JP3606236B2 - Internet fax machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an Internet fax apparatus that can simply perform processing when creating format information for original image data of a plurality of pages of documents of different formats.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In facsimile communication, the recommendation of the standardization (T) of the wireline standard (ITU-T recommendation) of the International Telecommunications Union (abbreviated as ITU). 30 defines a facsimile communication procedure according to a group 3 (G3) facsimile transmission procedure (hereinafter, a fax machine that performs facsimile communication according to a G3 facsimile transmission procedure is abbreviated as G3 FAX in the specification and drawings).
[0003]
With the recent spread of the Internet, a fax machine is connected to the Internet (hereinafter, the fax machine connected to the Internet is abbreviated as I-FAX in the specification and drawings), and the other. It is also possible to exchange electronic mail with a communication terminal device such as I-FAX.
[0004]
In such a case, T.M. is a facsimile communication protocol using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) which is one of electronic mail protocols. Facsimile communication is performed in accordance with the communication procedure 37. At this time, the image data is transmitted as an attached file of the electronic mail. In addition, POP (Post) is used for management such as confirmation, retrieval, and deletion of incoming electronic mail.
Office Protocol) can also be used.
[0005]
Further, the I-FAX can send and receive electronic mail with a client personal computer (PC) via the Internet. As described above, the I-FAX performs facsimile communication and electronic mail transmission / reception with other communication terminal devices such as I-FAX in various forms.
[0006]
T. mentioned above. In the communication procedure 37, a command for confirming delivery when image data is transmitted / received by electronic mail is defined. As this delivery confirmation command, MDN (Message Disposition Notification) and DSN (Delivery Status Notification) are defined.
[0007]
When image data is transmitted from I-FAX by electronic mail, the original image data for each page depends on the contents of the original, such as parameters such as resolution, paper size, and data compression method. -Data may be different. For example, a photo is posted on a page of a manuscript, so that the resolution may be different from that of other pages, or the paper size may be different from that of other pages of a manuscript with folded pages.
[0008]
As described above, when image data in which the parameters of the format information in the original image data are different for each page are transmitted in full mode to a communication terminal device such as I-FAX on the receiving side. First, image data is transmitted in the basic format formed at the lowest level of each parameter. In this case, each parameter of the format information is formed with, for example, a resolution of 200 dpi, a paper size of A4, and a data compression method of MH.
[0009]
On the receiving side, if necessary, the format information of the transmitted original image data is requested. At this time, the transmitting side transmits the format information about the original image data for each page to the receiving side. On the receiving side, the format information of the received original image data is compared with the reception capability of its own device, and the image data in which the basic format information is changed with parameters within the receivable range. Request the sender to send
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this way, when transmitting image data of a plurality of pages with different formats in full mode by electronic mail, the format information about the original image data is created for each page. Therefore, there is a problem that the processing becomes complicated.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an Internet fax machine that can simplify processing when creating format information for original image data of a plurality of pages of documents of different formats. It is for the purpose of provision.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to claim 1, the Internet fax machine is a format comprising a plurality of parameters for original image data having a different format for each page of a document. Means for forming information, means for converting the format information of the original image data of each page into basic format information having a low level of each parameter, and each page for the original image data Each of the parameters having the highest level is extracted to form the format information of the modified original image data, and the format of the basic format information and the modified original image data. -It is achieved by having a configuration having means for transmitting mat information to the receiving side.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the Internet fax apparatus according to the first aspect, a format designated by the receiving side based on the format information of the changed original image data. Means for receiving format information; means for converting the basic format information into designated format information from the receiving side; and means for transmitting the designated format information to the receiving side. Yes.
[0014]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the highest-level parameters are extracted from each page of the original image data to form the format information of the changed original image data. And means for transmitting the format information of the changed original image data to the receiving side. Therefore, even when the format information is different for each page of the document, the format information of the original image data can be transmitted to the receiving side with the format information for one page.
[0015]
In the invention according to claim 2, the means for converting the basic format information transmitted to the receiving side into the designated format information from the receiving side, and the means for transmitting the designated format information to the receiving side. And have. For this reason, image data can be transmitted with the format information suitable for the reception capability of the reception side.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the I-FAX according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of I-FAX connection according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, the first I-FAX 1 is connected to the second I-FAX 3 and the client personal computer (PC) 4 via the Internet 2. The first I-FAX 1 is connected to the G3 FAX 6 via a public line network (PSTN).
[0017]
Between the first I-FAX 1 and the second I-FAX 3, image data is directly attached to a file by SMTP, which is one of the electronic mail protocols, and electronic mail is transmitted and received. Further, the first I-FAX 1 and the PC 4 perform transmission / reception of electronic mail via the Internet 2. In the first I-FAX 1, the second I-FAX 3, and the PC 4, the POP can be used for managing incoming electronic mail.
