CN1771719B - Image communication method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a method and a device specifying a sender in detail when image data is attached to email and transmitted from an Internet facsimile device. An MFP (100) has an E-mail transmission mode in which email with an image is transmitted to a general email address, and an IFAX transmission mode in which email with an image is transmitted to an apparatus copying with the IFAX function. In transmitting an image, the MFP (100) authenticates the user in cooperation with an authentication server (102). When the authenticated user selects the IFAX transmission mode, an email address corresponding to the user is acquired from the authentication server (102), and set in the Sender field. The From field holds the email address of a device, similar to the prior art.

Description

Image communication method and device

technical field

The present invention relates to image data communication technology, and more particularly, to an image communication technology for attaching image data for electronic mailing and exchanging the image data.

Background technique

Recently, as computers become more widespread and information network systems become more advanced, electronic mail for sending/receiving character information via a network has become an indispensable information communication tool.

E-mail allows attachment of a mail body formed of character information and files of various formats. For example, Internet FAX (hereinafter abbreviated as IFAX), which has become popular, exchanges image data by attaching a graphic file in TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format for electronic mailing. Assuming that image data is attached to e-mail and e-mailed and sent between a plurality of IFAX devices will be referred to as an IFAX sending method.

IFAX is a technique for converting image data read by a scanner in a sending device into TIFF image data, the converted data is sent, and image data received by a receiving device is reconstructed and printed in TIFF format. In this case, the image data can also be received by a general-purpose e-mail application installed in a PC (Personal Computer) so as to utilize a general e-mail protocol. TIFF is a standard developed by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) and is officially known as RFC (Request for Comments) 2301.

TIFF images have a data structure that is relatively easy to process by devices. However, some common applications on the PC do not support this standard. When color TIFF image data is sent from the IFAX device to an e-mail address assigned to a general PC, the general application on the PC does not support the TIFF image data, and thus cannot display the received color image data.

In order to solve this problem, the IFAX apparatus employs an e-mail transmission method in which data is sent to an ordinary e-mail address as a destination in addition to the above-mentioned IFAX method. In the e-mail transmission method of the related art, image data is converted into an image format compatible with an application program of a PC, and the converted image data is transmitted.

Contents of the invention

An e-mail address dedicated to one device is always used to send an e-mail with image data from a sending device equipped with a conventional IFAX function. Therefore, the sender (the user who sent the electronic mail using the device) cannot be identified.

Emails sent by email are mainly received by email applications on the PC. Generally speaking, email applications can display in detail pieces of information such as sender, subject, and time of the email, in addition to attached files. When an email with an image is sent by an IFAX device to a general email address, the email address specific to that device is displayed as the "From" person in the email application on the receiving side. Thus, the device used for sending can be identified, but the sender itself cannot be identified.

In this way, when an e-mail with an image is sent from an IFAX device, the sending device can be identified because an e-mail address specific to the device is set in the sender's mail address (From address contained in the header part ). However, the sender itself cannot be determined. This prior art is not preferred in terms of security. In an environment where many people use one IFAX device, this problem becomes serious. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to Provides a technique capable of determining the original sender who should be responsible for transmission in an image communication device that transmits image data using an electronic mail protocol.

Generally only the following techniques are known. In normal e-mail, a mail address assigned to a PC on a sender's desktop is set as a source mail address, and e-mail is sent. When the transmission of the electronic mail fails, a delivery error mail is sent to the source mail address (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-242326). Note that RFC 821, developed by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), makes it mandatory to send an error to the email address specified by the MALL command. RFC 2821, a modified version of RFC 821, obliges a mail server with the recipient's mailbox to set the mail address specified by the MALL command in the Return Path header of the email. RFC 2821 Mandatory sending of an error to the mail address described in the Return Path header when an error occurs in mail delivery in a process other than SMTP.

When an IFAX error mail is received, it is desirable to be able to easily grasp which outgoing mail caused the error by any means.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to notify the image communication device of the error, when a mail transmission error occurs in an image communication device that transmits image data using a mail transfer protocol.

Objects other than those mentioned above will be apparent from the entire specification.

A first aspect according to the present application is characterized by the following arrangement. For example, when image data is attached to e-mail and the e-mail is sent to a device of the same type as the image communication device, the image communication device according to the present invention, in the source information (From field, Sender field or the like) A first mail address capable of specifying a user who sends the mail and a second mail address related to the image communication device are set, and then the mail is sent.

According to the present invention as described above, the image data is transmitted by the image communication apparatus that transmits the image data using the electronic mail protocol together with the information on the original sender who should be responsible for the transmission. This makes it possible to determine the individual responsible for the transmission.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals designate the same or similar parts.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 shows an example of a network connection environment according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the MFP 100;

Fig. 3 represents the example of the hierarchical structure of network program in MPF 100;

FIG. 4 shows an example of an editing window of a program for accessing and editing user information and its contents recorded in the verification server 102;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of authentication processing when a user uses the MFP 100 or 101;

FIG. 6 shows an example of verification processing (S503) performed on the verification server 102 in more detail;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a transmission setting window displayed when image data is transmitted by e-mail;

FIG. 8 shows an example of an address book for managing destination information;

9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing to attach image data to electronic mail and transmit the image data;

FIG. 10 is used to illustrate an example of image header appending processing (S904) performed when sending in the IFAX mode;

11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when image data is attached to electronic mail and transmitted according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows an example of electronic mail data according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows an example of the SMTP sending sequence according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows an example of the SMTP reception sequence according to the present embodiment; and

FIG. 15 shows an example of mail data (1414-1416 in FIG. 14) according to this embodiment.

Detailed ways

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below. The following embodiments are merely some of the types of invention disclosed as features. In other words, the following embodiments are merely some embodiments falling within the technical scope of the invention of the present application defined by the appended claims. Therefore, as for the same technical concept as the present invention, even the embodiments not directly described in this description fall within the technical scope of the invention of the present application, and the concept of the present invention is disclosed in the specification or drawings of the present application features and the invention described in the appended claims.

All kinds of inventions described in the following embodiments are not described in the appended claims. Such inventions are not intentionally excluded from the technical concept of the present invention, but are equivalent to the patented inventions, and thus are not described in the appended claims.

[first embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a network connection environment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) 100 and 101 are multifunction copiers including scanners and printers. The multifunction copier has a copying function, a facsimile sending/receiving function, and a printer function of printing data generated in a computer.

The MFPs 100 and 101 are connected to a network with a domain name of xyz.co.jp, and are connected to a plurality of computers such as an authentication server 102, a first mail/POP server 103 and a PC 104 and other network devices.

