COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM

• US 20020048040A1
• Filed: 10/16/1998
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: KATO, TOKUNORI
• Granted Patent: US 6,965,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus H04N2201/0013; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

The disclosed communication apparatus reduces the number of procedural steps that need to be performed by a user in attaching facsimile data to an e-mail and transmitting the e-mail. A CPU of a personal computer starts a transmission program for performing a series of operations, such as causing a facsimile apparatus to scan a document, generating an image file of the scan data, attaching the image file to an email, and transmitting the e-mail. In accordance with the transmission program, a mail address, a scan mode, and a format for generating an image file of the scan data are set. Then, the CPU instructs the facsimile apparatus to start scanning a document. The CPU receives and stores scan data. Upon receiving a scan end command, the CPU converts the scan data into the format designated as described above, and generates an image file of the scan data. After attaching the image file to an e-mail, the CPU transmits the e-mail.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

an image reader that reads image information from a document, and

a processor capable of transmitting information to the image reader and receiving information from the image reader, the processor comprising;

an instruction device that instructs the image reader to read image information from the document, and instructs the image reader to transmit the image information read by the image reader to the processor;

a reception device that receives the image information transmitted from the image reader in accordance with instructions provided by the instruction device;

a determination device that determines whether reception of the image information by the reception device has been completed; and

a transmission device that transmits the image information received by the reception device to a receiver-side apparatus if the determination device determines that the reception of the image information by the reception device has been completed.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises an e-mail transmission device that transmits an e-mail via an Internet.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the processor further comprises a conversion device that converts the image information received by the reception device, into a format such that the image information becomes attachable to the e-mail.

4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the transmission device attaches the image information converted by the conversion device, to the e-mail, and transmits the e-mail to the receiver-side apparatus via the Internet.

5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the processor further comprises a designation device that, before the instruction device outputs an instruction to the image reader, designates a format for converting the image information so that the image information becomes attachable to the e-mail.

6. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the conversion device converts the image information on the basis of the format designated by the designated device.

7. A storage medium for storing a control program to operate a communication system including an image reader that reads image information from a document, and a processor capable of transmitting information to the image reader and receiving information from the image reader,

the control program including:

a transmission instruction program for instructing the image reader to read image information from the document, and to transmit the image information read by the image reader to the processor;

a reception program for receiving the image information transmitted from the image reader in accordance with instructions provided by the transmission instruction program;

a determination program for determining whether reception of the image information by the reception program has been completed; and

a transmission program for transmitting the image information received by the reception program to a receiver-side apparatus via a communication device if the determination program determines that the reception of the image information by the reception program has been completed.

8. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the control program further includes an e-mail transmission program that transmitting an e-mail via an Internet.

9. The storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the control program further includes a conversion program that converts the image information received by the reception program, into a format such that the image information becomes attachable to the e-mail.

10. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the transmission program attaches the image information converted by the conversion program, to the e-mail, and transmits the e-mail to the receiver-side apparatus via the Internet.

11. The storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the control program further includes a designation program that, before the transmission instruction program outputs an instruction to the image reader, designates a format for converting the image information so that the image information becomes attachable to the e-mail.

12. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the conversion program converts the image information on the basis of the format designated by the designated program.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising transmitting an e-mail via an Internet.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising converting the image information received by the reception program, into a format such that the image information becomes attachable to the e-mail.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein in the transmitting step, the image information converted in the conversing step is attached to the e-mail, and transmitted to the receiver-side apparatus via the Internet.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising designating a format for converting the image information so that the image information becomes attachable to the e-mail before the instructing step outputs an instruction to the image reader.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the converting step converts the image information on the basis of the format designated in the designating step.

13. A method for operating a communication system, comprising:

controlling the communication system including an image reader that reads image information from a document, and a processor capable of transmitting information to the image reader and receiving information from the image reader;

instructing the image reader to read image information from the document, and to transmit the image information read by the image reader to the processor;

receiving the image information transmitted from the image reader in accordance with instructions provided in the instruction step;

determining whether reception of the image information in the reception step has been completed; and

transmitting the image information received in the reception step to a receiver-side apparatus via a communication device if it is determined in the determination step that the reception of the image information in the reception step has been completed.