JP3758640B2 - Information communication equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information communication apparatus (facsimile apparatus), and more specifically, a transmission document such as image data is divided as an electronic mail via a communication network such as the Internet or a local area network (LAN). In particular, the present invention relates to an information communication apparatus (so-called Internet facsimile apparatus) capable of handling each divided electronic mail as an individual electronic mail unrelated to each other.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Facsimile devices with an e-mail function (internet facsimile device) that have functions such as converting image data into an e-mail format and communicating are known. 2. Description of the Related Art An Internet facsimile machine that transmits a plurality of electronic mails in a divided manner is known. In an Internet facsimile machine equipped with a facsimile communication function and an electronic mail function, when a transmission original is divided and facsimile transmission is performed in the form of e-mail, a series of numbers is assigned to the divided documents (transmission originals) as division information. For example, “how many divisions and how many times” an e-mail is displayed in the “Subject” column of the e-mail to indicate the interrelation between the divided documents (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
When a transmission document is divided and sent as an e-mail, a series of numbers is assigned to the divided documents, so that the processing status on the receiving side can be reliably grasped and the reception process becomes easy. It has been adopted as a convenient function. However, when the document 1 (for example, two pages of the number of transmitted originals) and the document 2 (for example, three pages of the number of transmitted originals), which are not related to each other, have the same destination, the facsimile is simultaneously transmitted in the form of an e-mail. Has the following inconveniences. For example, when the document 1 and the document 2 are transmitted by facsimile as an e-mail for each page, the first page of the document 1 is an e-mail of “first of 5 divisions” and the second page of the document 1 because of the capacity that can be transmitted. The second is the “second divided into five” email, the first page of Document 2 is the “third divided into five” email, the second page of Document 2 is the “fourth divided into four” email, the document The third page of 2 is displayed as an e-mail of “fifth divided into five”. That is, it is inconvenient when the receiving side processes the document 1 and the document 2 to be processed individually like a series and processes the document 1 and the document 2 individually.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-32196
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional Internet facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus with an electronic mail function), when the transmission original is divided and transmitted in the form of e-mail, the divided transmission originals cannot be handled individually, that is, There is a problem in that it is not possible to send an e-mail without giving the reciprocal relationship to the divided transmission originals.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. For example, since the destination is the same, a plurality of documents of different types (contents and matters) can be obtained by simultaneously setting transmission originals for transmission. In the case of simultaneously reading (sending original document), dividing it, and sending it as an e-mail by facsimile, each of the divided outgoing originals is sent as an individual e-mail (that is, an e-mail in a completely independent form). It is another object of the present invention to provide an information communication apparatus capable of adding a text to each of the divided transmission originals when the transmission originals are transmitted individually in the form of an e-mail.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention, the body to be given to each e-mail by the appropriately selected to provide a good operability information communication apparatus. In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a transmission confirmation request for confirming delivery to a transmission destination (reception destination) to any divided e-mail so that the transmission processing status of the divided e-mail can be changed. An object of the present invention is to provide an information communication device that can be surely grasped.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the information communication apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the read transmission original is divided and transmitted in the information communication apparatus capable of dividing and transmitting the read transmission original, the divided transmission original is the reception destination. And an input means for inputting an instruction that allows individual processing to be performed, and a transmission document that has been divided when an instruction that allows the individual processing is input, is shaped into an independent e-mail format. and an electronic mail shaping means, the e-mail shaping means is characterized Rukoto comprising a body determination means for determining a text for each division unit in the form of the electronic mail.
[0010]
An information communication apparatus according to a second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, a plurality of the texts are provided in advance, and the text confirmation means includes text selection means for selecting any text.
[0011]
Information communication apparatus according to the third invention, Oite the first or second aspect of the invention, acknowledgment notifying imparting acknowledgment notifying request to confirm that it has delivered to the recipient in the formatted e-mail It is characterized by comprising request giving means.