This network is also connected to the Internet 110, and is also connected to the network with the domain name abc.co.jp. The network "abc.co.jp" is connected to the second mail/POP server 120, PC 121, Internet FAX 122 and the like.

The MFP 100 is assigned a host name "copyl.xyz.co.jp" and a device email address "ifax@copyl.xyz.co.jp". The MFP 101 is assigned the host name "copy2.xyz.co.jp" and the device email address "ifax@copy2.xyz.co.jp".

The authentication server 102 is used for user authentication within the domain. Authentication server 102 stores usernames and passwords valid within the domain. For example, when the client PC 104 is powered on, the client PC 104 requests the user to enter a username and password. When the username and password are entered, the client PC 104 asks the authentication server 102 whether the username and password are authentic. In response to this query, authentication server 102 determines whether the entered username and password have been recorded in the user database. If so, the verification server 102 notifies the PC 104 that the verification is complete. After confirming receipt of the verification completion notification, the PC 104 can be used. Authentication processing is also performed in use of the MFP.

PC 104 includes general email software. Assume that the PC 104 is assigned the mail address syainl@xyz.co.jp.

The mail/POP servers 103 and 120 have both a mail server function and a POP server function.

When e-mail is sent from PC 104 to pcmail@abc.co.jp, e-mail data generated in PC 104 is sent to mail server 103 by using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) protocol. The mail server 103 sends the e-mail data to the mail server 120 according to the destination information.

PC 121 also includes general electronic mailing software. The general e-mail software activated in the PC 121 uses POP3 (Post Office Protocol-Version 3) to check whether the mail has arrived. If so, the general email mailing software receives the mail data.

When sending mail from pcmail@abc.co.jp of PC 121 to syainl@xyz.co.jp of PC 104, this route is reversed. That is, data generated in the PC 121 is sent to the mail server 103 via the mail server 120. PC 104 receives incoming email data by using the POP3 protocol.

The MPFs 100 and 101 can transmit an image received by an IFAX receiving function, or a monochrome image or a color image read out by a scanner, to another communication device. Various methods are prepared for image data transmission. For example, there are provided an e-mail transmission method that uses an ordinary mail address as a destination for transmission, and an IFAX transmission method that transmits to a device conforming to the IFAX standard. Either method uses SMTP and POP3 for sending/receiving, and performs the same operation as the sending/receiving above.

In the e-mail transmission method, image data in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file format or PDF (Portable Document Format) is generated, attached to e-mail, and transmitted. For example, when an email with a color image is sent to a client PC with syainl@xyz.co.jp, the general email software of PC 104 can receive the email and display the JPEG image on the general image viewer. Note that the invention is not limited to JPEG and PDF, but other formats may be used.

In the IFAX sending method, TIFF image data conforming to RFC 2301 is generated, attached to e-mail, and sent. This image can be received and output by the MFPs 100 and 101 and the Internet FAX 122 conforming to the IFAX standard. In the IFAX sending method, devices of the same type communicate with each other through the email protocol. Regarding the readout processing in the sending device and the output processing in the receiving device, the same processing as conventional facsimile processing (in the known G3 or G4 mode) can be performed.

In this way, devices that can handle color images exchange TIFF image data, but in many cases, general-purpose image viewers do not support TIFF image data. If such an image is mistakenly sent to PC 104 with syainl@xyz.co.jp, a general-purpose image viewer that does not support TIFF image data cannot display the image.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the MFP 100. As shown in FIG. The CPU 230 is a control circuit that controls the entire system by using the programs stored in the ROM 231 and the memory of the RAM 232.

The operation unit 233 includes hard keys such as an LCD display, a start key, and a numeric keypad. The operation unit 233 may include, for example, software buttons displayed on an LCD, a circuit that detects that a user's finger has touched a button, and smoothly performs the user's operation.

The scanner 234 photoelectrically converts raw image data into electrical data. When an original is conveyed from an original feeder (not shown) onto the platen glass, the lamp is turned on, the scanner unit starts moving, and the original is exposed and scanned. The light reflected by the original is guided to the CCD image sensor through mirrors and lenses, and converted into electrical signals. The electrical signal is converted into digital data by an A/D conversion circuit. After the original reading operation is completed, the original on the flat glass plate is discharged.

The printer 235 prints the electrographic data on a printed page. The laser beam emitting unit emits a laser beam corresponding to the electrical image data. The laser beam irradiates the photosensitive drum, thereby forming a latent image corresponding to the laser beam on the photosensitive drum.

The developer ingredient is adsorbed from the developing unit to the latent image portion on the photosensitive drum. At the timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, the printed sheet is fed from the feed cassette to the transfer portion. The developer ingredient adsorbed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the printed page. The printed page to which the developer formulation is transferred is conveyed to the fuser section, where the developer formulation is fixed to the printed page by the heat and pressure of the fuser section. The printed page that has passed through the fuser section Discharged by the discharge roller. The sorter stores the discharged printed pages on the corresponding receiver for sorting the printed pages.

Image processing circuit 236 is made up of large-capacity image memory, image rotation circuit, resolution scaling circuit and for MH (improved Huffman), MR (improved READ), MMR (re-improved READ), JBIT (joint binary image expert group), JPEG or the like encoding/decoding circuit configuration. The image processing circuit 236 also performs various image processing such as shading, cropping, and masking.

The hard disk drive 237 is a mass recording device connected through I/F such as SCSI or USB. Another recording device such as MO may replace the hard disk drive 237.

The network I/F 238 is a circuit that performs network data link processing. For example, the network I/F 238 executes a method for connecting a network cable such as represented by 10BASE-T or 100BASE-T or Token Ring

The formatter 239 is a reproduction circuit that includes a PC I/F circuit such as an IEEE1284 parallel interface or USB, and based on PDL (Page Description Language) data received from a personal computer through the PC I/F circuit or the network I/F 238 Generate image data. Image data is processed by the image processing circuit 236 and printed by the printer 235 .

The facsimile unit 240 is a facsimile I/F circuit constituted by, for example, an NCU (Network Control Unit) and a MODEM (Modulator/Demodulator) circuit for connecting a telephone line. For example, image data read by the scanner 234 is processed by the image processing circuit 236, and sent to another FAX apparatus through a telephone line. Alternatively, data sent by another FAX device is received and processed by the image processing circuit 236 and printed by the printer 235 .

The scanner 234, printer 235, image processing circuit 236, formatter 239, and facsimile unit 240 are connected by a high-speed video bus extending from the CPU 230 other than the CPU bus so that image data can be transferred at high speed.

