JP2001169023A - Image transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit image data having the capacity larger than the allowable capacity per meter of a mail server with a simple operation. SOLUTION: This image transmitter for transmitting image data to the mail server by e-mail is provided with a capacity setting part 12 for setting the allowable capacity per meter that can be receiver by the mail server, an image selecting part 13 for selecting an image to be transmitted by mail among a plurality of images stored in a memory 15, an image dividing part 17 dividing a set of selected images into a plurality of sets, a mail preparing part which prepares a plurality of mails in each set of the divided images and also attaches the divided images to each mail and a transmitting part 18 transmitting a prepared mail to the mail server.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmitting apparatus for transmitting image data by e-mail or the like, and more particularly to an image transmitting apparatus for transmitting an image having a capacity receivable by a receiving apparatus such as a mail server or an electronic camera. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When transmitting a plurality of large images in an e-mail, an allowable amount (2 to 3 M
The transmission must be performed in consideration of B). Image data is generally transmitted as an attached file, but when transmitting a plurality of large images, it cannot be attached to one mail. For this reason, a plurality of e-mails must be created, and an image file must be divided and attached to each e-mail, which is extremely troublesome. Although there are mailers that can be divided into files, the divided images can be expanded only by the same mailer and cannot be expanded by other mailers, so that the versatility is low.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-282280 describes a data transmission / reception system including an allowable transmission capacity setting means for setting a data capacity allowed to be transmitted to a terminal device by a transmission means. This conventional example focuses only on the allowable transmission capacity of the transmission means, and does not relate to the reception capacity of the receiving device. Further, in the above conventional example, although the allowable transmission capacity is set,
It does not describe how to set it specifically. Therefore, when data having a set capacity is selected from a set of images in which a plurality of different images are collected, such as images, one image may be divided in the middle. . On the other hand, when a plurality of images within the allowable range are manually selected, there is a problem that it takes time to transmit, for example, it takes time for calculation.

[0004]

As described above, conventionally, when a plurality of large-capacity images are transmitted in an e-mail,
Multiple mails must be created according to the mail allowance of the other party (mail server: commonly used by an ISP (Internet service provider)), and an image file must be divided and attached to each mail. The operation was troublesome. In particular, when a transmission function is provided in an electronic camera (digital still camera), it is expected that it is extremely troublesome to create a plurality of mails in an environment without a keyboard or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable image data to be transmitted by a simple operation according to the allowable capacity of a receiving device such as a mail server. A transmission device is provided.

[0006]

(Structure) In order to solve the above problem, the present invention employs the following structure.

That is, according to the present invention, in an image transmitting apparatus for transmitting image data to a mail server, an electronic camera, or the like, a setting means for setting a capacity of an image receivable by a receiving apparatus, and a set of predetermined plural images are provided. Selecting means for selecting a plurality of images within a capacity range set by the setting means from a set of the images specified in accordance with the specified operation, and receiving the images selected by the selecting means And transmitting means for transmitting the data to the computer.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image transmitting apparatus for transmitting image data to a mail server, an electronic camera, or the like, comprising: a setting means for setting a capacity of an image receivable by the receiving apparatus; Selecting means for selecting a plurality of images within the capacity range set by the setting means from the set of images specified according to the specified operation, and specifying the image format according to a predetermined manual operation Designating means, a converting means for converting an image selected by the selecting means to an image format specified by the specifying means, and transmitting the image converted to a predetermined image format by the converting means to the receiving device. Transmitting means.

Here, it is preferable that a control unit for automatically adding a title of a set of images transmitted by the transmitting unit and a file name of each image constituting the set of images is further provided.

According to the present invention, in an image transmitting apparatus for transmitting image data by e-mail to a mail server, setting means for setting an allowable capacity per mail that can be received by the mail server, and storage in a memory Selecting means for selecting an image to be sent by e-mail from the plurality of images set, and selecting a set of selected images if the total capacity of the selected images exceeds the set permissible capacity per e-mail. It is characterized by comprising means for dividing a plurality of images and creating a plurality of mails for each set of the divided images, and transmitting means for transmitting the created mails to the mail server.

(Operation) According to the present invention, a plurality of images within a capacity range that can be received by a receiving device are selected from a set of images designated according to an operation of designating a set of plural images, Since the selected image is transmitted to the receiving device, the image corresponding to the capacity of the receiving device can be transmitted by a simple operation. Also, by specifying the format of the image according to the manual operation, and by converting the selected image to the specified image format, the image data is automatically converted to a format that can be received by the receiving device,
It is possible to immediately perform reproduction or the like with a receiving device such as an electronic camera without requiring a complicated conversion operation.

Further, according to the present invention, when transmitting image data by e-mail to the mail server, the total capacity of the image to be transmitted by the mail selected by the user is determined by the per-mail per mail that can be received by the mail server. When the capacity exceeds the allowable capacity, the set of selected images is divided into a plurality of pieces, and a plurality of e-mails are created for each set of the divided images. Image data can be transmitted by a simple operation.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image transmitting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This device may be built in an electronic camera as a camera application function, or may be realized by a personal computer.

