JP4762180B2 - Image transfer device, image reception device, and image transfer system including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image transfer device, an image reception device, and an image transfer system including these.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known as an image transfer apparatus that reads an image and transmits the read image data by e-mail or the like.

JP 2004-172760 A

  Specifically, the facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 1 creates image data corresponding to each page in parallel with the reading process of a plurality of documents. Then, the facsimile apparatus creates e-mail data obtained by converting the image data for each packet in parallel with these. The facsimile apparatus sequentially transmits e-mails to the receiving side every time creation of each e-mail data is completed.

  However, when the image data is divided into a plurality of e-mails and transmitted using the above-described facsimile apparatus, even if the e-mail transmission is stopped for some reason during the transmission of the image data, the image data already transmitted Since erasing cannot be performed, there is a problem that the receiving side receives incomplete data. For example, a case where image data is divided into a first e-mail and a second e-mail will be described as an example. After the first e-mail is transmitted, the user of the image data itself for some reason Even if it is desired to cancel the transmission, it is possible to cancel the transmission of the second e-mail, but the first e-mail has already been transmitted and the receiving side can be opened. As a result, the user sends an incomplete electronic mail to the receiving side.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and prevents incomplete image data from being transferred in response to a cancel instruction from the user when image data is divided and transmitted. An object of the present invention is to provide an image transfer device, an image reception device, and an image transfer system that can perform the above.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image transfer apparatus according to the present invention is an external apparatus that permits or disallows access from a user when a predetermined time elapses when information regarding the success or failure of transfer of divided image data is not transferred within a predetermined time. In the image transfer device that transfers the divided image data, the image data dividing unit that divides the input image data into a plurality of divided image data, and the success or failure of the transfer of the divided image data transferred to the external device Information that is appended to the end of the data in each divided image data and indicates the normal end of transfer when individually transferring the plurality of divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit to the external device A data end information adding unit for adding end information, the divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit, and And a data transfer unit for transferring said data end information added to the respective divided image data in the data end information adding unit to the external device, the data transfer unit, said external the divided image data to individual When the transfer of all the divided image data is completed, the data end information is transferred to the external device. When the transfer of all the divided image data is not completed, all the data ends are transferred. Information is not transferred to the external device .

  According to this configuration, the image transfer apparatus does not transfer the data end information indicating the end position of the divided image data until all the divided image data is transferred. According to this, even when the user inputs an image data transfer stop command during the transfer of the divided image data, the data end information is not transferred to the receiving side.

  An image receiving device according to the present invention includes a data receiving unit that receives the divided image data and the image data end information transferred from the image transfer device according to claim 1, and the division received by the data receiving unit. A data storage unit that stores image data and the image data end information, and a reception determination unit that determines whether or not all the data end information has been received within a predetermined time after receiving all the divided image data. When the reception determination unit determines that all the data end information has not been received within a certain time after receiving all the divided image data, the data storage unit stores the data when the certain time has elapsed. And a data deletion unit that deletes the stored divided image data and the image data end information.

  According to this configuration, the image receiving device deletes the divided image data when it does not receive the data end information from the image transfer device according to claim 1 after a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, the image receiving apparatus can prevent incomplete divided image data from being received and provided to the user.

In addition, an image transfer system according to the present invention includes an image transfer device and an image reception device that permits access from a user when a predetermined time has elapsed when information about transfer success / failure of divided image data is not transferred within a predetermined time. In the image transfer system configured by connecting the image data, the image transfer device includes an image data dividing unit that divides input image data into a plurality of divided image data, and the divided image data transferred to the image receiving device. Information on the success or failure of the transfer, and when the plurality of divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit is individually transferred to the image receiving device , the data is appended to the end of each divided image data , and normal transfer is performed. a data end information adding unit for adding the data end information indicating an end, before being divided in the image data division unit Divided image data, and have said data end information adding unit and the individual divided image data transfer unit for transferring data appended to the data end information to the image receiving apparatus in the image receiving apparatus, the data A data receiving unit that receives the divided image data and the image data end information transferred from the transfer unit, a data storage unit that stores the divided image data and the image data end information received by the data receiving unit, and A reception determination unit that determines whether or not all the data end information has been received within a predetermined time after receiving the divided image data, and a fixed value after receiving all the divided image data in the reception determination unit When it is determined that all the data end information has not been received within the predetermined time, the data storage unit is And a data deleting unit that deletes the divided image data and the image data end information being憶, the data transfer unit, the divided image data transferred individually to the image receiving apparatus, all of the divided When the transfer of the image data is completed, all the data end information is transferred to the image receiving device. When the transfer of all the divided image data is not completed, all the data end information is transferred to the image receiving device . It is characterized by not.