The copy function described above is realized so that the image processing circuit 236 processes the image data read out by the scanner 234, and the printer 235 prints the image data.

The MFP 100 has an sending function of processing image data read by the scanner 234 by the image processing circuit 236 and sending the processed data from a network I/F to a network, and generating RFC 2301 image data by the image processing circuit 236 and passing IFAX function for exchanging data by e-mail protocol.

FIG. 3 shows the hierarchical structure of the network program in the MFP 100. As can be seen from FIG. 3 , the network program consists of 3 layers: IP (Internet Protocol) 300 , TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)/(User Datagram Protocol) 301 , and application layer program 302 .

IP 300 is the Internet Protocol layer. More specifically, the IP 300 and relay nodes such as routers cooperate to provide the service of passing information from the sending host to the destination host. The IP300 performs routing processing for managing the source address of sent data and the destination address of received data, selecting a network path extending from a sending host to a destination host according to address information, and transferring data.

TCP/UDP 301 corresponds to the transport layer. More specifically, TCP/UDP 301 provides services from sending application processing to receiving application processing. TCP is a protocol that provides connection services and ensures high communication reliability. UDP is a protocol that provides connectionless services and does not guarantee reliability.

Application layer protocols 302 define a number of protocols. For example, the protocols include file delivery service "FTP (File Transfer Protocol)", network management protocol "SNMP", printer print server protocol "LPD", WWW (World Wide Web) server protocol "HTTPd", e-mail sending/receiving protocol "SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)", and the mail download protocol "POP3 (Post Office Protocol-version 3).

The application layer protocol 302 also includes the Kerberos authentication procedure defined by RFC 1510.

Fig. 4 represents the editing window for the program of accessing and editing user information and its contents recorded in authentication server 102. Authentication server 102 includes a user database for managing user information. User information includes, for example, user name 430, password 431, and email address. email address.

The user name 430 stores the name of a user who can operate a computer connected within the “xyz.co.jp” domain mainly managed by the authentication server 102 . In the example shown in FIG. 3, users "syain1" to "syain5" are registered. A password corresponding to each user name is recorded in password 431. The password is concealed by "＊＊＊＊＊" and displayed so as not to be easily seen. E-mail addresses usable by registered users are recorded in the e-mail address 432 . The email address of the first user "syainl" is syainl@xyz.co.jp. Also for syain2 to syain5, record email addresses corresponding to usernames in a similar manner.

The add key 440 in the editing window is used to newly register a user, and the delete key 441 is used to delete a registered user. When the property key 442 is pressed, the registered content is displayed, and the displayed/registered content can be modified.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing authentication processing when a user uses the MFP 100 or 101. MFP 100 or 101 can be used only by an authentic user who has successfully performed the authentication process.

In step S500, when the main power of the MFP 100 or 101 is turned on, the CPU 230 performs initialization operations such as initializing memory and I/O ports. At this time, when "user authentication" is set to "yes" in the system user setting, the CPU 230 displays a registration window on the LCD of the operation unit 233. The registration window has a field for entering a user name. The CPU 230 prohibits processing such as copying that requires intervention by user operations until user authentication is completed.

In step S501, when a user name is input from the operation unit 233, the CPU 230 displays a password input window on the operation unit 233 and waits for input.

In step S502, the CPU 230 starts authentication processing upon receiving the password from the operation unit 233.

In step S503, the CPU 230 sends a verification request to the verification server 102 together with the input user name and password. Once the authentication request is received, the authentication server 102 determines whether the username and password recorded in the user database are consistent with the authenticated username and password, and then sends back the authentication result.

In step S504, the CPU 230 determines whether the verification result received from the verification server 102 is "authentication OK". If yes, the process goes to step S505, and if not, returns to step S501.

In step S505, the CPU 230 obtains user information such as an email address of a registered user from the authentication server 102. The user information may be included in the verification result, or the CPU 230 may request the verification server 102 to send the user information after confirming "authentication OK".

In step S506, the CPU 230 stores the acquired user information in the ROM 231, and ends the registration process. After the user authentication ends normally, processing such as copying or SEND requiring intervention by the user's operation may be performed.

The user authentication method using the user name and password has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this authentication method. For example, biometric authentication methods of fingerprints, eyeballs, or the like may be used. In addition, a user authentication method using a control card of a non-contact or contact type may be used.

FIG. 6 shows the authentication process (S503) performed on the authentication server 102 in more detail. The authentication process performed on the authentication server 102 can be performed using Kerberos of the network application layer program 302 .

In step S600, the client MFP 100 sends a KEB-AS-REQ (Kerberos Authentication Service Request) to the authentication server 102. In step S601, the authentication server 102 sends a KEB-AS-REP (Kerberos Authentication Service Reply) to the MFP 101. KEB-AS-REP contains encrypted login session key and client authentication data.

In step S602, MFP 101 generates KEB-TRG-REQ (Kerberos ticket (ticket) verification service request) according to the data received, for requesting verification information, and sends back KEB-TRG-REQ to verification server 102. In step S603, The authentication server 102 issues a KEB-TRG-REP (Kerberos Ticket Authentication Service Reply). The KEB-TRG-REP contains encrypted client authentication data.

In step S604 , the MFP 101 generates a KEB-AP-REQ (Kerberos Application Request) for requesting service use permission based on the received data, and sends the KEB-AP-REQ to the authentication server 102 . In step S605, the authentication server 102 sends back a KEB-AP-REP (Kerberos Application Reply). When the received data is normal and the time data in the received data agree with each other, the MFP 101 determines "authentication OK".

An example where one authentication server issues three requests has been described, but depending on the network configuration, multiple authentication servers may be used. The verification method may also be other methods, such as DH (Diffie-Hellman) verification.

Fig. 7 shows an example of a transmission setting window displayed when image data is transmitted by e-mail. A reading size setting column 700 is used to designate the size of an original read by the scanner 234 . By touching this column, a setting change window appears, allowing designation of paper size such as A3, A4, B4, B5, 11*17, LTR or STMT, and orientation. Paper size and orientation can also be automatically selected. When “auto (automatic)” is set, the original is read in accordance with the original size detected by the original sensor of the scanner 234 .

A resolution column 701 is used to designate the reading resolution when an image is read by the scanner 234 . By touching this column, a setting change window appears to allow specifying a value such as 200*100dpi, 200*200dpi, 200*400dpi, 300*300dpi, 400*400dpi or 600*600dpi. Currently, a default value of "200*200" is set.

