U.S. patent application number 12/659171 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-24 for data transmission/reception system that informs a user that image data has been transmitted.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Koshi Fukazawa, Kiyotaka Ohara, Takao Seki.
Application Number | 20100159900 12/659171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19101318 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100159900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seki; Takao ; et
al. |
June 24, 2010 |
Data transmission/reception system that informs a user that image
data has been transmitted
Abstract
A data transmission/reception system provides the recipient of
image data with flexible options for handling the image data. The
system transmits notification mail to a cellular phone owned by the
recipient when transmitting facsimile data from a transmitting
facsimile machine to a receiving facsimile machine. The recipient
transmits a command from the cellular phone indicating how the
facsimile data received by the receiving facsimile machine should
be handled. In response to the command received from the cellular
phone, the receiving facsimile machine either forms an image based
on the facsimile data on paper or forwards the facsimile data to
another facsimile machine near the recipient. Accordingly, the
recipient can transmit a forwarding command instructing the
receiving facsimile machine to transmit the facsimile data to a
facsimile machine nearby when the recipient is in a remote
location, thereby enabling the recipient to view an image based on
the facsimile data at any time.
Inventors: |
Seki; Takao; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) ; Fukazawa; Koshi; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ;
Ohara; Kiyotaka; (Nagoya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
NAGOYA-SHI
JP
|
Family ID: |
19101318 |
Appl. No.: |
12/659171 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10238621 |
Sep 11, 2002 |
|
|
|
12659171 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/414.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00209 20130101;
H04N 1/3239 20130101; H04N 2201/3278 20130101; H04N 2201/3218
20130101; H04N 2201/3271 20130101; H04N 2201/3273 20130101; H04N
1/32363 20130101; H04N 2201/0075 20130101; H04N 2201/3207 20130101;
H04N 1/00307 20130101; H04N 2201/3209 20130101; H04N 2201/3295
20130101; H04N 1/32122 20130101; H04N 1/32379 20130101; H04N
2201/3212 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/414.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/42 20060101
H04M003/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 12, 2001 |
JP |
2001-276652 |
Claims
1. A data transmission/reception system comprising: a first
image-forming device that forms images on a recording medium based
on image data; a data transmitter that transmits the image data to
the first image-forming device via a data transmission network; and
a communication terminal configured to communicate with the first
image-forming device and the data transmitter, the communication
terminal providing a plurality of optional processes to be
selected, the plurality of optional processes including at least
two of an image-forming process that forms an image based on the
image data at the first image-forming device, a data deletion
process that deletes the image data from the data transmitter, and
a data forwarding process that forwards the image data to a second
image-forming device, wherein when the data transmitter transmits a
request to the first image-forming device prior to transmitting the
image data to the first image-forming device, the request
indicating that the image data will be transmitted from the data
transmitter to the first image-forming device, the first
image-forming device transmits a notification message to the
communication terminal without going through the data transmitter,
the notification message indicating that the first image-forming
device has received the request and requesting the communication
terminal to select one of the plurality of optional processes, the
communication terminal, in response to the notification message,
issues instructions whether to form an image based on the image
data by selecting one of the provided plurality of optional
processes for the first image-forming device, the communication
terminal transmits the instructions to the data transmitter, and
the data transmitter, in response to the instructions, transmits
the image data to the first image-forming device if the
image-forming process is selected, deletes the image data from the
data transmitter if the data deletion process is selected, or
forwards the image data to the second image-forming device if the
data forwarding process is selected.
2. The data transmission/reception system according to claim 1,
wherein the data transmitter comprises: an image data transmission
device that transmits image data to the first image-forming device
via the data transmission network.
3. The data transmission/reception system according to claim 1,
wherein the first image-forming device comprises: an image data
receiving device that receives image data transmitted from the data
transmitter via the data transmission network.
4. The data transmission/reception system according to claim 1,
wherein the first image-forming device comprises: a notification
message transmitting device that transmits the notification
mail.
5. The data transmission/reception system according to claim 1,
wherein the data transmitter comprises: a communication line
establishing device that establishes a communication line with the
first image-forming device via the data transmission network to
send the request to the first image-forming device; a command
receiving device that receives the instructions transmitted from
the communication terminal.
6. A method for processing image data, comprising: transmitting a
request from a data transmitter to a first image-forming device via
a data communication network prior to transmitting image data from
the data transmitter to the first image-forming device, the request
indicating that the image data will be transmitted from the data
transmitter from the data transmitter to the first image-forming
device; transmitting a notification message from the first
image-forming device to a communication terminal via a mail
communication network without going through the data transmitter,
the notification message indicating that the first image-forming
device has received the request; providing a plurality of optional
processes to be selected, the plurality of optional processes
including at least two of an image-forming process that forms an
image based on the image data at the first image-forming device, a
data deletion process that deletes the image data from the data
transmitter, and a data forwarding process that forwards the image
data to a second image-forming device; providing the instructions
whether to form an image based in the image data by selecting one
of the provided plurality of optional processes for the first
image-forming device in response to the notification message at the
communication terminal, and transmitting the instructions to the
data transmitter via a command communication network; and in
response to the instructions, transmitting the image data to the
first image-forming device if the image-forming process is
selected, deleting the image data from the data transmitter if the
data deletion process is selected, or forwarding the image data to
the second image-forming device if the data forwarding process is
selected.
Description
[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/238,621
filed Sep. 11, 2002, which claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2001-276652 filed Sep. 12, 2001. The disclosure of
the prior applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a data
transmission/reception system for transmitting notification mail to
a communication terminal of an intended receiver of the image data
notifying the receiver that image data has been transmitted. The
present invention also relates to a data transmitter and an
image-forming device employed by this system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] When transmitting image data by a facsimile transmission,
conventional data transmission/reception systems have employed a
function to transmit notification mail to a communication terminal
(cellular phone, personal computer, or the like) of an intended
receiver of image data (that is, the image formed based on the
image data) indicating that the image data has been transmitted.
These systems are convenient in that a user can learn that image
data has been received by the user's facsimile without periodically
going to the facsimile to check whether image data has been
received or not.
[0006] The disadvantage of this data transmission/reception system,
however, is that the user cannot immediately view the image, even
after receiving the notification mail, when the notification mail
is sent to a mobile terminal such as a cellular phone, or when the
user is not near the facsimile at the time. If the image is
confidential material in this case, the user may not be able to
prevent a third party from viewing the confidential image, even
though the user receives notification mail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a data transmission/reception system capable
of receiving image data flexibly.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a data
transmitter, an image-forming device, and a relay device employed
by the data transmission/reception system.
[0009] These objects and others will be attained by a data
transmission/reception system, according to a first aspect of the
present invention, comprising an image-forming device for forming
an image on a recording paper based on image data; and a data
transmitter for transmitting image data to the image-forming device
via a data transmission network. When transmitting the image data,
the data transmitter transmits notification mail via a mail
communication network to a communication terminal of an intended
recipient. The notification mail indicates that image data has been
transmitted to the image-forming device. The recipient transmits a
command to the image-forming device from the recipient's
transmission terminal via a command communication network, and the
image-forming device selectively executes one of a plurality of
processes according to the received command. The plurality of
processes includes at least one of the following processes: an
image-forming process for forming an image based on the image data,
a data deletion process for deleting image data from a storage
device, and a data forwarding process for forwarding the image data
to another image-forming device.
