Abstract:
An electronic-mail apparatus comprises an acceptor that accepts an electronic-mail, an electronic-mail transmitter that transmits the accepted electronic-mail to a designated electronic mail destination address, and an operational panel that includes a start member that starts a transmission of an electronic-mail to a destination address. The operational panel designates an electronic mail destination address, and further designates an alternative destination address, to be used in case of a transmission completion failure, to which a message indicating a failure in completion of a started transmission of an electronic-mail is sent when the transmission of an electronic-mail started by the start member is not completed. The message provides an indication, at the alternative destination address, of a transmission completion failure during transmission of an electronic-mail.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/205,684, filed Dec. 4, 1998, which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/608,199, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,233 on Mar. 19, 1999, both disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to an electronic mail system which can handle image information.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Japanese published unexamined patent application 2-172348 discloses a facsimile apparatus which includes an interface for connection with a computer network, and a controller for enabling an electronic mail to be outputted to the computer network via the interface. The facsimile apparatus is also connected to a telephone line to receive and output image information from and to the telephone line. In Japanese application 2-172348, the electronic mail outputted to the computer network represents a facsimile transmission result report or a facsimile reception result report rather than image information.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,411 discloses that voice facsimile and electronic mail messaging is integrated in a system which converts e-mail messages into voice-and-fax messages. An e-mail message is parsed into voiceable, prose, segments and non-voiceable, non-prose, segments. Prose segments are converted into voice message segments via text-to-speech facilities. Each non-prose segment is converted into a fax segment. Voice pointers to fax segments are inserted into the voice message, in places corresponding to the non-prose segments in the e-mail message.  
           [0007]    The voice file and fax file are then stored for subsequent delivery of the message as an integrated voice-and-fax message. Conversion of integrated voice-and-fax messages into e-mail messages is likewise envisioned.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electronic mail system.  
           [0009]    A first aspect of this invention provides an electronic mail system connected to a network which comprises means for converting an image of a document surface into corresponding document image data; means for compressing the document image data into compression-resultant image data: means for converting the compression-resultant image data into corresponding image data of a given electronic-mail format: means for receiving information of an electronic-mail destination address; and means for transmitting the image data of the electronic-mail format toward the electronic-mail destination address via the network.  
           [0010]    A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for receiving image data in an electronic mail; means for converting the received image data into corresponding received image data of a given facsimile format; means for expanding the received image data of the facsimile format into expansion-resultant image data; and means for printing the expansion-resultant image data.  
           [0011]    A third aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for transmitting character code data by an electronic mail.  
           [0012]    A fourth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system wherein the destination-address receiving means comprises means for recognizing an electronic-mail destination address in a given position of the image data.  
           [0013]    A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for receiving information of an electronic-mail sender address as information of an electronic-mail source address, and means for, in cases where a transmission failure occurs, informing the electronic-mail source address of the transmission failure.  
           [0014]    A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for receiving audio data, means for integrating the audio data and the image data into integration-resultant data, and means for transmitting the integration-resultant data as a single electronic mail.  
           [0015]    A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for receiving moving-picture data, means for integrating the moving-picture data and the image data into integration-resultant data, and means for transmitting the integration-resultant data as a single electronic mail.  
           [0016]    An eighth aspect of this invention is based on the third aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for analyzing a character sequence in a given position of received character code data, and means for implementing a process in response to a result of said analyzing.  
           [0017]    A ninth aspect of this invention is based on the eighth aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for, in cases where the analyzed character sequence indicates registration of a destination mail address, registering sender ID information in a subsequent character sequence and a plurality of destination mail addresses while providing a correspondence relation between the sender ID information and the destination mail addresses, and means for, in cases where sender ID information is received during mail transmission and the sender ID information is equal to the registered sender ID information, indicating the corresponding destination mail addresses and selecting a necessary destination from among the destination mail addresses.  
           [0018]    A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the eighth aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for, in cases where the analyzed character sequence indicates registration of a source mail address, registering sender ID information in a subsequent character sequence and a source mail address while providing a correspondence relation between the sender ID information and the source mail address, and means for, in cases where sender ID information is received during mail transmission and the sender ID information is equal to the registered sender ID information, receiving the corresponding source mail address as a source.  
           [0019]    An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for, in cases where sender ID information is received during mail transmission and the sender ID information is equal to the registered sender ID information, writing information of a source mail address corresponding to the sender ID information into a header of a mail as a source.  
           [0020]    A twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for providing a connection to a telephone line, and means for selectively transmitting the image data via the connection to the telephone line according to a facsimile procedure or via the network according to an electronic-mail procedure.  
           [0021]    A thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the twelfth aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for analyzing a character sequence in a given position of character code data in a received electronic mail, means for, in cases where the analyzed character sequence indicates wait for facsimile data reception, recognizing a notice electronic-mail address in a subsequent character sequence, means for, in cases where image data is received via the connection to the telephone line according to a facsimile procedure after the notice electronic-mail address is recognized, transmitting an electronic mail representative of a reception notice to the notice electronic-mail address.  
           [0022]    A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the twelfth aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for analyzing a first character sequence in a given position of a header of image data in a received electronic mail, means for, in cases where the analyzed character sequence indicates facsimile transmission, recognizing a second character sequence in a given position of the header except the first character sequence as a facsimile number, and means for transmitting the received image data toward the facsimile number via the connection to the telephone line according to a facsimile procedure.  
           [0023]    A fifteenth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for identifying a country having a destination in response to the destination address, means for generating information of standard time in the identified country, and means for transmitting the image data as an electronic mail at a desired moment expressed according to the standard time in the identified country.  
           [0024]    A sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for registering a plurality of electronic-mail addresses, means for storing and managing image data transmitted by an electronic mail for each of the electronic-mail addresses, means for setting pass words for the respective electronic-mail addresses, and means for outputting the stored image data when a related pass word is received.  
           [0025]    A seventeenth aspect of this invention is based on the sixteenth aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for generating information of a cover sheet for each of the electronic-mail addresses, and means for adding the information of the cover sheet and outputting a resultant of said adding.  
           [0026]    An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for, in cases where a first electronic mail is received, transmitting a second electronic mail representative of reception of the first electronic mail to a sender electronic-mail address related to the first electronic mail.  
           [0027]    A nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for writing reception ID information for each received electronic mail, means for providing a correspondence relation between a sender electronic-mail address related to the received electronic mail and reception ID information, and means for, in cases where the reception ID information is received, transmitting a conformation electronic mail to the sender electronic-mail address.  
           [0028]    A twentieth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for, in cases where transmission of a received electronic mail fails, printing information representative of a transmission failure, and means for outputting information of a first page of the image data.  