When the detailed setting button 702 is clicked, detailed operations for scanning processing such as scanning density setting, original type designation, double-sided reading, sequential page designation, and image quality adjustment can be designated.

The destination column 703 is used to designate the e-mail destination, the details of which will be described later. The subject field 704 is used to enter the subject of the email. The text column 705 is used to input the text (mail body) of the mail. When these setting fields are touched, a software keyboard is displayed, enabling a character string to be input.

Fig. 8 shows an example of a destination setting window together with an address book for managing destination information. The address book contains e-mail addresses 802, a sending method 801 for sending e-mails containing image data, and a selection field 800 for selecting whether to send e-mails.

The address book stored in the hard disk drive 237 can be edited by calling an address book editing window. On the edit window, e-mail addresses and sending methods can be entered in correspondence with each other. The address book can be stored for each MFP, or stored in any server and shared among multiple MFPs.

Any e-mail address can be designated as a destination on the destination setting window of FIG. 8 by touching a selection field corresponding to the e-mail address. According to the detection signal from the operation unit 233, the CPU 230 changes the information to information indicating that the touched bar has been selected. The CPU 230 describes the selected e-mail address in the To: field of the e-mail. Once the send is complete, all check boxes are cleared.

As the delivery method 801 , any one of an e-mail sending method for sending assuming that the destination is an ordinary e-mail address, and an IFAX sending method sending to an apparatus of the same type having an IFAX function can be designated. In the e-mail sending method, either JPEG or PDF format can be selected as the format of the attached file. In the IFAX sending method, e-mail can be sent only in TIFF format. The e-mail sending method can be considered as a method for sending to a different type of equipment that does not cope with the IFAX function, which is different from the MFP 100 and 101.

In the destination setting window of FIG. 8, pcmail@abc.co.jp and syainl@xyz.co.jp are set as the e-mail sending method. In contrast, for ifax@abc.co.jp, specify the IFAX delivery method.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed when image data is attached to an e-mail and transmitted.

In step S900, the CPU 230 detects that the transmission start button in the operation unit 233 is operated.

In step S901, the CPU 230 accesses the address book stored in the hard disk drive 237, reads out the sending method of the e-mail address selected as the sending destination, and determines whether the read sending method is the IFAX sending method. If yes, the process proceeds to step S920, and if not, proceeds to step S905.

In step S902, the CPU 230 reads out the e-mail address assigned to the device from the ROM 231, and sets the e-mail address in the From field of the e-mail.

In step S903, the CPU 230 reads out the user's e-mail address, which has been acquired in advance from the authentication server 102 and stored in the RAM 232, and sets the read-out e-mail address in the sender field. For example, when a user registers as syainl, an e-mail address syainl@xyz.co.jp corresponding to syainl is set in the sender field. In this way, the setting of the From and Sender fields is completed.

In step S904, when addition of an image title is specified as an option, an image title addition process is executed. Image caption adding processing is a processing for embedding information specifying a sender in an inconspicuous portion such as an upper portion of an image, similar to existing FAX.

In step S905, when specifying the e-mail sending method, the CPU 230 reads out the user's e-mail address stored in the RAM 232, and sets the e-mail address in the From field of the header portion of the e-mail data. Note that the sender field may not be set or the same address as that of the From field may be set.

In step S906, the CPU 230 adds MIME information, separates the mail body and the attached file, encodes the attached file by using BASE 64, and generates e-mail data. The binary data appending method is not limited to this, and other data conversion methods, such as uuencode or BinHex, can be used.

In step S907, the generated email data is sent to the mail server 103 using the SMTP protocol.

In step S908, the CPU 230 writes the user name 230 specified when registering, the transmission destination information, the transmission date, the transmission time, the amount of transmission data, and the transmission result in the log file. The resulting log file makes it easy to grasp who sent the data. The log file can be output as a transmission result report for reporting the transmission result, or as a transmission management report when the amount of transmitted data exceeds a threshold. Alternatively, the log file may be displayed in response to an operation from the operation unit 233 .

In step S909, after the writing operation to the log file is completed, the sending operation is completed.

FIG. 10 is used to explain the image header adding process (S904) performed at the time of transmission by IFAX.

The image title can be composed of pieces of information such as date of transmission 1000 , time of transmission 1001 , user name of transmission 1002 , e-mail address of sender 1003 , e-mail address of transmission destination 1004 , and number of pages 1005 .

The sending user name 1002 is the same as the name of the registered user (for example syainl). By referring to the image header, the recipient of the image can grasp who is responsible for sending the image.

The sender email address 1003 is the same as the email address described in the From field of the email, and the email address of the device is set. By referring to the image title, the recipient of the image can easily grasp the email address of the sending device. The original is scanned and the scanned image is sent using the sending device's email address as the destination. Scanned images can be sent back while essentially maintaining conventional FAX operating systems.

Destination email address 1004 is an email address selected from the address book.

The CPU 230 obtains pieces of information about the date of transmission 1000 and the time of transmission 1001 from the internal timer. The CPU 230 reads the sender's user name 1002 stored in the RAM 232, reads out the device e-mail address 1003 stored in the ROM 231, and reads the e-mail address selected as the destination from the address book 1004. The CPU 230 synthesizes these pieces of information as image headers on the image data, and writes them into the log file at step S908. The information reading order can be set arbitrarily.

Different aspects of the invention are explained below on the basis of the above-described embodiments. A first aspect of the present invention provides an image communication device (for example, MFP 101) that acquires image data, attaches the image data to e-mail, and transmits the e-mail, the device includes: The acquisition part (such as CPU 230, scanner 234, formatter 239, fax unit 240, or network I/F 238) of the image data on the mail; E-mail address setting part (such as CPU 230), when the e-mail will send When sending from a device (such as a PC 121 including general-purpose email software) that is different from the type of the image communication device, it is used as a source address (such as a sender field) to set the first email address, which can determine that the email is sent user, and when the e-mail is to be sent to a device of the same type as the image communication device (such as an Internet FAX 122 with an IFAX function), set the first mail address and the A second e-mail address (for example, an e-mail address assigned to the device) associated with the image communication device; and a sending part (for example, CPU 230 and SMTP protocol), which utilizes a set source address to send an e-mail containing image data acquired .

