Abstract:
An image data transmission device retrieves data from a Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) tag associated with an original document by using an RF-ID reader. The image data transmission device generates first image data from the retrieved data, adds the generated first image data to second image data obtained by scanning the original document, and generates third image data. The image data transmission device transmits the third image data to a destination by facsimile or electronic mail.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an image data transmission device and an image data transmission method for transmitting image data of an original document in a facsimile communication or the like.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     In general, when transmitting an original document by a facsimile machine, a telephone number of a destination is entered by operating a ten-key numeric pad or a speed dial key. In such a type of facsimile machine, to eliminate time and labor for entering a telephone number by operating the ten-key numeric pad or the speed dial key, a proposal has been made to scan characters handwritten in a handwritten part of paper and to execute an Optical Character Reader (OCR) process for extracting the telephone number, and to make a call to the extracted telephone number for transmitting image data of an original document.  
         [0005]     The OCR process has a possibility of an error. There exists a drawback that a wrong telephone number is recognized and the original document is transmitted to an unexpected destination. Therefore, it is convenient if data of a destination, a subject, a transmitter and a date or the like is added to an original document by using another means and the data is retrieved electromagnetically and facsimile transmission is carried out.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention has been made in order to overcome the problems described above. An advantage of the present invention is to provide an image data transmission method which can eliminate time and labor and avoid erroneous transmission.  
         [0007]     According to a first aspect of the present invention, a Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) tag is attached to an original document. The original document is scanned optically and data is retrieved electromagnetically from the RF-ID tag. When transmitting image data of the original document, image data is generated in accordance with the data retrieved from the RF-ID tag. Then, the generated image data is added to the image data of the original document and transmitted.  
         [0008]     Further, in the present invention, the transmission of the image data includes general facsimile transmission using a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunications (ITU-T) Recommendation T.30, and electronic mail transmission in which image data of an original document is attached to electronic mail and the electronic mail is transmitted.  
         [0009]     According to a second aspect of the present invention, image data of a cover page that is independent from the original document is generated, and the image data of the cover page is added to the image data of the original document and transmitted.  
         [0010]     According to a third aspect of the present invention, image data of a Transmission Terminal Identifier (TTI) is generated, and the TTI image data is added to image data of each page of the original document and transmitted.  
         [0011]     According to the above-described aspects of the present invention, a transmission destination, a cover page according to a subject and a TTI are added to the original document just by attaching an RF-ID tag to an original document. As a result, an erroneous recognition and a recognition failure that occurred in the handwritten OCR process can be prevented.  
         [0012]     Other features, elements, processes, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a facsimile machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a view referenced for describing an original document used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a view referenced for describing a cover page image generated by the facsimile machine and an original document image.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a scanning operation of an original document carried out by the facsimile machine.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the scanning operation of the original document carried out by the facsimile machine along with  FIG. 4 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a scanning operation of data of an RF-ID tag carried out by the facsimile machine.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example of stored data of the RF-ID tag. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile machine according to the preferred embodiment includes a Micro Processor Unit (MPU)  1 , a Network Control Unit (NCU)  2 , a Modulator-Demodulator (MODEM)  3 , a Read Only Memory (ROM)  4 , a Random Access Memory (RAM)  5 , an image memory  6 , a display unit  7 , an operation unit  8 , a scanner  9 , a Coder-Decoder (CODEC)  10 , a printer  11 , a Local Area Network-Inter Face (LAN-I/F)  12 , a clock circuit  13  and a bus  14 .  
         [0021]     The MPU  1  has a function for controlling each component of the facsimile machine in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  4 . The NCU  2  has a function for controlling a connection with a telephone line network  20  and transmitting an address signal corresponding to a telephone number of a destination. The NCU  2  also has a function for detecting a ringing signal. The MODEM  3  modulates transmission data and demodulates received data in accordance with V.17, V.27 ter, V.29 or the like based on a facsimile transmission control protocol defined by the ITU-T Recommendation T.30. Alternatively, the MODEM  3  modulates transmission data and demodulates received data in accordance with V.34 in addition to the above-mentioned standards.  
