JP2006020048A - Device and method for information communication - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly convenient device and method for information communication with an address registering function for registering address information of a communication partner in association with ENUM (tElephone NUmber Mapping). <P>SOLUTION: A telephone number of the communication partner is inputted through a telephone number input means and the inputted telephone number is used as a key to make an inquiry at a DNS server, and then at least one NAPTR resource record corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner is acquired by a DNS inquiring means. An address information extracting means extracts communication means and addresses from the acquired NAPTR resource record, a matching communication selecting means selects a matching communication means out of the extracted communication means, so that the selected communication means and the address corresponding to the communication means are registered as address information of the communication partner in an address book. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information communication apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a highly convenient information communication apparatus and method having an address registration function capable of registering destination information of a communication partner in conjunction with ENUM (= tElphone Number Mapping).

  In recent years, with the development and popularization of network technology such as the Internet, protocols for communication performed via the network, computer equipment connected to the network, etc., communication costs are lower than communication via public telephone lines, and communication for other purposes. Network communication that can be used is widely used.

  There is also provided a communication device that enables information communication via a public network telephone line and a network with a single communication device.

  In such a communication device, for example, when performing information communication via a public network telephone line, the communication partner associated with the telephone number can be specified by inputting and specifying the telephone number of the communication partner performing the information communication. Information communication can be performed.

  In addition, when performing information communication via the Internet, information communication with a communication partner associated with an IP address or the like is performed by inputting and specifying an IP (= Internet Protocol) address or the like of the communication partner performing the information communication. It can be carried out.

  In this way, a communication device that enables information communication via a public telephone line and a network such as the Internet with a single device is functionally convenient, but it can be used as a communication partner for information communication. In the case of designation, it is necessary to input a telephone number or an IP address depending on whether the communication partner is connected to a public network telephone line or a network.

  In addition, the destination information such as the telephone number or IP address of the communication partner is registered in the address book, and the selected registration number is selected by selecting the registration number of the address book in which the destination information of the communication partner with whom information communication is to be performed is registered. It is also possible to perform information communication with a communication partner associated with a telephone number or an IP address registered in.

  However, when registering destination information of a communication partner in the address book, it is necessary for the user to input information such as the telephone number and IP address of the communication partner, so in particular, an IP address (for example, 203.126.226.111). Etc.) and the operation of inputting the domain name associated with the IP address is a complicated operation for the user and may be erroneously registered.

  Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a network facsimile apparatus that automatically registers an IP address at the same time as registering a telephone number of a communication partner when registering destination information of the communication partner.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when registering destination information of a communication partner, a plurality of address information is prioritized and registered in one one-touch dial or a shortened dial, and when transmitting image information, A network facsimile apparatus that transmits image information in a corresponding transmission mode by sequentially selecting a plurality of pieces of address information registered in the one-touch dial or abbreviated dial from a higher priority and a control method therefor have been proposed.

  In Patent Document 3, a priority instruction for performing communication in preference to a plurality of connection line types and a plurality of facsimile communication procedures is set, and a connection line type and a plurality of facsimile communication procedures based on the priority instruction are automatically selected. Facsimile apparatuses that are controlled in this manner have been proposed.

  Recently, the ITU-T (= International Telecommunication Union) E.I. By searching for DNS (= Domain Name System) using a telephone number based on the 164 recommendation as a key, it is possible to obtain a plurality of address information of communication partners having a plurality of communication means associated with the telephone number. A technique called ENUM (= tElphone Number Mapping) has been proposed.

This ENUM technology is an E.U. The telephone number based on the 164 recommendation is converted into an ENUM domain name, and the converted domain name is sent to the DNS for ENUM to make an inquiry, and the communication means available to the communication partner and the address associated with the communication means Etc. can be obtained in the URI format.
JP 2003-060836 A JP 2000-184118 A JP 2002-044357 A

  By the way, in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when registering destination information of a communication partner, communication means that can be used by the communication partner in conjunction with ENUM based on the telephone number of the communication partner and address information corresponding to the communication means. Etc., the acquired information is registered as destination information of the communication partner, and the communication partner is identified and communicated based on the registered destination information of the communication partner.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient information communication apparatus and method having an address registration function capable of registering destination information of a communication partner in conjunction with ENUM.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an information communication apparatus comprising an address book for registering destination information of a communication partner, a telephone number input means for inputting the telephone number of the communication partner, and the telephone number DNS inquiry means for obtaining at least one NAPTR resource record corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner by making an inquiry to the DNS server using the telephone number input by the input means as a key, and the NAPTR resource obtained by the DNS inquiry means Communication means, destination information extraction means for extracting address information from the record, suitable communication selection means for selecting a suitable communication means among communication means extracted by the destination information extraction means, and the suitable communication selection means And the address corresponding to the communication means selected in step 1 is sent to the address book. Characterized by comprising a registration unit configured to register as the destination information of the serial communication partner.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first aspect of the invention according to the first aspect, from among the suitable communication display means for displaying the communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means and the communication means displayed by the suitable communication display means. Communication selecting means for selecting the communication means to be registered in the address book, and the communication means selected by the communication selecting means and the address corresponding to the communication means are sent to the address book as destination information of the communication partner. It is characterized by registering as.

