Abstract:
The invention provides a communication terminal which can automatically print required image information received via the Internet. Specifically, a communication terminal is provided with receiving means for receiving image information via the Internet and a printer for printing the image information received by the receiving means onto a printing medium. The communication terminal operates such that if image information received by the receiving means complies with a predetermined format, printing instructing means instructs the printer to print the image information and the printer prints the image information received by the receiving means onto a printing medium. Another aspect of the invention provides a communication terminal in the form of a facsimile device that receives information via the Internet and can handle two kinds of data, G 3  and TIFF, without enlarging memory capacity.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The invention relates to a communication terminal for receiving and printing image information sent via the Internet. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Techniques for sending image information output from a facsimile and a scanner via the Internet are known. For example, a computer at the receiving end receives the sent image information, displays the information on a display, checks whether the displayed contents are contents to be printed, and if so, prints the displayed contents. 
     However, in the above conventional type communication terminal, if facsimile data is frequently sent or received between companies, such a procedure is very troublesome and working efficiency for printing received image data is reduced. That is, there is a problem that the above conventional type communication terminal cannot automatically go from receiving to printing as in a normal facsimile. 
     In addition, when facsimile receiving/sending is performed via the Internet, for example, either a system as shown in FIG.  12 (A), in which it is connected to a provider  103  through a public line  102  from a facsimile device  101  and connected to the Internet  104  through the provider  103 , or a system as shown in FIG.  12 (B), in which the facsimile device  101  is directly connected with the Internet  104 , is used. In FIG.  12 (A), the facsimile device  101  has a function of receiving/sending G 3  compressed data (data which has been encoded according to the G 3  standard), and in the system of FIG.  12 (B), the facsimile device  101  has a function of receiving/sending TIFF compressed data (data which has been encoded in the TIFF format). 
     Thus, when the operator wants to perform facsimile transmission through both the public line network and the Internet, it is necessary to handle two kinds of data, G 3  and TIFF, in one facsimile device. Therefore, for example, a TIFF buffer to accumulate the TIFF compressed data which was received via the Internet and a G 3  buffer to accumulate the G 3  compressed data which was received via the public line network are needed, and additional memory capacity is required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a communication terminal which can automatically print required image information received via the Internet. Specifically, a communication terminal is provided with receiving means for receiving image information via the Internet and a printer for printing the image information received by the receiving means onto a printing medium. The communication terminal operates such that if image information received by the receiving means complies with a predetermined format, printing instructing means instructs the printer to print the image information and the printer prints the image information received by the receiving means onto a printing medium. 
     The communication terminal may also enable image information to be read by reading means for reading information recorded on an original. 
     The communication terminal may also include receiving means that is provided with a function for receiving an electronic mail via the Internet and the above predetermined format denotes an image file according to a tag image file format (TIFF) attached to an electronic mail. 
     The communication terminal may also include a printer that is provided with a power source which enables activation when an activation instruction signal is input and printing instructing means provided with activation instruction signal output means for outputting an activation instruction signal to the printer when the printing instructing means instructs the printer to print received read information. 
     A storage medium stores a program for controlling a communication terminal provided with receiving means for receiving image information via the Internet and a printer for printing image information received by the receiving means on a printing medium. The storage medium operates such that if image information received by the receiving means complies with a predetermined format, the storage medium stores a computer program including a printing instruction program for instructing the printer to print the image information. 
     The communication terminal may also operate such that if image information received by receiving means for receiving image information via the Internet complies with a predetermined format, the above printing instructing means instructs the above printer to print the image information and the printer prints the image information onto a printing medium according to an instruction by the printing instructing means. That is, if received image information complies with a predetermined format, the image information can be automatically printed onto a printing medium by the printer. 
     Therefore, if the format of image information to be automatically printed has only to be preset, the user is saved from performing the labor that is involved when the image information is printed by the printer after the user receives displays and checks the image information. 
     In addition, the received image information may be information read by reading means for reading information recorded on an original. That is, facsimile data (read information) read by a facsimile (reading means) can be sent via the Internet, however, in that case, at the receiving end, facsimile data is required to be automatically printed as in a normal facsimile. 
