus from the storage destination represented by the storage destination information received by the acquisition means When, in the key, and a registration means for registering the destination information received.

  In the transmission apparatus, it is preferable that the registration unit registers the destination information based on a user registration instruction. In addition, the transmission device preferably further includes selection means for selecting whether or not to register the received destination information, and the registration means registers the selected destination information. In the transmission apparatus, it is preferable that the operation unit displays image data included in the destination information received by the reception unit on the key. In addition, the transmission device preferably further includes an acquisition unit that accesses the storage destination of the destination information based on the storage destination information received by the reception unit and acquires the destination information.

  Since the receiving device transmits the destination information (including the image data) to the transmitting device, it becomes easy to register the destination information in a key that can visually identify the destination using the operation unit of the transmitting device. By transmitting to the other party once, the transmitting apparatus can perform subsequent transmission to the other party by simply selecting the image data registered in the key. Thereby, the convenience of the operator can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows various devices connected to a network and transmitting / receiving data via the network. For example, MFPs (MFPs) 12 and 14, a personal computer (PC) 16, a mobile phone 18, an image data server device 20, and the like are connected to a network 10 such as a LAN. The multifunction machines 12 and 14 have many functions such as a reading function, a printing function, a copying function, and a facsimile communication function. For example, image data such as a document is read using a reading function. The read image data is stored in a hard disk, which is a storage unit inside the multifunction peripheral, or transmitted to another device (for example, the image data server device 20) via the network 10. The PC 16 transmits / receives data to / from other devices 12, 14, 18, 20 via the network 10. The cellular phone 18 is a wireless communication terminal, and transmits and receives data to and from other devices 12 to 16 and 20 via the network 10 wirelessly. The image data server device 20 is a server that stores image data, and transmits and receives image data to and from other devices 12 to 18 via the network 10. An image data input device 22 such as a digital camera, video camera, or digital telephone generates image data and inputs it to another device. This image data is taken into the multifunction machine 12 or the like. The data transmission / reception described above can be performed in various forms such as electronic mail and facsimile communication. Instead of the image data server device 20, a file server device that manages general document files may be provided.

  In the system shown in FIG. 1, for example, the multifunction device 12 transmits image data to another device (for example, the multifunction device 14) via the network 10. The multifunction device 14 that is the transmission destination receives the image data. Then, a transmission completion notification is returned to the multifunction machine 12 that is the transmission source (see FIG. 2). Here, as will be described in detail later, together with the transmission completion notification, the destination information of the multifunction machine 14 that is the transmission destination is also returned to the transmission source. Needless to say, data can be transmitted and received in addition to the communication between the multifunction machines 12 and 14, but in the following, the multifunction machine 12 is a transmission device of a transmission source and the multifunction device 14 is a reception device of a transmission destination. A case of data transmission / reception by e-mail will be described.

  Next, setting of destination information in data transmission will be described. In data transmission, it is necessary to set a transmission condition including a destination (including an e-mail address, a facsimile number, etc.) indicating a data transmission destination. In order to facilitate this destination setting, a plurality of one-touch keys are displayed on the screen of a touch panel provided in the multifunction machine 12 or 14. The one-touch key is a key in which destination information such as a transmission condition including the destination is registered. On the screen, the one-touch key is represented by an icon. The operator automatically selects the one-touch key (icon) after specifying the data to be transmitted from the document or other data stored in the hard disk of the MFP, and automatically handles the icon. Transmission conditions including a destination are set, and transmission of the data is started. Of course, the image data to be transmitted may be image data obtained by setting a document on a reading device (not shown) of the multifunction machine and reading the data, in addition to the data stored in the hard disk. Absent.