[0018]
Here, the configuration of the present invention will be described using an example in which an electronic mail is transmitted from the first I-FAX 1 to the second I-FAX 3. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing procedure of the present invention. The mail address of the first I-FAX 1 is “1234@terminalA.ifax”, and the mail address of the second I-FAX 3 is “5678@terminalB.ifax”.
[0019]
(A) shows the format information of the original image data for each page of the original image data transmitted from the first I-FAX 1. The format information is formed of a plurality of parameters. In this example, the resolution, paper size, and data compression method are defined as parameters.
[0020]
(1) The page indicates that the resolution is 400 * 400 dpi, the paper size is A4, and the data compression method is the MMR method. Similarly, (2) page has a resolution of 200 * 200 dpi, paper size is A3, data compression method is MH method, and (3) page has a resolution of 200 * 100 dpi, paper size is B4, and data size is B4. This indicates that the data compression method is the JBIG method.
[0021]
In (B), the format information of each page shown in (A) is converted into a basic format. (C) shows the result of converting the format information of each page into the basic format. In this example, the format information of each page has a resolution of 200 * 200 dpi, a paper size of A4, and a data compression method of MH.
[0022]
(D) transmits image data to the I-FAX 2 with the format information of (C). At this time, the format information of the original image data is attached. The format information of the original image data does not extract the specific page resolution, paper size, and data compression parameters.
[0023]
In the present invention, the highest level of each parameter of resolution, paper size, and data compression method is extracted from each page, and the format information of the original image data in (A). The format information of new original image data is formed.
[0024]
In (E), the I-FAX 1 receives an electronic mail requesting retransmission of image data by specifying a format from the I-FAX 3 on the receiving side. That is, in (D), the format information of the original image data in which the highest level parameter among the image data is described from I-FAX 1 on the transmission side to I-FAX 3 on the reception side. Is sent. Therefore, the receiving side can request the I-FAX 1 on the transmitting side to form the format of the image data with the receivable parameters.
[0025]
In the process (F), the I-FAX 1 converts the image data into the format requested by the I-FAX 3. In the process (G), the I-FAX 1 transmits the image data in the specified format to the I-FAX 3. In the process (H), the I-FAX 1 receives the delivery confirmation transmitted from the I-FAX 3.
[0026]
2 to 5 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of description contents of electronic mails transmitted from I-FAX 1 and I-FAX 3 in FIG. Next, each figure of FIGS. 2-5 is demonstrated.
[0027]
FIG. 2 shows a header portion of the electronic mail transmitted from I-FAX 1 to I-FAX 3 in FIG. In the portion of Xa, the date and time of electronic mail transmission, the mail address number of I-FAX 1 on the transmission side, the message ID, and items are shown. In this example, it is described that the content of the electronic mail is “Internet FAX full-mode sample 1”.
[0028]
In addition, the Xa portion includes a mail address number of the receiving side I-FAX3, a delivery confirmation command for the transmitting side I-FAX1, an MDN (Message Disposition Notification), a MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) version, Is described.
[0029]
In the portion of Ya, basic format information of (C) of FIG. 1 is described. Here, it is described that the structure of the image file is the lowest level of TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), the resolution is 200 * 200, the paper size is A4, and the data compression method is MH.
[0030]
Format information of the changed original image data is described in the portion of Za. Here, the structure of the image file is the highest level of TIFF, the highest level parameters in each page are resolution of 400 * 400, the paper size is A3, and the data compression method is JBIG method. It is described that there is. In the portion of Wa, it is described that image data is transmitted in a basic format.
[0031]
FIG. 3 shows the header part of the electronic mail from I-FAX 3 received by I-FAX 1 in FIG. In the portion of Xb, the date and time of electronic mail reception, the mail address number of the transmitted I-FAX 3, the message ID, and items are shown. In this example, it is described that the content of the electronic mail is “reply to Internet FAX full-mode sample 1”. Further, in the portion of Xb, the received mail address number of I-FAX 1 and the MIME version are described.
[0032]
The Yb portion describes the image data reception capability. Here, the structure of the image file is TIFF, the resolution is 200 * 100, 200 * 200, 400 * 400, the paper size is A4, B4, and the data compression method is MH, MR, MMH, It is described that each JBIG system can be handled.
[0033]
FIG. 4 shows the header part of the electronic mail retransmitted from I-FAX 1 to I-FAX 3 in FIG. In the portion of Xc, the date and time of electronic mail transmission, the mail address number of I-FAX 1 on the transmission side, the message ID, and items are shown. In this example, it is described that the content of the electronic mail is “Internet FAX full-mode sample 2”. In addition, the Xc portion describes the mail address number of the receiving side I-FAX 3 and that the delivery confirmation command for the transmitting side I-FAX 1 is MDN.
[0034]
The Wc portion describes that the image data is converted from the basic format into a format specified by the receiving side I-FAX 3 and then transmitted. In this example, in the format information of the original image data in FIG. 1A, the (1) and (3) pages are within the reception capability range of the receiving I-FAX 3. . Therefore, the electronic mails of the (1) and (3) pages are not changed from the basic format information to the original format of FIG.