When an e-mail with attached image data is exchanged between a plurality of IFAX-enabled image communication apparatuses, the e-mail address of the user who is the sender is described in the sender field, and then the e-mail is sent. The receiver can easily determine the sender.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an image communication device that acquires image data, attaches the image data to e-mail, and transmits the e-mail, the device including: selecting parts (such as CPU 230 and S901) for Image data is attached to the e-mail when sending this e-mail and selects one of the first mode (such as an e-mail sending method) and the second mode (such as an IFAX sending method), in the first mode, the e-mail is sent to A device of a different type from the image communication device, in the second mode, emails are sent to devices of the same type as the image communication device; mail address setting components (such as CPU 230, S902, S903), when selecting the first During the second mode, the selection part is used to set as the source address the first e-mail address and the second e-mail address relevant to the image communication device that can determine the user who sends the e-mail; and the sending part (such as CPU 230, S907) , which sends an email with the acquired image data attached using the set source address.

When the image communication device such as MFP 101 has multiple sending methods such as e-mail sending method and IFAX sending method and IFAX sending method is selected, the e-mail address of the user as the sender is described in the sender field, and then the e-mail is sent. The receiver can easily determine the sender. In the IFAX transmission mode, devices of the same type communicate with each other and require output similar to conventional facsimile output. Thus only the e-mail address assigned to the device can be presented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the selection part selects the first mode (for example, the email sending mode), the email address setting part can be used as the source address (for example, the sender field) to set the user's address that can determine the sending email First email address.

That is, also when image data is sent from the MFP 101 having the IFAX function to an ordinary e-mail address, the e-mail address of the user who is the sender is described in the sender field, and then the e-mail is sent. The receiver can easily determine the sender. The e-mail address of the device can also be described in the sender's address. This enables a user who has received image data through an ordinary e-mail address to recognize that the image data has been sent from the IFAXA-enabled device based on the device's e-mail address.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an image communication device that acquires image data, attaches the image data to e-mail, and delivers the e-mail, the device including: a verification part (such as CPU 230, S501-S504), which Cooperating with an authentication server for managing the e-mail address that can determine the user, the user is authenticated according to the relevant authentication information of the user who is authorized to operate the image communication device; the e-mail address setting part (for example, CPU 230 and S902 or S905) , it obtains the e-mail address corresponding to the user verified by the verification part (such as S505) from the verification server, and sets the obtained e-mail address in the From field or the sender field of the e-mail; and the sending part (such as CPU 230 and S907), which uses the set source address to send an email with the acquired image data attached.

In this way, only authenticated users can send image data, and the email addresses of authenticated users are automatically described in the sender field. In addition to the effects described above, it is also possible to disable the masquerade of another person, thus changing the security.

The present invention according to the first to third aspects also includes requesting parts (such as CPU 230 and S501 and S502), which request input of authentication information when the user utilizes the image communication device, and receiving parts (such as CPU 230 and S505), It receives from the verification server an e-mail address corresponding to the input verification information, and the e-mail setting part can set the e-mail address received from the verification server as a source address.

The image communication device according to any one aspect of the present invention may further include adding means (for example, CPU 230 and S904) which add at least one of information capable of specifying the user and information capable of specifying the image communication device to the image data, and the The sending means may send the electronic mail together with attached image data containing at least one of information capable of specifying the user and information capable of specifying the image communication device.

By adding the user name and the e-mail address of the device to the image data itself, the same operability as that of a conventional FAX device can be realized. The sender can be identified, improving security.

[Second embodiment]

When the second mode is selected, instead of setting the sender's e-mail address as the arrangement of the source address, the above-mentioned image communication device may include an adding part (for example, CPU 230 and S904) which adds information capable of determining sending e-mail to the image data. At least one of the user's information (such as user name 1002 or user's e-mail address) and information capable of specifying the image communication device (such as device e-mail address 1003).

In this case, step S904 is omitted, but information capable of specifying the person in charge of transmission is added to the image header. Therefore, the above objects can be achieved.

Note that the user presets which piece of information is to be added.

[Third embodiment]

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when image data is attached to electronic mail and transmitted according to the second embodiment. A case will be described in which authentication is successful for the user name "syain2" in the user authentication flow shown in FIG. 5 and the transmission setting shown in FIG. 7 is made.

At S100, when the CPU 230 detects that a start key (not shown) is pressed in the operation unit 233, the CPU 230 starts sending processing and reads out sending originals set in the scanner 234.

At S1101, the CPU 230 determines whether an IFAX destination is set as a transmission destination. If yes, the process proceeds to step S1102, and if not, proceeds to step S1104.

In step S1102, the CPU 230 sets the e-mail address assigned to the IFAX device (MFP 100) in the From field of the e-mail. For example, when the e-mail address ifax@copyl.xyz.co.jp is set as the e-mail address of the IFAX device, ifax@copyl.xyz.co.jp is set in the From field for sending to the IFAX destination.

In step S1103, the CPU 230 adds an image title to the image read out by the scanner 234 (FIG. 10).

In step S1104, the CPU 230 sets the authenticated user's email address 432 in the From field of the email to be sent. For example, when a user with the user name "syain2" registers, syain2@xyz.co.jp is set in the From field for sending to the IFAX destination.

In step S1105, the CPU 230 adds an extension field "X-Sender" representing the sender of the email to the header of the email, and sets the registered user's email address (the email address 432 shown in Figure 4) as the value. . As can be seen from FIG. 4, when the user "syain2" registers, syain2@xyz.co.jp is set in the X-Sender field.

In step S1106, the CPU 230 sets the character string "From" and the user name 430 of the registered user in the subject of the e-mail. For example, when user "syain2" registers, then set the string "From syain2" in the subject.

In step S1107, the CPU 230 adds the character string "Message From" and the user name 430 to the beginning line of the e-mail body (body). For example, when user "syain2" signs up, then the string "Message From syain2" is inserted into the beginning line of the email body.

In step S1108, the CPU 230 arbitrarily combines and sets the character string "From-" and the user name 430 as the transmission file name to be attached to the e-mail. For example, when the user "syain2" registers, the character string "From-syain2.GIF" is set as the sending file name.

In step S1109, the CPU 230 generates target e-mail data reflecting the above-mentioned settings.

In step S1110, the CPU 230 transmits the generated email data according to the SMTP protocol.

In step S1111, the CPU 230 writes transmission management information such as the various e-mail settings described above in the log file. The transmission management information includes, for example, user name 430 "syain2", transmission result, transmission start time, transmission time, number of pages transmitted, subject information, transmission file name, size of transmission data, e-mail address as transmission destination, and user It is different from the information sent by IFAX/email. The log files are stored in a storage device such as RAM 232.

When the operating unit 233 instructs the CPU 230 to output a communication management report, the CPU 230 reads out the log file, prints it out from the printer 235, and displays the file on the operating unit 233.

