JPH10271311A - Data communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data communication equipment, capable of easily executing management of which the has been transmitted to which. SOLUTION: A file box name storing part 17 stores corresponding relation data between an address to be transmitted and a file box name. When a user inputs an address to be transmitted from an opeartion part 10, a control part 30 provides the address to the storing part 17, acquires a file box number and controls a file box switching part 15, so as to select the file box of the file box number.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication device for transmitting and receiving electronic mail data and facsimile data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus, which is one of data communication apparatuses, is a means for electrically transmitting document information to a remote place using a telephone line or the like. The basic configuration is to perform transmission after compression processing. However, in recent years, facsimile boards and the like for directly facsimile transmitting document information created by computer devices such as personal computers and word processors have been developed, and interfaces between these computer devices, facsimile boards, and facsimile devices have been standardized. Yes (EIA
Standard Class1, Class2, etc.). Accordingly, general-purpose facsimile machine application software according to these standard interfaces has been supplied.

On the other hand, in recent years, the transmission of information by e-mail using the Internet has been utilized. To send e-mail using the Internet, create data (message) on a personal computer, send it using Internet software (application software that sends and receives files via the Internet), and receive e-mail. When the Internet software is running, the server is accessed at regular intervals, for example, to check for the presence or absence of mail. If there is mail, read the mail by starting the reading software. Is available.

As shown in FIG. 5, a scanner 101 and a personal computer 102 are connected, and the personal computer 101 has a FAX modem 103 and a data modem 104, and has both a facsimile communication function and an e-mail communication function. It is also conceivable for the configuration to be made. In the data communication apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 5, a document is read by the image reading unit 101a of the scanner 101, and the document data is supplied to the personal computer 102. Then, the personal computer 102 converts the received document data into a transmission file (e-mail file or FAX file) by the file conversion unit 105, and
06, and if the destination is a destination using e-mail, the e-mail data is extracted from the file box 106 and transmitted to the destination. If the destination is a destination using facsimile communication, the file is stored in the file box 106. Box 10
6. E-mail data is taken out from file conversion unit 1
At step 05, the data is converted into facsimile image data and transmitted to the other party.

[0005]

However, as described above, when transmission files are stored collectively in the file box 106, it is difficult to know where and which file was transmitted. Further, since the file is managed by an arbitrary application, if an attempt is made to manage the transmission original in a certain file box managed by the file manager, the file managed by the application is converted to a separate file. You need to transfer them to a box.

An object of the present invention is to provide a data communication apparatus which can easily manage where and what file is transmitted in view of the above situation.

[0007]

A data communication apparatus according to the present invention comprises: reading means for reading an original; destination input means for inputting a destination; and inputting the original read by the reading means to the destination input. And filing means for filing in a file box specified by the transmission destination input by the means.

With the above configuration, the transmission file is automatically filed in the file box specified by the transmission destination. Therefore, as compared with the case where the transmission file is stored in one file box at a time, Can be easily managed.

Further, the data communication apparatus of the present invention has a reading means for reading a document, a specifying means for receiving a specification of a file box by a user, and a document read by the reading means specified by a user. Filing means for filing in a file box.

With the above configuration, the transmission file is automatically filed in the file box specified by the user. Therefore, as compared with the case where the transmission file is stored in one file box at a time, Can be easily managed.

Further, the data communication apparatus of the present invention comprises: reading means for reading a document; destination input means for inputting a destination; designation means for receiving designation of a file box by a user; The manuscript
And filing means for filing a file box specified by the destination input by the destination input means and / or a file box specified by the user.

[0012] The reading means may be provided separately from the data communication device main body, and the transmission destination input means may be provided on the reading means and / or the data communication device main body. Further, the reading means may be provided separately from the data communication device main body, and the designation means may be provided on the reading means and / or the data communication device main body.