           [0029]    A twenty-first aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for receiving character code data by an electronic mail. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a first embodiment of this invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 1.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a second embodiment of this invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 3.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a third embodiment of this invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 5.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a fourth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 7.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a fifth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 9.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a sixth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a first segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 11.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program for controlling the CPU in FIG. 11.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a seventh embodiment of this invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 14.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to an eighth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 17 is a diagram of a part of an example of an e-mail in a given format.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a ninth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a first segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 18.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program for controlling the CPU in FIG. 18.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a tenth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a first segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 21.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program for controlling the CPU in FIG. 21.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a twelfth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 24.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in an electronic mail system according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in an electronic mail system according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 28 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in FIG. 28.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in an electronic mail system according to a sixteenth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in an electronic mail system according to an eighteenth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in an electronic mail system according to a nineteenth embodiment of this invention.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU in an electronic mail system according to a twentieth embodiment of this invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     First Embodiment  
       [0063]    With reference to FIG. 1, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 , a data compressor  8 , and a LAN (local area network) controller  9  which are electrically connected via a bus line.  
         [0064]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . The CPU  1  provides a work area in the RAM  3 , and accesses and uses the work area during signal processing. The storage unit  4  includes, for example, a hard disk device which is used in storing data including compression-resultant image data of a facsimile format. The format converter  5  changes compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into corresponding image data of the e-mail (electronic mail) format. The scanner  6  converts an image of, for example, a document sheet surface into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). The operation panel  7  has a key board, a start button, and other buttons. Information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operating the key board on the operation panel  7 . The scanner  6  can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel  7 . The data compressor  8  serves to compress binary image data (bi-level image data) which is generated by the scanner  6 . The LAN controller  9  includes a LAN interface.  
         [0065]    The LAN controller  9  is connected via a LAN to an e-mail computer  9 A. The e-mail computer  9 A is connected to an e-mail network such as the Internet.  
         [0066]    As previously described, the CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. In the case where the transmission of information on a document sheet is required, the sheet is placed in the scanner  6  and information of a desired destination is inputted via the operation panel  7 . Further, the start button on the operation panel  7  is depressed.  
         [0067]    With reference to FIG. 2, a first step S 1  in the program segment decides whether or not information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted via the operation panel  7 . In addition, the step S 1  decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7  has been depressed. In the case where information of the destination of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted and the start button on the operation panel  7  has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 1  to a step S 2 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 1 . Thus, the step S 1  waits the reception of an e-mail destination and the depression of the start button.  
         [0068]    The step S 2  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). A step S 3  following the step S 2  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor  8 . Then, the step S 3  activates the data compressor  8  so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8  into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 3  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor  8  to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 . In the case where the transmission of information on a plurality of document sheets (that is, a plurality of pages) is required, the document sheets are sequentially scanned by the device  6  and the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is stored into the storage unit  4  as a single file having a plurality of pages.  
         [0069]    A step S 4  following the step S 3  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . The step S 4  activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted by the device  5  into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. In addition, the step S 4  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0070]    A step S 5  subsequent to the step S 4  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 5  activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to the e-mail computer  9 A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the destination via the e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 5 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0071]    The image data generated by the scanner  6  is of the binary type or the bi-level type. The compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format which is generated by the data compressor  8  is also of the binary type or the bi-level type. The format converter  5  successively encodes pieces of the compression-resultant facsimile image data into corresponding 7-bit character code words respectively. The 7-bit character code words compose text-encoded image data. Thus, the format converter  5  changes the compression-resultant facsimile image data into the corresponding text-encoded image data. The format converter  5  adds a header of a given format to the text-encoded image data, thereby completing the image data of the e-mail format. The header includes information of the destination, information of a source address, information of the data format, and information of the manner of conversion from the image data into the character code words. The format related to the header and the manner of conversion from the image data into the character code words are in conformity with the Internet e-main standards referred to as MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions).  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0072]    [0072]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for an additional arrangement described hereinafter.  
         [0073]    With reference to FIG. 3, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 , a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , and a printer  11  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The inverse format converter  10  changes image data of the e-mail format into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format. The data compressor/expander  8 A replaces the data compressor  8  in FIG. 1. The data compressor/expander SA serves to compress binary image data (bi-level image data) generated by the scanner  6 . In addition, the data compressor/expander  8 A serves to expand image data of the facsimile format into expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data). The printer  11  serves to print out expansion-resultant binary image data.  
         [0074]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 4, a first step S 11  in the program segment decides whether or not data of the e-mail format has been received by the LAN controller  9 . In the case where data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S 11  transfers the received data of the e 20  mail format to the storage unit  4 . The step S 11  controls the storage unit  4  so that the received data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit  4 . In the case where data of the e-mail format has not yet been received, the program repeats the step S 11 . Thus, the step S 11  waits the reception of data of the e-mail format.  
         [0075]    A step S 12 A following the step S 11  decides whether or not the received data of the e-mail format agrees with image data of the e-mail format by referring to related information in the header of the received data of the e-mail format. When the received data agrees with image data, the program advances from the step S 12 A to a step S 12 B. When the received data differs from image data, the program advances from the step S 12 A to a step S 12 C. The step S 12 B transfers the received data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the inverse format converter  10 . The step S 12 B activates the inverse format converter  10  so that the received data of the e-mail format is converted by the device  10  into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format. The step  12 C controls the LAN controller  9  so that a responsive e-mail representing an error will be transmitted to the source concerning the received data of the e-mail format. After the step S 12 C, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0076]    A step S 13  following the step S 12 B transfers the image data of the facsimile format from the inverse format converter  10  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. The step S 13  activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the image data of the facsimile format is expanded by the device  8 A into expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data). Further, the step S 13  transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the expansion-resultant binary image data into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0077]    A step S 14  subsequent to the step S 13  transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the storage unit  4  to the printer  11 . The step S 14  activates the printer  11  so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 . After the step S 14 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0078]    As previously described, the inverse format converter  10  changes the received data of the e-mail format into the corresponding image data of the facsimile format. Specifically, the inverse format converter  10  extracts text-encoded image data from the received data of the e-mail format. Then, the inverse format converter  10  changes the text-encoded image data into corresponding binary (bi-level) image data of the facsimile format.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0079]    [0079]FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 except for an additional arrangement described hereinafter.  
         [0080]    With reference to FIG. 5, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 , a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , and a font memory  12  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The font memory  12  includes, for example, a ROM which stores font data providing the relation between character code data and image data.  
         [0081]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 6, a first step S 21  in the program segment decides whether or not data of the e-mail format has been received by the LAN controller  9 . This decision is to wait the reception of data of the e-mail format. In the case where data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S 21  decides whether or not the received data of the e-mail format agrees with character code data by referring to the data format information in the header of the received data of the e-mail format. According to the MIME standards, the data format information follows the information “content-type”, and denotes “text/plain” in the case where the related data of the e-mail format agrees with character code data. It should be noted that the data format information denotes “image/tiff” in the case where the related data of the e-mail format agrees with image data. When the received data of the e-mail format agrees with character code data, the program advances from the step S 21  to a step S 22 B. When the received data of the e-mail format agrees with image data, the received data of the e-mail format will be processed as in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.  