     Facsimile data can only be automatically printed as in a normal facsimile by setting the predetermined format where facsimile data (read information) is sent via the Internet and determining whether the received data is facsimile data based upon that format. 
     Receiving means is provided with a function for receiving an electronic mail via the Internet and the above predetermined format is an image TIFF file attached to the electronic mail. That is, image information can be sent as a file attached to an electronic mail and for the format of such a file, a TIFF file is often used. 
     Therefore, if it is determined at the receiving end that a file attached to a received electronic mail is a TIFF file, the contents of the file can be automatically printed by a printer, and information attached to the electronic mail can be automatically received and printed. 
     Further, the activation instruction signal output means provided to the printing instructing means, outputs an activation instruction signal to a printer when the printer is instructed to print received read information and a power source provided to the printer is structured so that the printer is started when an activation instruction signal is input. 
     That is, the power source of a printer is not required to be powered on. Thus, because the power source of the printer is powered on only when an activation instruction signal is input, the power consumption of the printer can be reduced. 
     The storage medium may store a program for controlling a communication terminal provided with receiving means for receiving image information via the Internet and a printer for printing the image information received by the receiving means onto a printing medium. A computer program including a printing instruction program for instructing the printer to print the image information, is also stored in case the image information received by the receiving means complies with a predetermined format. That is, the computer can execute the printing instructing means by installing the program stored in the storage medium in the computer. 
     As described above, because the communication terminal is structured so that image information is automatically printed by the printer if the received image information complies with a predetermined format, the image information can be automatically printed on a printing medium if the format of image information requiring printing of image information received via the Internet has only to be set as a predetermined format. 
     Particularly, as the above image information is information read by reading means for reading information recorded on an original, it can be determined whether the read information can be automatically printed if the read information is sent via the Internet and the format is preset. 
     Therefore, the communication terminal can function as a normal facsimile. In addition, because receiving means is provided with a function for receiving an electronic mail via the Internet and TIFF is set as a predetermined format, it is determined whether the format of a file attached to the electronic mail is TIFF and in the case of TIFF, the contents of the file can be printed by the printer. As image information is often converted in TIFF if image information is sent along with it as an attachment to an electronic mail, processing from receiving to printing can be automated by determining whether printing on a printing medium is executed based upon whether the format is TIFF, as in the case of a normal facsimile. 
     Further, as the activation instruction signal output means outputs an activation instruction signal to the printer and the power source provided to the printer is activated according to the activation instruction signal when the printer is instructed to print received read information, the power source of the printer is not required to be continuously activated and as the power source of the printer is activated only when an activation instruction signal is input, the power consumption of the printer can be reduced. 
     In addition, a storage medium stores a program for controlling the communication terminal provided with receiving means for receiving image information via the Internet and the printer for printing the image information received by the receiving means onto a printing medium. The computer program includes a printing instructing program for instructing the printer to print image information if the image information received by the receiving means complies with a predetermined format. Therefore, the communication terminal can print image information received via the Internet automatically. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a communication terminal in the form of a facsimile device that receives information via the Internet and can handle two kinds of data, G 3  and TIFF, without enlarging memory capacity. 
     The facsimile device may include G 3  facsimile receiving means to receive facsimile data comprising G 3  compressed data via a public line network, a G 3  buffer to accumulate G 3  compressed data which the G 3  facsimile receiving means has received, Internet receiving means to receive data, which was converted to electronic mail based upon TIFF compressed data, via the Internet, TIFF-G 3  conversion means to convert the TIFF compressed data which the Internet receiving means received to G 3  compressed data and write the data to the G 3  buffer, G 3  decompression means to read the G 3  compressed data from the G 3  buffer and decompress the data into image data, and printing means to print the image data which was decompressed by the G 3  decompression means on recording paper. 
     TIFF compressed data which has been received via the Internet by the Internet receiving means, is written in the G 3  buffer after being converted into the G 3  compressed data by the TIFF-G 3  conversion means. More specifically, a process, such as TIFF decompression→temporary storage into image buffer→image buffer reading→G 3  compression→G 3  buffer writing, is preferably performed. 
     Furthermore, because the data which was received via the Internet is in an electronic mail format, the above processing is performed after the data is reversely converted into a format by the Internet receiving means and made into TIFF compressed data. 