The CPU 230 can generate HTML data and deliver it to the WEB server, so that the data recorded in the log file is open to the public in the WEB server running the HTTPd program. In this case, the WEB browser installed in the client PC such as PC 104 can display the communication management report. The HTTPd program can be executed by the CPU 230 or be executed in an external server.

The third embodiment is effective in determining who sent the email, when it was sent, and to whom.

The image title, X-Sender, subject, body, and file name of the attached file are used to determine the sender in the above-mentioned example, but can be arbitrarily selected and used. In this case, the selected item is pre-stored in the RAM 232 of the device. Alternatively, these items may be recorded differently for each user. In this case, set when user authentication is successful.

Fig. 12 shows an example of electronic mail data according to the third embodiment. In this example, syainl@xyz.co.jp, which is the email address of the user "syainl", is specified as the email transmission destination.

Line numbers 1200 to 1207 in FIG. 12 constitute mail header sections, which are separated by blank lines 1208 . Row 1200 is an email sending date field, and setting the email sending date, time and day of the week. Row 1201 is a From field indicating e-mail sender information, which is set in S1104. In this example, user "syain2" is registered, and data syain2<syain2@xyz.co.jp> is set. Line 1202 is a subject field indicating the subject of the mail, which is set at S1106. In this example, the user "syain2" is registered, and the data <From syain2> is set. Line 1203 is the To field indicating the destination of the e-mail. When syain1 is selected from the address book shown in Figure 8, the To Fields are generated. Row 1204 is the Message-ID of the unique ID for the email. For example, the sending time and the email address of the sending device are set so there is no mail with the same ID. Row 1205 is the X-ID set at S1105. In the Sender field, the email address of the registered user is set. In this example, the user "syain2" is registered, and the data syain2@xyz.co.jp is set. Line 1206 provides MIME version information.

Line 1207 indicates that the mail data is divided into multiple blocks, and the delimiting string is "AHMOALBJDADADADCDADAAAAOBHBK". Lines 1209-1217 form a block of email. These lines can be identified as a block of email because "--" is appended to the beginning of the delimited character specified in line 1206. Line 1210 indicates that the divided part is the text, and the JIS code is used as the character code. Line 1212 is the start line of the mail body added in S1107. When user "syain2" registers, add a line "Message From syain2".

Text data is inserted into rows 1213-1215, and the text data is converted into a 7-digit code (such as a JIS code) by character code conversion from an 8-digit code (such as an SJIS code) entered in the text column 705 in FIG. And produced.

Lines 1217-1231 form another email block. Line 1217 is the start of the block because "--" is appended to the start of the delimiting character specified at line 1206. Line 1213 is the last mail part because "--" is appended to the end of the delimiting characters.

Line 1218 indicates that the chunk consists of a TIFF image file. When the user "syain2" is registered, the file name "From-syain2.GIFf" determined in step S1108 is set.

Line 1219 indicates that the TIFF image file is decoded by BASE 64 into a 7-bit character code. Line 1220 indicates that a file with the file name "From-syain2.GIF" is attached to the e-mail as an attached file.

Lines 1222-122 are data obtained by BASE 64 encoding a TIFF image file. In BASE 64 encoding, 3-byte 8-bit data is encoded into 4-byte 6-bit data, and the data size after encoding is 4/3.

Fig. 13 shows an example of the SMTP transmission sequence according to the third embodiment. The execution entity of the following sequence is the CPU of the MFP 100, the mail server 103, the PC 104, or the like. The CPU controls a communication circuit or the like according to a program stored in ROM, RAM or hard disk drive, and executes processing in the following sequence. In processing such as data generation, reception, or transmission, a storage device such as a RAM is used as a work area.

The MFP 100 as an e-mail client is connected to the mail server 103 (1300), and the mail server 103 performs initialization processing of the SMTP session. After the initialization process ends, the mail server 103 sends back connection response information starting with the response code "220" (1310).

The MFP 100 sends the EHLO command (1302), and then the mail server 103 notifies the MFP 100 that the mail server 103 has received the command from the MFP 100 by means of the response code "250" (1303). At this time, the mail server 103 may also send back the SMTP extension command held in the mail server 103 .

Instruction 1304 indicates that the mail server 103 supports DSN (Delivery Status Notification) service. Instruction 1305 indicates that the mail server supports SMTP AUTH and the authentication algorithm corresponding to CRAM-MD5.

Command 1306 is a MALL command indicating the mail sender in the SMTP protocol. This directive specifies the email address of the sender of the email.

When an error occurs in the delivery of e-mail through multiple mail servers using SMTP in a bucket bridge manner, an error e-mail is sent to the destination address. Transmission of the error mail can be performed using RFC 821 developed by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). For example, when the IFAX destination is set in the From field of the e-mail data, the mail address (ifax @copyl.xyz.co.jp) is set as the address of the mail command, and an error mail is sent. When e-mail data is to be sent to an e-mail destination, the e-mail address obtained at the time of user authentication is set in the From field, and the e-mail address (ifax@copyl.xyz.co.jp) of the device (for example, MFP 100) Always set to the address of the mail command. When an error occurs during SMTP delivery, an error mail is always sent to the device. The device receives the error mail and can print or display the error mail.

A sending device (for example, MFP 100) receives the error mail, and by referring to the log file managed in the device from the error mail, it can be easily determined which sending job made an error.

By retaining the transmission data in the transmission device, when the transmission device receives an error mail, the user can operate the transmission device and quickly resend the data.

When the mail server 103 normally receives the mail instruction (1306), it sends back response codes starting from "250" (1307).

The MFP 100 sends an RCPT TO command (1308) specifying the mail address of the e-mail recipient. This command contains the address (syainl@xyz.co.jp) described in the TO field of the e-mail data. The mail server 103 receives this instruction, and after the processing corresponding to the received instruction ends, sends back response codes starting from "250" (1309).

After the transmission destination is specified, the MFP 100 transmits to the mail server 103 a DATA command (1310) indicating that electronic mail data is to be transmitted. When making preparations to receive e-mail data, the mail server 103 sends back response codes starting from "354" (1311).

Upon receiving the transmission permission instruction (1311) from the mail server 103, the MFP 100 transmits the electronic mail data shown in FIG. 12 (1312-1314). The MFP 100 transmits all the data, and then transmits the character "." indicating the end of the data (1315). When the mail server 103 has normally received the mail data, it sends back response codes starting from "250" (1316).

After the MFP 100 sends the mail data, it sends an exit command (1317). The mail server 103 sends back response codes starting from "221" (1318), and ends a series of SMTP sending processes.