[0010] Accordingly, by using the data transmission/reception system
of the present invention, the user receiving the notification mail
can flexibly exchange image data simply by transmitting commands to
the image processing device in order to process image data with the
image processing device, delete image data from the storage device,
or forward the image data to another image processing device. More
specifically, the recipient can view an image based on the
transmitted image data at any time even from a remote location in
relation to the image-forming device by transmitting a command to
the image-forming device instructing that device to forward the
image data to another image-forming device accessible to the
recipient. Further, the recipient can instruct the image-forming
device to form the image on a recording paper by transmitting a
command to the image-forming device. The recipient can also prevent
a third party from viewing a confidential image by transmitting a
command to the image-forming device instructing that device to
delete the image data from the storage device.
[0011] The data transmitter in the data transmission/reception
system described above for transmitting image data to the
image-forming device is preferably provided with an image data
transmission device for transmitting image data to the
image-forming device via a data transmission network; and a
notification mail transmission device for transmitting notification
mail to the recipient's communication terminal via a mail
communication network. The notification mail indicates that the
image data transmission device has transmitted image data for the
receiver.
[0012] Preferably, the image-forming device that receives image
data transferred from the data transmission device in the data
transmission/reception system described above is provided with an
image data receiving function for receiving image data transmitted
from the data transmitter via the data transmission network; a
command receiving function for receiving commands transmitted from
the recipient's communication terminal via the command
communication network; and an image data forming function for
selectively executing one of a plurality of processes, including at
least one of the following processes: an image-forming process for
forming an image based on the image data, a data deletion process
for deleting image data from the storage device, and a data
forwarding process for forwarding the image data to another
image-forming device.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a
data transmission/reception system comprises an image-forming
device for forming images on a recording paper based on image data;
and a data transmitter for transmitting image data to the
image-forming device via a data transmission network. After
receiving image data from the data transmitter, the image-forming
device transmits a notification mail via a mail communication
network to a communication terminal of the intended recipient of
the image. The notification mail indicates that image data has been
received. Subsequently, the image-forming device selectively
executes one of a plurality of processes according to commands that
have been transmitted from the communication terminal via the
command communication network. The plurality of processes include
at least one of the following processes: an image-forming process
for forming an image based on the image data, a data deletion
process for deleting image data from a storage device, and a data
forwarding process for forwarding the image data to another
image-forming device.
[0014] The data transmission/reception system described above
differs from the data transmission/reception system according to
the first aspect of the present invention mentioned earlier in that
the system transmits notification mail via the mail communication
network indicating that image data has been received to the
recipient's communication terminal after the image-forming device
receives image data transmitted from the data transmitter.
[0015] Accordingly, the same effects can be obtained by using the
data transmission/reception system according to the second aspect
of the present invention as with that according to the first aspect
of the present invention described above. Further, in the data
transmission/reception system according to the first aspect of the
present invention, a function is added to the data transmitter for
transmitting notification mail, while another function is added to
the image-forming device for processing image data according to
commands. However, the same effects obtained by this data
transmission/reception system can also be obtained by the system
according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein
both of these functions are added to the image-forming device (that
is, neither function is incorporated in the data transmitter).
[0016] Preferably, the image-forming device in the data
transmission/reception system according to the second aspect of the
present invention is provided with an image data receiving device
for receiving image data transmitted from the data transmitter via
the data transmission network; a notification mail transmitting
device for transmitting notification mail via a mail communication
network to the communication terminal of the recipient to which the
data was transmitted, after the data receiving function receives
image data, to indicate that image data has been received; a
command receiving device for receiving commands transmitted from
the recipient's communication terminal via the command
communication network after the mail transmitting function
transmits notification mail; and an image data forming function for
selectively executing one of a plurality of processes, including at
least one of the following processes: an image-forming process for
forming an image based on the image data, a data deletion process
for deleting image data from the storage device, and a data
forwarding process for forwarding the image data to another
image-forming device.
[0017] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a data
transmission/reception system comprises an image-forming device for
forming images on a recording paper based on image data; and a data
transmitter for transmitting image data to the image-forming device
via a data transmission network. A communication line is
established between the data transmitter and the image-forming
device via the data communication network. After confirming a
request from the data transmitter to transmit image data, the
image-forming device transmits a notification mail via a mail
communication network to a communication terminal possessed by the
intended recipient of the image. The notification mail indicates
that there has been a request to transmit image data. After
establishing a communication line with the image-forming device via
the data communication network and sending a request to the
image-forming device to receive image data, the data transmitter
selectively executes one of a plurality of processes according to a
command in the notification mail that has been transmitted from the
communication terminal via the command communication network. The
plurality of processes include at least one of the following
processes: a transmission process for transmitting image data to
the image-forming device, a transmission cancellation process for
canceling the transmission of image data to the image-forming
device, and a data forwarding process for forwarding the image data
to another image-forming device.
[0018] With the data transmission/reception system described above,
image data is transmitted to the image-forming device only when
such transmission is required. Image data can be flexibly handled
by forwarding the data to another image-forming device. More
specifically, when the recipient views a notification mail and
determines that it is not necessary to view the image, the
recipient can avoid an unnecessary image transmission by sending a
command to the data transmitter indicating a wish to cancel the
data transmission, thereby reducing communication traffic and
avoiding the waste of paper. When the recipient is not in the
vicinity of the image-forming device, the recipient can transmit a
forwarding command to the data transmitter, instructing the
transmitter to forward the image data to another image-forming
device near at hand, thereby enabling the recipient to quickly view
an image based on the transmitted image data.
[0019] In the data transmission/reception system described above, a
communication line is established between the image-forming device
that receives image data from the data transmitter and the data
transmitter. The image-forming device can be provided with a
notification mail transmitting device for transmitting notification
mail. Hence, after the image-forming device receives a request to
receive image data, the notification mail transmitting device
transmits notification mail via the mail communication network to
the communication terminal of the intended recipient of the image
data indicating that there has been a request to transmit image
data.
[0020] The data transmitter of the data transmission/reception
system described above can also be provided with a communication
line establishing device for establishing a communication line with
the image-forming device via the communication network to request
the reception of image data from the image-forming device; a
command receiving device for receiving a command transmitted from
the communication terminal that received notification mail via a
command communication network after requesting the reception of
image data with the communication line establishing device; and an
image data processing device for selectively executing one of a
plurality of processes according to commands received by the
command receiving function. The plurality of processes includes at
least one of the following processes: a transmission process for
transmitting image data to the image-forming device, a transmission
cancellation process for canceling the transmission of image data
to the image-forming device, and a data forwarding process for
forwarding the image data to another image-forming device.