  Although it is conventionally known that a transmission source registers destination information in a one-touch key based on a transmission history, here, after transmission of image data, destination information received together with a transmission completion notification from the transmission destination is used as a one-touch key. sign up. Specifically, the transmission destination notifies the transmission source that transmission data has been successfully received (that is, transmission completion), and returns destination information. Upon receiving this destination information, the transmission source registers it in the one-touch key database. In the subsequent transmission, the icon returned from the transmission destination is displayed on the one-touch key. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare an icon (image) for the one-touch key at the transmission source.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of functions related to data transmission / reception in the multifunction machine 12 as a transmission apparatus. The overall control unit 30 that controls the entire apparatus is connected to a communication control unit 32 that performs communication via the network 10, a touch panel 34 that operates as an operation unit / display unit, a destination memory 36, and a one-touch key data memory 38. Yes. The destination memory 36 stores a destination name, destination address destination information, a transmission method, and the like. The one touch key data memory 38 stores data registered in the one touch key. This data includes a one-touch key number for specifying a one-touch key, icon image data representing a transmission destination, and various transmission conditions. The destination memory 36 and the one-touch key data memory 38 are provided, for example, in a hard disk in the multifunction peripheral. Although not shown, an interface for inputting an image from the image input device 20 is also provided.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of functions related to data transmission / reception in the multi-function peripheral 14 as a receiving apparatus. Description of the same components as those in FIG. 3 is omitted. In the destination information memory 40, when the data transmitted from the transmission source is normally transmitted, icon image data to be transmitted together with the transmission completion notification to the transmission source, transmission conditions to be used next time, etc. Destination information is stored. The destination information transmission history memory 42 is a memory that stores a history of transmission of destination information. The destination information memory 40 and the destination information transmission history memory 42 are provided, for example, in a hard disk in the multifunction peripheral. As is well known, the MFPs 12 and 14 include an image reading unit, an image printing unit, a facsimile device unit, and the like for a reading function, a printing function, a copying function, a facsimile communication function, and the like. The description is omitted.

  A case will be described in which the multifunction machine 12 operates as a transmission apparatus and the multifunction machine 14 operates as a reception apparatus. In the multifunction machine 12 serving as a transmission apparatus, the operator sets destination information on the touch panel 34 for the image data to be transmitted. When transmission is instructed on the touch panel 34, the communication control unit 32 sends the image data to the transmission destination via the network 10. When receiving destination information (including an icon) together with a transmission completion notification from the transmission destination, the overall control unit 30 assigns the destination information to one one-touch key and stores it in the one-touch key data memory 38. In the subsequent transmission, the overall control unit 30 refers to the one-touch key data memory 38 and displays image data (icon) indicating the transmission destination on the touch panel 34 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, by selecting the icon, the image data is transmitted with the destination information set by the transmission destination.

  On the other hand, in the multi-function device 14 as a receiving device, the communication control unit 32 receives the above-described image data via the network 10. If the overall control unit 30 determines that the reception of the image data has been normally completed, the overall control unit 30 also returns destination information (including icons) along with a transmission completion notification.

  The destination information includes a destination name, a destination address, an icon representing the destination, a data transmission method, and a transmission condition such as a data format. By selecting an icon, transmission can be performed under the transmission conditions specified by the transmission destination, but this transmission condition is included in the destination information. This will be further described. When the transmission apparatus sets the transmission condition registered in the one-touch key and transmits data, the transmission source cannot grasp the reception state of the transmission apparatus at the transmission destination. For this reason, the set transmission conditions may not be appropriate for the destination device. Therefore, the transmission method and transmission conditions received from the transmission destination are set with priority given to the convenience of the transmission destination. Thereby, the destination information including the transmission condition suitable for the transmission destination can be set. For example, the image file in the pdf format is set to be transmitted, but the processing load may be heavy in the pdf format for the transmission destination apparatus. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to reflect the state of the transmission destination in the transmission condition registration. Therefore, the transmission condition is included in the destination information sent to the transmission source. For example, when image data in pdf format has been sent, but processing in the pdf format places a heavy burden on the multifunction machine 14, other data formats such as TIFF are included in the transmission conditions.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of data transmission and reception (including destination registration) by the overall control unit of the transmission source (for example, the multifunction machine 12) and the transmission destination (for example, the multifunction machine 14). The transmission source transmits data to the transmission destination via the network (S10). The transmission destination receives the data and determines whether it has been received normally (S12). When the transmission destination determines that the transmission has been completed normally, it returns a reception completion notification and destination information (including icons) of the transmission destination read from the destination information memory 40 to the transmission source (S14). Here, a history of transmission of the destination information is stored in the destination information transmission history memory 42. When the transmission source determines that the registration of the destination information is appropriate (S16), the transmission source registers the received destination information in the destination memory 36 (S18). If it is not appropriate, modify and register.