         [0022]     The ROM  4  stores a program for controlling the facsimile machine. The RAM  5  temporarily stores data or the like processed by the MPU  1 . The RAM  5  stores data scanned from an RF-ID tag  32 . The image memory  6  stores received image data or image data scanned by the scanner  9  under an encoded state. The display unit  7  displays information to be notified from the facsimile machine to an operator, for example. The operation unit  8  includes various operation switches, such as a ten-key numeric pad, a fax key, a copy key, a start key, a stop key and a speed-dial key.  
         [0023]     The scanner  9  scans an image of an original document when carrying out a facsimile transmission or a copying process. The scanner  9  includes a motor  15 , a scanner mechanism drive circuit  16 , a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) line sensor  17 , an image processing circuit  18  and an RF-ID reader  19 . The motor  15  drives a scanning optical system. The scanner mechanism drive circuit  16  controls a drive of the motor  15 . The CCD line sensor  17  scans an original document. The image processing circuit  18  carries out an image processing of an image signal scanned by the CCD line sensor  17 . The RF-ID reader  19  scans data of an RF-ID tag. The RF-ID reader  19  is provided appropriately along a document transportation path of the scanner  9 . The RF-ID reader l 9  may be an RF-ID reader/writer.  
         [0024]     The CODEC  10  encodes scanned image data by Modified Huffman (MH), Modified Relative Element Address Designate (MR), Modified MR (MMR) scheme or the like. The CODEC  10  also decodes received image data. The printer  11  prints out image data scanned by the scanner  9  when carrying out a copying process, received image data received by facsimile, and print data transmitted from a remote device such as a Personal Computer (PC). The LAN-I/F  12  is connected to the remote device such as the PC via a LAN. The facsimile machine transmits and receives data to and from the remote device via the LAN-I/F  12 . The clock circuit  13  outputs a present time (year, month, day, hour, minute) . Each of the components is connected to one another via the bus  14 .  
         [0025]     An original document  31  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is used for facsimile transmission carried out by the facsimile machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A passive RF-ID tag  32  is attached on an upper end part of the original document  31 . The RF-ID tag  32  is a sheet material on which an adhesive is coated on a reverse side. “Destination”, “subject”, “transmitter (department and name)” or the like are printed on a front side of the RF-ID tag  32 . Furthermore, data relating to “destination”, “subject”, “transmitter (department and name)” or the like is stored in a circuit provided inside the RF-ID tag  32 . The RF-ID tag  32  may be attached on an appropriate position other than the upper end part of the original document  31 . The RF-ID tag  32  can also store “destination”, “cover page”, “transmitter” “transmitted date and time” and “transmission result” as illustrated in an example of  FIG. 7 . If the RF-ID tag  32  is prepared for each destination to which facsimile is transmitted frequently, the facsimile can be transmitted without operating the ten-key numeric pad, the speed dial key or the like for entering a destination. As a result, convenience of the facsimile transmission improves.  
         [0026]     Further, in the present preferred embodiment, the RF-ID tag  32  is attached on the original document  31 . However, the RF-ID tag  32  may be sandwiched between carrier sheets and attached onto the original document  31 .  
         [0027]     When the original document  31  is placed on a document placing part (not illustrated) of the facsimile machine and the start key of the operation unit  8  is operated, an image  31 a of the original document  31  is scanned optically by the CCD line sensor  17  and the image processing circuit  18  of the scanner  9 . At the same time, data stored in the RF-ID tag  32  of the original document  31  is scanned electromagnetically by the RF-ID reader  19 . In accordance with the data (“destination”, “subject”, “transmitter”) retrieved by the RF-ID reader  19 , the MPU  1  generates image data. The generated image data is added to image data of the original document  31   a  and transmitted.  
