JP2707459B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus connected to a computer network having an electronic mail function.

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a facsimile apparatus for transmitting image information performs an apparatus-to-apparatus transmission. For example, a facsimile apparatus that has completed image information transmission set for a sender, There is no means for notifying that image information has been received.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] For this reason, conventionally, for example, a sender who has set image information transmission has to go to the installation location of the facsimile apparatus and check whether or not the image information transmission has been completed. .

In addition, since the receiver of the image information cannot know that the received original has been obtained, the receiver may leave the received original and lose it. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of notifying a sender of a transmission result and notifying a receiver of a reception result.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, when a user is connected to a computer network having an e-mail function and user identification information on the computer network is operated and input as sender identification information, transmission is terminated. Form transmission result report information to notify the transmission result later and issue it to the computer network as an e-mail addressed to the sender identification information, and when the reception identification is notified in the pre-transmission procedure at the time of facsimile reception, after reception is completed The reception result report information for notifying the reception result is formed and issued to the computer network as an e-mail addressed to the recipient identification information.

[Operation] Therefore, for a user who can use the computer network to which the facsimile machine is connected,
Since the transmission result and the reception result of the image information transmission are notified, the sender and the receiver can surely obtain the information regarding the image information transmission for themselves.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a computer network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The computer network includes one host computer HST, n terminal devices TE1 to TEn connected to the host computer HST, and one facsimile device FX connected to the host computer HST. Device FX is a host computer
From an HST perspective, it is logically recognized as one terminal device.

The host computer HST has an e-mail function, an example of which will be described.

That is, the host computer HST stores the users of the connected terminal devices TE1 to TEn and the facsimile device FX.
The e-mail issued from is delivered to the mailbox equipped corresponding to the user of the destination.

Then, at the time of e-mail distribution, when the destination user is logged on from any of the terminal devices TE1 to TEn, the host computer HST displays a predetermined message or symbol display for notifying the arrival of the e-mail, Terminal device TE to which the user is logged on at the timing
Go to 1 to TEn to notify of incoming e-mail.

On the other hand, when the destination user has not logged on from any of the terminal devices TE1 to TEn at the time of e-mail distribution, the host computer HST sends an electronic mail when the user logs on from any of the terminal devices TE1 to TEn. A message notifying the arrival of the mail is displayed on the logon screen of each of the terminal devices TE1 to TEn to which the user has logged on.

As a result, the user who has been notified of the incoming call operates the terminal devices TE1 to TEn at the time of logon, checks the contents of the mailbox assigned to the user, and reads out the delivered e-mail.

 Thus, the exchange of the e-mail is performed.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the facsimile machine FX.

In FIG. 1, a control unit 1 is for performing operations of the facsimile apparatus and facsimile transmission procedure processing, and a system memory 2 includes a control program to be executed by the control unit 1 and various types of programs necessary for executing the control program. The parameter memory 3 stores information unique to the facsimile apparatus, for example, dictated user management information and destination management information, and is backed up by a battery 4. ing.

The scanner 5 is for reading an original image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image such as a received image at a predetermined resolution, and the clock circuit 7 is for transmitting current time information. It is for output.

The computer interface circuit 8 is connected to the host computer HST for exchanging various data, and the operation display section 9 is for operating the facsimile apparatus. It is composed of a container and the like.

The encoding / decoding unit 10 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. This is for accumulating image information.

The model 12 performs a predetermined modulation / demodulation process so that digital data can be transmitted using an analog line.The network control device 13 connects the facsimile device to an analog line network such as a public telephone line network. belongs to.
The network control device 13 has an automatic transmission / reception function.

These control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, scanner 5, plotter 6, clock circuit 7, computer interface circuit 8, operation display unit 9, encoding / decoding unit 10, image memory 11, modem 12, and The network controller 13 is connected to a system bus 14, and various types of information are exchanged between these elements mainly via the system bus 14.

 FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation display unit 9.

In the figure, a start key 9a is for instructing the start of the transmission / reception operation of the facsimile machine FX, a stop key 9b is for instructing a stop of the transmission / reception operation, and the numeric keypad 9c is a destination key. This is for inputting numerical information such as a telephone number.

The user code key 9d is operated by a user who can use this computer network to input identification information registered in the computer network (hereinafter, referred to as user identification information). The destination code key 9e is
This is for inputting the destination code of the receiving destination.

The liquid crystal display 9f is for displaying and outputting various messages from the facsimile machine FX to the operator, the status of the facsimile machine FX, and the like.

FIG. 4A shows an example of the user management information stored in the parameter memory 3.

The user management information stores, for each user, a user code for designating each user in the facsimile machine FX, a user name representing the name of the user, and user identification information.

FIG. 2B shows an example of the destination management information stored in the parameter memory 3.

The destination management information indicates, for each personal destination, a destination code for designating each destination in the facsimile machine FX, a destination name indicating the name of the destination, and a telephone number of the facsimile machine when transmitting image information to the destination. It consists of a telephone number and destination identification information that is user identification information in a computer network where the destination can be used.

FIG. 3C shows an example of the manager management information stored in the parameter memory 3.

The administrator management information includes the reception administrator identification information indicating the user identification information of the user who is the destination of the reception result report when the user identification information of the reception destination is not specified, and any abnormality or failure in the facsimile machine FX. And maintenance manager identification information indicating user identification information of a user who is a destination of an abnormality occurrence report notifying the occurrence of the error.

These user management information, destination management information, and administrator management information are formed by an administrator who manages the operation of the facsimile machine FX, and are stored in one of the terminal devices TE1.
~ TEn to the facsimile machine FX via the host computer HST. The upload process is omitted.

With the above configuration, the facsimile machine FX logs on to the host computer HST when the power is turned on, and is in a state capable of issuing an e-mail to the host computer HST.

In this state, the user of the computer network
To transmit image information using the facsimile machine FX,
When the transmission document is set on the scanner 5, the control unit 1 displays a guidance to the operator to input a user code.

Thus, if the operator operates the numeric keypad 9c to input a user code after the user inputs the user code key 9d, then the control unit 1 displays a guidance to input a destination code.

Thus, when the operator operates the numeric keypad 9c to input the destination code after inputting the destination code key 9e, the control unit 1 next operates the start key 9a to instruct the image information transmission start. Guidance display for input.

As a result, when the operator operates and inputs the start key 9a, the control unit 1 controls the scanner 5 as shown in FIG.
Is read, and the image signal obtained thereby is transferred to the encoding / decoding unit 10 for encoding and compression, and the image information obtained thereby is stored in the image memory 11. Then, when the accumulation is completed, for example, transmission management information as shown in FIG. 6 is formed and stored in the parameter memory 3 (process 101).

Here, the transmission management information includes a file number FNo for identifying transmitted image information, a user code UId representing a user code input at that time, a destination number CNb representing the number of designated destinations, and a destination number CNb for each destination. Destination information CD that stores destination code, number of calls and communication result
1 to DCm, communication mode information MOd indicating a communication mode set at the time of transmission, and image information area information MAp indicating a storage area of the image memory 11 in which transmission image information is stored.

Further, when the transmission management information is generated, the control unit 1 sets the number of times of calling of the destination information CD1 to CDm to 0 and sets untransmitted data as communication result information.

Then, from the transmission management information, one destination information CD (CD1-C
Dm) is selected, and the destination code included in the destination information CD is extracted (process 102).

Next, the destination telephone number and destination identification information registered in the destination code are extracted from the destination management information stored in the parameter memory 3, and the telephone number is called to perform a predetermined facsimile transmission process ( Step 103) is executed. In this facsimile transmission process, destination identification information is transmitted in a pre-transmission procedure for setting a transmission function performed prior to image information transmission.