  The invention of claim 3 further comprises priority ordering means for prioritizing the communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means in the invention of claim 1, and is selected by the suitable communication selection means. The communication means prioritized by the prioritizing means and the address corresponding to the communication means are registered in the address book as destination information of the communication partner.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the prioritizing unit is a communication unit selected by the compatible communication selecting unit based on a priority level assigned to the communication unit set by the communication partner. It is characterized by prioritizing.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the communication service corresponding to the communication means is selected based on destination information of the communication partner registered by the registration means, and the communication The communication is made to the address corresponding to the communication means in the priority order given to the means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information communication method of an information communication apparatus having an address book for registering destination information of a communication partner, the telephone number of the communication partner is input by a telephone number input means, and the telephone number input At least one NAPTR resource record corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner is obtained by the DNS inquiry means by making an inquiry to the DNS server using the telephone number input by the means as a key, and from the NAPTR resource record obtained by the DNS inquiry means The destination information extraction unit extracts the destination information of the communication unit and the address, selects a suitable communication unit among the communication units extracted by the destination information extraction unit, and selects the suitable communication selection unit. The selected communication means and an address corresponding to the communication means are assigned to the address. And registers as the destination information of the communication partner to the book.

  Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means is further displayed by the suitable communication display means, and the communication means displayed by the suitable communication display means. The communication means to be registered in the address book is further selected by the communication selection means, and the communication means selected by the communication selection means and the address corresponding to the communication means are registered in the address book as destination information of the communication partner. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, the invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the communication means selected by the suitable communication selecting means is further prioritized by the prioritizing means and selected by the suitable communication selecting means. The communication means prioritized by the prioritizing means and the address corresponding to the communication means are registered in the address book as destination information of the communication partner.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the prioritizing means is the communication means selected by the suitable communication selecting means based on the priority given to the communication means set by the communication partner. It is characterized by prioritizing.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the communication apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a communication service corresponding to the communication means is selected based on destination information of the communication partner registered by the registration means, and the communication The communication is made to the address corresponding to the communication means in the priority order given to the means.

  According to the information communication apparatus and method of the present invention, the telephone number of the communication partner is input by the telephone number input means, and at least one corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner is inquired to the DNS server using the input telephone number as a key. The NAPTR resource record is acquired by the DNS inquiry means, the communication means and the address destination information are extracted from the acquired NAPTR resource record by the destination information extracting means, and the appropriate communication means is selected from the extracted communication means. And the address corresponding to the selected communication means and the address corresponding to the selected communication means are registered in the address book as destination information of the communication partner. It is possible to prevent registration and save the user input.

  Further, the communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means is further displayed by the suitable communication display means, and the communication means to be registered in the address book is further selected by the communication selection means from the displayed communication means, and the selected communication is selected. Prioritizing is further performed by the prioritizing means, the communication means selected by the suitable communication selecting means is prioritized by the prioritizing means, and the address corresponding to the communication means is stored in the address book. Since it is configured to register as destination information of the communication partner, the user can select and register a desired communication means to communicate with the communication partner, and can set the priority order of the communication means set by the communication partner. The registration reflecting the intention can be performed, so that unnecessary communication means can be prevented from being registered and communication can be performed by the communication means desired by the communication partner.

  Furthermore, the communication service corresponding to the communication means is selected based on the destination information of the communication partner registered by the registration means, and the communication service is configured to communicate with the address corresponding to the communication means in the priority order assigned to the communication means. Therefore, even when a server such as DNS is down, a communication can be performed based on registered communication means and address information corresponding to the communication means.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connection state of an information communication apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information communication apparatus 100 is connected to the Internet 180 and a public network telephone line (PSTN) 200. The Internet 180 has a computer 40 and an Internet FAX apparatus (= iFAX) capable of electronic mail communication. Each terminal device such as 50 is connected, and various terminals such as a telephone 10 and a FAX device (not shown) are connected to the public network telephone line (PSTN) 200.