[0035]
In the format information of the original image data in FIG. 1A, the paper size is A3 for the (2) page. However, the receiving capability of the I-FAX 3 on the receiving side is A4 and B4, and the A3 receiving capability is not provided. For this reason, for (2) page, the paper size is reduced to B4.
[0036]
FIG. 5 shows the header part of the delivery confirmation electronic mail that the I-FAX 1 receives from the I-FAX 3 in FIG. The Xd portion indicates the date and time of electronic mail reception, the mail address number of the transmitted I-FAX 3, the message ID, and the item.
[0037]
In this example, the item column describes that the content of the electronic mail is “reply to Internet FAX full-mode sample 2”. Further, in the Xd portion, the received mail address number of I-FAX 1 and the MIME version are described.
[0038]
In the Yd portion, the contents of the received image data are described. Here, the structure of the image file is TIFF, the resolution is 200 * 100, 200 * 200, 400 * 400, the paper size is A4, B4, and the data compression method is MH, MMH, JBIG. The method is described.
[0039]
That is, in the format information of the original image data shown in FIG. 1A, (2) the paper size of the page is reduced to B4 and retransmitted in (G). It describes that the electronic mail was received with the format information.
[0040]
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of I-FAX applied to the present invention. In FIG. 7, 21 is an ultra-compact processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as MPU) for processing various signals and data, and 22 stores data and programs necessary for various operations of I-FAX. ROMs 23 are RAMs for storing management data and the like.
[0041]
24 is a printer for outputting received image data to recording paper, 25 is a reading unit for reading an original and outputting image data which is monochrome binary image data, and 26 is for various operation keys. This is an operation unit provided. The operation unit 26 is provided with a numeric keypad and a function key. A transmission key for facsimile transmission, a one-touch key, and the like are also provided.
[0042]
The I-FAX is connected to the Internet 2 via a network interface (I / F) 27. In addition, it is connected to the ISDN through an interface (I / F) 28 and a digital line termination unit (DSU) 29 of a service integrated digital network (ISDN).
[0043]
Further, it is connected to the PSTN via a line control unit (NCU) 30. 31 modulates image data transmitted / received to / from a communication terminal device such as G3FAX via the PSTN. The modem 31 demodulates, and the modem 31 and the NCU 30 are connected by an analog signal line 31a.
[0044]
The encoding / decoding unit 32 encodes and decodes the image data. The graphic character generator 33 converts the character code data into image data. Reference numeral 34 is a display unit using a liquid crystal display (LCD), 35 is a clock unit used for writing the date and time in image data, and 36 is a hard disk (HD) for storing communication management records and image data. 37 is an internal bus. In the case where a large storage capacity is not required, an image memory can be used instead of using a hard disk (HD).
[0045]
The MPU 21 is means for forming format information composed of a plurality of parameters for original image data different for each page of the original in FIG. 1A, and original image data for each page in FIG. This function functions as means for converting the format information into basic format information having a low level of each parameter.
[0046]
Further, the MPU 21 extracts each parameter having the highest level through each page from the original image data described in the electronic mail transmitted in FIG. Function as means for forming data format information, and means for converting the basic format information in (F) into designated format information from the receiving side.
[0047]
The network interface (I / F) 27 is a means for transmitting the basic format information of FIG. 1D and the format information of the changed original image data to the receiving side (E ) Functions as means for receiving the format information designated from the receiving side based on the format information of the original image data changed.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the highest-level parameters are extracted from each page of the original image data, and the format of the original image data is changed. Means for forming information, and means for transmitting the format information of the changed original image data to the receiving side. Therefore, even when the format information is different for each page of the document, the format information of the original image data can be transmitted to the receiving side with the format information for one page.
[0049]
In the invention according to claim 2, the means for converting the basic format information transmitted to the receiving side into the designated format information from the receiving side, and the means for transmitting the designated format information to the receiving side. And have. For this reason, image data can be transmitted with the format information suitable for the reception capability of the reception side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing procedure of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of connecting I-FAX according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an I-FAX control apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 3 I-FAX
2 Internet 4 Personal computer (PC)
5 Public line (PSTN)
6 G3FAX
21 Ultra-compact processing unit (MPU)
23 RAM
26 Operation unit 27 Network interface (I / F)

Claims (2)

Means for forming format information composed of a plurality of parameters for original image data having different formats on each page of the document, and format information of the original image data on each page. Means for converting to basic format information having a low parameter level, and extracting each parameter having the highest level through each page of the original image data, and Means for forming format information; and means for transmitting the basic format information and the format information of the changed original image data to the receiving side. Fax machine. Means for receiving format information designated from the receiving side based on the changed format information of the original image data; and the designated format information from the receiving side as the basic format information. 2. The Internet fax apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for converting the information into a designated side; and means for transmitting the designated format information to a receiving side.

Images