[0012]
In the present invention, when a transmission document is divided and transmitted, if an instruction is given to allow the divided transmission document to be individually processed at the receiving destination, the divided transmission document is displayed. Since the information communication apparatus is provided with an e-mail shaping unit that formats each e-mail into an e-mail format and transmits the e-mail, even when a document (transmission original) that is not related to each other is divided and transmitted, the divided transmission is performed. Since it is not necessary to give mutual relevance (such as specifying relevance), the document contents (project contents) are completely different, so documents that are required to be treated as mutually independent documents are sent to the same destination. Since divisional transmission by e-mail can also be used in the case of transmission, an information communication device having an operation function according to the user's operation intention (specification intention, use intention) can be realized.
[0013]
Since the e-mail shaping means includes the text confirmation means, and the text confirmation means includes the text selection means, it is easy and sure to assign the text to the e-mail format, and the text can be easily selected. An information communication device with good operability can be realized.
[0014]
In the present invention, since the delivery confirmation notification request giving means for giving the delivery confirmation notification request to the formatted email is provided, it becomes possible to give the delivery confirmation request to any divided email. Thus, it is possible to realize an information communication apparatus that can reliably grasp the transmission processing status of the divided electronic mail.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication network configuration in which an information communication apparatus according to the present invention is connected. Reference numerals 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D denote information communication apparatuses according to the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as “facsimile apparatus” or “INFAX”). INFAX 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as INFAX 1 if it is not necessary to distinguish) is also used as a conventional facsimile apparatus using a public telephone network (hereinafter referred to as PSTN). Needless to say, it is possible to connect with PSTN in the figure.
[0016]
INFAX 1A, 1B, a mail server (hereinafter referred to as MS) 3A, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 2A, etc. are connected to the LAN, and these devices (INFAX 1A, 1B, PC 2A, etc.) are mutually connected via MS 3A. Communication (transmission and reception) by electronic mail is possible. The LAN is connected to the Internet IN via the router 4, and the INFAX 1C, 1D, MS 3B, PC 2B, etc. are connected to the Internet IN in the same manner as the LAN. These devices (INFAX 1C, 1D, PC 2B, etc.) Are configured to be able to communicate with each other via electronic mail via MS3B. Furthermore, each device connected to the LAN and each device connected to the Internet IN are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the MSs 3A, 3B and the router 4 by electronic mail.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the information communication apparatus according to the present invention. The INFAX 1 that is a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit 10 constituted by a CPU. The control unit 10 includes a reading unit 12, a recording unit 13, an operation unit 15, a LAN interface (hereinafter referred to as LANIF) 16, a display unit 17, a ROM 18, a RAM 19, an image memory 20, a modem 21, and a line control unit (hereinafter referred to as “line control unit”). , NCU) 22, hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HD) 23, data conversion unit 24, and the like, and controls these units. The control unit 10 executes various functions in accordance with a computer program stored in advance in the ROM 18, and in cooperation with each unit or alone, various means in the present invention (input means, e-mail shaping means, text determination means, text selection) Function, delivery confirmation notification request giving means, etc.).
[0018]
The reading unit 12 reads a transmission document (hereinafter referred to as a document) to be transmitted by a scanner using a CCD or the like, and creates encoded image data by converting it into, for example, monochrome binary data using a CODEC (not shown). The image data is output and stored in the image memory 20 constituted by a DRAM or the like via the bus 11. As encoding methods at this time, encoding methods such as MH, MR, and MMR are defined by the standard of facsimile communication. Needless to say, an encoding unit such as CODEC may be provided separately from the reading unit 12 for encoding. The recording unit 13 is a printer apparatus such as an electrophotographic system, and prints out and records image data received from another facsimile apparatus through facsimile communication or image data received through a communication network as a hard copy. There are FBS (Flat Bed Scanner) and ADF (Auto Document Feeder) as scanner methods for reading a document, but either method may be used.
[0019]
The operation unit 15 includes character keys, numeric keys, abbreviated dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the INFAX 1, and also serves as an input unit. In addition, by using the touch panel method for the display unit 14, some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 15 can be substituted by the display unit 14.