     Thus, the data which was written in the G 3  buffer is decompressed (decoded into image data) by the G 3  decompression means and printed on recording paper by the printing means. As for the G 3  compressed data which is received via the public line network, the data is written into the G 3  buffer as-is and printed on recording paper by the printing means after the data is decompressed by the G 3  decompression means. As a result, the TIFF buffer to accumulate the TIFF compression data which is received via the Internet is not needed and it is possible to save memory capacity. Moreover, prior to printing the data on recording paper, both the data via the public line network and the data via the Internet go through the same route and are output to the printing means. 
     In addition, the facsimile device may also include document reading means to read a document, G 3  compression means to G 3 -compress the image data which was read by the document reading means, a G 3  buffer to accumulate data which was G 3 -compressed by the G 3  compression means, G 3  facsimile transmitting means to read the G 3  compression data from the G 3  buffer and send the data to a public line network, G 3 -TIFF conversion means to read the G 3  compression data from the G 3  buffer and convert the data into TIFF compression data, and Internet transmitting means to send data which was converted to electronic mail based upon the TIFF compression data which was converted by the G 3 -TIFF conversion means to the Internet. 
     The document which is read by the document reading means is always G 3 -compressed and accumulated in the G 3  buffer. Then, when the data is sent via the public line network, the G 3  compression data which was read from G 3  buffer is sent as-is through the G 3  facsimile transmitting means. Meanwhile, when the data is sent via the Internet, after the G 3  compression data which was read from the G 3  buffer is converted to TIFF compression data by the G 3 -TIFF conversion means, the data is sent through the Internet transmission means. More specifically, a process, such as reading data from the G 3  buffer→G 3  decompression→temporarily storage in the image buffer→image buffer reading→TIFF compression→output to the Internet, is preferably performed. Furthermore, the Internet transmitting means performs a format conversion of the TIFF compression data to an electronic mail format prior to outputting the data to the Internet. Therefore, prior to reading the document, it is not necessary to accumulate the TIFF compression data as data for going through the Internet, and it is possible to save memory capacity and use the same reading route. 
     The facsimile device may also include G 3  decompression means to read the G 3  compression data from the G 3  buffer and decompress the data, printing means to print the image data which was decompressed by the G 3  decompression means on recording paper, G 3  facsimile receiving/transmitting means to read the G 3  compression data from the G 3  buffer and transmit the data to a public line network and write the G 3  compression data which was received from the public line network into the G 3  buffer, Internet receiving/transmitting means to receive/transmit data, which has been converted to electronic mail based upon TIFF compression data, via the Internet, G 3 -TIFF conversion means to read the G 3  compression data from the G 3  buffer and convert the data into TIFF compression data and output the data to the Internet receiving/transmitting means, and TIFF-G 3  conversion means to convert the TIFF compression data which the Internet receiving/transmitting means received into G 3  compression data and write the data in the G 3  buffer. Accordingly, it is possible to receive/transmit two kinds of data, G 3  and TIFF, by facsimile without enlarging the memory capacity because each operation in the devices. 
     In addition, when the data is received, it is determined by the receiving route determination means whether the data is received via a public line network or via the Internet. Furthermore, when it is determined that the data was received via the public line network by the received data accumulation control means, the received data is written as-is in the G 3  buffer. Conversely, when it is determined that the data has been received via the Internet, the received data undergoes format reversing conversion from an electronic mail format to a TIFF compression data format, TIFF decompression is performed, the data is temporarily returned to image data, and the image data is G 3 -compressed and written in the G 3  buffer. Thus, upon completing the accumulation of G 3 -compressed facsimile data in the G 3  buffer, the printing means reads the G 3  compression data from G 3  buffer and prints out the data on recording paper as the G 3  decompression is performed. 