         [0082]    The step S 22 B activates the font memory  12  so that the character code data is converted into corresponding image data according to the font data in the font memory  12 .  
         [0083]    A step S 23  following the step S 22 B transfers the image data to the printer  11 . Also, the step S 23  activates the printer  11  so that the image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 . After the step S 23 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Fourth Embodiment  
       [0084]    [0084]FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 except for an additional arrangement described hereinafter.  
         [0085]    With reference to FIG. 7, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 , a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , a font memory  12 , and a character recognition unit  13  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The character recognition unit  13  serves to recognize characters represented by binary image data (bi-level image data).  
         [0086]    Information on a document sheet which is to be transmitted contains information of the destination or the address of a transmitted e-mail. Specifically, characters in a predetermined zone of the document sheet indicate an e-mail destination. Thus, the characters in the predetermined zone of the document sheet correspond to the information of the e-mail destination.  
         [0087]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 8, a first step S 31  in the program segment decides whether or not a start button on the operation panel  7  has been depressed. In the case where the start button on the operation panel  7  has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 31  to a step S 32 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 31 . Thus, the step S 31  waits the depression of the start button.  
         [0088]    The step S 32  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data).  
         [0089]    A step S 33  following the step S 32  extracts a portion of the binary image data which corresponds to the predetermined zone. The step S 33  transfers the extracted portion of the image data to the character recognition unit  13 . Further, the step S 33  activates the character recognition unit  13  so that characters represented by the extracted portion of the image data are recognized by the device  13 . The character recognition unit  13  generates information of a destination in accordance with the result of the character recognition.  
         [0090]    A step S 34  subsequent to the step S 33  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. Then, the step S 34  activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8 A into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 34  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0091]    A step S 35  following the step S 34  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . In addition, the step S 35  transfers the information of the destination to the format converter  5 . The step S 35  activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted by the device  5  into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. The image data of the e-mail format contains the information of the destination. Further, the step S 35  transfers the image data of the e 5  mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0092]    A step S 36  subsequent to the step S 35  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 36  activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to an e-mail computer  9 A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the destination via an e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 36 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Fifth Embodiment  
       [0093]    [0093]FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for an additional arrangement described hereinafter.  
         [0094]    With reference to FIG. 9, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 A, a data compressor  8 , and a LAN (local area network) controller  9  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel  7 A replaces the operation panel  7  in FIG. 1. The operation panel  7 A has a key board, a start button, a source button, and other buttons. Information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operating the key board on the operation panel  7 A. The scanner  6  can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel  7 A. Information of the address of an e-mail transmission source can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operating the source button on the operation panel  7 A. The source address agrees with an address assigned to an e-mail computer  9 A connected to the LAN controller  9 . Accordingly, in the event that the transmission of an e-mail from the electronic mail system to the destination has failed, a responsive e-mail representing the transmission failure can be received by the e-mail computer  9 A.  
         [0095]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 10, a first step S 41  in the program segment decides whether or not information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted via the operation panel  7 A. In the case where the information of the destination of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted, the program advances from the step S 41  to a step S 42 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 41 . Thus, the step S 41  waits the reception of the information of an e-mail destination.  
         [0096]    The step S 42  decides whether or not the source button on the operation panel  7 A has been depressed to input the information of the address of the e-mail transmission source. In the case where the source button on the operation panel  7 A has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 42  to a step S 43 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 42 . Thus, the step S 42  waits the reception of the information of an e-mail source address.  
         [0097]    The step S 43  decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7 A has been depressed. In the case where the start button on the operation panel  7 A has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 43  to a step S 44 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 43 . Thus, the step S 43  waits the depression of the start button.  
         [0098]    The step S 44  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). A step S 45  following the step S 44  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor  8 . Then, the step S 45  activates the data compressor  8  so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8  into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 45  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor  8  to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0099]    A step S 46  following the step S 45  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . In addition, the step S 46  transfers the information of the source address and the information of the destination to the format converter  5 . The step S 46  activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted by the device  5  into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. The image data of the e-mail format contains the information of the source address and the information of the destination. Further, the step S 46  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0100]    A step S 47  subsequent to the step S 46  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 47  activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to the e-mail computer  9 A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the destination via an e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 47 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Sixth Embodiment  
       [0101]    [0101]FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 except for an additional arrangement described hereinafter.  
         [0102]    With reference to FIG. 11, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 B, a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , a font memory  12 , a character recognition unit  13 , an audio input/output device  14 , and an audio compressor/expander  15  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel  7 B replaces the operation panel  7  in FIG. 7. The operation panel  7 B has a start button, a message button, and other buttons. The scanner  6  can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel  7 B. The depression of the message button on the operation panel  7 B enables audio message information to be inputted into the electronic mail system. The audio input/output device  14  includes a microphone and an electric-to-sound transducer such as a loudspeaker (a sound speaker). The microphone in the audio input/output device  14  converts a sound message into a corresponding audio signal. The audio signal is changed into corresponding audio data by an A/D converter in the audio input/output device  14 . The audio input/output device  14  also includes a D/A converter which changes audio data into a corresponding audio signal. The audio signal is converted into corresponding sound by the loudspeaker (the sound speaker) in the audio input/output device  14 . The audio compressor/expander  15  serves to compress and expand audio data.  
         [0103]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a first segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 12, a first step S 51  in the first program segment decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7 B has been depressed. In the case where the start button on the operation panel  7 B has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 51  to a step S 52 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 51 . Thus, the step S 51  waits the depression of the start button.  
         [0104]    The step S 52  decides whether or not the message button on the operation panel  7 B is depressed and a sound message is converted by the microphone and the A/D converter in the audio input/output device  14  into corresponding audio data. This decision is to wait the depression of the message button and the reception of the audio data. In the case where the message button on the operation panel  7 B is depressed and the sound message is converted by the audio input/output device  14  into the corresponding audio data, the step S 52  transfers the audio data from the audio input/output device  14  to the audio compressor/expander  15 . The step S 52  activates the audio compressor/expander  15  so that the audio data is compressed by the device  15  into compression-resultant audio data. Further, the step S 52  transfers the compression-resultant audio data from the audio compressor/expander  15  to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant audio data into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0105]    A step S 53  subsequent to the step S 52  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data).  
         [0106]    A step S 54  following the step S 53  extracts a portion of the binary image data which corresponds to a predetermined zone. The step S 54  transfers the extracted portion of the image data to the character recognition unit  13 . Further, the step S 54  activates the character recognition unit  13  so that characters represented by the extracted portion of the image data are recognized by the device  13 . The character recognition unit  13  generates information of a destination in accordance with the result of the character recognition.  