  According to this configuration, the image transfer system does not transfer the data end information until all the divided image data is transferred from the image transfer apparatus to the image reception apparatus. Then, the image receiving device deletes the divided image data when it does not receive the data end information after a predetermined time has elapsed from the image transfer device. As a result, the image receiving apparatus can prevent incomplete divided image data from being received and provided to the user.

  As described above, the image transfer apparatus according to the present invention can prevent incomplete image data from being transferred in response to a cancel command from the user when the image data is divided and transferred.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The image transfer system according to the first embodiment is configured by connecting an image transfer device and an image reception device. The image transfer apparatus includes an image data dividing unit that divides input image data into a plurality of divided image data, and an end position of each divided image data in the plurality of divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit. Data end information adding unit for adding the data end information shown, divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit, and data for transferring the data end information added to each divided image by the data end information adding unit to the outside And a transfer unit. Then, after transferring all the divided image data to the outside, the data transfer unit transfers all the data end information to the outside. In addition, the image receiving device includes a data receiving unit that receives the divided image data and the image data end information transferred from the image transfer device, and a data storage unit that stores the divided image data and the image data end information received by the data receiving unit. And a reception determination unit that determines whether or not all the data end information has been received within a certain time after receiving all the divided image data, and a constant after receiving all the divided image data in the reception determination unit. A data deletion unit that deletes the divided image data and the image data end information stored in the data storage unit when a predetermined time has elapsed when it is determined that all the data end information has not been received within the time . As described above, the image transfer system transfers all the divided image data from the image transfer apparatus to the image receiving apparatus, and then transfers the end position of the divided image data from the image transfer apparatus to the image receiving apparatus. The image receiving apparatus does not determine that the image data has been normally transferred until all the divided image data and all the data end information are received. Thus, for example, even when a communication error or the like occurs during transfer of the second divided image data and the communication is terminated, the image receiving apparatus has not received the data end information, and thus has already received the divided image data. Delete the image data.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, such an image transfer system is configured by connecting a multifunction machine 1 as an image transfer apparatus and a mail server 3 as an image reception apparatus by a LAN (Local Area Network) 5. The The mail server 3 is connected via a LAN 5 to a personal computer 7 for a user to access the mail server 3 and receive image data transferred from the multifunction device 1. Such a multifunction machine 1 and the mail server 3 are configured to be communicable using TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The multifunction device 1 includes, for example, an image reading mechanism such as a scanner, a data transfer mechanism that outputs image data based on an image read by the image reading mechanism, a printing mechanism that prints image data based on the image read by the image reading mechanism, and the like. It is composed by combining. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 1 includes an image reading unit 11 that reads an image specified by a user, and image data input from the image reading unit 11 to the multifunction device 1. An image data dividing unit 13 that divides the image data, a data end information adding unit 15 that adds data end information indicating the end position of each divided image data to the plurality of divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit 13, and a division A data transfer unit 17 that attaches image data and data end information to an e-mail and transfers them to the outside; The multifunction device 1 also includes an operation unit 19 for a user to input various commands such as a transfer stop command to the multifunction device 1, and data transfer by the data transfer unit 17 based on the transfer stop command input to the operation unit 19. A transfer cancel control unit 21 for canceling the processing.