[0015] In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a CP for integrally controlling each unit.
U and 11 are display means such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, and 1
2 is a capacity setting means for setting an allowable capacity per mail in a mail server or the like of a provider; 13 is an image selecting means for selecting an image to be sent by mail;
Reference numeral 4 denotes a format specification unit for specifying a format of an image to be transmitted.

Reference numeral 15 denotes storage means such as a hard disk or a memory card storing image data, 16 denotes image conversion means for converting a selected image into a camera playback compatible format such as DCF, and 17 denotes a set of selected images. The image dividing means 18 for dividing the image data according to the permissible capacity per mail is selected, the format conversion is performed as necessary, and the image data obtained by the image division is transmitted to the mail server of the provider as an electronic mail, or transmitted to the electronic camera. Transmission means for direct transmission.

In the image transmitting apparatus of this embodiment, various operations are basically performed based on three windows, namely, an address book, a transmission sheet, and a mail window.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the address book. In the figure, 100 is an address book window, 101 is an area for inputting the address of the destination, 102 is an area for specifying the maximum capacity of one mail of the destination, and 103 is an area for inputting the name of the destination.

Reference numerals 104 and 105 are provided as options, and reference numeral 104 is a check box for automatically creating a plurality of mails. Reference numeral 105 denotes a check box for automatically converting to a camera compatible format. If the check box 104 is checked, the capacity is automatically determined to create a plurality of e-mails, and if not checked, the capacity is not automatically determined and the mail is attached as it is.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an overview of a transmission sheet as a mailer, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an overview of a thumbnail window.

Reference numeral 200 in the figure denotes a transmission sheet window for registering a mail. Reference numeral 201 denotes a send button to be pressed when sending a mail. At the time of sending, the contents of a send waiting folder and a send folder described later are sent. A transmission button 202 is pressed after the mail is transferred to the transmission waiting folder without being connected. A convert button 203 is used to convert an input image into a camera playback compatible format, and is pressed when an image is selected.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a destination area for inputting a destination to which a mail is transmitted, and 211 denotes a C for inputting a destination for broadcasting.
C area, 212 is a BCC for inputting the destination of the broadcast
An area 213 is a subject area for inputting a title of the mail.

Reference numeral 220 denotes a thumbnail image area for displaying a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the main image, 221 denotes an image name area indicating a file name of the image, 222 denotes an image size area indicating the width and height of the main image, and 223 denotes an image size area. This is a comment area indicating a comment of an image.

Reference numeral 300 denotes a thumbnail window for displaying a list of thumbnails of images. When an image is designated in 220, the thumbnail window 300 is selected. Reference numeral 301 denotes a thumbnail image in which the main image is reduced and displayed as a list.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of a mail window for managing transmitted mail and received mail.

In the figure, 400 is a mail window, 401
Is a subject area for displaying the subject of the mail, 402 is a destination area for displaying a destination when sending and receiving a mail, and 403 is a size area for displaying a mail size.

Reference numeral 410 denotes a root tree indicating the root of the tree display, 411 denotes a reception folder indicating a folder in which received mail is stored, 412 denotes a transmission waiting folder in which mail before transmission is stored, and 413 denotes a mail creation folder. Is a transmission folder indicating a folder (newly created mail is temporarily stored in this folder), 414 is a user folder indicating a folder designated by the user, and 415 is a deletion folder for inserting a mail to be deleted.

Reference numeral 420 denotes a thumbnail image area in which the main image is displayed in a reduced size, 421, a comment area in which comments on the image can be edited, and 422, an image size area in which the width and height of the main image are displayed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image of creating a plurality of mails.

There is a mail header as the basis of mail,
Then there is the image. When there are a plurality of images, the mails are arranged like images 1, 2 and 3, and the capacity of each image is added to create a mail so as not to exceed the allowable capacity of one mail. If it does, create the next email.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a plurality of mails. Specifically, this is an operation when a transmission button or a transmission wait is pressed after a plurality of images are selected in the thumbnail window.

First, an attached file list is created, and the following processing is performed from the top of the list. FIG. 7 shows an example of the attached file. A directory, a folder name, a file name, and the like for image data stored in a memory or the like are input together with the list code “0, 1, 2,...”. Here, "-1" of the list code indicates a list end code.

Next, it is determined whether or not to convert to a predetermined format or to use a format compatible with camera reproduction such as DCF. When converting, the files specified in the attached file list are encoded. This encoding process converts binary data such as JPG into a text format that can be transmitted over the Internet. Subsequently, the encoded file is saved, and the encoded file capacity is recorded. This is done until the end of the list.

Next, the attached file list number is set to “0”.
And the title number is set to “1”. Then, a mail header is created. Here, in the case of a single mail, a title number is not required, but in the case where a plurality of mails are created, a title number is assigned for association.

Next, the capacity of the mail header and the capacity of the image file after encoding the attached file list number are added. Then, it is determined whether or not the total capacity exceeds the allowable capacity of one mail.

If not, the attached file list number is incremented by 1, and the encoded attached file data is added. Then, it is determined whether or not the list ends, and the process is repeated until the list ends. As a result, unless the capacity is exceeded, the list of the arrays is sequentially added. If the capacity exceeds the capacity of one mail, the attached file list number is updated by -1.