         [0028]     Next, with reference to flowcharts of  FIG. 4  through FIG.  6 , a description will be made of a processing operation when carrying out facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. At step ST 1 , an original document is set on the document placing part of the facsimile machine. Next, the process proceeds onto step ST 2 . At step ST 2 , a determination is carried out as to whether or not the start key of the operation unit  8  has been operated. When the start key has been operated, the process proceeds onto step ST 3 . At step ST 3 , the original document is scanned by the scanner  9 , and image data is encoded by the CODEC  10  and stored into the image memory  6 . Next, the process proceeds onto step ST 4 .  
         [0029]     At step ST 4 , a determination is carried out as to a presence or an absence of a next page of the original document. In case of a presence of a next page, the process returns to step ST 3 . The next page of the original document is scanned, encoded and stored into the image memory  6 . In case of an absence of a next page, the process proceeds onto step ST 5 . At step ST 5 , a determination is carried out as to whether or not a flag F is “1”. When F=1, the process proceeds onto step ST 12 . Meanwhile, when the flag F is not “1” (in other words, when F=0), the process proceeds onto step ST 6 . The flag F indicates that a stored content of the RF-ID tag  32  has been scanned properly by the RF-ID reader  19 . The flag is stored in the RAM  5  as F=1 or F=0.  
         [0030]     At step ST 6 , the display unit  7  displays a message, “Please select facsimile transmission, copy or cancel.” Then, the process proceeds onto step ST 7 . At step ST 7 , the operation unit  8  accepts a key input. Then, the process proceeds onto step ST 8 . At step ST 8 , a determination is carried out as to whether an input key is the speed dial key, the copy key or the stop key. When the copy key has been operated, the process proceeds onto step ST 9 . When the speed dial key has been operated, the process proceeds onto step ST 10 . When the stop key has been operated, the process proceeds onto step ST 11 . At step ST 9 , the printer  11  prints out a designated number of sets and executes a copying process. Then, the process proceeds onto step ST 11 . At step ST 10 , the scanned image data stored in the image memory  6  is transmitted by facsimile to a telephone number designated by the speed-dial key. Then, the process proceeds onto step ST 11 . At step ST 11 , the stored data in the image memory  6  is deleted, and the process ends. Further, a determination of the speed-dial key at step ST 8  includes a case where the start key is operated again after the telephone number of the destination has been entered by using the ten-key numeric pad. The above-described processes of step ST 6  and onwards are normal processes carried out when the RF-ID tag  32  is not attached or when the RF-ID tag  32  has not been scanned properly.  
         [0031]     At step ST 12 , data relating to date and time is retrieved from the clock circuit  13 . Then, the process proceeds onto step ST 13 . At step ST 13 , the MPU  1  generates a TTI image in accordance with the data stored in the RAM  5  and the date and time. Next, the process proceeds onto step ST 14 . At step ST 14 , a cover page image is generated in accordance with the data stored in the RAM  5  and the date and time. Then, the process proceeds onto step ST 15 . At step ST 15 , a telephone number of a destination is extracted from the data stored in the RAM  5 . Next, the process proceeds onto step ST 16 . At step ST 16 , a communication line is connected, and a dial is made to the extracted telephone number of the destination. Then, the process proceeds onto step ST 17 .  
         [0032]     At step ST 17 , a determination is carried out as to whether or not the destination has responded to an incoming call. That is, a determination is carried out as to whether or not the destination has responded to the call. When the destination does not respond to the incoming call, the NCU  2  disconnects the communication line and waits for redialing. Meanwhile, when the destination has responded to the incoming call, the process proceeds onto step ST 18 . At step ST 18 , a pre-message protocol of the facsimile transmission is executed. That is, as widely known, a probing of the communication line is carried out, and a symbol rate and a data rate or the like are decided. Further, if the RF-ID tag  23  stores a symbol rate and a data rate of previous communication, a value of the symbol rate and the data rate of the previous communication can be used. Then, the process proceeds onto step ST 19 .  