  The image reading unit 11 is configured by an image reading mechanism such as a scanner. Then, the image reading unit 11 reads an image designated by the user in accordance with a reading command input from the user via the operation unit 19, and generates image data based on the read image. As a result, image data is input to the multifunction device 1. Then, the image reading unit 11 supplies the image data to the image data dividing unit 13.

  The image data dividing unit 13 divides the image data supplied from the image reading unit 11 and generates divided image data. When the image data dividing unit 13 divides the image data, when the user inputs a division command via the operation unit 19, the data size of the image data supplied from the image reading unit 11 exceeds a certain size. There are cases. When the image data division command is supplied from the operation unit 19, the image data division unit 13 divides the image data supplied from the image reading unit 11 and generates a plurality of divided image data. The image data dividing unit 13 determines whether or not the size of the image data supplied from the image reading unit 11 exceeds a preset data size. When the image data dividing unit 13 determines that the image data needs to be divided, the image data dividing unit 13 divides the image data supplied from the image reading unit 11. In this case, the image data dividing unit 13 generates divided image data so that the data size of each divided divided image data does not exceed the previously set data size.

  Here, the data size threshold for determining whether to divide the image data is determined according to the setting of the mail server 3. Ordinarily used mail servers may limit the size of electronic mail transferred via the LAN 5. Therefore, the threshold of the data size for determining whether to divide the image data and the data size of the divided image data are determined so as not to exceed the limit value of the e-mail size set in the mail server 3. Is done.

  Then, the image data dividing unit 13 supplies the divided image data divided in this way to the data end information adding unit 15. Further, when the divided image data is generated, the image data dividing unit 13 attaches the divided image data to the data transfer unit 17 for each divided image data and sends it to the mail server 3. Supply directives.

  The data end information adding unit 15 adds data end information indicating the end position of the divided image data to the individual divided image data supplied from the image data dividing unit 13. The data end information adding unit 15 refers to the character string of the data constituting the divided image data, and adds the data end information to the end of the character string of the divided image data. For example, when the divided image data is transferred to the mail server 3 using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), the data end information adding unit 15 adds a character string such as “.” To the end of the divided image data. Then, the divided image data to which the data end information is added by the data end information adding unit 15 is supplied to the data transfer unit 17.

  The data transfer unit 17 attaches the divided image data and data end information supplied from the data end information adding unit 15 to the e-mail, and transfers the e-mail to the mail server 3 via the LAN 5. At this time, the data transfer unit 17 includes an e-mail destination input by the user via the operation unit 19, an IP address of the mail server 3, a user account and password required for connection to the mail server 3, and an image data dividing unit. In response to the division command from 13, the divided image data is divided into a plurality of e-mails and transferred. Specifically, the data transfer unit 17 converts the divided image data using MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) defined in RFC (Request For Comments) and attaches it to the e-mail.

  In the operation unit 19, various commands are input to the multifunction device 1 by the user. The command input to the operation unit 19 is supplied to each unit according to the content of the command. Specifically, commands input to the operation unit 19 include an e-mail destination, a mail server IP address, a user account for the mail server 3, a password, presence / absence of image data division, a transfer stop command, and the like. The e-mail destination, the mail server IP address, the user account for the mail server 3, and the password input to the operation unit 19 are supplied to the data transfer unit 17 as transfer setting information. Further, the information regarding the presence or absence of division input to the operation unit 19 is supplied to the image data division unit 13. Further, the transfer stop command input to the operation unit 19 is supplied to the transfer stop control unit 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, such an operation unit 19 includes a destination input area 19 a for inputting an e-mail destination, a subject input area 19 b for inputting an e-mail subject, and various functions for the MFP 1. A start button 19c for inputting a processing start command, a numeric keypad 19d, a cursor key 19e, a division button 19f for inputting an image data division command, and a stop button for inputting an image transfer stop command 19g. The user inputs various commands to the multifunction device 1 by operating these units.

  In the destination input area 19a and the subject input area 19b, the mail address of the PC 7 to which the user wishes to send image data and the subject of the e-mail are input. Such input processing is performed by the user operating the numeric keypad 19d to input a character string. The mail address and the like input here are supplied to the data transfer unit 17.