         [0107]    A step S 55  subsequent to the step S 54  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. Then, the step S 55  activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8 A into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 55  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0108]    A step S 56  following the step S 55  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . In addition, the step S 56  transfers the information of the destination to the format converter  5 . Further, the step S 56  transmits the compression-resultant audio data from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . The step S 56  activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format and the compression-resultant audio data are converted and integrated by the device  5  into corresponding image/audio data of the e-mail format. It should be noted that the manner of the integration is in conformity with the MIME standards. The image/audio data of the e-mail format contains the information of the destination. Further, the step S 56  transfers the image/audio data of the e-mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image/audio data of the email format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0109]    A step S 57  subsequent to the step S 56  transfers the image/audio data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 57  activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image/audio data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to an e-mail computer  9 A. The image/audio data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the destination via an e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 57 , the current execution cycle of the first program segment ends.  
         [0110]    [0110]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 13, a first step S 58 A in the second program segment decides whether or not data of the e-mail format has been received by the LAN controller  9 . This decision is to wait the reception of data of the e-mail format. In the case where data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S 58 A transfers the received data of the e-mail format to the storage unit  4 . The step  58 A controls the storage unit  4  so that the received data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0111]    A step S 58 B following the step S 58 A transfers the received data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the inverse format converter  10 . A step S 58 C subsequent to the step S 58 B decides whether or not the received data of the e-mail format agrees with image/audio data of the e-mail format by referring to related information in the header of the received data of the e-mail format. When the received data agrees with image/audio data, the step S 58 C activates the inverse format converter  10  so that the received data of the e-mail format is converted and separated by the device  10  into image data of a given facsimile format and audio data. When the received data differs from image/audio data, the received data will be processed as in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.  
         [0112]    A step S 58 D following the step S 58 C transfers the image data of the facsimile format from the inverse format converter  10  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. The step S 58 D activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the image data of the facsimile format is expanded by the device  8 A into expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data). Further, the step S 58 D transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the expansion-resultant binary image data into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0113]    A step S 58 E subsequent to the step S 58 D transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the storage unit  4  to the printer  11 . The step S 58 E activates the printer  11  so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 .  
         [0114]    A step S 58 F following the step S 58 E transfers the audio data from the inverse format converter  10  to the audio compressor/expander  15 . The step S 58 F activates the audio compressor/expander  15  so that the audio data is expanded by the device  15  into expansion-resultant audio data. Further, the step S 58 F transfers the expansion-resultant audio data from the audio compressor/expander  15  to the storage unit  4  before storing the expansion-resultant audio data into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0115]    A step S 58 G subsequent to the step S 58 F transfers the expansion-resultant audio data from the storage unit  4  to the audio input/output device  14 . The step S 58 G activates the audio input/output device  14  so that the loudspeaker (the sound speaker) and the D/A converter therein generate sound in response to the audio data. After the step S 58 G, the current execution cycle of the second program segment ends.  
       Seventh Embodiment  
       [0116]    [0116]FIG. 14 shows a seventh embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS.  11 - 13  except for an additional arrangement described hereinafter.  
         [0117]    With reference to FIG. 14, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 C, a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , a font memory  12 , a character recognition unit  13 , an audio input/output device  14 , an audio compressor/expander  15 , a video input/output device  16 , and a moving-picture compressor/expander  17  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel  7 C replaces the operation panel  7 B in FIG. 11. The operation panel  7 C has a start button, a video button, and other buttons. The scanner  6  can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel  7 C. The depression of the video button on the operation panel  7 C enables moving-picture information to be inputted into the electronic mail system. The video input/output device  16  includes a video camera and a display such as a CRT. The video camera in the video input/output device  16  converts moving pictures into corresponding data. The display in the video input/output device  16  visualizes moving-picture data. The moving-picture compressor/expander  17  serves to compress and expand moving-picture data.  
         [0118]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 15, a first step S 61  in the program segment decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7 C has been depressed. In the case where the start button on the operation panel  7 C has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 61  to a step S 62 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 61 . Thus, the step S 61  waits the depression of the start button.  
         [0119]    The step S 62  decides whether or not the video button on the operation panel  7 C is depressed and moving pictures are converted by the video camera in the video input/output device  16  into corresponding data. This decision is to wait the depression of the video button and the reception of moving-picture data. In the case where the video button on the operation panel  7 C is depressed and the moving pictures are converted by the video camera in the video input/output device  16  into the corresponding data, the step S 62  transfers the moving-picture data from the video input/output device  16  to the moving-picture compressor/expander  17 . The step S 62  activates the moving-picture compressor/expander  17  so that the moving-picture data is compressed by the device  17  into compression-resultant moving-picture data. Further, the step S 62  transfers the compression-resultant moving-picture data from the moving-picture compressor/expander  17  to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant moving-picture data into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0120]    A step S 63  subsequent to the step S 62  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data).  
         [0121]    A step S 64  following the step S 63  extracts a portion of the binary image data which corresponds to a predetermined zone. The step S 64  transfers the extracted portion of the image data to the character recognition unit  13 . Further, the step S 64  activates the character recognition unit  13  so that characters represented by the extracted portion of the image data are recognized by the device  13 . The character recognition unit  13  generates information of a destination in accordance with the result of the character recognition.  
         [0122]    A step S 65  subsequent to the step S 64  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. Then, the step S 65  activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8 A into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 65  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor/expander SA to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 . A step S 66  following the step S 65  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . In addition, the step S 66  transfers the information of the destination to the format converter  5 . Further, the step S 66  transmits the compression-resultant moving-picture data from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . The step S 66  activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format and the compression-resultant moving-picture data are converted and integrated by the device  5  into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. It should be noted that the manner of the integration is in conformity with the MIME standards. The image data of the e-mail format contains the information of the destination. Further, the step S 66  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0123]    A step S 67  subsequent to the step S 66  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 67  activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to an e-mail computer  9 A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the destination via an e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 67 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Eighth Embodiment  
       [0124]    [0124]FIG. 16 shows an eighth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0125]    With reference to FIG. 16, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 , a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 X, an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , a font memory  12 , and a character recognition unit  13  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The LAN controller  9 X replaces the LAN controller  9  in FIG. 7. The LAN controller  9 X analyzes a received e-mail. The CPU  1  is programmed to execute data processing in response to a result of the analysis by the LAN controller  9 X.  
         [0126]    [0126]FIG. 17 shows a part of an example of an e-mail in a given format. As shown in FIG. 17, the e-mail has a header  31  and a text (a message)  32 . The header  31  is followed by the text  32 . The header  31  contains information representing a type of data in the text  32 .  