[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a
data transmission/reception system comprises an image-forming
device for forming images on a recording paper based on image data;
and a data transmitter for transmitting image data to the
image-forming device via a data transmission network. The data
transmitter transmits a notification mail via a mail communication
network to a communication terminal of the intended recipient of
the image prior to transferring the image data. The notification
mail indicates that image data will be transmitted. Subsequently,
the data transmitter selectively executes one of a plurality of
processes according to commands received from the communication
terminal via the command communication network. The plurality of
processes includes at least one of the following processes: a
transmission process for transmitting image data to the
image-forming device, a transmission cancellation process for
canceling the transmission of image data to the image-forming
device, and a data forwarding process for forwarding the image data
to another image-forming device.
[0022] The data transmission/reception system according to the
fourth aspect of the present invention differs from that according
to the third aspect of the present invention in that this system
transmits notification mail via the mail communication network to
the communication terminal of the recipient indicating that image
data will be transmitted before the data transmitter transmits the
image data.
[0023] Accordingly, the data transmission/reception system
according to the fourth aspect of the present invention has the
same effects as the system according to the third aspect of the
present invention described above. In the data
transmission/reception system according to the third aspect of the
present invention, it is necessary to add a function to the
image-forming device for transmitting notification mail and to add
a function to the data transmitter for transmitting image data
based on commands or for canceling transmissions. However, the data
transmission/reception system according to the fourth aspect of the
present invention is configured to obtain the same effects simply
by adding both functions to the data transmitter (that is, without
adding either function to the image-forming device).
[0024] The data transmitter in the data transmission/reception
system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention can
also be provided with a notification mail transmitting device for
transmitting notification mail via the mail communication network
to the communication terminal of the recipient to which image data
is to be transmitted indicating that image data will be
transmitted; a command receiving device for receiving commands
transmitted via the command communication network from the
communication terminal after the notification mail transmitting
device transmits notification mail; and an image data processing
device for selectively executing one of a plurality of processes
according to commands received by the command receiving function.
The plurality of processes includes at least one of the following
processes: a transmission process for transmitting image data to
the image-forming device, a transmission cancellation process for
canceling the transmission of image data to the image-forming
device, and a data forwarding process for forwarding the image data
to another image-forming device.
[0025] In any of the data transmission/reception systems described
above, the notification mail transmitted to the communication
terminal of the recipient can include command data displaying
commands that the recipient can select. By selecting one of the
displayed commands, the recipient can transmit a prescribed command
from the communication terminal.
[0026] By including commands in the notification mail in this way,
the recipient can transmit prescribed commands from the
communication terminal simply by specifying a command noted in the
notification mail. Hence, the present invention greatly simplifies
the operations for issuing commands.
[0027] To further facilitate command operations for the recipient,
it is possible to include the address of a web server offering
commands that can be selected by the recipient in the notification
mail transferred to the recipient's communication terminal. After
receiving the notification mail, the user can connect the
communication terminal to the web server by specifying the address
included in the notification mail and select a desired command.
[0028] In this way, the process for creating notification mail can
be made extremely simple, requiring only that an address be
inserted in the notification mail. The recipient can perform easy
command operations by simply connecting to the web server and
specifying a command.
[0029] It is also desirable to include thumbnails in the
notification mail transmitted to the recipient's communication
terminal, wherein the thumbnails are a smaller representation of
the image data to be transmitted by the data transmitter. This
allows the recipient to see what type of image data is to be
transmitted at a glance and quickly determine how to process this
image data.
[0030] Each of the data transmission/reception system according to
the present invention described above can be configured to use a
variety of commands based on necessity, such as a command for
confirming when image data has been temporarily saved in a
recording device or the like provided in the image-forming device,
for example. Further, the data communication network, mail
communication network, and command communication network in the
present invention described above can all be implemented by
different networks or by a shared network (the same network). These
networks can be broadband networks, such as the Internet, or
dial-up networks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The aforementioned aspects and other features of the
invention are explained in the following description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawing figures wherein:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a data
transmission/reception system according to a first embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission process
executed by a transmitting facsimile machine according to the first
embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the construction of
a notification mail employed in the first embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a command specifying
process executed by a cellular phone according to the first
embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a reception process
executed by a receiving facsimile machine according to the first
embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first command process
executed by the receiving facsimile machine according to the first
embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of a data
transmission/reception system according to a second embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a reception process
executed by a receiving facsimile machine according to the second
embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the construction of a data
transmission/reception system according to a third embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a reception process
executed by a receiving facsimile machine according to the third
embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a command specifying
process executed by a cellular phone according to the third
embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission process
executed by a transmitting facsimile machine according to the third
embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a second command process
according to the third embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the construction of a
data transmission/reception system according to a fourth
embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission process
executed by a transmitting facsimile machine according to the
fourth embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the construction of a
data transmission/reception system according to a fifth
embodiment;
[0048] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a relay process executed
by a relay facsimile machine according to the fifth embodiment,
[0049] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the construction of a
data transmission/reception system according to a sixth
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] The following description will be made for explaining
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
1) A data transmission/reception system of a first embodiment
according to the present invention will be described while
referring to FIGS. 1-6.
1-1) Overall Construction
[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the data transmission/reception system
of the present embodiment comprises at least two facsimile machines
1 and 2 and a cellular phone 3 connected to a telephone line.
[0052] The facsimile machines 1, 2 have a scanner (not shown) for
scanning an image, and a memory unit (not shown) for storing
facsimile data scanned and/or received. The facsimile machines 1, 2
have a printing unit (not shown) for forming an image based on the
facsimile data on a sheet. The facsimile machines 1 and 2 transmit
and receive facsimile data including image data through the
telephone line. The facsimile machines 1, 2 are capable of
sending/receiving data and/or email through the Internet. One of
the transmitting facsimile machines 1 functions as a transmitting
facsimile machine. The other of facsimile machine 2 functions as a
receiving facsimile machine.
[0053] The cellular phone 3 is capable of sending and receiving
data and/or email through the Internet. Generally, the cellular
phone 3 is a communication terminal owned by a user of the
receiving facsimile machine 2. The user of the cellular phone 3 is
an owner and/or user of the receiving facsimile machine 2.
[0054] With a data transmission/reception system of this
configuration, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 transmits
facsimile data to the receiving facsimile machine 2, and transmits
email including a notification message to the cellular phone 3. The
email including a notification message informs the user of the
cellular phone 3 that image data has been transmitted by the
transmitting facsimile machine 1. In the present invention, the
above email including a notification message is designated as
"notification mail" hereinafter.
[0055] When the cellular phone 3 receives the notification mail,
the user realizes that the facsimile data has been transmitted to
the receiving facsimile machine 2. The user specifies a command to
the receiving facsimile machine 2 by using the cellular phone 3.