  An ENUM system 60 to which the ENUM technology that makes it possible to implement the information communication method according to the present invention is connected to the Internet 180, and the ENUM DNS 190 (hereinafter referred to as "ENUM DNS 190") that constitutes the ENUM system 60. .).

  The ENUM mentioned here is the ITU-T E.E. NAPTR (Naming Authority Pointer) -RR (= Resource Record) registered in the ENUM DNS 190 using the telephone number based on the H.164 recommendation as a key. It is a mechanism for obtaining one or a plurality of applications corresponding to a telephone number based on the 164 recommendation in a URI (= Uniform Resource Identifiers) format.

  NAPTR-RR records information such as a communication type associated with a domain name based on a telephone number, for example, a type of communication protocol, an address of a communication partner, and the like, which will be described later in detail.

  In addition, ENUM is currently under investigation and standardization of ENUM specifications centered on the ENUM working group of IETF (= Internet Engineering Task Force), and ENUM applied in the information communication apparatus 100 according to the present invention is IETF. It conforms to the ENUM specification.

  By ENUM, one E.E. 164 can be associated with one or more available applications on the Internet 180. Communication means other than the telephone for the telephone number based on 164 can be provided in an integrated manner.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information communication apparatus 100 is an E.C. Referring to the NAPTR-RR information in which information such as communication means and addresses that can be used by the communication partner terminal device registered in the ENUM DNS 190 based on the telephone number based on 164 is recorded, communication suitable for the communication partner terminal device is performed. An application corresponding to the means is activated to enable communication with the communication partner terminal device.

  Specifically, for example, when an inquiry is made to the ENUM DNS 190 based on the domain name associated with the telephone number of the communication partner with whom information communication is to be performed, the NAPTR-RR information associated with the domain name is obtained from the ENUM DNS 190. I will reply.

  For example, if the URI “sip: info@nic.ad.jp” is obtained based on the NAPTR-RR information, the application program uses SIP for “sip: info@nic.ad.jp”. It can be recognized that it is possible to establish a session with a communication partner terminal device.

  If the communication partner terminal device supports Internet FAX communication, the information communication device 100 performs Internet FAX communication by starting an application, protocol, or the like capable of Internet FAX communication, for example.

  The applications include telephone, SIP, H.264. 323, facsimile, electronic mail, instant messenger, Internet telephone, electronic mail, WWW, etc. are assumed.

  The configuration of the information communication apparatus 100 capable of such information communication will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information communication apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information communication apparatus 100 is configured to transmit and receive information via the public network telephone line 200 and the Internet 180 using the ENUM, and the ENUM can be used for the Internet 180. Like E. An ENUM DNS 190 that provides NAPTR-RR information corresponding to a domain name based on the telephone number 164 is connected.

  The information communication apparatus 100 includes a system control unit 101 that performs overall control of the information communication apparatus 100, a scanner unit 102 that reads a document image at a predetermined resolution, a printer unit 103 that records and outputs an image at a predetermined resolution, and an information An operation / display unit 104 having various operation keys and various display units used in the operation of the communication apparatus 100, an image storage unit 105 that stores an image read from the scanner unit 102 or a received image, system data, A RAM (= Random Access Memory) 106 that stores the address of the communication partner, an image processing unit 110 that performs processing such as encoding, decoding, enlargement, and reduction for image data, and a file that performs file format conversion processing Performs transmission / reception processing of image information via the conversion unit 111 and the public network telephone line 200. Controls processing and transmission / reception of information transmitted / received between the FAX unit 120, the electronic mail unit 140 that performs transmission / reception processing of image information and the like using an electronic mail protocol, and the ENUM DNS 190 via the Internet 180. The ENUM DNS processing unit 150 is provided, and control signals and data signals of these units are transmitted and received via the bus 107.

  In addition to the service (= Scan to Email) for sending scanned image information in the specified file format to the specified destination, the electronic mail unit 140 includes ITU-T recommendation T.264. It also supports image information transmission / reception of 37 iFAX communication services.

  In addition, the information communication apparatus 100 includes a TCP (= Transmission Control Protocol) / UDP (= User Datagram Protocol) / IP (= Internet Protocol) control unit 108 that performs protocol control of the transport layer and the network layer of the Internet 180, and data A network interface 109 that performs communication control below the link layer is provided, and the information communication apparatus 100 and the Internet 180 are connected via a network 170.

  The network 170 is a network such as a LAN (= Local Area Network), for example. The network 170 is provided with a server (not shown) and the like necessary so that the Internet 180 and the information communication apparatus 100 can transmit and receive information. A server manages the information communication apparatus 100 and each terminal apparatus connected to the network 170.

