Data communication apparatus and method

• US 6,801,340 B1
• Filed: 10/26/1998
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Endo, Tomoaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Kimberly
• Assistant Examiner(s): Worku, Negussie
• Application Number:
  US09/178,420
• Time in Patent Office: 2,171 Days
• Field of Search: 358/474, 358/403, 358/400, 358/405, 358/255, 358/260, 358/264, 358/267, 358/1.15
• US Class Current: 358/403
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/0008 Communication details outside or between apparatus coin-freed apparatus for franking per se G07F17/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00072 Hybrid mail, i.e. mail delivered using different physical means along the mail delivery path, e.g. email and envelope
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00095 Systems or arrangements for the transmission of the picture signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00206 Transmitting or receiving computer data via an image communication device, e.g. a facsimile transceiver H04N1/00236 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00222 details of image data generation or reproduction, e.g. scan-to-email or network printing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00225 details of image data generation, e.g. scan-to-email or network scanners using an image reading device as a local input to a computer H04N1/00241
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0018 via a non-image communication channel, e.g. via a computer network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0027 Adapting to communicate with plural different types of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0065 Converting image data to a format usable by the connected apparatus or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0067 Converting to still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 : of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3276 : of a customised additional information profile, e.g. a profile specific to a user ID

Abstract

A document transmission apparatus reduces troublesome labor of an operator when transmitting document data, inputted from a scanner or the like, by various transmission methods such as electronic mail, facsimile, remote printing and file transfer. An address book containing a receiver and a plurality of transmission methods for transmitting document data to the receiver is generated. Upon transmission instruction, an appropriate transmission method is selected by the receiver, then document data is converted into data of an appropriate data format, and the converted data is transmitted. Further, a notice of transmission indicating that the document data has been transmitted is transmitted to the receiver of the document data by a method different from the transmission method of the document data. Thus, the document data can be reliably delivered to the receiver.

Claims

1. A document transmission method comprising the steps of:

storing correspondence information between a plurality of data formats, data transmission methods and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

inputting document data to be transmitted;

inputting a designation of transmission methods for transmitting the document data;

inputting a designation of document types to be transmitted;

specifying one or more data formats corresponding to the designated data transmission methods and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

converting said input document data into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmitting said converted document data by at least one of said designated transmission methods.

2. A document transmission method comprising the steps of:

storing correspondence information between data formats, transmission destinations and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

inputting document data to be transmitted;

inputting a designation of at least one of said transmission destinations;

inputting a designation of document types to be transmitted;

specifying one or more data formats corresponding to the designated transmission destinations and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

converting said input document data into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmitting said converted document data to the designated transmission destinations.

3. A document processing apparatus comprising:

storage means for storing correspondence information between a plurality of data formats, data transmission methods, and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

input means for inputting document data to be transmitted;

designation means for designating transmission methods for transmitting the document data, and for designating document types to be transmitted;

specifying means for specifying one or more data formats corresponding to the designated data transmission methods and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

conversion means for converting said document data input by said input means into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmission means for transmitting said converted document data by at least one of said designated transmission methods.

4. A document processing apparatus comprising:

storage means for storing correspondence information between data formats, transmission destinations and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

input means for inputting document data to be transmitted;

designation means for designating at least one of said transmission destinations and document types to be transmitted;

specifying means for specifying one or more data formats corresponding to the designated transmission destinations and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

conversion means for converting said document data input by said input means into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmission means for transmitting said converted document data to the designated transmission destinations.

5. A document transmission apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting document data to be transmitted;

transmission means for transmitting the document data input by said input means to a plurality of destinations by a plurality of transmission methods;

storing means for storing correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

designation means for designating a receiver which is to receive the document data;

specification means for specifying transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information; and

selection means for selecting one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations.

6. The document transmission apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selection means selects the transmission methods and the destinations for each combination based on security of document data to be transmitted by said transmission means.

7. The document transmission apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selection means selects the transmission methods and destinations for each combination based on priority of document data to be transmitted by said transmission means.

8. A document transmission apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selection means selects the transmission methods and the destinations for each combination based on position information of said document transmission apparatus and position information of the destination.

9. A document transmission apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selection means selects the transmission methods and the destinations for each combination based on a time of transmission of document data by said transmission means.

10. A document transmission apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selection means selects the transmission methods and the destinations for each combination based on an amount of document data to be transmitted by said transmission means.

11. A document transmission apparatus control method comprising the steps of:

an input step of inputting document data to be transmitted;

a transmission step of transmitting the document data input at said input step to a plurality of destinations by a plurality of transmission methods;

a step of storing correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

a designating step of designating a receiver which is to receive the document data;

a specifying step of specifying transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information; and

a selection step of selecting one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations.