[0020]
The LANIF 16 is an interface for INFAX1 (for example, INFAX1A) to communicate with other INFAX1 (1B), PC2A, and MS3A via the LAN, and is also connected to the Internet IN via the router 4, and other INFAX1 (1C 1D), PC 2B, and MS 3B can also be communicated.
[0021]
The display unit 17 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD), and displays the operation state of the INFAX 1, and further, image data (image data) of a document to be transmitted, received image data (image data), The image data recorded and accumulated in the HD 23 is displayed.
[0022]
The RAM 19 stores temporary data generated when the control unit 10 executes the computer program, and is configured by, for example, a DRAM, a flash memory, or the like. The HD 23 is a large-capacity memory that appropriately stores image data storage, e-mail addresses, facsimile numbers, destination names, facsimile numbers corresponding to shortened keys, telephone numbers, and the like.
[0023]
The modem 21 is configured by a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication. The NCU 22 is directly connected to the modem 21, and the NCU 22 connects or disconnects the PSTN, and connects the modem 21 to the PSTN as necessary. The INFAX 1 and an external facsimile machine (not based on e-mail) Control of facsimile communication with a conventional facsimile apparatus).
[0024]
The data conversion unit 24 converts the document image data (Fax image data) encoded according to the above-described facsimile communication standard into an image format of, for example, TIFF format or PDF format and can be transmitted by e-mail. Structure. At the time of transmission, the image format of the TIFF format is binary / text converted (encoded) using, for example, base 64 of MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions), and conversion from binary data to text data is performed. Needless to say, at the time of reception, the data conversion unit 24 can be configured to perform a reverse conversion to that at the time of transmission.
[0025]
The data conversion unit 24 may further have a function of creating an e-mail header essential for e-mail transmission. The e-mail header includes information such as an e-mail transmission date and time, an e-mail transmission source, an e-mail transmission destination, and additional information (for example, a title) of the e-mail. Note that the additional information appropriately includes a code (IFAX) indicating that the communication is facsimile communication using the Internet IN.
[0026]
3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an outline of the operation of the information communication apparatus according to the present invention. It is assumed that a divided transmission mode for dividing a read original and transmitting it as individual e-mails is set in advance. Each function, each step, and each means in the flowchart are sequentially executed by the control unit 10 appropriately controlling the operation of each related unit based on the operation program stored in the ROM 18 in advance.
[0027]
After the document is set, necessary information such as a destination is input via the operation unit 15 (step S1). The destination in the case of transmitting by e-mail is a mail address, and the operator inputs from the operation unit 15 as appropriate. In the case of a destination that has already been registered in the HD 23, it is possible to use a format that is called from the HD 23.
[0028]
The selection of the text is accepted (step S2). Provide text selection means to allow the operator (operator) to select whether or not to add a text to an e-mail, what content to add to the email, or a desired text from multiple texts provided in advance , Accepts the selection input. Here, an example of accepting an input for selecting a text every time an e-mail is sent is shown, but it is also possible to adopt an input form in which the text is selected in advance. The operator can arbitrarily select the text, such as selecting to give the same text to all e-mails or selecting to give a different text for each mail. The body selection unit can be realized by incorporating a program in the ROM 18 as appropriate and controlling the operation unit 15, the display unit 17 and the like as appropriate input receiving units by the control unit 10. As the input format of the text selection means at this time, for example, by adopting a pop-up menu format, the text selection means with better operability can be obtained.
[0029]
In addition to a mode in which the text is selected from a plurality of preset settings, the text content can be arbitrarily created and input as appropriate. In this case, the input of the text is configured to be appropriately executed from the operation unit 15. Further, the header information of the e-mail can be arbitrarily created similarly. In addition, it is possible to give information instructing the receiver to ignore the content of the body text or header information given to the e-mail. In this way, if the configuration is such that the text and header information can be arbitrarily created and set according to the operator's intention, it can be transmitted in various usage forms (various information added forms) reflecting the operator's intention. Become.