  The start button 19c is a button for the user to input an image reading start command. When the user presses the start button 19c, the multifunction device 1 starts reading an image designated by the user by the image reading unit 11.

  The division button 19f is a button to be pressed when the user desires to divide and transfer image data. When the division button 19 f is pressed when a reading start command is input, the multi-function device 1 supplies a division command to the image data division unit 13.

  The cancel button 19g is a button to be pressed when the user desires to cancel the transfer of the image data. When the cancel button 19g is pressed while a series of processes by the multifunction device 1 is being performed, the multifunction device 1 supplies a transfer stop command to the transfer stop control unit 21.

  The mail server 3 receives the e-mail attached with the divided image data and the image data end information transferred from the multifunction device 1 and the e-mail attached with the divided image data and the image data end information. Data storage unit 33 for storing, reception determination unit 35 for determining whether or not data end information has been received within a certain time after receiving image data, and divided image data based on the reception result in reception determination unit 35 And a data deleting unit 37 for deleting the electronic mail to which the image data end information is attached.

  The data receiving unit 31 receives an e-mail attached with the divided image data and the image data end information transferred from the MFP 1 via the LAN 5. The divided image data and the image data end information received by the data receiving unit 31 are stored in the data storage unit 33.

  The data storage unit 33 stores an e-mail attached with the divided image data and the image data end information supplied from the data receiving unit 31. The e-mail attached with the divided image data and the image data end information stored in the data storage unit 33 is read from the data storage unit 33 when the user accesses the mail server 3 using the PC 7, and is read by the user. It is transferred to PC7.

  The reception determination unit 35 monitors the data reception unit 31 and determines whether or not the data end information is received within a certain time after receiving the image data. When the reception determining unit 35 determines that the data end information has not been received within a certain time after receiving the image data, the reception determining unit 35 notifies the data deleting unit 37 of the result.

  The data deletion unit 37 deletes the electronic mail stored in the data storage unit 33 based on the monitoring result by the reception determination unit 35. Specifically, the data deletion unit 37 stores the data in the data storage unit 33 when receiving a notification that the data end information has not been received within a certain time after receiving the image data from the reception determination unit 35. The e-mail attached with the divided image data and the data end information is deleted from the data storage unit 33.

  Hereinafter, a series of operations of the image transfer system will be described in detail.

  First, the operation of the multifunction device 1 when a reading start command is input to the multifunction device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user presses the start button 19c and starts a series of processes, the multifunction device 1 reads an image designated by the user in step S1. Such processing is performed by the image reading unit 11 performing a scanning process or the like on the image designated by the user.

  Next, in step S2, the multi function device 1 generates image data based on the read image. The generated image data is supplied from the image reading unit 11 to the image data dividing unit 13. This process is executed in parallel with the image reading process.

  Next, it is determined whether or not division is set in step S3. Specifically, this process is executed by the image data dividing unit 13 determining whether or not a division command is input by the user. If it is determined that the division setting has been made, the multi-function device 1 executes the processes after step S4.

  In step S4, the multi function device 1 determines whether or not the data size of the image data exceeds a threshold value. Such processing is executed by the image data dividing unit 13 determining whether or not the data size of the image data based on the images read so far exceeds a preset threshold value. When it is determined that the data size of the image data exceeds the threshold value, the multi-function device 1 executes the processes after step S5 to divide the image data.

  In step S5, the multifunction device 1 interrupts reading of the image. In step S6, the multi-function device 1 executes a division process. Here, the division processing means that the image data division unit 13 supplies a command to the data transfer unit 17 to divide and transfer a plurality of e-mails, and the image data generated so far is divided into divided image data. The processing to be supplied to the data end information adding unit 15. Further, the division processing includes processing in which the data end information adding unit 15 adds data end information to the divided image data and supplies the data to the data transfer unit 17. When the division process ends, the multifunction device 1 proceeds to the process of step S1 and resumes reading of the image.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the division setting is not set, and if it is determined in step S4 that the data size of the image data does not exceed the threshold value, the multi function device 1 reads another in step S7. It is determined whether there is an image to be processed. If there is another image to be read, the multi function device 1 proceeds to the process of step S1 and executes reading of the image. On the other hand, if there is no other image to be read, the multi-function device 1 ends the series of reading processes.