         [0127]    In the example of FIG. 17, “Content-Type: text/plain” in the header  31  represents that a related portion of the text  32  corresponds to character code data. Further, “Subject !!$” in the header  31  represents that a related portion of the text  32  corresponds to an instruction (a command).  
         [0128]    The text  32  contains ID (identification) information of a sender, information of a list of destination mail addresses, and information of a source address. The ID information of the sender is preceded by a specified code word “!ID”. The information of the list of the destination mail addresses is preceded by a specified code word “!LIST”. The information of the source address is preceded by a specified code word “!FROM”.  
         [0129]    After the LAN controller  9  receives an e-mail, the LAN controller  9  analyzes ID (identification) information of a sender, information of a list of destination mail addresses, and information of a source address which are contained in the received e-mail. The LAN controller  9  recognizes the sender as a result of the analysis of the ID information thereof. The CPU  1  serves to transfer the ID information of the sender, the information of the list of the destination mail addresses, and the information of the source address from the LAN controller  9  to the storage unit  4 . Then, the CPU  1  serves to store the ID information of the sender, the information of the list of the destination mail addresses, and the information of the source address into the storage unit  4 .  
       Ninth Embodiment  
       [0130]    [0130]FIG. 18 shows a ninth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0131]    With reference to FIG. 18, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 D, a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , a font memory  12 , and a character recognition unit  13  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel  7 D replaces the operation panel  7  in FIG. 7. The operation panel  7 D has a display, a key board, a start button, a destination list button, and other buttons. Information of a destination list can be visualized by the display on the operation panel  7 D. ID information of a sender can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operating the key board on the operation panel  7 D. The scanner  6  can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel  7 D. The depression of the destination list button on the operation panel  7 D enables a destination list to be indicated by display on the operation panel  7 D.  
         [0132]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a first segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 19, a first step S 71  in the first program segment decides whether or not character code data in an e-mail has been received by the LAN controller  9 . In the case where the character code data in the e-mail has been received, the program advances from the step S 71  to a step S 72 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 71 . Thus, the step S 71  waits the reception of character code data in an e-mail. The step S 72  analyzes the “Subject” part of the header of the e-mail.  
         [0133]    A step S 73  following the step S 72  decides whether or not the “Subject” part of the header corresponds to a text instruction by referring to the result of the analysis by the step S 72 . When the “Subject” part of the header corresponds to a text instruction, the program advances from the step S 73  to a step S 74 . Otherwise, the program advances from the step S 73  to a step S 76 .  
         [0134]    The step S 74  analyzes the text in the e-mail to extract ID information of a sender and information of a destination mail list therefrom. A step S 75  following the step S 74  stores or registers the ID information of the sender and the information of the destination mail list into the storage unit  4  in a manner such that the ID information of the sender and the information of the destination mail list are in a given correspondence relation. After the step S 75 , the current execution cycle of the first program segment ends.  
         [0135]    The step S 76  converts character code data in the text into corresponding image data. A step S 77  following the step S 76  transfers the image data to the printer  11 . The step S 77  activates the printer  11  so that the image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 . After the step S 77 , the current execution cycle of the first program segment ends.  
         [0136]    [0136]FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 20, a first step S 81  of the second program segment decides whether or not the destination list button on the operation panel  7 D has been depressed. In the case where the destination list button on the operation panel  7 D has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 81  to a step S 82 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 81 . Thus, the step S 82  waits the depression of the destination list button.  
         [0137]    The step S 82  decides whether or not ID information of a sender has been inputted via the operation panel  7 D. This decision is to wait the reception of sender ID information. In the case where the ID information of the sender has been inputted, the step S 82  reads out information of a destination mail list from the storage unit  4  which corresponds to the ID information of the sender. The step S 82  transfers the information of the destination mail list to the display on the operation panel  7 D. The step S 82  activates the display on the operation panel  7 D so that the information of the destination mail list is visualized thereby.  
         [0138]    A step S 83  following the step S 82  decides whether or not a destination has been selected from the visualized destination mail list by actuating the operation panel  7 D. In the case where a destination has been selected, the program advances from the step S 83  to a step S 84 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 83 . Thus, the step S 83  waits the selection of a destination.  
         [0139]    The step S 84  decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7 D has been depressed. In the case where the start button on the operation panel  7 D has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 84  to a step S 85 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 84 . Thus, the step S 84  waits the depression of the start button.  
         [0140]    The step S 85  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data).  
         [0141]    A step S 86  subsequent to the step S 85  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. Then, the step S 86  activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8 A into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 86  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0142]    A step S 87  following the step S 86  transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . In addition, the step S 87  informs the format converter  5  of the selected destination. The step S 87  activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted by the device  5  into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. The image data of the e-mail format contains the information of the destination. Further, the step S 87  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0143]    A step S 88  subsequent to the step S 87  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 88  activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to an e-mail computer  9 A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the selected destination via an e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 88 , the current execution cycle of the second program segment ends.  
       Tenth Embodiment  
       [0144]    [0144]FIG. 21 shows a tenth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS.  18 - 20  except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0145]    With reference to FIG. 21, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 E, a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , a font memory  12 , and a character recognition unit  13  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel  7 E replaces the operation panel  7 D in FIG. 18. The operation panel  7 E has a display, a key board, a start button, a source button, and other buttons. Information of a source address can be visualized by the display on the operation panel  7 E. Information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operating the key board on the operation panel  7 E. ID information of a sender can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operating the source button on the operation panel  7 E. The scanner  6  can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel  7 E.  
         [0146]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a first segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 22, a first step S 71 A in the first program segment decides whether or not character code data in an e-mail has been received by the LAN controller  9 . In the case where the character code data in the e-mail has been received, the program advances from the step S 71 A to a step S 72 A. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 71 A. Thus, the step S 71 A waits the reception of character code data in an e-mail. The step S 72 A analyzes the “Subject” part of the header of the e-mail.  
         [0147]    A step S 73 A following the step S 72 A decides whether or not the “Subject” part of the header corresponds to a text instruction by referring to the result of the analysis by the step S 72 A. When the “Subject” part of the header corresponds to a text instruction, the program advances from the step S 73 A to a step S 74 A. Otherwise, the program advances from the step S 73 A to a step S 76 A.  
         [0148]    The step S 74 A analyzes the text in the e-mail to extract ID information of a sender and information of a source address therefrom. A step S 75 A following the step S 74 A stores or registers the ID information of the sender and the information of the source address into the storage unit  4  in a manner such that the ID information of the sender and the information of the source address are in a given correspondence relation. After the step S 75 A, the current execution cycle of the first program segment ends.  
         [0149]    The step S 76 A converts character code data in the text into corresponding image data. A step S 77 A following the step S 76 A transfers the image data to the printer  11 . The step S 77 A activates the printer  11  so that the image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 . After the step S 77 A, the current execution cycle of the first program segment ends.  