[0030]
The delivery confirmation notification request setting is accepted (step S3). The delivery confirmation notification request can be realized by utilizing an Internet mail mechanism such as DSN (Delivery Status Notification) or MDN (Message Disposition Notification). Delivery confirmation notification request granting means is provided so that it can be set to give any e-mail by DSN, MDN or the like. For example, it is possible to arbitrarily set a form that is given to all of the emails that are divided and formatted, a form that is given only to the final email, or can be sent without being given. . The delivery confirmation notification request assigning means can be realized by appropriately incorporating a program in the ROM 18 and using the operation unit 15 and the display unit 17 as appropriate input receiving means by the control unit 10. As an input format of the delivery confirmation notification request assigning unit at this time, for example, a pop-up menu format can be adopted to provide a delivery confirmation notification request granting unit with better operability.
[0031]
After accepting body selection (step S2) and delivery confirmation notification request setting (step S3), reading of the document is started (step S4). Based on an instruction from the control unit 10, the reading unit 12 appropriately reads a document.
[0032]
After reading is started, it is determined whether or not reading of the document in divided units (transmission units) is completed at appropriate intervals (step S5). Here, one division unit (one division unit) is set corresponding to an appropriate data amount such as a page (one page, a plurality of pages), a paragraph, a chapter, and a section. The division unit may be set according to the type of document, or may be set for each predetermined data amount. If document reading is not completed for one division unit (step S5: NO), the process returns to step S4, and reading is continued. If document reading has been completed for one division unit (step S5: YES), the process proceeds to step S6 because transmission is possible. In addition, image data having a larger amount of data than a normal document can be obtained by providing a means for dividing the image data so that the image data attached to an e-mail can be processed separately. Can be easily divided.
[0033]
It is determined whether or not the read original of one division unit is transmitted and the next original of the division unit is read (step S6). The determination can be executed in a format that accepts an instruction from the operator. In the case of NO at step S6, transmission is performed (step S7) and the process is terminated. In the transmission in step S7, transmission is performed after appropriately performing the processing in step S10 to step S13 (text determination at the time of text selection, delivery confirmation notification request assignment at the time of setting a delivery confirmation notification request) described later.
[0034]
In the case of YES in step S6, it is determined whether or not individual processing at the receiving destination is permitted for the original document that has been divided and read (step S8). The determination can be executed by providing an input means, allowing the operator to select whether or not the divided transmission document is allowed to be individually processed at the reception destination, and receiving an input of the selection. The input unit can be realized by incorporating a program in the ROM 18 as appropriate and controlling the operation unit 15 and the display unit 17 as appropriate input receiving units by the control unit 10. As the input format of the input means at this time, for example, a pop-up menu format or the like can be adopted to provide an input means with better operability.
[0035]
When individual processing at the receiving destination is not permitted (step S8: NO), the read divided data is transmitted (step S9), and the process returns to step S4. Since the format of the e-mail in this case does not process the divided document data as an independent format (individual), for example, a series of serial numbers similar to the conventional one is given, for example, by assigning a series of serial numbers to the subject (Subject). Formatting as e-mail. In the transmission in step S9, transmission is performed after appropriately performing the processing in steps S10 to S13 (text determination at the time of text selection and delivery confirmation notification request assignment at the time of setting a delivery confirmation notification request) described later.
[0036]
When individual processing at the receiving destination is permitted (step S8: YES), it is determined whether or not a text has been selected (step S10). When there is a selection of the text (step S10: YES), that is, when the text is selected in step S2 or when the text is created and input, the text is determined by the text determination means provided in the e-mail shaping means. Is confirmed (step S11), and the text corresponding to the e-mail corresponding to the divided document is assigned (determined). In other words, the text determination unit determines the text by appropriately determining the state of input (selection) by the operator to the text selection unit. After the text is fixed, the e-mail shaping means formats the e-mail into independent e-mail formats, and the process proceeds to step S12. If the text is not selected in step S2 (step S10: NO), the text is not added, and the divided originals are each shaped into an independent e-mail format by the e-mail shaping means, and the process proceeds to step S12. move on.