  FIG. 6 shows a screen for explaining destination information selection in the MFP 14 as the transmission destination. On the touch panel 34 of the multi-function device 14, as shown in the upper side of FIG. 6, after successfully receiving data, a dialog box for selecting whether or not to return the destination information is displayed. Here, when the “Yes” key is selected in response to the question of whether to return the destination information to the transmission source, a screen for selecting the destination is displayed as shown in the lower part of FIG. In this example, ten destinations can be registered, but two destinations (including icons) are registered. When the operator selects one of the icons and presses the “Send” key, the multi-function device 14 returns the selected destination information to the multi-function device 12 as a transmission source together with a transmission completion notification. Here, the case of manual selection has been described, but a destination to be transmitted to the transmission source may be designated in advance and the transmission may be performed automatically.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing registration of destination information from the other party in the multifunction machine 12 that is the transmission source. When a transmission completion notification and destination information received from the transmission destination are received, a dialog box for registering the notification and destination information is displayed on the touch panel 34 of the multifunction machine 12, as shown in the upper side of FIG. . Here, it is selected whether or not to register destination information. Here, when the operator selects the “Yes” key in response to the question of whether or not to register data, a screen displaying the one-touch key shown at the bottom of FIG. 7 is displayed. Up to 10 one-touch keys can be registered. Here, when the operator selects a location to be registered, the screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. Here, the received destination information (including an icon preview image) is displayed. When the operator confirms the contents of the destination information and presses the “Register” key, the destination information is registered in the one-touch key of the selected location, and an icon included in the destination information is displayed at that location. . Note that the operator can also change the received destination information. Here, the destination information may be automatically registered in a pre-designated one-touch key.

  In FIG. 9, the one touch key selection screen for selecting a destination at the time of data transmission on the touch panel 34 of the multifunction machine 12 that is the transmission source is shown on the upper side. On this screen, ten one-touch keys can be registered, and the destinations registered in the four keys are indicated by icons. By selecting one of the icons at the time of transmission and pressing the “OK” key, the destination registered in the icon can be set. Here, by specifying an icon and pressing the “detail display” key, a detail display screen as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 is displayed, and the destination information registered in the icon is displayed in detail. On this detailed display screen, not only the destination name and destination address but also the transmission method, the color attribute of the file, the transmission condition such as the file format and resolution are displayed. In this screen example, the destination name, e-mail transmission, the e-mail address and the conditions of image data to be transmitted can be known.

  In the modification, when the destination information is directly input at the time of transmission, the destination information is requested to be returned to the destination. As shown in FIG. 10, when the operator inputs destination information, a dialog box for selecting whether or not to send a destination information transmission request from the transmission destination is displayed on the touch panel 34. When the operator selects the “Yes” key, a screen for transmission is displayed. If the input data displayed on the screen is acceptable, the operator presses the “Send” key. At this time, a destination information transmission request is transmitted together with the image data. When destination information transmission is not requested, the destination does not send back destination information.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the overall control unit of the transmission source (for example, the multifunction machine 12) and the transmission destination (for example, the multifunction machine 14) that transmits and registers the destination information when a destination information transmission request is made. In the transmission source 12, the operator inputs destination information of the transmission destination, and transmits the image data to the transmission destination 14 (S10). The transmission destination 14 determines whether or not it has been normally received (S12). When the reception is completed normally (YES in S12) and the destination information transmission request is made by the transmission source (YES in S13), the transmission destination 14 sends the normal reception notification and the transmission destination address information to the destination. The information is read from the information memory 40 and transmitted to the transmission source (S14). When determining that the registration of the destination information is appropriate (S16), the transmission source 12 registers the received destination information (S18). If the operator determines that it is not appropriate, the received destination information can be changed during registration.