Fig. 14 shows an example of the SMTP reception sequence according to the third embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 14 shows a sequence in which e-mail data sent by SMTP is delivered to the mail server 103 as a POP server, and the e-mail application program installed in the PC 104 receives the e-mail data according to the POP3 protocol.

The PC 104 as the POP client is connected to the mail server 103 (1400), and then the POP server 103 performs initialization processing of the POP3 session. After the initialization process ends, the POP server 103 sends back a connection response message starting with the response code "+OK" (1410). After this connection response, the POP server 103 transitions to the authentication state.

The PC 104 sends the registered user name (syain1) using the USER command (1402) to register to the POP server 103. The POP server 103 sends back a response code "+OK" (1403).

The PC 104 sends the password (syainlpass) of the user "syainl" by using the PASS command (1404). The POP server 103 compares the password registered by the user "syainl" with the received password (syainlpass). When the two passwords agree with each other, the POP server 103 sends back a connection response message starting with a response code "+OK" (1405). After this reply, the POP server 103 transitions from the authentication state to the transaction processing (TRANSACTION) state, and the processable POP3 command changes.

The PC 104 of the POP server 103 inquires the mailbox status of the user "syainl" by using the STAT command (1406). The POP server 103 which receives the command checks the mailbox "syainl", and checks the number of mail messages in the mailbox and the mail scroll ( mail spool) size. After the instruction "+OK", the POP server 103 sends back information (1407) consisting of the number of mail messages in the mailbox "syainl" (1) and the total mail scroll size (154959).

PC 104 recognizes from the message that there is a mail in the mailbox (1407). In order to obtain the number uniquely assigned to the mail, the PC 104 notifies the POP server 103 of the UIDL command and the mailbox number "1" (1408).

The POP server 103 that received the instruction sends back a response message "+OK" (1409). The POP server 103 checks the ID unique to the first mail, and sends back information obtained by appending the unique ID after the mail number "1" (1410). The POP server 103 then sends back data "." indicating the end of the list (1411). The unique ID is guaranteed to be unique to each mail, so no mail will ever be given the same number.

According to the unique ID obtained, PC 104 checks whether the first mail has been received. If the first mail has not been received, the PC 104 specifies the first mail by using the RETR command (1412), and requests the POP server 103 to send the first mail data in the mailbox.

The POP server 103 sends back messages starting from "+OK" (1413), and sends the first mail data in the mailbox (1414-1416). After the POP server 103 sends all the mail data, it sends back a response code "." indicating the end of the mail data (1417).

After the PC 104 obtains the mail data, it instructs the POP server 103 to delete the first mail from the mailbox "syainl" by using the DELE command (1418). The POP server 103 sets a delete flag on the first mail, and sends back a message starting from "+OK" (1419).

Because all processing has ended, PC 104 sends QUIT command (1420) to POP server 103. The POP server 103 deletes the first mail with the delete mark, and sends back messages starting from "+OK" (1421), ending all POP3 reception processes.

FIG. 15 shows an example of mail data (1414-1416 in FIG. 14) according to the third embodiment. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 12 denote the same parts, and descriptions of these parts are omitted. When the e-mail data sent from the MFP 100 passes through the intermediate mail server 103, data 1500, 1501, and 1502 are added to the e-mail data shown in FIG. 12 . Data 1500 and 1501 are received headers. These data 1500 and 1501 are composed of routing information such as a host name set in the mail server 103 when mail data is received by the mail server 103, and time stamp data such as reception date, day of the week, and time.

The transmission destination is the mailbox "syain1" in the mail server 103, which is the last SMTP destination. Thus, the mail server 103 adds the data of the return route header to the email data (1502). The addition of the Return Path header was mandated in RFC 2821 developed by the IETF.

The e-mail address received except for the mail command (1306) of the SMTP protocol described with reference to FIG. 13 is directly substituted into the data of the return path header 1502. An e-mail address is initially described in the FROM field as a kind of mail "from" information.

If the PC 104 detects an error (for example, the data is image data that cannot be processed by the receiving device) when mail data is received by a POP3 protocol other than the SMTP protocol, for example, the PC 104 sends a message to the mail address described in the return path header (in the above-mentioned In the example, it is the address of the sending device) to generate a notification of a sending error. As for whether the data is image data that cannot be processed by the receiving device, for example, the CPU of the PC 104 generates an extended (.GIF, .jpg, etc.) list or extended table of image data that can be processed, and stores the list or table In storage means. The CPU searches this list or the like to find the extension of the received image data, and if it finds the extension, it can determine that the image data can be processed; otherwise, it can determine that the image data cannot be processed.

In this way, when an error occurs, the error is sent to the mail address (ifax@copyl.xzy.co.jp) of the MFP 100 as the sending device. The MFP 100 can receive the error mail, and print it by the printer 235 or display it using the operation unit 233.

Since the transmission/reception log file is generated, the MFP 100 can print from the printer 235 or display on the operation unit 233 which transmission job has an error, referring to the log file, according to the received error mail.

<Other Embodiments>

Note that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus including a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. For example, the above-mentioned MFP can be realized by programs for realizing printers, scanners, PCs, and Internet work facsimiles. In the above-described embodiments, the authentication server 102 is installed in the network, and a plurality of PCs and MFPs perform authentication. The same effect can also be achieved by installing the authentication server function in the MFP. In this way, multiple devices can be integrated in a single device.

In addition, the present invention can be realized by providing a software program that executes the functions of the above-described embodiments, directly or indirectly used in a system or device, using a computer of the system or device to read the provided program code, and then execute the program code. code. In this case, the embodiment does not necessarily depend on a program as long as the system or device has the function of the program.

Therefore, since the functions of the present invention are realized by the computer, the program code itself installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the claims of the present invention also cover the computer program for realizing the functions of the present invention.

In this case, the program may be executed in any form, such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data provided to an operating system, as long as the system or device has the function of the program.

Examples of storage media that can be used to provide the program include floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs (DVD-ROMs and DVD -R).

Regarding the method of providing the program, the client computer can be connected to a website on the Internet using a browser of the client computer, and a computer program of the present invention or a compressed file of an automatically installable program can be downloaded to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Furthermore, the program of the present invention can be provided by dividing the program code constituting the program into a plurality of files and downloading these files from different websites. In other words, a WWW (World Wide Web) server that downloads a program file for implementing the functions of the present invention through computers to a plurality of users is also covered by the claims of the present invention.