[0037]
It is determined whether there is a delivery confirmation notification request setting (step S12). If a delivery confirmation notification request is set in step S3 (step S12: YES), a delivery confirmation notification request using DSN, MDN, etc. is given by the delivery confirmation notification request granting means (step S13), The electronic mail is formatted by the electronic mail shaping means, and the process proceeds to step S14. If the delivery confirmation notification request is not set in step S3 (step S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S14 without giving the delivery confirmation notification request.
[0038]
The e-mail shaping means transmits the original data, which has been shaped into independent e-mail formats, as independent e-mails (transmission processing) (step S14). For the transmission process in step S14, the occurrence of a transmission error (transmission ends in error) is determined as appropriate (step S15).
[0039]
If no transmission error has occurred (step S15: NO), the process returns to step S2 and the same process as described above is performed on the next document. When returning to step S2, it is possible to select a text or a delivery confirmation notification request again, so the same text as the previous e-mail can be selected, or a text different from the previous e-mail can be selected. You can also In other words, the text selection unit has a function of arbitrarily selecting a text for each electronic mail.
[0040]
If a transmission error has occurred (step S15: YES), the error content is displayed on the display unit 17 (step S17). The operator can select the subsequent processing by looking at the error contents displayed on the display unit 17. For example, in the case of an address input error, it can be selected that continuation of transmission is useless and transmission processing is not continued. That is, in the error processing selection means, the operator selects whether or not to continue the transmission processing after the transmission error occurs, and determines whether or not to continue the transmission processing after the transmission error occurs based on the selection contents ( Step S18). After receiving the instruction selected by the operator, the error process selection means determines the operator's selection content (continues the subsequent transmission process or does not continue the subsequent transmission process) and performs the subsequent processes.
[0041]
If the operator does not continue the transmission process (step S18: NO), an error process (step S19) is performed and the process is terminated. If the operator decides to continue the transmission process (step S18: YES), the process returns to step S2 to execute the transmission process for the next original (subsequent original).
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, in the information communication apparatus of the present invention, when divided transmission is performed, it can be shaped into an independent e-mail format without having a mutual relationship. Advantages can be further expanded, and convenience in the case of sending image data by e-mail can be improved.
[0043]
And in the case of divided transmission, the body of the e-mail can be easily determined and selected, so it is possible to easily give and transmit the necessary communication items for the divided transmission, and to send the e-mail Convenience can be improved.
[0044]
In the information communication apparatus according to the present invention, in the case of divided transmission, a delivery confirmation notification request can be arbitrarily given to the shaped e-mail, so that the transmission processing status can be easily grasped and the e-mail is transmitted. The convenience of the case can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication network configuration in which an information communication apparatus according to the present invention is connected.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of an information communication apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the information communication apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the information communication apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Information communication equipment (facsimile equipment, INFAX)
2A, 2B Personal computer (PC)
3A, 3B Mail server (MS)
4 router 10 control unit 11 bus 12 reading unit 13 recording unit 15 operation unit 16 LAN interface (LANIF)
17 Display unit 18 ROM
19 RAM
20 Image memory 21 Modem 22 Line control unit (NCU)
23 Hard disk (HD)
24 Data converter IN Internet LAN Local area network PSTN Public telephone line network

Claims (3)

In an information communication apparatus capable of dividing and transmitting a read transmission original, when the read transmission original is divided and transmitted, the divided transmission original is allowed to be individually processed at the reception destination. comprising input means for inputting an instruction, and an e-mail shaping means for the shaping the transmission original divided when there is input of an instruction to allow separate processing in the form of independent e-mail, electronic mail shaping means, the information communication apparatus according to claim Rukoto comprising a body determination means for determining a text for each division unit in the form of the electronic mail. The text previously Yes in plurality, said body defining means is an information communication apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a body selection means for enabling selection of one body. An information communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises the acknowledgment notification request providing means for providing a delivery confirmation notification request to confirm that it has delivered to the recipient in the formatted e-mail .

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