     The facsimile device may also transmit facsimile data comprising G 3  compression data via a public line network, and data which has been converted to electronic mail based upon TIFF compression data, via the Internet. The facsimile device may comprise transmission data accumulation means to read a document to be transmitted and accumulates it to the G 3  buffer as G 3  compressed data, address designating means to designate an address through either a telephone number or an electronic mail address, and transmission control means which, when the address is designated as a telephone number by the address designating means, transmits the G 3  compression data which was accumulated in the G 3  buffer as-is via the public line network as facsimile data, and, when the address is designated as an electronic mail address by the address designating means, reads the G 3  compression data which was accumulated in the G 3  buffer, performs G 3  decompression, temporarily returns the data to image data, performs TIFF compression on the image data, and sends the data to the Internet after performing a format conversion on the data from the TIFF compression data to electronic mail format data. 
     The document to be transmitted is accumulated in the G 3  buffer as G 3  compression data by the transmission data accumulating means. Furthermore, prior to the facsimile transmission, either a telephone number or an electronic mail address is designated by the address designating means. When this designation is performed as a telephone number, the transmission control means sends the G 3  compression data which was accumulated in the G 3  buffer as-is via a public line network as facsimile data. Meanwhile, when the address designation is performed as an electronic mail address, the transmission control means reads the G 3  compression data which is accumulated in the G 3  buffer, G 3  decompression is performed, the data is temporarily returned to image data, TIFF compression is performed on the image data, the TIFF compression data is converted into an electronic mail format, and then the data is sent to the Internet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a telecommunication line to which a communication terminal equivalent to an embodiment of the invention, is connected; 
     FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing showing the appearance of the PC and a printer an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the PC shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the printer shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of printing instruction processing executed by CPU  25 ; 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of printing processing executed by CPU  30 ; 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a facsimile device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing buffer areas and the like which are maintained within RAM according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the content of the facsimile receiving processing which is carried out in an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the content of the facsimile transmitting processing which is carried out in an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the data flow in the case of the facsimile transmission in an embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams showing methods of connecting with the Internet with a conventional facsimile device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of a communication terminal according to the invention will be described below. 
     For a communication terminal equivalent to this embodiment, a communication terminal installed in each section in a company will be described as an example. 
     First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a telecommunication line via which the communication terminal equivalent to this embodiment is connected. A communication terminal  1  is installed in every section inside a company C. The communication terminal  1  is composed of a personal computer  2  (hereinafter called PC) and a printer  3  connected to PC  2  via a coupling cable  4 . 
     PC  2  provided to each communication terminal  1  is connected to a hub (HUB)  6  via a local area network (LAN)  5 , HUB  6  is connected to a mail server  7  for allotting electronic mail. The mail server  7  is connected to a switching system  9  via a telephone line  8 . The switching system  9  is connected to the Internet A via an Internet service provider (ISP)  10  with which the mail server  7  is under contract. The Internet A is connected to ISP  11  with which a destination facsimile  13  is under contract and ISP  11  is connected to the facsimile  13  via a switching system  12 . 
     The switching systems  9  and  12  are connected via a public switched network B. The facsimile  13  is provided with a function for sending information read by a built-in image scanner which is reading means in the present invention via the Internet A or the public switched network B. 
     Next, referring to FIG. 2 showing the appearance, the configuration of PC  2  and the printer  3  will be described. 
     The body of a computer  21  in which the CPU is built, a keyboard  22 , a mouse  23  and a cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor  24  are provided in the PC  2 . The printer  3  is connected to the body of the computer  21  via the coupling cable  4 . A floppy disk (FD) drive  26  for driving a 3.5-inch floppy disk (hereinafter called FD) and a CD-ROM drive  27  for driving CD-ROM are also provided in the body of the computer  21 . 
     Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of PC  2 . CPU  25  for instructing the printer  3  to print and execute an operating system, various application programs and others, is provided inside the body of the computer  21 . A hard disk drive (hereinafter called HDD)  21   d  for storing various programs read by the FD drive  26  or the CD-ROM drive  27 , and received electronic mail, a LAN board  28  for receiving an electronic mail received by the mail server  7  via LAN  5 , RAM  21   c  for temporarily storing an electronic mail received by the LAN board  28 , and others, ROM  21   a  and EEPROM  21   b , are connected to CPU  25 . 
     In this embodiment, an application program for instructing the printer  3  to print (hereinafter called the printing instruction program) is stored in a storage medium, such as CD-ROM and FD. The printing instruction program stored in the storage medium is installed via the corresponding drive in the body of the computer  21 . 
     Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the printer  3 . In this embodiment, for the printer, an ink-jet printer will be described as an example. 
     The printer  3  is provided with CPU  30  for controlling each part of the printer  3  and a gate array  32  for receiving print data from PC  2  via an interface  31 , and controlling the expansion of the print data to image data which can be printed by an ink-jet head  3   a , as described below. ROM  33  in which a work program, and others, are stored and RAM  34  for temporarily storing print data received from PC  2  by the gate array  32 , are provided between CPU  30  and the gate array  32  and receive the required data between them. 
     A paper sensor  35  for detecting whether printing paper P (shown in FIG. 2) exists, a home position sensor  36  for detecting whether the ink-jet head  3   a  is located in a home position, a motor driver  38  for driving a carriage motor  37  that moves the carriage mounting the inkjet head  3   a , a motor driver  40  for driving a line feed motor  39 , a control panel  3   b  for applying various signals to CPU  30 , and others, are connected to CPU  30 . An image memory  41  for temporarily storing expanded image data is connected to the gate array  32 . A head driver  42  is operated according to the print data (image data) output from the gate array  32 , a transfer clock and a printing clock, and drives the ink-jet head  3   a . An encoder sensor  44  for measuring the speed at which the carriage is moved and for determining the printing timing, is also connected to the gate array  32 . 
     Next, referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the contents of printing instruction processing executed by CPU  25 , such that PC  2  receives an electronic mail sent from the mail server  7  and instructs the printer  3  to print image information attached to the received electronic mail, will be described. 
     First, in polling the ISP  10 , the mail server  7  dials ISP  10 , receives electronic mail addressed to the company C and stored in ISP  10  and sends the received electronic mail to PC  2  with a mail address specified by each electronic mail. 
     When an electronic mail is received in step S 10 , CPU  25  provided to PC  2  stores the received electronic mail in HDD  21   d  in step S 20 . Next, when the storage of the electronic mail is completed in step S 30 , CPU  25  determines whether a file is attached to the stored electronic mail in step S 40 . If the file is attached (Yes in the step S 40 ), CPU  25  determines whether the format of the file is TIFF in step S 50 . That is, CPU  25  determines whether the above file is facsimile data sent via the Internet. 
     Next, when CPU  25  determines that the format of the above file is TIFF (Yes in the step S 50 ), CPU outputs a power source activation instruction signal to the printer  3  in a step S 60  and outputs a printing instruction signal in step S 70 . Next, CPU  25  reads data showing the contents of the electronic mail and the attached file from HDD  21   d  in step S 80  and after CPU converts the read data to print data, it outputs the print data to the printer  3  in step S 90 . 
     Referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the contents of the printing process executed by CPU  30  of the printer  3  will be described. 
     When a power source activation instruction signal output from CPU  25  is input in a step S 100 , CPU  30  activates a power source  43  in step S 110  and when print data output from CPU  25  is input, CPU  30  stores the print data in RAM  34  in step S 120 . Next, CPU  30  extracts the print data stored in RAM  34  and instructs the gate array  32  to expand the print data to image data. CPU  30  sequentially stores the expanded image data in the image memory  41  in step S 130 , when the storage of image data equivalent to one page is completed (Yes in a step S 140 ), CPU  30  reads the stored image data equivalent to one page in step S 150  and executes printing in step S 160 . CPU  30  repeats processing between the steps S 120  and S 160  until the printing of data for the total pages is finished in step S 170 . 
     As described above, if the communication terminal  1  equivalent to this embodiment is used, it is determined whether the format of a file attached to an electronic mail received from the mail server  7  is TIFF and if the result of the judgment is TIFF, the file can be automatically printed. 
     Therefore, the user no longer has to perform the process such that every time an electronic mail is received, the contents are displayed on a display and after it is verified that the format of an attached file is TIFF, the contents are printed by a printer. 
     Particularly, when facsimile data read by the reading means is attached to an electronic mail and is frequently communicated between companies as in this embodiment, working efficiency can be considerably enhanced since the electronic mail is received when the attached file is printed. 