When this facsimile transmission process is completed, it is checked whether or not the transmission operation at that time has been completed normally (decision 10).
Four).

Image information can be transmitted to the destination normally, and the result of decision 104 is Y
When it becomes ES, the data indicating the normal end is recorded in the communication result information of the destination information CD selected at that time (process 105), and the destination information for which the content of the communication result has not been transmitted is included in the transmission management information. It is determined whether there is one or more CDs (decision 106).

If the result of determination 106 is YES, the next destination information CD
Is selected (step 107), and the process returns to step 103 to perform a facsimile transmission operation to the selected destination.

When the result of the determination 104 is NO, it is checked whether or not the number of calls of the destination information CD selected at that time exceeds a predetermined number of times of recall and the number of times of recall is terminated (decision 108). When the result of the determination 108 is NO, the number of calls of the destination information CD is incremented (step 10
9), proceed to decision 106.

When the result of the determination 108 is YES, the recall operation for the destination of the destination information CD selected at that time is terminated, and the transmission operation for the destination cannot be normally performed. As a result, a method indicating an abnormal end is set (process 110), and the routine proceeds to judgment 106.

When the result of the determination 106 is NO, the transmission operation for all destinations has been completed, and the transmission result report representing the transmission result at that time is edited, for example, as shown in FIG. The e-mail with the text of the transmission result report as the user code UI of the transmission management information
It is issued to the host computer HST with d as the destination (process 111), and the transmission management information corresponding to the transmission operation is deleted from the parameter memory 3.

Here, the transmission result report includes an issue indicating that the report is a transmission result report, a date on which the transmission result report was edited, and a list display of communication results for each destination information CD. In the communication result list display, the destination code, the destination name stored in the destination management information corresponding to the destination code, and the communication result are arranged in one line in a predetermined format.

In this way, the user who has set the facsimile transmission is notified of the facsimile transmission result by the e-mail function of the computer network, so that the facsimile transmission result set by the user can be surely confirmed. In addition, it is possible to know without hassle.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the receiving process of the facsimile machine FX.

First, when a call is made from any of the partner devices and an incoming call is detected, a predetermined facsimile reception process (process 201) is executed to receive image information. At this time, when destination identification information is sent in a pre-transmission procedure for setting a transmission function performed prior to image information transmission, the destination identification information is stored.

When the process 201 is completed, it is checked whether the destination identification information has been received and stored in the pre-transmission procedure at that time (decision 202), and when the result of the decision 202 is YES,
The reception result report indicating that the image information has been received is edited, for example, in a format as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the reception result report is used as a text, and the user code of the stored destination identification information is used as the destination. An e-mail is issued to the host computer HST (step 203).

Here, the reception result report includes a title indicating that the e-mail is a reception result report, a date on which the reception result report was edited, and a list display of the reception results. The list of reception results is obtained by arranging identification information indicating the source of the received image information, reception time, number of received images, and reception mode (for example, confidential) on a single line in a predetermined format. is there.

When the result of the determination 202 is NO, the same reception result report as described above is edited, the reception result report is set as a text, and an e-mail addressed to the reception manager identification information is issued to the host computer HST ( Process 204).

In this way, when the facsimile machine FX receives the image information, it is set to the user of the destination if the destination identification information is specified at that time, or set in advance if the destination identification information is not specified. An e-mail with a report of the reception result to notify the receiving administrator of the facsimile reception is sent over the computer network, so it is necessary to monitor the reception periodically for facsimile reception. The trouble of going to the facsimile machine FX can be saved, and the destination is reliably notified that the facsimile has been received, so that the destination can reliably obtain the received document.

By the way, when the image memory 11 for storing the transmission image information in the facsimile apparatus FX is composed of a volatile semiconductor storage device, when an abnormality occurs in the power supply, the stored contents may be lost.