And the specified command is sent to the receiving facsimile
machine 2. When receiving the command from the cellular phone 3,
the receiving facsimile machine 2 operates in response to the
command. The receiving facsimile machine 2 may form images based on
the facsimile data received from the transmitting facsimile machine
1. Alternatively, the receiving facsimile machine 2 may forward the
received facsimile data to another facsimile machine around the
user's current position, or delete the received facsimile data from
the memory unit.
[0056] The following description will be made for explaining the
detailed operations of the facsimile machines 1 and 2 and the
cellular phone 3.
1-2) Transmission Procedure
[0057] Next, the transmission process executed by the transmitting
facsimile machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In
this embodiment, an operator of the transmitting facsimile machine
1 is assumed to know e-mail address of the cellular phone 3 owned
by the user of the receiving facsimile machine 2 to which the
facsimile data is to be transmitted.
[0058] The transmitting facsimile machine 1 initiates a
transmission procedure 1a when the transmitting facsimile machine 1
starts sending an image to the receiving facsimile machine 2. In
S10, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 first calls the receiving
facsimile machine 2 via a telephone line, and then establishes a
connection with the receiving facsimile machine 2 via the telephone
line. In another embodiment, the transmitting facsimile machine 1
may enable the user to select the facsimile number of the receiving
facsimile machine 2 prestored in the transmitting facsimile machine
1. Alternatively, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 may allow
the user to enter the facsimile number directly by using dialing
buttons prior to switching on the start button.
[0059] In S11, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 transmit
facsimile data via the established communication line. IN other
words, the scanner in the transmitting facsimile machine 1 reads an
image from the original. The transmitting facsimile machine 1 then
creates facsimile data from the scanned data. The transmitting
facsimile machine 1 then starts sending the facsimile data to the
receiving facsimile machine 2. After all the facsimile data is
transmitted to the receiving facsimile machine 2 via the telephone
line, The transmitting facsimile machine 1 disconnects the
line.
[0060] In S12, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 executes a
process for generating notification mail. In this process,
referring to FIG. 5, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 generates
a notification mail 5 including email addresses 50 of the operator
and the user, a message 52, a thumbnail image 54 based on facsimile
data corresponding to the front page of the original that was
scanned in S11, a command list 56 for the receiving facsimile
machine 2. The email addresses 50 are either email addresses stored
in connection with the facsimile number or email addresses separate
from the facsimile number that is inputted by the operator. The
message 52 may be selected from among a plurality of prestored form
messages in the transmitting facsimile machine 1. Alternatively,
the message 52 may be original text made at the time of
transmission.
[0061] In S13, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 executes a
process to transmit the generated notification mail 5 to the
cellular phone 3 of the user via the Internet. The transmission
procedure 1a then ends.
1-3) Command Specifying Procedure
[0062] Next, a command specifying procedure 3a executed by the
cellular phone 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0063] The command specifying procedure 3a executed by the cellular
phone 3 is initiated, when the cellular phone 3 receives a
notification mail 5. In S30, the cellular phone 3 displays the
received notification mail 5 on its display screen. In S31, the
cellular phone 3 waits until the user of the cellular phone 3 has
specified one of the commands in the command list 56 displayed in
the notification mail 5 by operating the control buttons on the
cellular phone 3. When a command is specified (Yes in S31), the
cellular phone 3 determines in S32 whether a forwarding command has
been specified. If the forwarding command has been specified (Yes
in S32), a message is displayed in S33 requesting the user to enter
a facsimile number as the destination for forwarding the message.
The cellular phone 3 waits in S34 until a facsimile number has been
entered. When the facsimile number has been entered (Yes in S34),
both the entered facsimile number and the forwarding command are
transmitted to the receiving facsimile machine 2 in S35. The
command specifying procedure 3a then ends. However, if a command
other than the forwarding command is specified in S31 (No in S32),
then the specified command is transmitted to the receiving
facsimile machine 2 in S36. The command specifying procedure 3a
then ends.
1-4) Reception Procedure
[0064] Next a reception procedure 2a executed by the receiving
facsimile machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0065] The reception procedure 2a executed by the receiving
facsimile machine 2 is initiated, when the receiving facsimile
machine 2 realizes that connection is established with the
transmitting facsimile machine 1. In S20, the receiving facsimile
machine 2 first receives facsimile data, and stores the received
facsimile data in the memory unit. After receiving the facsimile
data, the receiving facsimile machine 2 waits in S21 until a
command is received from the cellular phone 3. Once the command is
received from the cellular phone 3 (Yes in S21), the receiving
facsimile machine 2 executes a first command procedure S100. The
reception procedure 2a then ends.
[0066] In the first command procedure S100 shown in FIG. 6, the
receiving facsimile machine 2 determines in S102 whether a
forwarding command for forwarding the received facsimile data to
another facsimile machine has been received. If the forwarding
command has been received (Yes in S102), go to in S104. In S04, the
receiving facsimile machine 2 transmits the facsimile data stored
in the memory to a destination facsimile machine designated with
the facsimile number received along with the forwarding command.
After forwarding the facsimile message, the first command procedure
ends and the receiving facsimile machine 2 returns to the reception
procedure 2a.
[0067] If the command is determined not to be the forwarding
command (No in S102), the receiving facsimile machine 2 determines
in S112 whether the command is an output command for forming an
image based on the facsimile data on a sheet. If the output command
has been received (Yes in S112), then go to S114. In S114, the
receiving facsimile machine 2 forms an image on a sheet based on
the facsimile data stored in the memory of the receiving facsimile
machine 2. After forming the image on the sheet, the procedure S100
then ends and the receiving facsimile machine 2 returns to the
reception procedure 2a.
[0068] If the output command was not received (No in S112), then
the receiving facsimile machine 2 determines in S122 whether the
command is a deletion command for deleting the received facsimile
data. If the deletion command has been received (Yes in S122), then
goes to S124. In S124, the receiving facsimile machine 2 deletes
the facsimile data stored in the memory. The procedure S100 then
ends and the receiving facsimile machine 2 returns to the reception
procedure 2a.
[0069] If the command is determined not to be the deletion command
(No in S122), then the receiving facsimile machine 2 determines in
S132 whether the command is a reception confirmation command for
confirming that facsimile data was received in the receiving
facsimile machine 2. If the reception confirmation command has been
received (Yes in S132), then goes to S134. In S134, the receiving
facsimile machine 2 stores the received facsimile data to a
storage, and sending back a message that the receiving facsimile
machine 2 received the facsimile data. The procedure S100 then ends
and the receiving facsimile machine 2 returns to the reception
procedure 2a.
[0070] If the data saving command is not received (No in S132),
then the receiving facsimile machine 2 saves the facsimile data
together with an error message in the memory unit. The error
message indicates that the received command is unclear for
controlling the receiving facsimile machine 2. It should be noted
that the receiving facsimile machine 2 temporally saves the
received facsimile data with the error message for precautionary
purposes because of the unclear command. Here, the procedure S100
ends, and the receiving facsimile machine 2 returns to the
reception procedure 2a. In S136, the receiving facsimile machine 2
may transmit e-mail to the cellular phone 3 notifying the user that
any recognizable command was not received at the receiving
facsimile machine 2. The, the receiving facsimile machine may wait
until another command is received. In this case, when a new command
is received, the receiving facsimile machine 2 executes the process
S100 again.