  In the destination multifunction machine 14, destination information is registered in the destination information memory 40 in advance. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for registering destination information in the destination information memory 40. This registration process is performed individually for each image data. First, icon image data is registered (S30). Next, each setting item of the destination information is set (S32). Then, the destination information is registered in the destination information memory 40 (S34). FIG. 13 shows a setting screen for registering destination information. Enter the required items on this screen and press the “Register” key to register the destination information. It is also possible to select already registered destination information and register it as it is. Next, if it is necessary to register other destination information (YES in S36), the process can return to step S32 to be additionally registered.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart when the destination information of the transmission destination is changed in the receiving apparatus. When the destination destination information is changed, the destination information is replaced. The transmission destination device first determines whether or not the destination information has been changed (S50). If it is determined that the address information has been changed, it is then determined whether or not the changed destination information is to be transmitted (S52). Specifically, it is determined from the destination information transmission history memory 42 whether there is a history of successful completion of reception in the past and transmission of destination information together with a transmission completion notification. If there is a history transmitted in the past, the changed destination information is transmitted to the destination to which the destination information is transmitted in the history (S54). The transmission source device determines whether or not to replace the transmitted destination information with the destination information held in the destination memory 36 and the one-touch key memory 38 (S56), and if the reply content is different from the held data. The destination information is replaced (S58).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for registering the communication mode in the transmission apparatus. A plurality of transmission modes (for example, transmission routes) can be set in one one-touch key. Thus, the communication mode is switched according to the line type. The communication mode can be set, for example, by setting the initial mode of the device. First, when the operator sets each setting item such as image data and destination name for image data communication (S100), the communication mode is registered (S102). Next, it is determined whether or not to register another communication mode (S104). If the environment allows transmission / reception even in other communication modes, the process returns to step S102 to perform additional settings for other communication modes. After setting one or more communication modes in this way, destination information is registered (S106). Thereby, one or more communication modes can be registered in one one-touch key.

  In addition, a plurality of pieces of destination information can be registered in the one-touch key, and can be transmitted to a plurality of destinations at the same time. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for selecting a communication mode at the time of transmission in the transmission source device. First, the operator selects destination information (S120). Next, when a plurality of communication modes are registered in the selected destination information (YES in S122), if any communication mode is selected (S124), the selected communication mode is registered (S126). ), And proceeds to step S128. If only one communication mode is registered, or if all communication modes are selected, the process immediately proceeds to step S128. Then, transmission is performed in the selected communication mode (S128).

In the modification, destination information (including icons) is also registered in the image stored in the image data server device 20. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the transmission source multifunction device 12 inputs a destination and transmits image data to another device (for example, the multifunction device 14) via the network 10. The multifunction device 14 receives the image data. Then, a transmission completion notification and an address that is destination information storage destination information are transmitted. Upon receiving this reply, the multifunction machine 12 accesses the notified address in the image database in the image data server device 20. The image data server device 20 transmits the data at the designated address to the multifunction machine 12. As a result, the multifunction machine 12 acquires the destination information of the multifunction machine 14 from the image data server device 20. As the image data server device 20, for example, a general file server device is used.