In this case, it is necessary to notify the user who has set the facsimile transmission of the fact, and the processing for that is performed in the ninth mode.
Shown in the figure.

This processing constitutes a part of the initialization processing executed by the control unit 1 immediately after the power of the facsimile machine FX is turned on.

That is, when the power is turned on, the control unit 1 logs on to the host computer HST as described above, and determines whether any transmission management information is stored in the parameter memory 3 and an untransmitted original is stored. Examine (judgment
301).

When the result of the judgment 301 is YES, it is checked whether or not valid data is stored in the user code UId of the transmission management information (decision 302). When the result of the judgment 302 is YES, for example, "transmitted There is a destination that has not been sent. ", Followed by the text of an unsent report that has a list of communication results similar to the sent result report, and the user code UI of the sending management information
An e-mail addressed to d is issued to the host computer HST (process 303).

In this way, the destination for which image information could not be transmitted is
The user who has set the facsimile transmission is notified by e-mail.

Therefore, the user can immediately perform the work of transmitting image information to an untransmitted destination, so that the reliability of image information transmission is improved.

Further, the facsimile machine FX is configured to notify a maintenance manager of any trouble, for example, out of received paper, unit abnormality, or the like.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, it is checked whether or not an abnormality has occurred (decision 401). If the result of the judgment 401 is YES, it is checked whether or not an abnormality occurrence report has already been issued (decision 402). When the result of the determination 402 is NO, the maintenance manager edits the abnormality report for notifying the abnormality occurring at that time, and stores the abnormality report as a text in the parameter memory 3. E-mail addressed to identification information on host computer
Issue to HST.

As a result, the maintenance manager can quickly recognize the abnormality occurring in the facsimile machine FX, and thereby can smoothly operate the facsimile machine FX.

Note that the processing in FIG. 10 is performed at regular time intervals when the facsimile machine FX is in a standby state.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the computer network is configured by one host computer HST and the terminals TE1 to TEn and the facsimile device FX connected thereto. As described above, the computer network is configured by one host computer HST. The present invention can be similarly applied to a wide-area computer network configured by connecting a plurality of local computer networks.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a wide-area computer network.

This computer network is composed of local computer networks CSA, CSB, CSC and host computers HSA, HSC which constitute the computer networks CSA, CSB, CSC.
Connect SB, HSC, and each host computer HSA,
It is composed of a data communication network DX for exchanging data in HSB and HSC.

The computer network CSA includes a host computer HSA and a plurality of terminals TA1 to TAn and a facsimile apparatus FXA connected thereto.The computer network CSB includes a host computer HSB and a plurality of terminals TB1 to TBn connected thereto. The computer network CSC comprises a facsimile machine FXB, and the host computer HSC comprises a plurality of terminals TC1 to TCn connected thereto and a facsimile machine FXC.
XA, FXB, FXC are connected to the public telephone network PX.

In addition, each computer network CSA, CSB,
A network identifier is set in the CSC. For example, "[network identifier] ◎ [user identifier]" adds the network identifier to the beginning of the user identifier so that other computers can be used. Network CS
E-mail can be issued to A, CSB and CSC users. In the following, user identification information to which a network identification name has been added is referred to as network user identification information.

In this embodiment, the facsimile machines FXA, FXB, FXC are:
At the time of transmission, in the pre-transmission procedure, destination identification information and sender identification information obtained by adding the network identification information of the computer networks CSA, CSB, and CSC to which the terminal belongs to the head of the user code to the receiving device. Notice.

 On the other hand, the receiving side performs the processing as shown in FIG.

That is, when a call is made from one of the partner devices and an incoming call is detected, a predetermined facsimile reception process (process 501) is executed to receive image information. At this time, when the destination identification information and the sender identification information are sent in the pre-transmission procedure, the destination identification information is stored.