1-5) Effects
[0071] In the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, when the receiving facsimile machine 2 receives
facsimile data from the transmitting facsimile machine 1, the
receiving facsimile machine 2 executes one of a plurality of
processes in response to a command transmitted via the Internet
from the cellular phone 3 that received the notification mail 5.
Here, the plurality of processes includes at least one of the
following: the image-forming process (S114) for forming images on
paper based on facsimile data, a deletion process (S124) for
deleting the facsimile data received and stored in memory, and a
data forwarding process (S104) for forwarding the facsimile data to
another facsimile machine.
[0072] Hence, with the data transmission/reception system of the
present embodiment, a user receiving the notification mail 5 can
simply transmit a command to the receiving facsimile machine 2 to
form an image based on the facsimile data with the receiving
facsimile machine 2 (S114). In response to the command, the
receiving facsimile machine 2 may delete the facsimile data stored
in the memory of the receiving facsimile machine 2 (S124).
Alternatively, the receiving facsimile machine may forward the data
to another facsimile machine (S104). Accordingly, even when the
user of the receiving facsimile machine 2 is not in the vicinity of
the receiving facsimile machine 2, the user can still quickly view
an image based on the facsimile data by transmitting a forwarding
command to the receiving facsimile machine 2 instructing the
receiving facsimile machine 2 to forward the facsimile data to
another facsimile machine located around the user. When the user
determines there is no particular necessity to forward the
facsimile data, the recipient can transmit an output command or a
deletion command to the receiving facsimile machine 2, instructing
the receiving facsimile machine 2 to form an image of the data on
paper or delete the facsimile data from the memory.
[0073] Since the command list 56 is included in the notification
mail 5 in the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, the recipient can easily transmit a prescribed command
from the cellular phone 3 by only selecting a desired command from
the command list 56 in the notification mail 5 displayed on the
screen of the cellular phone 3. Accordingly, the user can transmit
commands with easy operations.
[0074] In the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, the notification mail 5 includes the thumbnail image 54
providing a small description of the facsimile data to be
transmitted from the transmitting facsimile machine 1. Upon
receiving the notification mail, therefore, the user can quickly
determine whether the facsimile data received by the receiving
facsimile machine 2 should be forwarded by only glancing at the
thumbnail image 54.
2) Next, a data transmission/reception system according to a second
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein like parts and components are
designated by the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating
description.
2-1) Overall Construction
[0075] Referring to FIG. 7, the data transmission/reception system
of the present embodiment comprises a conventional facsimile
machine 100, a facsimile machine 2, and a cellular phone 3
connected to a telephone line. The facsimile machine 100 transmits
facsimile data including image data via the telephone line as a
transmitting facsimile machine. The facsimile machine 2 receives
facsimile data transmitted via the telephone line as a receiving
facsimile machine. The receiving facsimile machine 2 also transmits
and receives e-mail via the Internet. The cellular phone 3 is
capable of transmitting and receiving e-mail via the Internet.
[0076] The data transmission/reception system according to the
present embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in
that the transmitting facsimile machine 1 does not have a function
for sending/receiving email. The receiving facsimile machine 2
transmits notification mail after receiving the facsimile data. In
this embodiment, the notification mail informs a user of the
receiving facsimile machine 2 that the receiving facsimile machine
2 has received facsimile data.
[0077] In this embodiment, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 has
the substantially same operations as those of a conventional
facsimile machine. Therefore, the transmitting facsimile machine 1
starts sending facsimile data when connection with the receiving
facsimile machine 2 is established. In addition, a command
specifying procedure 3a executed by the cellular phone 3 is the
same as the process described in the first embodiment except that
the cellular phone 3 receives notification mail from the receiving
facsimile machine 3. Therefore, a description of that procedure has
been omitted here.
2-2) Reception Procedure
[0078] A reception procedure 2a executed by the receiving facsimile
machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0079] The reception procedure 2a executed by the receiving
facsimile machine 2 is initiated when the receiving facsimile
machine 2 realizes that connection is established between the
receiving facsimile machine 2 and the transmitting facsimile
machine 1. In S20, the receiving facsimile machine 2 receives
facsimile data and stores the received facsimile data in a memory
provided in the receiving facsimile machine 2.
[0080] In S12, the receiving facsimile machine 2 executes a process
to generate notification mail. In this process, the receiving
facsimile machine 2 generates notification mail having a thumbnail
image 54 corresponding to received facsimile data of the front page
of the original. The receiving facsimile machine 2 further inserts
a command list 56 into the notification mail. In the present
embodiment, the notification mail may include the facsimile number
of the transmitting facsimile machine 1, the name of the owner
having the facsimile number, and the address and facsimile number
of the receiving facsimile machine 2. The message 52, however, is
not always included in the notification mail. The notification mail
may include the message 52 related to the facsimile data, when the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 has transmitted information
related to the message 52 to the receiving facsimile machine 2.
[0081] In S13, the receiving facsimile machine 2 transmits the
notification mail 5 generated in S12 to the cellular phone 3 of the
user of the receiving facsimile machine 2 via the Internet. After
transmitting the notification mail, the receiving facsimile machine
2 waits in S21 in order to receive a command from the cellular
phone 3. Upon receiving a command from the cellular phone 3, the
receiving facsimile machine 2 executes the first command procedure
S100 shown in FIG. 6. After finishing the first command procedure
S100, the reception procedure 2a of FIG. 8 ends.
2-3) Effects
[0082] In addition to the effects of the data
transmission/reception system according to the first embodiment,
the system according to the present embodiment has the following
effects.
[0083] The data transmission/reception system of the first
embodiment was configured such that the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 executes a process (S12 and S13) to transmit notification
mail, while the receiving facsimile machine 2 executes a facsimile
data procedure (S100) based on the received commands. However, in
the data transmission/reception system of the present embodiment,
the receiving facsimile machine 2 performs both of these processes.
Hence, the data transmission/reception system of the second
embodiment can achieve the same effects as the system of the first
embodiment, even when the transmitting facsimile machine 1 does not
have a function to transmit the notification mail 5 or does not
intentionally transmit the notification mail 5.
[0084] The present embodiment achieves the same effects as the data
transmission/reception system of the first embodiment, even if the
operator of the transmitting facsimile machine 1 does not know the
address of the cellular phone 3 belonging to the receiver.
3) Next, a data transmission/reception system according to a third
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 9 through 13.
[0085] In the following description, only points differing from
those in the first embodiment will be described.
3-1) Overall Construction
[0086] Referring to FIG. 9, the data transmission/reception system
of the present embodiment includes at least two facsimile machines
1, 2 and a cellular phone connected to a telephone line. One of
facsimile machines functions as a transmitting facsimile machine 1
for transmitting facsimile data via a telephone line, and receives
command data via the Internet. The other of facsimile machines
functions as a receiving facsimile machine 2 for receiving
facsimile data via a telephone line. The receiving facsimile
machine 2 is configured to transmit e-mail via the Internet. The
cellular phone 3 is configured to send/receive e-mail via the
Internet and also configured to transmit command data via the
Internet.