     The steps S 60  and S 70  executed by CPU  25  function as printing instructing means in the present invention and the step S 60  functions as activation instruction signal output means. 
     In FIG. 7, shows a communication terminal in the form of a facsimile device  100  comprising a CPU  110 , a ROM  130 , a RAM  150 , a scanner  170 , a printer  190 , a G 3  encoder  210 , a G 3  decoder  220 , a TIFF encoder  230 , a TIFF decoder  240 , an operating panel  250 , an LCD  270 , a modem  290 , a line controller  310 , a PC interface  330 , a mail controller  350 , and an LAN controller  370 . Moreover, the facsimile device  100  is connected to a public line network  300  through the modem  290  and the line controller  310 , and is also connected to an LAN (Local Area Network)  500  through the LAN controller  370 . Furthermore, the LAN  500  is connected to an Internet  700 . 
     CPU  110  centralizes control of the facsimile device  100  and performs various control processing for facsimile receiving/transmitting address registration, and the like, according to control programs which are stored in ROM  130 . In ROM  130 , control processing programs to be implemented by CPU  110 , necessary data, and the like, are stored in advance. 
     In RAM  150 , as shown in FIG. 8, a compression format conversion image buffer  150   e , used for compressing TIFF compression data to G 3  compression data, and for decompressing G 3  compressed data to TIFF compressed data, is maintained in addition to a work memory  150   a  used in the facsimile receiving/transmission control, a G 3  buffer  150   b  to store the facsimile receiving/transmission data of the G 3  compression format, a read-in image buffer  150   c  to store the image data which was read by the scanner  170  when the document was read, and a printing image buffer  150   d  in which to write image data to be printed out by the printer  190 . 
     The scanner  170  reads the document prior to the facsimile transmission. Furthermore, the printer  190  prints out the received facsimile data as image data to the recording paper. 
     The G 3  encoder  210  performs G 3  compression processing to encode image data such as the image data which was read by the scanner  170  to compression data of the G 3  standard. Furthermore, the G 3  encoder  220 , conversely, performs G 3  decompression processing to decode the G 3  compression data to image data. The TIFF encoder  230  performs TIFF compression processing to encode image data to compression data in the TIFF format. Furthermore, the TIFF decoder  240 , conversely, performs TIFF decompression processing to decode the TIFF compression data to image data. 
     The operating panel  250  performs the operation input of various processing, such as registration and designation of addresses. LCD  270  is disposed in order to display various messages or the like, such as the operating procedure and messages showing errors. 
     The modem  290  performs facsimile receiving/transmission via the public line network  300  through the line controller  310 . The line controller  310  performs operations, such as sending a dial signal to the public line network  300 , and responding to a calling signal from the public line network  300 . The PC interface  330  is used when a personal computer (PC) and the facsimile device  100  are connected. 
     When the facsimile transmission is performed as an electronic mail via the Internet, the mail controller  350  performs control so as to convert binary image data which was encoded by the TIFF encoder  240  to text-encoded image data and convert the facsimile data to the electronic mail format by adding header information, such as the electronic mailing address of the addressee. The mail controller  350  also performs control so as to reversely convert facsimile data in the electronic mail format which was received via the Internet, to binary image data in the TIFF compression format. The LAN controller  370  controls input/output via the LAN  500  of facsimile data which has been converted to electronic mail. 
     Next, the processing content of the facsimile receiving/transmission control performed by the CPU  110  is explained. 
     In the facsimile transmission control processing, as shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether the facsimile data is received via the Internet through the LAN controller  370  or via the public line network through the line controller  310  (S 1000 ). Furthermore, when the facsimile data is received via the Internet (S 1000 : Internet), a format reverse conversion is first performed from the electronic mail format to binary image data in the TIFF compression format (S 2000 ) in the mail controller  350 . Then, the facsimile data which has been reversely converted, is input to the TIFF decoder  240  as it is decompressed (S 3000 ) and the data is written into the compression format converting image buffer  150   e  which is maintained in RAM  150  (S 3500 ). Sequentially, the image data is read from the compression format converting image buffer  150   e  (S 4000 ), the data is input to the G 3  encoder  210 , G 3  compression is performed (S 4500 ), and the data is written to the G 3  buffer  150   b  of RAM  150  (S 5000 ). Meanwhile, when the data is received via the public line network (S 1000 : public line), the received data is written into the G 3  buffer as-is (S 5000 ). 