When the process 501 ends, it is checked whether the destination identification information has been received and stored in the pre-transmission procedure at that time (decision 502). If the result of the decision 502 is YES,
The reception result report similar to the above is edited, and the reception result report is used as a text, and an e-mail addressed to the user code of the stored destination identification information is issued to the host computer (process 503).

When the result of the determination 502 is NO, the same reception result report as described above is edited, the reception result report is used as a text, and an e-mail addressed to the reception manager identification information is issued to the host computer (processing 504).

Next, it is checked whether or not the sender identification information is stored (decision 505). If the result of the decision 505 is YES, for example, a reception notification report of the text "A facsimile message from you has been received." With the contents
An e-mail addressed to the sender identification information is issued to the host computer (process 506).

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the reception result of the facsimile transmission performed to the destination of another computer network is notified to the sender who has set the facsimile transmission. The result of the set image information transmission can be clearly known.

By the way, the progress of facsimile transmission set by the sender may be confirmed. In this case, for example, when the sender requests the host computer for a progress confirmation service of the transmission process of the facsimile apparatus, the host computer transmits the request to the facsimile apparatus.
Inquire about the progress of facsimile transmission set by the sender.

As a result, the facsimile apparatus searches for the transmission management information in which the user identification information of the sender is registered, edits the transmission result report at that time as described above, makes the transmission result report a text, and specifies the transmission result report. An e-mail addressed to the user identification information of the sender is issued to the host computer.

As a result, the user can obtain information on the progress of facsimile transmission set by the user.

It should be noted that the user can directly issue an e-mail to the facsimile apparatus and make an inquiry about it.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the transmission result and the reception result of the image information transmission are notified using the e-mail function of the computer network. This has the effect that the user can surely obtain information on image information transmission to himself.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a computer network according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an operation display unit of the facsimile machine. Partial view showing a configuration example of
FIG. 4 (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of user management information, FIG. 4 (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of destination management information, FIG. 4 (c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of administrator management information, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a transmission process, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of transmission management information, FIG. 7 (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transmission result report, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a result report, FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reception process, FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process example at the time of power-on, FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a wide-area computer network, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the receiving process. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 2 ... System memory, 3 ... Parameter memory, 8 ... Computer interface circuit, 9 ... Operation display part, HST, HSA, HSB, HSC ... Host computer, TA1-TA
n, TB1 to TBn, TC1 to TCn, TE1 to TEn ... Terminal, FX, FXA, FXB, FXC
... Facsimile machine.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. Interface means for connecting to a computer network having an e-mail function, and sender identification information input means for operating and inputting user identification information on the computer network as sender identification information. When the sender identification information is input by the sender identification information input means, transmission result report information for notifying the transmission result after the transmission is completed is issued to the computer network as an e-mail addressed to the sender identification information. A facsimile apparatus, comprising: 2. Interface means for connecting to a computer network having an e-mail function, and receiver identification information input means for operating and inputting user identification information on the computer network as recipient identification information. When the receiver identification information is input by the receiver identification information input means during facsimile transmission, the receiver identification information is notified as destination identification information in the pre-transmission procedure of facsimile transmission, and the destination is transmitted in the pre-transmission procedure in facsimile reception. And control means for forming reception result report information for notifying a reception result after completion of reception when the receiver identification information is notified as identification information, and issuing the reception result report information to the computer network as an e-mail addressed to the receiver identification information. Facsimile machine. 3. An interface means for connecting to a computer network having an e-mail function, and reception information manager identification information storage for storing identification information of a reception information manager among users who can use the computer network. A facsimile apparatus comprising: receiving means for generating reception result report information for notifying a reception result after facsimile reception, and issuing the reception result report information to the computer network as an e-mail addressed to reception information manager identification information. 4. Interface means for connecting to a computer network having an e-mail function, and maintenance manager identification information storage means for storing maintenance manager identification information among users who can use the computer network. And control means for forming abnormality notification report information for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the apparatus and issuing the same to the computer network as e-mail addressed to maintenance manager identification information. Facsimile machine.