  The FAX unit 120 includes a communication image processing unit 121 that converts image resolution, size, coding rule, and the like when image information is transmitted and received, and an ITU-T recommendation T.264. 30 includes a T30 control unit 122 that performs protocol control defined by 30, a modem 123 that performs modulation / demodulation of analog and digital signals, and an NCU (= Network Control Unit) 125 that controls connection to the public network telephone line 200. .

  The e-mail unit 140 includes a communication image processing unit 141 that converts image resolution, size, coding rules, and the like when image information is transmitted / received, and a mail protocol (SMTP, ESMTP) for performing transmission / reception control of existing e-mail and iFAX. , POP, etc.) is provided.

  By providing the communication image processing unit 141, it is also possible to support a real-time iFAX communication method (Direct SMTP method being established by IETF) that directly communicates with a terminal device of a communication partner without using a mail server.

  The ENUM DNS processing unit 150 makes an inquiry to the ENUM DNS 190 in conjunction with the ENUM, receives the NAPTR-RR information returned from the ENUM DNS 190 in response to the inquiry, and will be described later based on the received information. Perform various processes.

  The processing operation when information communication is performed by the information communication apparatus 100 configured as described above will be briefly described as follows by taking the case of transmitting image information as an example.

  For example, a user (not shown) first places a document of image information to be transmitted on a document table (not illustrated) of the information communication apparatus 100, and a telephone number of a communication partner to which image information is transmitted or an address corresponding to the communication unit and the communication unit. Information is input by pressing a numeric key (not shown) or various function keys (not shown) arranged on the operation / display unit 104, or a telephone number of a communication partner is selected by selecting a registration number of a communication partner registered in an address book described later. Or, specify each communication means.

  When faxing image information without linking to ENUM, the communication means that can be used by the communication partner is a public network telephone line based on the telephone number or communication means corresponding to the entered telephone number or the selected registration number. In the case of FAX communication via the 200, the image processing unit 110 performs image processing on the image data captured by the scanner unit 102 in response to a command instruction from the system control unit 101, and then passes through the image storage unit 105 for FAX communication. To the public network telephone line 200 via the NCU 124 in the FAX unit 120 to perform fax communication.

  When the communication means that can be used by the communication partner is iFAX communication via the Internet 180, the image processing unit 110 performs image processing on the image data captured by the scanner unit 102 in response to a command instruction from the system control unit 101. Thereafter, the file format is converted and MIME encoded by the file conversion unit 111 via the image storage unit 105, sent to the e-mail unit 140, and after protocol control corresponding to the communication means is performed, TCP / UDP / IP The fax is sent to the Internet 180 via the control unit 108, the network interface 109, and the network 170 to perform iFAX communication.

  When the image information is faxed in conjunction with ENUM, when the ENUM button (not shown) is pressed before and after inputting the telephone number of the communication partner on the operation / display unit 104, the communication partner is linked with ENUM. The communication device that can be used by the terminal device and the address information corresponding to the communication device are acquired, and the image information is transmitted based on the acquired communication device and the address information.

  Specifically, when an ENUM button (not shown) is pressed before and after inputting the telephone number of the communication partner, the input telephone number or the telephone number registered in the address book is converted by the system control unit 101 by the ENUM DNS. Sent to the processing unit 150, the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 converts the telephone number into a domain name in the ENUM format, and the converted domain name is transmitted via the TCP / UDP / IP control unit 108, the network interface 109, and the network 170. The NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the domain name is referred to by being transmitted to the ENUM DNS 190 connected to the Internet 180.

  For example, when the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 converts the telephone number into an ENUM domain name, for example, if the telephone number is “03-5297-2311”, the telephone number starts with the Japanese area code. Based on the above, the leading “0” is deleted. In accordance with the 164 number rule, the country code “81” of Japan is added, and a dot “.” Is added between numbers excluding symbols other than numbers, “8.1.3.5.2.9.7.2. .3.1.1 ”, and the numbers“ .e164.arpa ”are added to the end of the numbers in the reverse order and“ 1.1.3.2.7.9.2.5.3.1 ”is added. .8.e164.arpa "is converted into a domain name.

In response to the inquiry about the NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the domain name from the information communication apparatus 100, the ENUM DNS 190 refers to the domain name registered in the ENUM DNS 190 and sets the domain name transmitted from the information communication apparatus 100. Corresponding NAPTR-RR information is returned to the information communication apparatus 100.
The NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the domain name returned from the ENUM DNS 190 is input to the network interface 109 of the information communication apparatus 100 via the Internet 180 and the network 170, and further via the TCP / UDP / IP control unit 107. This is input to the ENUM DNS processing unit 150.