  FIG. 18 shows the configuration of the image data server device 20. A CPU 50 that controls the entire system is connected to a communication control unit 52 that performs communication via the network 10, an input unit 54 such as a keyboard, a display device 56, and a storage device 58 that stores an icon image database. The icon image database also stores destination information received from the transmission destination. The registration of the destination information is the same as in the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart of data transmission / reception (including destination registration) by the overall control unit of the transmission source (for example, the multifunction machine 12) and the transmission destination (for example, the multifunction machine 14) and the CPU of the image data server device 20. The transmission source transmits data to the transmission destination via the network (S200). The transmission destination receives the data and determines whether it has been received normally (S202). When the transmission destination determines that the transmission has been completed normally, the transmission destination transmits a normal reception notification and the address of the destination information of the transmission destination to the transmission source (S204). When the transmission source accesses the notified address (image data server device 20) (S206), the image data server device 20 transmits the destination information of the transmission destination (S208). When it is determined that the registration of the destination information is appropriate (S210), the received destination information is registered (S212). If it is not appropriate, modify and register.

In the image data server apparatus, has stored the destination together with the image data of the icon, leave stored separately from the image data of the icon of the destination, it is returned to the address representing the storage position Good. The sender, to get the destination to access the address.

Network diagram for data transmission / reception A diagram for explaining data transmission / reception between a transmission source and a transmission destination Block diagram of functions related to data transmission in multifunction devices Block diagram for functions related to data reception in multifunction devices Flow chart of data transmission / reception (including destination registration) Figure of destination information selection screen Illustration of screen for sending completion notification and destination information registration Figure of screen showing detailed contents of destination information One-touch key selection screen Figure of screen for selecting whether or not to send destination information transmission request Flow chart for sending and registering destination information when there is a destination information transmission request Flowchart of image data registration in image data server device Figure of screen for registering destination information Flow chart when the destination information of the sender is changed Communication mode registration flowchart Flow chart for selecting the communication mode during transmission The figure for demonstrating data transmission / reception with a transmission origin, a transmission destination, and a server apparatus. Block diagram of image data server device Flow chart of data transmission / reception (including destination registration)

Explanation of symbols

  10 network, 12, 14 MFP (MFP), 16 PC, 20 image data server device, 30 overall control unit, 34 touch panel, 36 destination memory, 38 one-touch key data memory, 40 destination information memory, 42 destination information transmission history memory 42, 50 CPU, 58 storage device.

Claims (12)

In the one transmission device used in a data transmission / reception system in which one or more transmission devices that transmit data and one or more reception devices that receive data are connected via a network,
An operating means comprising a key that is displayed and operated to instruct transmission to the receiving device, and destination information of the receiving device is registered in the key;
The storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the destination information be registerable in the key including the image data to be displayed on at least the key of the operation means, receiving means for receiving as a reply to the transmission of said data,
Obtaining means for accessing the storage destination of the destination information based on the storage destination information received by the receiving means to acquire the destination information;
A transmission device comprising: a registration unit that registers the received destination information in the key when the acquisition unit receives the destination information of the reception device from the storage destination represented by the storage destination information.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit registers the destination information based on a user registration instruction. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising selection means for selecting whether or not to register the received destination information, wherein the registration means registers the destination information selected to be registered by the selection means. Transmitter described in 1.   4. The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit displays image data included in the destination information received by the reception unit on the key.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the destination information includes a name indicating the destination, and the registration unit registers the name in the key.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the destination information includes a transmission condition, and the registration unit registers the transmission condition in the key.   2. The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the destination information includes a data format, and the registration unit registers the data format in the key.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit can register a plurality of pieces of the destination information in one key. It has been transmitted device according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that to transmit the image data according to the destination information registered to the key according to the operation of the key. The transmission apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for selecting display of detailed information of destination information registered in the key.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the received destination information is compared with destination information registered in advance in the key, and the received destination information is registered if they are different.   The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting any one of the communication modes when a plurality of communication modes are selected in the destination information registered in the key.

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