  In this way, the multifunction device 1 interrupts image reading every time the data size of the image data based on the read image exceeds the threshold, and performs division processing such as creation of divided image data. Then, the multifunction device 1 resumes image reading after the division processing is completed, and repeats the same processing. Even when there are a plurality of images to be read, the multi-function device 1 continues reading until the data size of the image data of the read image exceeds the threshold value. When the data size of the read image data exceeds the threshold value, the above-described division process is executed.

  Next, a series of image data transfer processing when an electronic mail is transferred from the multifunction device 1 to the mail server 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the IP address of the MFP 1 is “192.168.100.200”, and the IP address of the mail server 3 is “192.168.100.100”. In the following, detailed description will be given assuming that there are two e-mails based on the divided image data.

  When a series of processing starts, the multi function device 1 establishes a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) connection for transferring the first e-mail with the mail server 3. Specifically, in step S11, the multi function device 1 refers to the IP address and transmits a SYN command to the mail server 3. In step S12, the mail server 3 transmits a SYN.ACK command in response to the SYN command. On the other hand, in step S <b> 13, the multi function device 1 transmits an ACK command to the mail server 3. In response to this, the mail server 3 transmits a response such as “192.168.100.100 Service ready” in step S14. As a result, a TCP connection for transmitting the first e-mail between the multifunction device 1 and the mail server 3 is established.

  Next, the multifunction device 1 starts the first e-mail transfer process. Specifically, in step S15, the multi function device 1 transmits a command for inquiring whether the mail server 3 can be connected, such as “HELO 192.168.100.200”. In response to this, the mail server 3 returns “250 192.168.100.100” including the response code “250” in step S16. Upon confirming this, the multi-function device 1 transmits to the mail server 3 a command “MAIL FROM:” including the address of the electronic mail of the user who is the sender in step S17. In response to this, the mail server 3 responds by transmitting the command “250 OK” in step S18. Next, in step S <b> 19, the multi function device 1 transmits a command “RCPT TO:” including the address of the e-mail to which the e-mail is sent. In response to this, the mail server 3 responds by sending a command “250 OK” in step S20. Next, in step S <b> 21, the multifunction device 1 transmits a command “DATA” to the mail server 3. In response to this, the mail server 3 transmits a command “354 Start mail input; end with.” That permits the transfer of the electronic mail in step S22. In response to this, in step S23, the multi-function device 1 transfers the mail header, body, and image data of the e-mail attached with the first divided image data. At this time, the multifunction device 1 does not transmit the data end information.

  In step S23, the image data attached to the divided first e-mail has already been transmitted to the mail server 3. For example, the first e-mail is incomplete with no data end information. If it is data, the image transfer system cannot access the first e-mail from the mail server 3 by the user. In this case, for example, when the user accesses the mail server 3, the mail server 3 first determines whether there is data end information corresponding to the data attached to the first e-mail. If there is no data end information, the mail server 3 prohibits access from the user and gives an alarm such as “The data attached to your mail is incomplete and cannot be read”. Notice. The image transfer system is not limited to the above-described example, and any means can be used as long as it prohibits access from the user when the user accesses the first e-mail. Is possible.

  Next, the multi function device 1 establishes a TCP connection for transferring a second e-mail with the mail server 3. At this time, the multifunction device 1 newly establishes a TCP connection with the mail server 3 without terminating the TCP connection when transferring the first e-mail. Specifically, in step S <b> 24, the multi function device 1 transmits a SYN command to the mail server 3. In step S25, the mail server 3 transmits a SYN.ACK command in response to the SYN command. On the other hand, in step S <b> 26, the multi function device 1 transmits an ACK command to the mail server 3. In response to this, the mail server 3 transmits a response such as “192.168.100.100 Service ready” in step S27. As a result, a TCP connection for transferring the first e-mail between the MFP 1 and the mail server 3 is established.