[0087] In the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, when the receiving facsimile machine 2 realizes that
connection with the transmitting facsimile machine 1 is
established, the receiving facsimile machine 2 transmits
notification mail to the cellular phone 3 in order to notify a user
of the cellular phone 3 that facsimile data will be transmitted
from the transmitting facsimile machine 1. After receiving the
notification mail, the user of the cellular phone 3 specifies a
command with the cellular phone 3. When the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 receives this command from the cellular phone 3, the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 starts transmitting facsimile data
to the receiving facsimile machine 2.
3-2) Reception Process
[0088] Next, the reception procedure executed by the receiving
facsimile machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
10.
[0089] The reception procedure 2a is initiated when the receiving
facsimile machine 2 establishes connection with the transmitting
facsimile machine 1. In general, the transmitting facsimile machine
1 sends a request signal indicating a request for the receiving
facsimile machine 2 to receive facsimile data from the transmitting
facsimile machine 1. In S11a, the receiving facsimile machine 2
receives the request signal from the transmitting facsimile machine
1. In S12, in response to the requesting signal, the receiving
facsimile machine 2 generates notification mail for notifying the
cellular phone 3 that facsimile data will be transmitted from the
transmitting facsimile machine 1. In the process of S12, the
notification mail is created in order to include data 50 such as
the facsimile number of the operator who transmits facsimile data,
and a command list 56 including a transmission command for
instructing the transmitting facsimile machine 1 to transmit the
facsimile data, a transmission canceling command for canceling the
transmission of facsimile data, and a forwarding command for
forwarding the facsimile data to a facsimile machine other than the
receiving facsimile machine 2.
[0090] In S13, the receiving facsimile machine 2 transmits the
generated notification mail to the cellular phone 3 via the
Internet. Subsequently, in S20a, the receiving facsimile machine 2
determines whether the reception of facsimile data has begun within
a predetermined time period after receiving the request signal. If
the reception has begun (Yes in S20a), then the receiving facsimile
machine 2 maintains receiving the facsimile data in S20. After the
reception of the facsimile data in S20 has completed, the
connection with the transmitting facsimile machine 1 is
disconnected in S26. The reception procedure 2a then ends. If the
reception of facsimile data does not begin within the predetermined
time period (No in S20a), then go to S26. In S26, the connection
with the transmitting facsimile machine 1 is disconnected. The
reception procedure 2a then ends.
3-3) Command Specifying Process
[0091] A command specifying process 3a executed by the cellular
phone 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.
[0092] The command specifying process 3a is initiated when the
cellular phone 3 receives the notification mail 5. In S30, the
cellular phone 3 displays the notification mail 5 on the display
screen of the cellular phone 3. In S31, the cellular phone 3 waits
until the user of the cellular phone 3 specifies one of the
commands in the command list 56 displayed on the notification mail
5 with buttons on the cellular phone 3. When the user has specified
a command (Yes in S31), then the cellular phone 3 determines in S32
whether the user has specified a forwarding command. If the
cellular phone 3 determines that the forwarding command has been
specified (Yes in S32), then the cellular phone 3 displays a
request for the user to enter the facsimile number of the
forwarding destination in S33. In S34, the cellular phone 3 waits
until the facsimile number is entered. When the facsimile number
has been inputted (Yes in S34), then the cellular phone 3 transmits
the inputted facsimile number together with the forwarding command
to the transmitting facsimile machine 1 in S35a. The command
specifying procedure 3a then ends. However, if the cellular phone 3
determines that a command other than the forwarding command has
been specified in S31 (No in S32), then the cellular phone 3
transmits the command to the transmitting facsimile machine 1 in
S36a and the command specifying process 3a ends.
3-4) Transmission Process
[0093] Next, the transmission process executed by the transmitting
facsimile machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
12.
[0094] The transmission process 1a is initiated when the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 starts transmitting facsimile data
to the receiving facsimile machine 2. In S10a, the transmitting
facsimile machine 1 establishes connection with the receiving
facsimile machine 2, and transmits a request signal to the
receiving facsimile machine 2 which request the receiving facsimile
machine 2 to receive facsimile data. The transmitting facsimile
machine 1 can be configured such that the user can either select a
facsimile number of the receiving facsimile machine 2 prestored in
the transmitting facsimile machine 1 or enter the facsimile number
directly by pushing dialing buttons prior to switching on the start
button. In S21, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 waits until a
command has been received from the cellular phone 3. When the
command has been received from the cellular phone 3 (Yes in S21),
the transmitting facsimile machine 1 executes the second command
procedure S200, and the transmission process 1a ends.
[0095] Next, the second command procedure S200 will be described
with reference to FIG. 13. In S210, the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 determines whether the command received from the cellular
phone 3 is a transmission command for transmitting facsimile data.
If the received command is the transmission command (Yes in S210),
then the transmitting facsimile machine 1 executes a process to
transmit facsimile data in S220. In the process of S220, the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 creates facsimile data by scanning
the image on the original with a scanner provided in the
transmitting facsimile machine 1. The transmitting facsimile
machine 1 then transmits the facsimile data to the receiving
facsimile machine 2 via the telephone line. When the process of
S220 is completed, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 disconnects
the telephone line in S230 and the process returns to the
transmission procedure 1a. However, if the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 determines that the received command is not the
transmission command (No in S210), then the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 determines in S102 whether the received command is a
forwarding command for forwarding facsimile data to other facsimile
machine than the facsimile machine 2. If the command is the
forwarding command (Yes in S102), then the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 disconnects the telephone line with the receiving
facsimile machine 2 in S104a. The transmitting facsimile machine 1
calls the facsimile machine designated by the number of the
forwarding destination in the forwarding command, thereby
establishing connection with that facsimile machine. The
transmitting facsimile machine 1 then transmits the facsimile data
to the facsimile machine at this destination address. After
finishing the forwarding facsimile data, in S230, the transmitting
facsimile machine 1 disconnects the telephone line with the
destination address, and returns the process to the transmission
procedure 1a. However, if the command is determined not to be a
forwarding command (No in S102), then the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 concludes that the command is a transmission canceling
command. The transmitting facsimile machine 1 then immediately
disconnects in S230 the telephone line that was connected in S10,
and returns to the transmission procedure 1a.
3-5) Effects
[0096] In the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, when connection is established between the transmitting
facsimile machine 1 and the receiving facsimile machine 2, the
receiving facsimile machine 2 confirms a request from the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 to receive facsimile data from the
transmitting facsimile machine 1. The receiving facsimile machine 2
then transmits via the Internet a notification mail to the cellular
phone 3 of the user of the receiving facsimile machine 2,
indicating that the transmitting facsimile machine 1 will transmit
facsimile data to the receiving facsimile machine 2 soon.