Further, the data communication device of the present invention issues a warning when there is no file box corresponding to the destination input by the destination input means, and newly sets the file box corresponding to the destination. Processing means for executing a process selected by a user among a process of creating a new file box, a process of newly creating an arbitrary file box regardless of the transmission destination, and a process of transmitting without newly creating a file box. It is characterized by the following. Also,
A warning is issued when the file box specified by the specifying means does not exist, and a process selected by the user is performed among a process of newly creating the specified file box and a process of re-entering the specification. Processing means for performing the processing.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data communication apparatus according to this embodiment. The data communication apparatus of this embodiment comprises a scanner 2 and a personal computer 1, and this personal computer 1 is connected to a telephone line 5
By connecting to 0, e-mail communication and facsimile communication can be performed with another personal computer or facsimile apparatus provided at a remote place.

An NCU (network control unit) 11 is connected to the telephone line 50. A fax modem unit 12 and a data modem unit 13 are connected to the NCU 11. FAX modem section 12
Is used when modulating and demodulating FAX data, and the data modem unit 13 is used when modulating and demodulating e-mail data. The FAX modem section 12 and the data modem section 1
The switching of No. 3 is performed by the NCU 11.

The file conversion section 14 converts the original read by the scanner 2 into an e-mail file, gives it to a specific file box of the file box group 16 via the file box switching section 15, and controls the control section 30. When a user requests conversion to a facsimile file, the e-mail file is converted to a facsimile file and given to the control unit 30.

The file box switching unit 15 selects the file box (N
o. 1 to N) to select whether to store the e-mail file. The file box name storage unit 17 stores correspondence data between the transmission destination address and the file box number. The control unit 30 stores the destination address input by the user using the operation unit 10 described later in the file box name storage unit 17.
, The file box number is obtained, and the file box switching unit 15 is controlled so that the file box with that number is selected. In addition, FIG.
In order to cope with the flowchart of the above, it is only necessary that the correspondence data between the file box name and the file box number specified by the user is stored in the file box name storage unit 17, and the control unit 30 is designated by the user. By giving the file box name to the file box name storage unit 17, the file box number is obtained.

The operation unit 10 includes an input unit (such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse) 18 and a display unit (such as a CRT or LCD) 19 and functions as some operation keys. That is, in the display unit 19, several display areas (images such as icons) corresponding to the operation contents are created by application software, and the cursor is positioned on the target display area with the mouse and clicked. This allows the personal computer 1 to perform the intended operation.

The operation contents (operation keys) include a destination setting key for inputting a destination address to be transmitted, a file box setting key for arbitrarily setting a file box destination for storing a transmission file, and a destination file box. There are a storage setting key for setting which of the arbitrary file boxes to select, or both, and a reading start key. The display unit 19 displays a message such as "File box not found" by a process of the control unit 30 in a warning process described later.

The sound generation unit 31 performs a sound transmission process such as "file box not found" or a process of transmitting a warning sound by a process of the control unit 30 in a warning process described later.

The control unit 30 controls each of the above-described components, and controls the entire personal computer 1.

The scanner 2 is provided with a reading unit 21 and an operation unit 22. The reading unit 21 includes a CIS (contact image sensor), a document size detection switch, a document conveying roller (all not shown), and the like. The operation unit 22 is provided with various operation keys. The contents of the operation unit 22 are the same as the operation unit 10 of the personal computer 1 described above. A file box setting key for arbitrarily setting a file box destination for storing a file, a storage setting key for setting whether to select a destination file box or an arbitrary file box or to select both, and a reading start key and so on.

Next, the communication processing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the user sets an original on the scanner 2 (step 1), inputs a destination address (e-mail address or facsimile number) (step 2), and presses a reading start key (step 3).
The input of the transmission address and the operation of the reading start key may be performed by the operation unit 10 of the personal computer 1 or may be performed by the operation unit 22 of the scanner 2.

By operating the read start key, the original is read by the reading section 21 of the scanner 2 (step 4).
The contents of the original are transferred from the scanner 2 to the personal computer 1
The original is converted into an electronic mail file by the file conversion unit 14 of the personal computer 1 (step 5). Next, it is determined whether a file box corresponding to the transmission destination address exists (step 6).