         [0150]    [0150]FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 23, a first step S 82 A of the second program segment decides whether or not ID information of a sender has been inputted by depressing the source button on the operation panel  7 E. This decision is to wait the reception of sender ID information. In the case where the ID information of the sender has been inputted, the step S 82 A reads out information of a source address from the storage unit  4  which corresponds to the ID information of the sender. The step S 82 A transfers the information of the source address to the display on the operation panel  7 E. The step S 82 A activates the display on the operation panel  7 E so that the information of the source address is visualized thereby. Thus, it is possible to confirm the source address.  
         [0151]    A step S 83 A following the step S 82 A decides whether or not information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted via the operation panel  7 E. In the case where the information of the destination of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted, the program advances from the step S 83 A to a step S 84 A. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 83 A. Thus, the step S 83 A waits the reception of the information of the destination.  
         [0152]    The step S 84 A decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7 E has been depressed. In the case where the start button on the operation panel  7 E has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 88 A to a step S 85 A. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 84 A. Thus, the step S 84 A waits the depression of the start button.  
         [0153]    The step S 85 A activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data).  
         [0154]    A step S 86 A subsequent to the step S 85 A transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. Then, the step S 86 A activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8 A into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 86 A transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0155]    A step S 87 A following the step S 86 A transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . In addition, the step S 87 A transfers the information of the source address and the information of the destination to the format converter  5 . The step S 87 A activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted by the device  5  into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. The image data of the e-mail format contains the information of the source address and the information of the destination. Further, the step S 87 A transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0156]    A step S 88 A subsequent to the step S 87 A transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 88 A activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to an e-mail computer  9 A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the destination via an e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 88 A, the current execution cycle of the second program segment ends.  
       Eleventh Embodiment  
       [0157]    An eleventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment of FIGS.  18 - 20  except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0158]    In the eleventh embodiment, when ID information of a sender is inputted, a source address corresponding to the ID information of the sender is recognized. Information of the source address is automatically written into the header of an e-mail carrying image data.  
       Twelfth Embodiment  
       [0159]    [0159]FIG. 24 shows a twelfth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment, of FIGS. 14 and 15 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0160]    With reference to FIG. 24, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 F, a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , a font memory  12 , a character recognition unit  13 , an audio input/output device  14 , an audio compressor/expander  15 , a video input/output device  16 , a moving-picture compressor/expander  17 , and a modem  18  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel  7 F replaces the operation panel  7 C in FIG. 14. The operation panel  7 F has a key board, a start button, a mode selection button, and other buttons. Information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operating the key board on the operation panel  7 F. In addition, information of a destination telephone number can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operating the key board on the operation panel  7 F. The scanner  6  can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel  7 F. Operation of the electronic mail system can be changed between an e-mail mode and a facsimile mode by operating the mode selection button on the operation panel  7 F. The modem  18  is connected to a telephone line. The modem  18  serves to transmit and receive a facsimile signal to and from the telephone line.  
         [0161]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 25, a first step S 91  in the program segment decides whether or not the mode selection button on the operation panel  7 F has been operated. In the case where the mode selection button on the operation panel  7 F has been operated, the program advances from the step S 91  to a step S 92 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 91 . Thus, the step S 91  waits operation of the mode selection button.  
         [0162]    The step S 92  decides which of the e-mail mode and the facsimile mode has been selected by referring to a signal coming from the mode selection button on the operation panel  7 F. When the facsimile mode has been selected, the program advances from the step S 92  to a step S 93 . When the e-mail mode has been selected, the program advances from the step S 92  to a step S 96 .  
         [0163]    The step S 93  decides whether or not information of a destination telephone number has been inputted via the operation panel  7 F. Also, the step S 93  decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7 F has been depressed. In the case where the information of the destination telephone number has been inputted and the start button on the operation panel  7 F has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 93  to a step S 94 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 93 . Thus, the step S 93  waits the reception of information of a destination telephone number and the depression of the start button.  
         [0164]    The step S 94  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). A step S 95 A following the step S 94  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. Then, the step S 95 A activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8  into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format.  
         [0165]    A step S 95 B subsequent to the step S 95 A transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the modem  18 . The step S 95 B activates the modem  18  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format (that is, the facsimile signal) is outputted from the modem  18  to the telephone line. Normally, the facsimile signal is transmitted via the telephone line to the communication opposite party identified by the destination telephone number. After the step S 95 B, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0166]    The step S 96  decides whether or not information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted via the operation panel  7 F. In addition, the step S 96  decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7 F has been depressed. In the case where information of the destination of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted and the start button on the operation panel  7 F has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 96  to a step S 97 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 96 . Thus, the step S 96  waits the reception of information of an e-mail destination and the depression of the start button.  
         [0167]    The step S 97  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). A step S 98 A following the step S 97  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. Then, the step S 98 A activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8  into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 98 A transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 . In the case where the transmission of information on a plurality of document sheets (that is, a plurality of pages) is required, the document sheets are sequentially scanned by the device  6  and the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is stored into the storage unit  4  as a single file having a plurality of pages.  
         [0168]    A step S 98 B following the step S 98 A transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . The step S 98 B activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted by the device  5  into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. In addition, the step S 98 B transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0169]    A step S 99  subsequent to the step S 98 B transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 99  activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to an e-mail computer  9 A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the destination via an e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 99 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Thirteenth Embodiment  
       [0170]    A thirteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0171]    [0171]FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU  1  (see FIG. 24) in the thirteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 26, a first step S 101  in the program segment decides whether or not data of the e-mail format has been received by a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of data of the e-mail format. In the case where data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S 101  transfers the received data of the e-mail format to a storage unit  4  (see FIG. 24). The step S 101  controls the storage unit  4  so that the received data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0172]    A step S 102  following the step S 101  decides whether or not the received data of the e-mail format agrees with image data of the e-mail format by referring to related information in the header of the received data of the e-mail format. When the received data agrees with image data, the program advances from the step S 102  to a step S 103 . When the received data differs from image data, the program advances from the step S 102  to a step S 104 . The step S 103  transfers the received data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to an inverse format converter  10  (see FIG. 24). The step S 103  activates the inverse format converter  10  so that the received data of the e-mail format is converted by the device  10  into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format. The step  104  controls a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24) so that a responsive e-mail representing an error will be transmitted to the source concerning the received data of the e-mail format. After the step S 104 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0173]    A step S 105  following the step S 103  transfers the image data of the facsimile format from the inverse format converter  10  to a data compressor/expander  8 A (see FIG. 24). The step S 105  activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the image data of the facsimile format is expanded by the device  8 A into expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data). Further, the step S 105  transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the expansion-resultant binary image data into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0174]    A step S 106  subsequent to the step S 105  transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the storage unit  4  to a printer  11  (see FIG. 24). The step S 106  activates the printer  11  so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 .  