12. A document transmission apparatus comprising:

transmission means for transmitting data;

input means for inputting document data to be transmitted by said transmission means;

storing means for storing correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

designation means for designating a receiver which is to receive the document data;

specification means for specifying transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information;

first selection means for selecting one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations;

generation means for generating a notice of transmission indicating transmission of the input document data based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected by said first selection means; and

second selection means for selecting a combination of a transmission method and a destination for transmitting the notice of transmission generated by said generation means,

wherein said transmission means transmits the document data input by said input means based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected by said first selection means, and transmits the notice of transmission generated by said generation means based on the combination of the transmission method and the destination selected by said second selection means.

13. A document transmission apparatus control method comprising:

a transmission step of transmitting data;

an input step of inputting document data to be transmitted at said transmission step;

a storing step of storing correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

a designating step of designating a receiver which is to receive the document data;

a specification step of specifying transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information;

a first selection step of selecting one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations;

a generation step of generating a notice of transmission indicative of transmission of the input document data based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected at said first selection step; and

a second selection step of selecting a combination of a transmission method and a destination for transmitting the notice of transmission generated at said generation step,

wherein, at said transmission step, said document data input at said input step is transmitted based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected at said first selection step, and the notice of transmission generated at said generation step is transmitted based on the combination of the transmission method and the destination selected at said second selection step.

14. A document processing apparatus comprising:

a storage device that stores correspondence information between a plurality of data formats, data transmission methods, and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

an input device that inputs document data to be transmitted;

a designation device that designates transmission methods for transmitting the document data and document types to be transmitted;

a specifying device that specifies one or more data formats corresponding to the designated data transmission methods and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

a conversion device that converts said document data input by said input device into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmission device that transmits said converted document data by at least one of said designated transmission methods.

15. A document processing apparatus comprising:

a storage device that stores correspondence information between data formats, transmission destinations, and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

an input device that inputs document data to be transmitted;

a designation device that designates at least one of said transmission destinations and document types to be transmitted;

a specifying device that specifies one or more data formats corresponding to the designated transmission destinations and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

a conversion device that converts said document data input by said input device into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

a transmission device that transmits said converted document data to the designated transmission destinations.

16. A document transmission apparatus comprising:

an input device that inputs document data to be transmitted;

a transmission device that transmits the document data input by the input device to a plurality of destinations by a plurality of transmission methods;

a storage device that stores correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

a designating device that designates a receiver which is to receive the document data;

a specifying device that specifies transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information; and

a selection device that selects one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations.

17. The document transmission apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said selection device selects the transmission method and the destinations for each combination based on security of document data to be transmitted by the transmission device.

18. The document transmission apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said selection device selects the transmission methods and destinations for each combination based on priority of document data to be transmitted by the transmission device.

19. The document transmission apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said selection device selects the transmission methods and the destinations for each combination based on position information of said document transmission apparatus and position information of the destination.

20. The document transmission apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said selection device selects the transmission methods and the destinations for each combination based on time of transmission of document data by said transmission device.

21. The document transmission apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said selection device selects the transmission methods and the destinations for each combination based on an amount of document data to be transmitted by the transmission device.

22. A document transmission apparatus comprising:

a transmission device that transmits data;

an input device that inputs document data to be transmitted by said transmission device;

a storage device that stores correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

a designation device that designates a receiver which is to receive the document data;

a specification device that specifies transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information;

a first selection device that selects one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations;

a generation device that generates a notice of transmission indicating transmission of the input document data based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected by said first selection device; and

a second selection device that selects a combination of a transmission method and a destination for transmitting the notice of transmission generated by said generation device;

wherein said transmission device transmits the document data input by said input device based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected by said first selection device, and transmits the notice of transmission generated by said generation device based on the combination of the transmission method and the destination selected by said second selection device.

23. Computer-executable process steps for transmitting documents, comprising the steps of:

storing correspondence information between a plurality of data formats, data transmission methods, and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

inputting document data to be transmitted;

inputting a designation of transmission methods for transmitting the document data;

inputting a designation of document types to be transmitted;

specifying one or more data formats corresponding to the designated data transmission methods and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

converting said input document data into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmitting said converted document data by at least one of said designated transmission methods.

24. Computer-executable process steps for transmitting documents, comprising the steps of:

storing correspondence information between data formats, transmission destinations, and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

inputting document data to be transmitted;

inputting a designation of at least one of said transmission destinations;

inputting a designation of document types to be transmitted;

specifying one or more data formats corresponding to the designated transmission destinations and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

converting said input document data into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmitting said converted document data to said designated transmission destinations.