  Next, the multifunction device 1 starts a second e-mail transfer process. Specifically, in step S28, the multifunction device 1 transmits a command for inquiring whether the mail server 3 can be connected, such as “HELO 192.168.100.200”. In response to this, the mail server 3 returns “250 192.168.100.100” including the response code “250” in step S29. Upon confirming this, the multi-function device 1 transmits to the mail server 3 a command “MAIL FROM:” including the e-mail address of the user who is the sender in step S30. In response to this, the mail server 3 responds by sending a command “250 OK” in step S31. Next, in step S <b> 32, the multi function device 1 transmits a command “RCPT TO:” including the address of the e-mail to which the e-mail is sent. In response to this, the mail server 3 responds by transmitting the command “250 OK” in step S33. In step S <b> 34, the multi function device 1 transmits a command “DATA” to the mail server 3. In response to this, the mail server 3 transmits a command “354 Start mail input; end with.” That permits the transfer of the electronic mail in step S35. In response to this, in step S36, the multi function device 1 transfers the mail header, body, and image data of the e-mail attached with the second divided image data. At this time, the multifunction device 1 does not transmit the data end information.

  In step S36, the data attached to the divided second e-mail has already been transmitted to the mail server 3. For example, the second e-mail is incomplete data with no data end information. Then, the image transfer system cannot access the second e-mail from the mail server 3 by the user. In this case, for example, when the user accesses the mail server 3, first, the mail server 3 determines whether there is data end information corresponding to the data attached to the second e-mail. If there is no data end information, the mail server 3 prohibits access from the user and gives an alarm such as “The data attached to your mail is incomplete and cannot be read”. Notice. The image transfer system is not limited to the above example, and any means can be used as long as it prohibits the user's access to the second e-mail. Is possible.

  Next, the multifunction device 1 executes processing for normally terminating the transfer of the first e-mail. Specifically, in step S <b> 37, the multi function device 1 transmits a code “.” Indicating data end information to the mail server 3. In response to this, the mail server 3 responds by sending a command “250 OK” in step S38. Next, in step S39, the multi function device 1 responds to this, and the mail server 3 sends “192.168.100.100 Service closing transmission channel” in step S40, and establishes the TCP connection established for transferring the first e-mail. Ends. As a result, the mail server 3 normally receives the first e-mail and the attached divided image data.

  Next, the multifunction device 1 executes processing for normally terminating the transfer of the second e-mail. Specifically, in step S <b> 41, the multi function device 1 transmits a code “.” Indicating data end information to the mail server 3. In response to this, the mail server 3 responds by sending a command “250 OK” in step S42. In step S43, the multi-function device 1 transmits a command “QUIT” to end the TCP connection established for transferring the second e-mail. In response to this, the mail server 3 transmits “192.168.100.100 Service closing transmission channel” in step S43, and the TCP connection established for transferring the second e-mail is terminated. As a result, the mail server 3 normally receives the second e-mail and the attached divided image data.

  Next, a series of processing of the multifunction device 1 when the user inputs a stop command during the image data transfer processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the above-described image data transfer process is started in step S51 after the series of processes is started, in step S52, the multi function device 1 determines whether or not a transfer stop command is input. If it is determined that the transfer stop command has not been input, the multi-function device 1 repeatedly executes the process of step S52 until the transfer stop command is input while continuing the image data transfer process.

  If it is determined that a transfer stop command has been input, the multifunction device 1 disconnects all connections with the mail server 3 in step S53. This process is executed by cutting both the TCP connection for transferring the first e-mail and the TCP connection for transferring the second e-mail. . Thereafter, the multifunction device 1 ends the series of processes.

  Next, a series of operations of the multifunction machine 1 and the mail server 3 when a print stop command is input by the user during the image data transfer process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In this case, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a print stop instruction is input by the user when any of the above-described steps S24 to S36 is executed between the multifunction device 1 and the mail server 3. Detailed explanation is given.