If there is a file box corresponding to the destination address, the e-mail file is stored in the file box corresponding to the transmission address (step 7). Next, it is determined whether the transmission destination is an e-mail address (step 8). This determination can be made based on, for example, whether or not a facsimile number such as "@" is not included in the destination address.

If the destination address is an electronic mail address, the electronic mail file is modulated by the data modem 13 (step 16), and the electronic mail file is transmitted to the destination according to a predetermined procedure (step 17). On the other hand, if it is determined that the destination address is not an e-mail address, that is, it is a facsimile number, the e-mail file is converted into facsimile data (step 9).
Modulation is performed by the AX modem 12 (step 10), and FAX data is transmitted to the destination according to a predetermined procedure (step 11).

If it is determined in step 6 that the file box corresponding to the transmission destination address does not exist, a warning sound is sounded by using the sound generation unit 31 and a warning display is displayed by using the display unit 19. (Step 12). Then, a message such as "Create a new file box corresponding to the destination?" Is displayed on the display unit 19, and waits for the user to input YES / NO (step 13). If the user inputs YES, a new file box corresponding to the destination address input in step 2 is created (step 14), and the process proceeds to step 7. When a file box corresponding to a destination address is newly created, correspondence data between a destination address and a file box number is newly created in the file box name storage unit 17. On the other hand, if "NO" is entered, a message such as "Create a new file box with a different name?" Is displayed on the display unit 19, and the YE of the user is displayed.
Wait for S / NO input (step 15).

If "NO" is entered in step 15, the process proceeds to step 8 without creating a file box, and the transmission process is executed. If "YES" is entered, an arbitrary name is input by the user. An accepting process is performed to newly create a file box with that name (step 18). Then, it is determined whether or not the file box name is duplicated (step 19). If the file box name is duplicated, the process proceeds to step 12, and a warning such as "the file box name already exists" is issued. Display. On the other hand, if there is no duplicate, the original is stored in the file box given the name (step 20), and the process proceeds to step 8.

As described above, in the data communication apparatus according to this embodiment, the electronic mail file is stored in the file box of the number specified by the transmission destination (any one of No. 1 to N in the file box group 16). File box), it is easier to manage where and which file was sent, compared to a configuration in which e-mail files are collectively stored in one file box. Also, even if the file box corresponding to the destination does not exist, the e-mail file is automatically filed in the file box with the file box name arbitrarily specified by the user,
In such a case as well, it is possible to easily manage where and which file was sent as compared with a case where the e-mail files are collectively stored in one file box.

Next, another example of the communication processing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the user sets an original on the scanner 2 (step 31) and inputs a destination address (e-mail address or facsimile number) (step 32). Further, the user inputs a file box name (arbitrary file box name) for storing the original (transmission file) (step 3).
3) An input is made as to which file box the original (transmission file) is to be stored (step 34). In addition,
The processing in this step 34 is performed, for example, on the display unit 19
On the top, three items of the user-specified file box name, the destination file box name, the user-specified file box name and the destination file box name are displayed,
This can be done by the user inputting any number.

When the user presses the reading start key after the input processing (step 35), the original is read by the reading section 21 of the scanner 2 (step 36), and the contents of the original are transferred from the scanner 2 to the personal computer 1. Is sent out,
The document is converted into an electronic mail file by the file conversion unit 14 of the personal computer 1 (step 3).
7).

Hereinafter, the case where the user-specified file box name is selected in step 34 will be described. After converting the original into an e-mail file, it is determined whether or not the file box name specified by the user exists (step 38). If the user-specified file box name exists, the e-mail file is stored in the file box (step 39). Next, it is determined whether the destination is an e-mail address (step 4).
0). If the destination address is an email address,
The e-mail file is modulated by the data modem 13 (step 48), and the e-mail file is transmitted to the destination according to a predetermined procedure (step 49). On the other hand, if it is determined that the destination address is not an e-mail address, that is, a facsimile number, the e-mail file is converted into facsimile data (step 41),
Modulation is performed by the modem 12 (step 42), and FAX data is transmitted to the destination according to a predetermined procedure (step 4).
3).