25. Computer-executable process steps for controlling a document transmission apparatus, comprising the steps of:

an input step of inputting document data to be transmitted;

a transmission step of transmitting document data input at said input step to a plurality of destinations by a plurality of transmission methods;

a step of storing correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

a designating step of designating a receiver which is to receive the document data;

a specifying step of specifying transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information; and

a selection step of selecting one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations.

26. Computer-executable process steps for controlling a document transmission apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a transmission step of transmitting data;

an input step of inputting document data to be transmitted at said transmission step;

a storing step of storing correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

a designating step of designating a receiver which is to receive the document data;

a specification step of specifying transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information;

a first selection step of selecting one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations;

a generation step of generating a notice of transmission indicative of transmission of the input document data based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected at said first selection step; and

a second selection step of selecting a combination of a transmission method and a destination for transmitting the notice of transmission generated at said generation step,

wherein, at said transmission step, said document data input at said input step is transmitted based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected at said first selection step, and the notice of transmission generated at said generation step is transmitted based on the combination of the transmission method and the destination selected at said second selection step.

27. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps for transmitting documents, comprising the steps of:

storing correspondence information between a plurality of data formats, data transmission methods, and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

inputting document data to be transmitted;

inputting a designation of transmission methods for transmitting the document data;

inputting a designation of document types to be transmitted;

specifying one or more data formats corresponding to the designated data transmission methods and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

converting said input document data into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmitting said converted document data by at least one of said designated transmission methods.

28. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps for transmitting documents, comprising the steps of:

storing correspondence information between data formats, transmission destinations, and a plurality of document types including a color document type or a monochrome document type;

inputting document data to be transmitted;

inputting a designation of at least one of said transmission destinations;

inputting a designation of document types to be transmitted;

specifying one or more data formats corresponding to the designated transmission destinations and the designated document types by referring to the stored correspondence information;

converting said input document data into the specified one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmitting said converted document data to said designated transmission destinations.

29. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps for controlling a document transmission apparatus, comprising the steps of:

an input step of inputting document data to be transmitted;

a transmission step of transmitting the document data input at said input step to a plurality of destinations by a plurality of transmission methods;

a step of storing correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

a designating step of designating a receiver which is to receive the document data;

a specifying step of specifying transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information; and

a selection step of selecting one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations.

30. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps for controlling a document transmission apparatus, comprising the steps of:

a transmission step of transmitting data;

an input step of inputting document data to be transmitted at said transmission step;

a storing step of storing correspondence information among a receiver, transmission methods by which the document data is to be transmitted to the receiver, and destinations which are to be designated for transmitting the document data to the receiver by the transmission methods;

a designating step of designating a receiver which is to receive the document data;

a specification step of specifying transmission methods and destinations corresponding to the designated receiver by referring to the stored correspondence information;

a first selection step of selecting one or more combinations of a transmission method and a destination from the specified transmission methods and destinations;

a generation step of generating a notice of transmission indicative of transmission of the input document data based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected at said first selection step; and

a second selection step of selecting a combination of a transmission method and a destination for transmitting the notice of transmission generated at said generation step,

wherein, at said transmission step, said document data input at said input step is transmitted based on the one or more combinations of the transmission method and the destination selected at said first selection step, and the notice of transmission generated at said generation step is transmitted based on the combination of the transmission method and the destination selected at said second selection step.

31. A document transmission method comprising the steps of:

setting, based on a manual instruction, a plurality of data formats respectively corresponding to a plurality of document types each indicating a color document type or a monochrome document type;

inputting document data to be transmitted;

inputting a designation of at least one transmission destination to which the document data is to be transmitted;

inputting a designation of the document types to be transmitted;

converting said input document data into one or more of the data formats corresponding to said designated document data types; and

transmitting said converted document data to said designated transmission destinations.

32. A document transmission apparatus comprising:

setting means for setting, based on a manual instruction, a plurality of data formats respectively corresponding to a plurality of document types each indicating a color document type or a monochrome document type;

input means for inputting document data to transmitted;

designation means for designating at least one transmission destination to which the document data is to be transmitted, and the document types to be transmitted;

conversion means for converting said input document data into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

transmission means for transmitting said converted document data to said designated transmission destinations.

33. A document transmission apparatus comprising:

a setting device that sets, based on a manual instruction, a plurality of data formats respectively corresponding to a plurality of document types each indicating a color document type or a monochrome document type;

an input device that inputs document data to be transmitted;

a designation device that designates at least one transmission destination to which the document data is to be transmitted, and the document types to be transmitted;

a conversion device that converts said input document data into one or more data formats corresponding to said designated document types; and

a transmission device that transmits said converted document data to said designated transmission destinations.