         [0175]    A step S 107  following the step S 106  decides whether or not a reception waiting flag has been set. When the reception waiting flag has been set, the program advances from the step S 107  to a step S 108 . Otherwise, the program exits from the step S 107 , and the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0176]    The step  108  controls the LAN controller  9  so that an e-mail representing a reception notice will be transmitted to a previously-registered terminal (a previously-registered terminal station). After the step S 108 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0177]    Setting the reception waiting flag is implemented by previously transmitting an e-mail in which a text has “!RCV SET” according to the format of FIG. 17. Resetting the reception waiting flag is implemented by transmitting an e-mail in which a text has “!RCV RESF” according to the format of FIG. 17.  
       Fourteenth Embodiment  
       [0178]    A fourteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0179]    [0179]FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU  1  (see FIG. 24) in the fourteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 27, a first step S 110  in the program segment decides whether or not image data of the e-mail format (an e-mail) has been received by a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of image data of the e-mail format. In the case where image data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S 110  transfers the received image data of the e-mail format to a storage unit  4  (see FIG. 24). The step S 110  controls the storage unit  4  so that the received image data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0180]    A step S 111  following the step S 110  transfers the received image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to an inverse format converter  10  (see FIG. 24). The step S 111  activates the inverse format converter  10  so that the received image data of the e-mail format is converted by the device  10  into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format. Then, the step S 111  transfers the image data of the facsimile format from the inverse format converter  10  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0181]    A step S 112  subsequent to the step S 111  analyzes the “Subject” part of the header of the received e-mail. In the case where the analyzed “Subject” part of the header includes a requirement for facsimile transmission, the step S 112  extracts information of a destination telephone number from a portion of the received e-mail which immediately follows the “Subject” part.  
         [0182]    A step S 113  following the step S 112  decides whether or not a requirement for facsimile transmission is present. When a requirement for facsimile transmission is present, the program advances from the step S 113  to a step S 114 . Otherwise, the program advances from the step S 113  to a step S 115 A.  
         [0183]    The step S 114  transfers the image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to a modem  18  (see FIG. 24). The step S 114  activates the modem  18  so that the image data of the facsimile format (that is, the facsimile signal) is outputted from the modem  18  to a telephone line. Normally, the facsimile signal is transmitted via the telephone line to the communication opposite party identified by the destination telephone number. After the step S 114 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0184]    A step S 115 A transfers the image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to a data compressor/expander  8 A (see FIG. 24). The step S 115 A activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the image data of the facsimile format is expanded by the device  8 A into expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data). Further, the step S 115 A transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the expansion-resultant binary image data into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0185]    A step S 115 B subsequent to the step S 115 A transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the storage unit  4  to a printer  11  (see FIG. 24). The step S 115 B activates the printer  11  so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 . After the step S 115 B, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Fifteenth Embodiment  
       [0186]    [0186]FIG. 28 shows a fifteenth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 except for an additional arrangement described hereinafter.  
         [0187]    With reference to FIG. 28, an electronic mail system includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a RAM  3 , a storage unit  4 , a format converter  5 , a scanner  6 , an operation panel  7 F, a data compressor/expander  8 A, a LAN (local area network) controller  9 , an inverse format converter  10 , a printer  11 , a font memory  12 , a character recognition unit  13 , an audio input/output device  14 , an audio compressor/expander  15 , a video input/output device  16 , a moving-picture compressor/expander  17 , a modem  18 , and a world clock  19  which are electrically connected via a bus line. The world clock  19  generates information of standard time in every country in the world.  
         [0188]    The CPU  1  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  2 . FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference to FIG. 29, a first step S 121  in the program segment decides whether or not information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted via the operation panel  7 F. In the case where the information of the destination of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted, the program advances from the step S 121  to a step S 122 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 121 . Thus, the step S 121  waits the reception of destination information.  
         [0189]    The step S 122  sets desired time for e-mail transmission which is expressed according to standard time in a country having an e-mail destination. A step S 123  following the step S 122  decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel  7 F has been depressed. In the case where the start button on the operation panel  7 F has been depressed, the program advances from the step S 123  to a step S 124 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 123 . Thus, the step S 123  waits the depression of the start button.  
         [0190]    The step S 124  activates the scanner  6  so that an image of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner  6  is converted by the scanner  6  into corresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). A step S 125 A following the step S 124  transfers the binary image data from the scanner  6  to the data compressor/expander  8 A. Then, the step S 125 A activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the binary image data is compressed by the device  8 A into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S 125 A transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the data compressor/expander  8 A to the storage unit  4  before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0191]    A step S 125 B following the step S 125 A transfers the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to the format converter  5 . In addition, the step S 125 B transfers the information of the e-mail destination to the format converter  5 . The step S 125 B activates the format converter  5  so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted by the device  5  into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. Further, the step S 125 B transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter  5  to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0192]    A step S 126  following the step S 125 B detects a destination&#39;s country from the information of the e-mail destination. It is well-known that an end part of information of an e-mail destination indicates the destination&#39;s country. A step S 127  subsequent to the step S 126  detects present time in the destination&#39;s country by referring to the information generated by the world clock  19 . The step S 127  decides whether or not the present time in the destination&#39;s country reaches the desired time for e-mail transmission. This decision is to wait a moment at which the present time in the destination&#39;s country reaches the desired time for e-mail transmission. In the case where the present time in the destination&#39;s country reaches the desired time for e-mail transmission, the step S 127  transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to the LAN controller  9 . The step S 127  activates the LAN controller  9  so that the image data of the e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller  9  to an email computer  9 A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer  9 A to the destination via an e-mail network  9 B. After the step S 127 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Sixteenth Embodiment  
       [0193]    A sixteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0194]    [0194]FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU  1  (see FIG. 24) in the sixteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 30, a first step S 131  in the program segment decides whether or not image data of the e-mail format (an e-mail) has been received by a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of image data of the e-mail format. In the case where image data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S 131  transfers the received image data of the e-mail format to a storage unit  4  (see FIG. 24). The step S 131  controls the storage unit  4  so that the received image data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0195]    A step S 132  following the step S 131  transfers the received image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to an inverse format converter  10  (see FIG. 24). The step S 132  activates the inverse format converter  10  so that the received image data of the e-mail format is converted by the device  10  into corresponding image data of the facsimile format.  
         [0196]    A step S 133  subsequent to the step S 132  transfers the image data of the facsimile format from the inverse format converter  10  to the storage unit  4 , and then storing the image data of the facsimile format into a box which is provided in the storage unit  4  for the related destination. It should be noted that boxes provided in the storage unit  4  have a correspondence relation with previously-registered owner&#39;s ID information and previously-registered pass words.  