     Furthermore, when writing of the data to the G 3  buffer is completed (S 6000 : YES), the G 3  compression data is read from the G 3  buffer and is input to the G 3  decoder  220 , G 3  decompression is performed (S 7000 ), and the data is written to the printing image buffer  150   d  (S 8000 ). Moreover, printing of facsimile data which was received is performed by driving the printer  210  (S 9000 ). 
     Prior to the facsimile transmission processing, as shown in FIG. 10, first of all, inputting of the address from the operating panel  250  is performed (S 1100 ). As an address, a telephone number or an electronic mail address may be input. Next, reading of the document is performed by driving the scanner  170  and the read image data is written to the reading image buffer  150   c  (S 1200 ). Following the document reading, the image data is read from the reading image buffer  150   c  and G 3  compression processing is performed by the G 3  encoder  210  (S 1300 ). Then, the data which was G 3 -compressed is accumulated in the G 3  buffer  150   b  of RAM  150  (S 1400 ). 
     Thus, when all the documents to be transmitted are stored in the G 3  buffer  150   b  (S 1500 : YES), it is determined whether the first address input is a telephone number or an electronic mail address (S 1600 ). When it is an electronic mail address (S 1600 : mail), the data is read from the G 3  buffer  150   b  (S 1700 ), G 3  decompression is performed by the G 3  decoder  22  (S 1800 ), and processing is performed to write the obtained image data into the compression format converting image buffer  150   e  which is maintained in RAM  150  (S 1900 ). Furthermore, the image data is then read from the compression format converting image buffer  150   e  (S 2000 ). The data is input to the TIFF encoder  230  and TIFF compression is performed (S 2100 ), the format conversion to electronic mail is performed in the mail controller  350  (S 2200 ), the data is output to the LAN controller  370  and the facsimile transmission begins via the Internet (S 2300 ). Moreover, when the address is a telephone number (S 1600 : telephone) the G 3  compressed data is read from the G 3  buffer  150   b  (S 2400 ), the G 3  compressed data which was read is output as-is to the modem  290  and the line controller  310 , and the facsimile transmission begins via the public line network (S 2500 ). 
     Next, FIG. 11 is a diagram that shows the data flow in the facsimile device  100  one of the embodiments explained above. 
     First, the data flow is explained when facsimile transmission is performed via the public line network. The document which was read by the scanner  170  is stored in the reading image buffer  150   c , input to the G 3  encoder  210 , becomes compressed data (G 3  compressed data ) according to the G 3  standard, and this data is stored in the G 3  data which is stored in the G 3  buffer  150   b  is transmitted to the public line network  300  through the modem  290  and the line controller  310 . 
     Meanwhile, when facsimile transmission is performed via the Internet  700 , the G 3  compressed data which is stored in the G 3  buffer  150   b  is decompressed by the G 3  decoder  220  as it is written in the compression format converting image buffer  150   e . Furthermore, the image data which was written in the compression format converting image buffer  150   e  is processed into data which is sequentially compressed in the TIFF format by the TIFF encoder  230  (TIFF compression data) and is transmitted to the Internet  700  through the mail controller  350  and the LAN controller  370 . 
     In addition, the G 3  compressed data which was received by the line controller  310  and the modem  290  via the public line network  300  is written to the G 3  buffer  150   b . Moreover, the G 3  decoder  220  sequentially reads the received data which has finished being stored in the G 3  buffer  150   b , decodes (decompresses) it, develops it as image data into the printing image buffer  150   d . The image data which has been thus developed into the printing image buffer  150   d  is output to the printer  190  and printed on recording paper. 
     Meanwhile, the TIFF compressed data in the electronic mail format which was received by the LAN controller  370  via the Internet  700  is reversely converted to binary image data in the mail controller  350  and is developed in the compression format converting image buffer  150   e  as image data as it is decompressed by the TIFF decoder  240 . Furthermore, the image data which was developed into the compression format converting image buffer  150   e  is G 3 -compressed by the G 3  encoder  210  and stored into the G 3  buffer  150   b . In addition, the received data which has finished being stored in the G 3  buffer  150   b  is read by the G 3  decoder  220 , developed as image data into the printing image buffer  150   d , and printed on recording paper by the printer  190 . 