If it is determined in step 38 that the user-specified file box does not exist,
A warning sound is sounded using the sound generation unit 31, and a warning display is performed using the display unit 19 (step 44). Then, a message such as "Create a new file box?" Is displayed on the display unit 19, and waits for the user to input YES / NO (step 45). If the user inputs YES, a new file box having the user-specified file box name input in step 33 is created (step 46), and step 3 is executed.
Go to 9.

On the other hand, if the user inputs "NO", a message such as "Do you want to input the file box name again?"
Wait for the user to input YES / NO (step 47).
If the user inputs "NO", the process proceeds to step 40 without creating a file box, and a transmission process is performed. On the other hand, if the user inputs YES,
Change the file box name and go to step 38.

When the communication processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed, the transmission file is automatically filed in the file box designated by the user, so that the transmission files are collectively stored in one file box. This makes it easier to manage where and which file was sent, compared to storing it.

When the destination file box name is selected in step 34, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 2 is performed. When the user-specified file box name and the destination file box name are selected, the document is stored in both the file box specified by the user and the destination file box. If the file box specified by the user does not exist, the process proceeds to step 44 in FIG. 3, and if the file box corresponding to the transmission destination does not exist, the process proceeds to step 12 in FIG. Good.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modification of the data communication apparatus. The same reference numerals are given to the same functional blocks as those in FIG. This data communication device has a configuration in which a scanner unit and a personal computer are integrated, and may exist as, for example, a facsimile multifunction device. Therefore, a configuration including a dedicated operation panel may be used instead of the operation unit 10 including the pointing device 18 and the display unit 19.

In the data communication processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, it is determined whether or not the transmission destination is an e-mail address after converting the original into an e-mail file. It is also possible to first determine whether it is a mail address or not and to select whether to convert the original into an electronic mail file or a facsimile file based on the result of the determination.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily manage where and which files are transmitted, compared to the case where transmission files are collectively stored in one file box. To play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a data communication processing operation according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another example of the data communication processing operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data communication device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional data communication device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 2 Scanner 11 NCU part 12 FAX modem part 13 Data modem part 14 File conversion part 15 File box switching part 16 File box group 17 File box name storage part 21 Reading part 22 Operation part 30 Control part 31 Sound generation part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/00 107

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A reading device for reading a document, a destination input device for inputting a destination, and a document read by the reading device are specified by a destination input by the destination input device. Filing means for filing in a file box. 2. Reading means for reading a manuscript, designation means for accepting designation of a file box by a user, and filing means for filing the manuscript read by the reading means into a file box designated by the user. A data communication device comprising: 3. A reading means for reading an original, a destination inputting means for inputting a destination, a specifying means for receiving designation of a file box by a user, and a reading means for reading the original read by the reading means. A filing unit for filing a file box specified by a transmission destination input by the input unit and / or a file box specified by a user. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading means is provided separately from the data communication device main body, and the transmission destination input means is provided on the reading means and / or the data communication device main body. The data communication device according to claim 1. 5. The data communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reading means is provided separately from the data communication device main body, and the designation means is provided in the reading means and / or the data communication device main body. The data communication device according to claim 2 or 3. 6. A process for issuing a warning when there is no file box corresponding to the destination input by the destination input means, newly creating a file box corresponding to the destination, and 2. A processing means for executing a process selected by a user among a process of newly creating an arbitrary file box and a process of transmitting without newly creating a file box. The data communication device according to claim 3. 7. A warning is issued when the file box designated by the designation means does not exist, and the user selects one of a process of newly creating the designated file box and a process of re-inputting the designation. 6. The data communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a processing unit that executes the performed processing.