         [0197]    A step S 134  following the step S 133  decides whether or not owner&#39;s ID information and a pass word are inputted. This decision is to wait the reception of owner&#39;s ID information and a pass word. In the case where owner&#39;s ID information and a pass word are inputted, the step S 134  decides whether or not the inputted owner&#39;s ID information and the inputted pass word are acceptable. In the case where the inputted owner&#39;s ID information and the inputted pass word are acceptable, the program advances from the step S 134  to a step S 135 A. Otherwise, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0198]    The step S 135 A reads out the image data of the facsimile format from the box in the storage unit  4  which corresponds to the inputted owner&#39;s ID information and the inputted pass word. The step S 135 A transfers the image data of the facsimile format to a data compressor/expander  8 A (see FIG. 24). The step S 135 A activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the image data of the facsimile format is expanded by the device  8 A into expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data).  
         [0199]    A step S 135 B subsequent to the step S 135 A transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander  8 A to a printer  11  (see FIG. 24). The step S 135 B activates the printer  11  so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 . After the step S 135 B, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Seventeenth Embodiment  
       [0200]    A seventeenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 30 except for design changes described hereinafter. In the seventeenth embodiment, the step S 134  is omitted from the program segment of FIG. 30, and the step S 133  is immediately followed by the step S 135 A.  
         [0201]    Information of owner&#39;s cover sheet is previously registered in a related box of a storage unit  4  (see FIG. 24). The registration is implemented by using a scanner  6  (see FIG. 24) or transmitting an e-mail having a cover-sheet registering instruction.  
         [0202]    In the seventeenth embodiment, the step S 135 B is modified so that information of a cover sheet is read out from the storage unit  4 , and the information of the cover sheet is added to expansion-resultant binary image data. Accordingly, a combination of the cover-sheet information and the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out by a printer  11  (see FIG. 24).  
       Eighteenth Embodiment  
       [0203]    An eighteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0204]    [0204]FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU  1  (see FIG. 24) in the eighteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 31, a first step S 141  in the program segment decides whether or not image data of the e-mail format (an e-mail) has been received by a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of image data of the e-mail format. In the case where image data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S 141  transfers the received image data of the e-mail format to a storage unit  4  (see FIG. 24). The step S 141  controls the storage unit  4  so that the received image data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0205]    A step S 142  following the step S 141  transfers the received image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to an inverse format converter  10  (see FIG. 24). The step S 142  activates the inverse format converter  10  so that the received image data of the e-mail format is converted by the device  10  into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format. The step S 142  transfers the image data of the facsimile format to the storage unit  4  before storing the image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0206]    A step S 143 A following the step S 142  transfers the image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to a data compressor/expander  8 A (see FIG. 24). The step S 143 A activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the image data of the facsimile format is expanded by the device  8 A into expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data).  
         [0207]    A step S 143 B subsequent to the step S 143 A transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander  8 A to a printer  11  (see FIG. 24). The step S 143 B activates the printer  11  so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 .  
         [0208]    A step S 144  detects information of the address of a sender related to the received e-mail. The step  144  controls a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24) so that a responsive e-mail confirming e-mail reception will be transmitted to the sender address. After the step S 144 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Nineteenth Embodiment  
       [0209]    A nineteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0210]    [0210]FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU  1  (see FIG. 24) in the nineteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 32, a first step S 151  in the program segment decides whether or not image data of the e-mail format (an e-mail) has been received by a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of image data of the e-mail format. In the case where image data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S 151  transfers the received image data of the e-mail format to a storage unit  4  (see FIG. 24). The step S 151  controls the storage unit  4  so that the received image data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0211]    A step S 152  following the step S 151  transfers the received image data of the e-mail format from the storage unit  4  to an inverse format converter  10  (see FIG. 24). The step S 152  activates the inverse format converter  10  so that the received image data of the e-mail format is converted by the device  10  into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format.  
         [0212]    A step S 153 A following the step S 152  adds reception ID information to the image data of the facsimile format. The reception ID information is generated on the basis of date and time unique for one year. The step S 153 A transfers the ID-added image data of the facsimile format to the storage unit  4  before storing the ID-added image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit  4 .  
         [0213]    A step S 153 B subsequent to the step S 153 A transfers the ID-added image data of the facsimile format from the storage unit  4  to a data compressor/expander  8 A (see FIG. 24). The step S 153 B activates the data compressor/expander  8 A so that the ID-added image data of the facsimile format is expanded by the device  8 A into expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data).  
         [0214]    A step S 153 C subsequent to the step S 153 B transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander  8 A to a printer  11  (see FIG. 24). The step S 153 C activates the printer  11  so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 .  
         [0215]    A step S 154  following the step S 153 C decides whether or not information equal to the reception ID information added to the image data has been inputted via an operation panel  7 F (see FIG. 24). In the case where such reception ID information has been inputted, the program advances from the step S 154  to a step S 155 . Otherwise, the program repeats the step S 154 . Thus, the step S 154  waits the reception of the ID information.  
         [0216]    The step S 155  analyzes the header of the received e-mail, and thereby detects a sender address corresponding to the reception ID information. The step S 155  controls a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24) so that a responsive confirmation e-mail will be transmitted to the sender address. After the step S 155 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Twentieth Embodiment  
       [0217]    A twentieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.  
         [0218]    [0218]FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU  1  (see FIG. 24) in the twentieth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 33, a first step S 161  in the program segment decides whether or not character code data in an e-mail has been received by a LAN controller  9  (see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of character code data in an e-mail. In the case where the character code data in the e-mail has been received, the program advances from the step S 161  to a step S 162 . The step S 162  analyzes the “From” part of the header of the e-mail to detect a sender address.  
         [0219]    A step S 163  following the step S 162  decides whether or not the sender address agrees with a given address assigned to the present e-mail system. When the sender address agrees with the given address, the program advances from the step S 163  to a step S 164 . Otherwise, the program advances from the step S 163  to a step S 165 .  
         [0220]    The step S 164  transfers a signal indicative of a transmission failure to a printer  11  (see FIG. 24). The step S 164  activates the printer  11  so that the transmission failure signal is visualized or printed out by the device  11 . After the step S 164 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
         [0221]    The step S 165  converts character code data in the text into corresponding image data. A step S 166  following the step S 165  transfers the image data to the printer  11 . The step S 166  activates the printer  11  so that the image data is visualized or printed out by the device  11 . After the step S 166 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.  
       Other Embodiments  
       [0222]    Any one of the second embodiment to the twentieth embodiment may be modified to indicate character code data in the received e-mail on a display such as a CRT. The CRT may also be used to indicate moving pictures.  
         [0223]    At least two of the first embodiment to the twentieth embodiment may be combined into an electronic mail system.