[0097] After the transmitting facsimile machine 1 establishes a
communication line with the receiving facsimile machine 2 via a
telephone line and sends a request for the receiving facsimile
machine 2 to receive facsimile data, the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 selectively executes one of a plurality of processes in
response to a command received from the cellular phone 3 via the
Internet. The plurality of processes includes at least one of the
following processes: a transmission process (S220) for transmitting
facsimile data to the receiving facsimile machine 2, a transmission
canceling process (a process for directly executing the S230 via
the S210 and S102) for canceling the transmission of facsimile data
to the receiving facsimile machine 2, and a data forwarding process
(S104a) to forward the facsimile data to another facsimile
machine.
[0098] Accordingly, using the data transmission/reception system of
the present embodiment, the user can transmit a command to the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 to cancel the transmission of
facsimile data after viewing the notification mail and determining
that it is not necessary to view the facsimile data, thereby
avoiding unnecessary transfers. As a result, the present invention
can reduce the amount of traffic for transmitting facsimile data
and avoid the wasting of paper.
[0099] With the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, when the use of the receiving facsimile machine 2 is
not in the vicinity of the receiving facsimile machine 2, the user
can transmit a forwarding command to the transmitting facsimile
machine 1 instructing the transmitting facsimile machine 1 to
forward the facsimile data to another facsimile machine which is
located near the user. In this way, the user can quickly view an
image based on the facsimile data.
[0100] With the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, the notification mail 5 includes the command list 56.
After receiving the notification mail 5 with the cellular phone 3,
the user can select a desired command from the command list 56
displayed in the notification mail 5. The cellular phone 3 is
configured to transmit the selected command, thereby enabling the
user to transmit a command with an extremely simple operation.
[0101] With the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, the notification mail 5 includes a forwarding command.
If the transmitting facsimile machine 1 receives a forwarding
command, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 can forward facsimile
data to a destination address specified along with the command.
4) A data transmission/reception system according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. In the following description, only
the points that differ from the description of the third embodiment
will be described.
4-1) Overall Construction
[0102] As shown in FIG. 14, the data transmission/reception system
of the present embodiment, comprises a transmitting facsimile
machine 1 that is capable of transmitting e-mail via the Internet
and is also capable of transmitting facsimile data composed of
image data via a telephone line; a normal receiving facsimile
machine 2 that is capable of transmitting facsimile data via a
telephone line; and a cellular phone 3 that is capable of receiving
e-mail via the Internet and is also capable of transmitting command
data via the Internet.
[0103] In this embodiment, one of the operations of the system
which are different from the third embodiment is that the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 transmits notification mail prior
to beginning the transmission of facsimile data. The command
specifying procedure executed by the data transmission/reception
system is the same as that described in the third embodiment.
Therefore, a description of this procedure has been omitted.
4-2) Transmission Process
[0104] Next, a transmission process executed by the transmitting
facsimile machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
15.
[0105] A transmission procedure 1a is initiated when the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 starts transmitting image. In S10,
the transmitting facsimile machine 1 starts establishing a
telephone line connection with the receiving facsimile machine 2.
Here, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 can be configured such
that the user specifies a facsimile number for the receiving
facsimile machine 2 that is prestored in the receiving facsimile
machine 2 or specifies the facsimile number directly using dialing
buttons on the receiving facsimile machine 2 prior to switching on
the start button for transmission.
[0106] In S15, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 reads one page
of the original (the front page) using a scanner provided in the
transmitting facsimile machine 1. In S12, the transmitting
facsimile machine 1 generates notification mail with a thumbnail
that is created based on facsimile data read in S15. In addition to
the facsimile number of the transmitting facsimile machine 1 or the
name of the sender 50 and a message 52, the notification mail 5
includes a thumbnail image 54 based on facsimile data read in S15
and a command list 56. Unlike the notification mail 5 described in
FIG. 3, however, the command list 56 does not include a
transmission command, transmission cancellation command, and
forwarding command. In S13, the transmitting facsimile machine 1
transmits the notification mail 5 generated in S15 to the cellular
phone 3.
[0107] In S21, the transmitting facsimile machine 1 waits until a
command is received from the cellular phone 3 to which the
notification mail was transmitted. When a command is received (Yes
in S21), then the transmitting facsimile machine 1 executes the
second command procedure 5200, and the transmission process 1a
ends.
4-3) Effects
[0108] In addition to the effects described in the third
embodiment, the data transmission/reception system according to the
present embodiment has the following effects:
[0109] The data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment adds functions to the transmitting facsimile machine 1:
a function to transmit notification mail (S12 and S13); a function
to transmit facsimile data; and a function to cancel transmission
of facsimile data. On the other hand, the receiving facsimile
machine 2 do not have to include any specific function except the
function for sending facsimile data. The data
transmission/reception system of the present embodiment achieves
the same effects as the data transmission/reception system of the
third embodiment.
[0110] The data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment includes the thumbnail image 54 based on facsimile data
for the front page of the original in the notification mail 5,
enabling the user receiving the notification mail 5 to confirm at a
glance what type of facsimile data will be transmitted. Therefore,
the user can immediately determine whether the facsimile data needs
to be transmitted or not, or whether it is necessary to forward the
facsimile data.
5) Next, a data transmission/reception system according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.
[0111] In the following description, the command specifying
procedure 3a executed by the cellular phone 3 and the reception
procedure 2a executed by the receiving facsimile machine 2 have the
same processes of the data transmission/reception system in the
first embodiment. Therefore, the following description will include
only the points differing from the first embodiment, focusing on
the processes of the relay facsimile machine 4.
5-1) Overall Construction
[0112] As shown in FIG. 16, the data transmission/reception system
of the present embodiment comprises a normal transmitting facsimile
machine 1 that is capable of transmitting facsimile data composed
of image data via a telephone line; a relay facsimile machine 4
that is capable of transmitting e-mail via the Internet and is also
capable of transmitting and receiving facsimile data via a
telephone line; a normal receiving facsimile machine 2 that is
capable of receiving command data via the Internet and is also
capable of receiving facsimile data via a telephone line; and a
cellular phone 3 that is capable of receiving e-mail via the
Internet and is also capable of transmitting command data via the
Internet. It should be noted that the cellular phone 3 is owned by
a user of the receiving facsimile machine 2.
[0113] In this embodiment, the relay facsimile machine 4 transmits
notification mail to the cellular phone 3 after receiving facsimile
data from the transmitting facsimile machine 1. The relay facsimile
machine 4 also transmits the facsimile data to the receiving
facsimile machine 2. After receiving the notification mail, the
receiver specifies a command with the cellular phone 3. The
receiving facsimile machine 2 receives the command from the
cellular phone 3. The receiving facsimile machine 2 then either
forms an image based on facsimile data received from the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 or forwards the received facsimile
data to another facsimile machine near the receiver based on the
received command.