  When a print cancel instruction is input by the user, the multifunction device 1 disconnects the TCP connection for transferring the first e-mail. Specifically, the multifunction device 1 transmits a command “FIN” to end the TCP connection established for transferring the first e-mail in step S61. In response to this, the mail server 3 transmits the command “ACK” in step S62. When the preparation for disconnecting the TCP connection is completed, the mail server 3 transmits a command “FIN” in step S63. In response to this, the multi function device 1 transmits a command “ACK” in step S64, and disconnects the TCP connection for transferring the first e-mail.

  Next, the multifunction device 1 disconnects the TCP connection for transferring the second e-mail. Specifically, the multifunction device 1 transmits a command “FIN” to end the TCP connection established for transferring the second e-mail in step S65. In response to this, the mail server 3 transmits a command “ACK” in step S66. When the preparation for disconnecting the TCP connection is completed, the mail server 3 transmits a command “FIN” in step S67. In response to this, the multi function device 1 transmits a command “ACK” in step S68, and disconnects the TCP connection for transferring the second e-mail.

  At this time, the mail server 3 deletes the e-mail stored in the data storage unit 33 after a certain period of time, assuming that the data end information has not been received.

  In this way, the image transfer system divides the image data of the read image into a plurality of divided image data, establishes a TCP connection corresponding to each electronic mail and transfers it to the mail server 3, and all the divided image data The data end information can be transmitted after the data transfer is completed. According to the image transfer system, when a transfer stop command is input during transfer of divided image data, transfer of all the divided image data can be reliably stopped.

  Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The image transfer system according to the second embodiment has a portion having the same configuration as that of the image transfer system according to the first embodiment. A detailed explanation will be given only for certain points.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the multifunction machine 101 according to the second embodiment includes an error detection unit 103 instead of the transfer cancellation control unit 21.

  The error detection unit 103 detects an error that has occurred during a series of image processing from when the image reading command is input to when the transfer of the divided image data is completed. Examples of errors detected by the error detection unit 103 include a paper jam in the image reading unit 11. When the error detection unit 103 detects an error, the error detection unit 103 stops the transfer of the email by the data transfer unit 17 based on the detection result. Then, the data transfer unit 17 stops the transfer of the e-mail attached with the divided image data in response to a command from the error detection unit 103.

  In the second embodiment, the error detection unit 103 is provided in place of the transfer cancellation control unit 21. However, the configuration of the multifunction peripheral 101 includes both the transfer cancellation control unit 21 and the error detection unit 103. It is also possible.

  The operation of the image transfer system will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

  When the image data transfer process described above is started in step S71 after the series of processes is started, the multi-function peripheral 101 determines in step S72 whether an error has occurred. If it is determined that no error has occurred, the multi-function peripheral 101 repeats the process of step S72 until an error occurs while continuing the image data transfer process.

  If it is determined that an error has occurred, the multifunction device 1 disconnects all connections with the mail server 3 in step S73. This process is executed by cutting both the TCP connection for transferring the first e-mail and the TCP connection for transferring the second e-mail. . Thereafter, the multifunction machine 101 ends the series of processing.

  As described above, according to the image transfer system according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the image transfer system according to the first embodiment described above, it is possible to detect a paper jam or the like during reading. As a result, the image transfer system can reliably stop the transfer of all the divided image data even when an error occurs.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and each configuration can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detailed description has been given using the multifunction device 1 as the image transfer device, but a scanner, a copier, an MFP, a FAX, a printer, or the like can also be used as the image transfer device. It is.

  In the above-described embodiment, when reading an image, the image reading process and the data dividing process are performed in parallel. However, after all the images are read, the data is divided. It may be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the divided image data is data obtained by reading a document. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, data such as document data created by a user using a document creation application is transferred to an image. The present invention can also be applied in the case of transmitting from the apparatus to the mail server 3.

  In the above-described embodiment, the data end information added to the divided image data is composed of the same data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the data end information is added to the first mail. It is also possible for the data end information to be different from the data end information added to the second mail.