Next, it is determined whether or not the number of mails is one at the end of the list. If there are multiple e-mails, the title number is added to the title, the header is corrected, and +1 is added to the title number. If there is only one message, this process is skipped.

Next, a header + body + encoded attached file data is combined to create a mail.

Next, it is determined whether or not the list has ended, and if not, the attached file list number is updated and the capacity is added. Then, the above operation is repeated until the list ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when transmitting a plurality of image data by e-mail, if the total capacity of the selected images exceeds the permissible capacity per mail, the per-mail A set of images is divided into a plurality of pieces according to the capacity, a plurality of mails are created, and the set of divided images is attached to each mail. Therefore,
Even a large amount of image data exceeding the permissible capacity per mail can be transmitted attached to an e-mail.

In this case, the user only needs to select an image, and does not need to create a plurality of mails or perform an operation to divide a set of images. That is, a plurality of mails are automatically created from the total capacity of the selected images and the permissible capacity per mail, and a set of images is divided into a plurality of pieces and automatically attached to each mail. Therefore,
Image data can be transmitted by a simple operation according to the allowable capacity of a receiving device such as a mail server.

In this embodiment, when a plurality of images are designated, the plurality of images are automatically attached and converted to the same set format, for example, an image format that can be reproduced by a camera. The operation for transmitting an image is extremely simple. In addition, when a plurality of mails are automatically created by inputting one mail title, the number is automatically added to the title, so that the image receiving side can easily associate the image file. There are advantages too.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the embodiment, the case where the image is transmitted by e-mail has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to the case where the image is directly transmitted to an electronic camera or the like. In this case, it is not necessary to divide the selected set of images into a plurality of images, and the images may be selected and sent from the set of images so as to be within the memory capacity of the electronic camera on the receiving side. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0044]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when an electronic camera or the like is used as a receiving device, an image corresponding to the capacity of the receiving device can be transmitted by a simple operation. further,
Since the data is automatically converted into a format that can be received by the receiving device, it is possible to immediately reproduce the data by a receiving device such as an electronic camera without any troublesome conversion operation.

When a mail server or the like is used as a receiving device, a plurality of mails are created based on the relationship between the total capacity of images to be sent by mail and the permissible capacity per mail that can be received by the mail server. In addition, since the image is divided and attached to each mail, the image data can be transmitted by a simple operation according to the allowable capacity of the mail server without any troublesome operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image transmitting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of an address book.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of a transmission sheet and an overview of a thumbnail window.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of a mail window.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a creation image of a plurality of mails.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a plurality of mails.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an attached file list.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... CPU 11 ... Display means 12 ... Capacity setting means 13 ... Image selection means 14 ... Format specification means 15 ... Storage means 16 ... Image conversion means 17 ... Image division means 18 ... Transmission means 100 ... Address book window 101 ... Address input area 102: mail maximum capacity designation area 103: name input area 104, 105 ... check box 200 ... transmission sheet window 201 ... transmission button 202 ... transmission button 203 ... convert button 210, 402 ... destination area 211 ... CC area 212 ... BCC Areas 213, 401 ... Subject area 220, 420 ... Thumbnail image area 221 ... Image name area 222, 403, 422 ... Image size area 223, 421 ... Comment area 300 ... Thumbnail window 301 ... Thumbnail image 400 ... Mail window Doe 410 Root tree 411 Receive folder 412 Waiting folder 413 Send folder 414 User folder 415 Deleted folder

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B089 GA21 GB03 JA31 JB03 KA07 5C052 AA01 AA17 AB03 AB04 DD02 DD10 EE02 EE03 EE08 5C062 AB20 AB42 AB46 AC21 AC34 BD00

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A setting means for setting a capacity of an image receivable by a receiving device, and a setting by the setting means from a set of images designated according to an operation of designating a set of a predetermined plurality of images. An image transmitting apparatus, comprising: selecting means for selecting a plurality of images within the set capacity range; and transmitting means for transmitting the image selected by the selecting means to the receiving apparatus. 2. A setting unit for setting a capacity of an image receivable by a receiving device, and a setting by the setting unit from a set of images designated according to an operation of designating a set of a plurality of predetermined images. Selecting means for selecting a plurality of images within the specified capacity range; specifying means for specifying an image format in accordance with a predetermined manual operation; and an image specified by the specifying means by the image selected by the selecting means. An image transmission device comprising: a conversion unit that converts the image into a format; and a transmission unit that transmits an image converted into a predetermined image format by the conversion unit to the reception device. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for automatically giving a title of a set of images to be transmitted by said transmitting means and a file name of each image constituting said set of images. Item 3. The image transmission device according to item 1 or 2. 4. A setting means for setting an allowable capacity per mail receivable by a mail server; a selecting means for selecting an image to be sent by mail from a plurality of images stored in a memory; Means for dividing the set of selected images into a plurality of sets and creating a plurality of mails for each set of the divided images when the total capacity of the divided images exceeds the set permissible capacity per mail; Transmitting means for transmitting the e-mail to the mail server.