         [0033]     At step ST 19 , a cover page embedded with a TTI image is transmitted. Next, the process proceeds onto step ST 20 . At step ST 20 , image data of an original document embedded with a TTI image is transmitted.  FIG. 3  illustrates a cover page  33 a and an original document image  33   b . Next, the process proceeds onto step ST 21 .  
         [0034]     At step ST 21 , a determination is carried out as to a presence or an absence of a next page of the original document. In case of a presence of a next page, the process returns to step ST 20  and image data of an original document of a next page embedded with a TTI image is transmitted. Meanwhile, in case of an absence of a next page, the process proceeds onto step ST 22 . At step ST 22 , a post-message protocol of facsimile transmission, such as transmission of a Return To Control (RTC) signal, is executed. Then, at step ST 23 , a communication line is disconnected and the process ends.  
         [0035]     When the scanner  9  scans an image of an original document, the RF-ID reader  19  electromagnetically scans the stored data of the RF-ID tag  32  attached on the original document  31 . With reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 6 , a description will be made of a process carried out in this case.  
         [0036]     First, at step ST 31 , a determination is carried out as to whether or not the RF-ID tag  32  has been detected. The RF-ID reader  19  emits a radio wave and applies a response energy to the RF-ID tag  32 . When the RF-ID reader  19  receives the radio wave from the RF-ID tag  32 , the MPU  1  determines that the RF-ID tag  32  has been detected. When the RF-ID tag  32  has been detected, the process proceeds onto step ST 32 . Meanwhile, when the RF-ID tag  32  has not been detected, the process proceeds onto step ST 36 . At step ST 32 , the RF-ID reader  19  reads the data of the RF-ID tag  32 . Next, the process proceeds onto step ST 33 . At step ST 33 , a determination is carried out as to whether or not the data has been read. That is, a determination is carried out as to whether or not the RF-ID reader  19  has successfully demodulated the data in accordance with the radio wave emitted from the RF-ID tag  32 . When the data has been read successfully by the RF-ID reader  19 , the process proceeds onto step ST 34 . Meanwhile, when the data fails to be read by the RF-ID reader  19 , the process proceeds onto step ST 37 .  
         [0037]     At step ST 34 , the data read from the RF-ID tag  32  is stored into the RAM  5 . Specific examples of the data are “destination”, “subject” and “transmitter”. Next, the process proceeds onto step ST 35 . At step ST 35 , the flag F is set at “1”.  
         [0038]     At step ST 36 , a determination is carried out as to whether or not a scanning of the original document has been completed. When the scanning of the original document has not been completed, the process returns to step ST 31  and the detection process of the RF-ID tag  32  is continued. Meanwhile, when the scanning of the original document has been completed, the process proceeds onto step ST 37 . At step ST 37 , including a case whether the data of the RF-ID tag  32  fails to be scanned at step ST 33 , the flag F is set at “0”. Then, the process returns to a main routine.  
         [0039]     Further, the above-described preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described based on facsimile communication by the ITU-T Recommendation T.30. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described facsimile communication. The present invention can be applied to Internet facsimile transmission in which an image file is attached to electronic mail. The Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), the Graphic Interchange Format (GIF), the Portable Document Format (PDF) or the like can be applied as a format of an image file. For example, created electronic mail is transmitted to a mail server (not illustrated) via the LAN-I/F  12  by using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).  
         [0040]     Instead of just retrieving data from the RF-ID tag, a date and time of transmission and a transmission result can be written into the RF-ID tag. Further, the transmission result includes a form and a method of communication used and a communication speed (a symbol rate, a data rate), in addition to a success or a failure of the transmission. Accordingly, a confirmation can be made later on as to whether or not the original document has been transmitted successfully to the destination or under which communication method the original document has been transmitted.  
         [0041]     While the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than those specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the present invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.