1 is a block diagram of an image transfer system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a multi-function peripheral that constitutes the image transfer system. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation unit included in the multifunction machine. FIG. It is a block diagram of the mail server which comprises the image transfer system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operations of the multifunction device and the mail server. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operations of the multifunction device and the mail server. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operations of the multifunction device and the mail server. 6 is a block diagram of a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction machine 3 Mail server 7 Personal computer 11 Image reading part 13 Image data division part 15 Data end information addition part 17 Data transfer part 19 Operation part 19a Destination input area 19b Subject input area 19c Start button 19d Numeric keypad 19e Cursor key 19f Division button 19g Cancel button 21 Transfer stop control unit 31 Data reception unit 33 Data storage unit 35 Reception determination unit 37 Data deletion unit 101 Multifunction machine 103 Error detection unit

Claims (6)

In the image transfer device that transfers the divided image data to an external device that permits or disallows access from the user when the fixed time elapses when the information about the success or failure of the transfer of the divided image data is not transferred within a predetermined time,
An image data dividing unit that divides input image data into a plurality of divided image data;
Information regarding the success or failure of transfer of the divided image data transferred to the external device , wherein each of the plurality of divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit is individually transferred to the external device . A data end information adding unit for adding data end information indicating the normal end of transfer , attached to the end position as the data end in the data;
A data transfer unit that transfers the divided image data divided in the image data dividing unit and the data end information added to the individual divided image data in the data end information adding unit to the external device ;
The data transfer unit transfers the divided image data individually to the external device, and when the transfer of all the divided image data is completed, transfers all the data end information to the external device, and An image transfer apparatus characterized by not transferring all the data end information to the external device when transfer of divided image data is not completed.
A stop command input unit for inputting a transfer stop command for the divided image data;
The image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer unit stops transfer of the divided image data being transferred based on the transfer stop command input to the stop command input unit. A division determination unit for determining whether or not the input image data needs to be divided;
The image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data dividing unit divides the image data based on a determination result of the division determining unit. It has an error detection unit that detects errors,
4. The image according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer unit stops transfer of the divided image data based on an error detection result in transfer processing by the error detection unit. 5. Transfer device. A data receiving unit that receives the divided image data and the image data end information transferred from the image transfer apparatus according to claim 1;
A data storage unit for storing the divided image data and the image data end information received by the data receiving unit;
A reception determination unit that determines whether or not all the data end information is received within a predetermined time after receiving all the divided image data;
When the reception determining unit determines that all the data end information has not been received within a certain time after receiving all the divided image data, the data is stored in the data storage unit when the certain time has elapsed. An image receiving apparatus, comprising: a data deleting unit that deletes the divided image data and the image data end information. In an image transfer system configured by connecting an image transfer device and an image receiving device that permits or disallows access from a user when a predetermined time has elapsed when information on the success or failure of transfer of divided image data is not transferred within a predetermined time ,
The image transfer device includes:
An image data dividing unit that divides input image data into a plurality of divided image data;
Information regarding the success or failure of transfer of the divided image data transferred to the image receiving device , wherein each of the plurality of divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit is individually transferred to the image receiving device . A data end information adding unit for adding data end information indicating the normal end of transfer , attached to the end position as the end of data in the divided image data;
A data transfer unit that transfers the divided image data divided by the image data dividing unit and the data end information added to the individual divided image data by the data end information adding unit to the image receiving device; And
The image receiving device includes:
A data receiving unit that receives the divided image data and the image data end information transferred from the data transfer unit;
A data storage unit for storing the divided image data and the image data end information received by the data receiving unit;
A reception determination unit that determines whether or not all the data end information is received within a predetermined time after receiving all the divided image data;
When the reception determining unit determines that all the data end information has not been received within a certain time after receiving all the divided image data, the data is stored in the data storage unit when the certain time has elapsed. A data deletion unit that deletes the divided image data and the image data end information,
The data transfer unit transfers the divided image data individually to the image receiving device, and when the transfer of all the divided image data is completed, transfers all the data end information to the image receiving device , When the transfer of the divided image data is not completed, all the data end information is not transferred to the image receiving device .