5-2) Relay Process
[0114] A relay process executed by the relay facsimile machine 4
will be described next. A relay procedure 4a is initiated after
connection is established between the relay facsimile machine 4 and
the transmitting facsimile machine 1. In S40, the relay facsimile
machine 4 receives facsimile data from the transmitting facsimile
machine 1, stores the received data in memory provided in the
receiving facsimile machine 2, and disconnects the telephone line
after the reception has completed.
[0115] In S12, the relay facsimile machine 4 generates notification
mail. In this process, the relay facsimile machine 4 creates a
notification mail 5 including the telephone number of the sender
50, a thumbnail image 54 based on facsimile data corresponding to
the front page of the received facsimile data, and a command list
56. In S13, the relay facsimile machine 4 transmits the generated
notification mail 5 to the cellular phone 3 via the Internet.
[0116] In S42, the relay facsimile machine 4 executes a process to
open a telephone line with the receiving facsimile machine 2,
transmit the facsimile data stored in memory to the receiving
facsimile machine 2, and disconnect the telephone line connection
after the data has been completely transmitted. The relay process
4a ends.
5-3) Effects
[0117] When the relay facsimile machine 4 receives facsimile data
transmitted from the transmitting facsimile machine 1, the relay
facsimile machine 4 forwards this facsimile data to the receiving
facsimile machine 2, and also transmits notification mail to the
cellular phone 3 of the user via the Internet indicating that
facsimile data has been relayed to the receiving facsimile machine
2.
[0118] Accordingly, by specifying a destination address when the
transmitting facsimile machine 1 transmits facsimile data to the
relay facsimile machine 4, the relay facsimile machine 4 can relay
received facsimile data to the receiving facsimile machine 2 at the
specified destination address. Further, the relay facsimile machine
4 notifies the user by notification mail indicating what type of
facsimile data was forwarded. Accordingly, the receiver can view an
image based on the facsimile data forwarded to the destination in
the notification mail.
[0119] With the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, as in the data transmission/reception system of the
first embodiment, the user can either form an image based on the
facsimile data with the receiving facsimile machine 2, or forward
the facsimile data to another facsimile machine simply by
transmitting a command to the receiving facsimile machine 2 after
receiving the notification mail. Accordingly, the present invention
enables the user to flexibly handle the facsimile data. More
specifically, when the receiver of the facsimile data is not in the
vicinity of the receiving facsimile machine 2, the receiver can
always view an image based on the facsimile data quickly by
transmitting a command instructing the receiving facsimile machine
2 to forward the facsimile data to another facsimile device. If the
receiver determines that the facsimile data need not be forwarded,
the user can instruct the receiving facsimile machine 2 to form an
image of the facsimile data on paper.
[0120] The notification mail 5 includes the command list 56 in the
data transmission/reception system of the present embodiment.
Hence, when the receiver receives the notification mail 5 by the
cellular phone 3, the receiver can select a desired command from
the command list 56 displayed in the notification mail 5 and
transmit this command from the cellular phone 3. Accordingly, the
receiver can transmit commands by extremely simple operations
involving only specifying a command from the command list 56
displayed in the notification mail 5.
[0121] In the data transmission/reception system of the present
embodiment, the notification mail 5 includes the thumbnail image 54
as a small representation of the facsimile data relayed by the
relay facsimile machine 4. After receiving the notification mail,
the receiver can view at a glance what type of facsimile data was
forwarded. Hence, the receiver can immediately determine whether
the forwarded facsimile data is important or not.
[0122] While the invention has been described in detail with
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to
those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may
be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention,
the scope of which is defined by the attached claims.
[0123] For example, in the embodiments described above, the
notification mail 5 displaying the thumbnail image 54 and the
command list 56 is transmitted to the cellular phone 3 of the
receiver. However, it is also possible to transmit a notification
mail 5 displaying only the address of a web server supplying the
thumbnail image 54 and command list 56. In this case, the receiver
uses the cellular phone 3 to access the web server at that address
and specify one of the commands in the command list 56. The
specified command is transmitted to the receiving facsimile machine
2 from the web server.
[0124] With this configuration, it is possible to create a very
simple notification mail 5 that includes only a web address,
thereby simplifying the process for creating the notification mail
5. Further, the receiver of the notification mail 5 can perform
simple command operations that involve only connecting to the web
server and indicating one of the commands displayed thereon. The
web server can be provided with the functions of the transmitting
facsimile machine 1, receiving facsimile machine 2, and relay
facsimile machine 4. If these facsimile machines are connected to a
LAN or the like, the machines can also be provided in the LAN
server or the like. It is also obvious that these facsimile devices
may also be provided in the general server of a provider or the
like.
[0125] In the embodiments described above, facsimile data is
transmitted via a telephone line. However, it is obvious that the
facsimile data can be attached to an e-mail message and transmitted
via the Internet. Further, an image for the front page is attached
to the notification mail as a thumbnail image. However, the system
can be configured to attach a thumbnail image for each page or a
plurality of thumbnail images for a predetermined number of pages
to the notification mail.
[0126] In the embodiments described above, the cellular phone 3 is
described as the device that receives the notification mail.
However, this device can also be a portable computer having a
communication function. Obviously the address of the notification
mail can be freely changed.
[0127] In the embodiments described above, image data is
transmitted through the telephone line. However, it is in the scope
of the invention to provide a system wherein image data obtained by
a scanner, a digital camera, or a video camera is transmitted
through a communication network such as the Internet. A system of a
sixth preferred embodiment will be described in conjunction with
FIG. 18 as follow:
[0128] Referring to FIG. 18, the system comprises a data
transmitter 100, a remote printer 102, and a cellular phone 103
connected to the Internet.
[0129] The data transmitter 101 has an image reading unit for
reading an image to produce image data, and a transmitting unit for
transmitting the image data to the Internet. The image reading unit
may consist of a scanner, a digital camera, or a video camera.
[0130] The remote printer 102 has a receiving unit for receiving
the image data transmitted over the Internet, and a printing unit
for forming an image based on the received image data on a sheet.
Both of the transmitter 101 and the printer 102 are capable of
sending/receiving email through the Internet. Generally, the
cellular phone 103 is a communication terminal owned by a user of
the remote printer 102.
[0131] With the above configuration, the transmitter 101 transmits
image data to the printer 102 over the Internet, and simultaneously
transmits notification mail to the cellular phone 103. The mail
including a notification message informs the user of the cellular
phone 103 that image data has been transmitted by the transmitter
101 to the remote printer 102.
[0132] When the cellular phone 103 receives the notification mail,
the user realizes that the image data has been transmitted to the
remote printer 102. The user specifies a command to the remote
printer 102 by using the cellular phone 103. And the specified
command is sent to the remote printer 102. When receiving the
command from the cellular phone 103, the remote printer 102
operates in response to the command. The remote printer 102 may
form images based on the image data received from the transmitter
101. Alternatively, the remote printer 102 may forward the received
data to another printer which is able to communicate with the
remote printer 102, or delete the received image data from the
remote printer 102. That is, the operations of the sixth embodiment
are similar to those of the first embodiment except that image data
is transmitted through the Internet.
[0133] The sixth embodiment has the same advantages as those of the
first embodiment.
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