In addition, it is also possible to encrypt and store the program of the present invention on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distribute the storage medium to users, allow users who meet certain requirements to download encryption key information from a website via the Internet, and allow these users to use the program. The key information decrypts the encrypted program, thereby installing the program in the user's computer.

Furthermore, except for the case where the above-mentioned functions according to these embodiments are performed by executing a program read out by a computer, the operating system or the like running on the computer can perform all or part of the actual processing, so the above embodiments The function of can be realized by means of this processing.

In addition, after the program read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or in a function expansion board connected to the computer, the CPU or the like or the function of the function expansion board mounted on the function expansion board The extension unit performs all or part of the actual processing so that the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by such processing.

Since many different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof, and the scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. image communication apparatus comprises:

Be used to obtain the parts that obtain of the view data that will be affixed to Email;

E-mail address is provided with parts, be used for as source address one of first e-mail address and second e-mail address being set according to the type of the destination of Email, this first e-mail address can be determined the user of send Email, when the destination is that this first e-mail address is set during with the dissimilar equipment of described image communication apparatus, second e-mail address is relevant with described image communication apparatus, and this second e-mail address is set when the destination is equipment with described image communication apparatus same type; And

Transmit block, it utilizes the source address that is provided with to send the Email that contains the view data of obtaining.

2. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described e-mail address is provided with parts when Email is sent to equipment with described image communication apparatus same type, first e-mail address is set in sender's field, and second e-mail address is set in the From field.

3. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the parts that view data is added the information can determine the user and one of can be determined in the information of described image communication apparatus at least,

Wherein, described transmit block is by coming send Email to the additional view data that comprises the information that can determine the user and one of can determine in the information of described image communication apparatus at least of Email.

4. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises:

The parts that are used for request input validation information when the user uses described image communication apparatus; And

Be used for from the parts of authentication server reception corresponding to the e-mail address of the authorization information of input,

Wherein, described Email is provided with e-mail address that the parts setting receives from authentication server as source address.

5. equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises the function of authentication server.

6. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises being used for when Email is sent out producing the parts that contain at least relevant for the daily record data of user's information.

7. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described e-mail address is provided with parts and one of is provided with in the From of the title division of Email field in first e-mail address and second e-mail address.

8. equipment as claimed in claim 1, also comprise the mode alternative pack, be used for when selecting one of first mode and second mode after the additional view data to Email during send Email, in described first mode, Email is to the equipment transmission dissimilar with described image communication apparatus, in described second mode, Email sends to the equipment with described image communication apparatus same type

Wherein, when selecting the first party formula, described e-mail address is provided with parts and as source address first e-mail address is set, and when selecting the second party formula second e-mail address is set.

9. equipment as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described first mode comprises the mode that sends to the ordinary electronic addresses of items of mail of being used for, described second mode comprises the mode of communicating by letter of being used between the Internet fax device.

10. image communicating method may further comprise the steps:

Obtain the view data that will be affixed to Email;

When Email will send to the equipment different with the type of the image communication apparatus of carrying out described image communicating method, can determine to send the user's of this Email first e-mail address as the source address setting, and when Email will send to the equipment with described image communication apparatus same type, as source address setting second e-mail address relevant with described image communication apparatus; And

Utilization sends the Email that contains the view data of obtaining according to the source address of the type setting of the destination of Email.

11. an image communication apparatus comprises:

Verification component, itself and be used to manage the authentication server co-operation of the e-mail address that can determine the user, come the user is verified according to authorization information about the user that is authorized to operate described image communication apparatus;

First e-mail address is provided with parts, and it obtains corresponding to the e-mail address by the user of described verification component checking from authentication server, and want and Email that additional view data sends together on the e-mail address of acquisition is set;

Second e-mail address is provided with parts, is used to be provided with the e-mail address relevant with described image communication apparatus;

Converting member, the type conversion that is used for according to the destination of Email will be the parts setting to be set or by described second e-mail address parts setting to be set by described first e-mail address the e-mail address of Email setting; And

Transmit block, it uses and by described first e-mail address e-mail address that parts or described second e-mail address be provided with the parts setting to be set and to send the additional Email that view data is arranged.

12. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein, when Email is sent to equipment with described image communication apparatus same type, described first e-mail address is provided with parts e-mail address corresponding to the user is set in sender's field, and described second e-mail address is provided with parts e-mail address corresponding to described image communication apparatus is set in the From field.

13. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein, the conversion of described converting member will be set to the e-mail address of From field of the title division of Email.

14. an image communicating method of carrying out on image communication apparatus may further comprise the steps:

With the authentication server co-operation that is used to manage the e-mail address that to determine the user, come the user is verified according to authorization information about the user that is authorized to transmit an image;

From the e-mail address of authentication server acquisition corresponding to the user who has been verified;

The Email of wanting and additional view data sends together is provided with the e-mail address of acquisition;

The e-mail address relevant with described image communication apparatus is set;

E-mail address that will obtain the e-mail address of Email setting according to the type conversion of the destination of Email or the e-mail address relevant with described image communication apparatus; And

Use sends the additional Email that view data is arranged according to the e-mail address of the type setting of the destination of Email.

15. an image communication apparatus comprises:

Memory unit is used to store the e-mail address of described image communication apparatus;

First is provided with parts, is used to be provided with the sender of Email;

Second is provided with parts, is used for being provided with at the title division of Email set sender's e-mail address, and described sender's e-mail address is with different by the e-mail address of the described image communication apparatus of described storage component stores; And

The 3rd is provided with parts, be used for being provided with the e-mail address of the storage of described image communication apparatus an E-mail instructions, described E-mail instructions is used for communicating by letter with mail server when send Email, and sender's e-mail address is set at title division in described Email.

16. equipment as claimed in claim 15, also comprise alternative pack, it is arranged for selecting Internet fax mode or E-mail mode, described second is provided with parts selects the e-mail address of the following described image communication apparatus of situation of Internet fax mode to be arranged on the title division of Email at described alternative pack, and described second is provided with parts selects the following sender's of situation of E-mail mode e-mail address to be arranged on the title division of Email at described alternative pack.

17. a method that is used to control image communication apparatus, the additional view data of described image communication apparatus is to Email and transmit this Email, and this method may further comprise the steps:

The sender of Email is set;

Set sender's first e-mail address is set at the title division of Email;

In the E-mail instructions that is used for communicating by letter with mail server second e-mail address of described image communication apparatus is set, described second e-mail address is different with described first e-mail address; And

Send the described Email that wherein is provided with sender's first e-mail address at title division to mail server.

Images