     Thus, when printing facsimile data and reading the document, the data of both can be handled by the G 3  standard, and the case when reading the document and printing facsimile data are performed via the public line network  300  and the case when they are performed via the Internet  700  are made to be similar regardless of whether facsimile transmission can be performed via both the public line network  300  and the Internet  700 . Furthermore, the G 3  buffer  150   b  which stores transmission data uses the G 3  standard, which has higher compression efficiency than the TIFF format, and memory capacity can be saved. Moreover, although the compression format converting image buffer  150   e  is needed, this can be satisfied by developing part of the data to be transmitted as image data, so only a small memory capacity is needed. The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Needless to say, various embodiments can be used within the scope of the present invention. 
     For example, instead of processing by software, it is also acceptable to have hardware logic for performing the compression format conversion between the TIFF and G 3  by hardware between the G 3  buffer  150   e  and the mail controller  350 . 
     On the contrary, it is also acceptable to use a structure which responds by calculation processing of the CPU  110  without using hardware structures, such as the G 3  encoder  21 , the G 3  decoder  220 , the TIFF encoder  230 , and the TIFF decoder  240 . In a system which is directly connected to the Internet, cost does not change regardless of the length of the communication time and there will be no major problems, although the processing may take some time. 
     As explained above, according to the facsimile device  100 , by using the TIFF-G 3  converting means, it is possible to accumulate the data received via the Internet as TIFF compression data into G 3  compressed data and store the data in the G 3  buffer. A buffer for TIFF compression data accumulation is not needed, the memory capacity can be significantly saved, and facsimile receiving in two kinds of data formats, G 3  and TIFF, is possible. Furthermore, prior to printing out, the handling of data which is read from the G 3  buffer can be unified. 
     In addition, a document which was read by the document reading means is G 3 -compressed and accumulated in the G 3  buffer, and the G 3  compression data which was accumulated in the G 3  buffer, can be transmitted to the Internet and converted into TIFF compression data by the G 3 -TIFF converting means. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a buffer which accumulates the document which was read by the document reading means in the TIFF compression format, and the memory capacity can be saved. Furthermore, when reading the document for facsimile transmission, it is possible to use the same route, such as accumulation into the G 3  compression data. 
     Moreover, a structure is used in which data which has been received in the TIFF compressed format from the Internet, is printed after being converted into G 3  compressed data by the TIFF-G 3  converting means and stored in the G 3  buffer. Also, after the image data which was read by the document reading means is stored in the G 3  buffer in the G 3  compressed format, the data is converted into TIFF compressed data by the G 3 -TIFF converting means and can be transmitted to the Internet. Regardless of whether the TIFF compressed data can be transmitted, a buffer to store the TIFF compressed data is not needed and it is possible to save the memory capacity and have the same route for both the printing route and the document reading route. 
     Furthermore, when data is received, by having receiving route determination means and receiving data accumulation control means, it is possible to accumulate the data which was received via the Internet as G 3  compressed data into the G 3  buffer, and a buffer to accumulate the TIFF compressed data is not needed. Because of this, although facsimile receiving in both G 3  and TIFF formats is possible, the memory capacity can be saved. 
     Moreover, because of the mutual operation of the address designating means and the transmission control means, in the case of designation of a telephone number, it is possible to carry out the facsimile transmission as a G 3  facsimile, and in the case of the designation of the electronic mail address, it is possible to transmit G 3  compressed data via the Internet after converting the data into TIFF compressed data. In either case, the accumulation of the read document can be performed in the G 3  compressed data. Therefore, although the facsimile transmission can be carried out in two kinds of data format, G 3  and TIFF, it is possible to use the G 3  buffer for the accumulation of the data to be transmitted, and the memory capacity can be saved and the document reading routes can be unified. 
     Moreover, in either case of facsimile transmitting or facsimile receiving, data accumulation can be performed in the G 3  buffer, and it is possible to save memory capacity and to unify printing out and the document reading routes.