  Specifically, the NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the domain name transmitted from the information communication apparatus 100 is, for example, communication means (for example, the type of communication protocol, etc.) that can be used by the communication partner terminal apparatus corresponding to the telephone number. Information), address information corresponding to the communication means, and priority information of each communication means.

  Based on the NAPTR-RR information returned from the ENUM DNS 190, the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 extracts communication means that can be communicated with the communication partner and address information of the communication destination when the communication means is used in the URI format. Further, when the priority order of the communication means is set, the priority order is taken out, and the communication means of the communication partner, the address and the priority order are transmitted to the operation / display unit 104 based on the command instruction of the system control unit 101. Or to the RAM 106 for storing an address book or the like for storing address information corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner and communication means described later.

  When the user selects a desired communication means on the operation / display unit 104 displaying these pieces of information, the protocol of the communication means is activated so that communication is possible with the communication means selected by the user. The image information is transmitted to the indicated destination.

  The communication partner of the information communication apparatus 100 is connected to a telephone 10 or a facsimile apparatus connected to a general public network telephone line 200, an Internet facsimile apparatus 50 connected to the Internet 180, a computer 40, etc., and various networks. A terminal device or the like.

By the way, the information communication apparatus 100 according to the present invention links each communication means that can be used by the communication partner's telephone number, the communication partner's terminal device in conjunction with ENUM, the address corresponding to each communication means, and the priority of each communication means. It has an address book function for storing such information.
The address book function according to the present invention makes an inquiry to the ENUM DNS 190 when registering the telephone number of the communication partner, and obtains communication means suitable for the communication service supported by the terminal device of the communication partner and address information of each communication means. "Priority order setting type ENUM address automatic registration function" that is acquired and automatically registered in the address book in the priority order preset by the system data by the user, and communication suitable for the communication service supported by the terminal device of the communication partner A "priority setting type ENUM address manual registration function" in which a user selects a desired communication means from among the means and assigns priority to the address book together with address information of the communication means, and the communication means and each communication means It has a “manual registration function” in which the user inputs all information such as priority and address.

  In addition, the address book function according to the present invention makes an inquiry to the ENUM DNS 190 in conjunction with the ENUM when registering the telephone number of the communication partner, and is a communication means adapted to the communication service supported by the terminal device of the communication partner. And “priority reflection type ENUM address automatic registration function” for automatically registering address information of each communication means in the address book reflecting the prioritization set by the communication partner, and a communication service supported by the terminal device of the communication partner The priority selection type ENUM address manual registration function in which the user selects the desired communication means from the suitable communication means by reflecting the priority setting set by the communication partner and registers it in the address book together with the address information of the communication means. "have.

  The processing operation of the information communication apparatus 100 for operating these functions will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the user presses an address book registration function key (not shown) arranged on the operation / display unit 104 of the information communication apparatus 100, the address book registration function is started (step S300). A registered registration number selection screen (not shown) is displayed (step S301).

  When the telephone number of the communication partner or the registration number of the address book for registering each communication means is selected on the registration number selection screen of the address book, a registration menu screen described later is displayed (step S302).

  The name and telephone number of the communication partner are input on the displayed registration menu screen, and automatic registration or manual registration using ENUM is selected, or manual registration not using ENUM is selected (step S303).

  If manual registration not using ENUM is selected in step S303 (NO in step S304), ENUM manual registration processing is performed (step S312).

  In this ENUM manual registration process, the user inputs all information such as the telephone number of the communication partner that the user wants to register in the address book, the communication means other than the telephone number, and the address corresponding to the communication means.

  Further, when it is desired to input a plurality of communication means with priorities, the communication means can be prioritized and registered.

If automatic registration or manual registration using ENUM is selected in step S303 (YES in step S303), the ENUM DMS 190 is associated with the communication partner telephone number based on the communication partner telephone number input by the user. In order to acquire information such as the communication means and the priority order and address of the communication means, an inquiry process to the ENUM DMS is performed (step S305).
Based on the result of the inquiry to the ENUM DMS 190, when information such as the communication means and address associated with the telephone number of the communication partner cannot be acquired (NO in step S306), that is, the communication partner's telephone is sent to the ENUM DMS 190. If the NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the number is not registered, an error message such as “Destination is not registered in ENUM” is displayed (step S308), and the display returns to the registration menu screen display (step S308). S302).

  Communication such as communication means associated with the telephone number of the communication partner and information such as the priority and address of the communication means is acquired by inquiry to the ENUM DMS 190, and the acquired communication means is adapted to the service provided by the information communication apparatus 100. If it is determined whether or not the device is not suitable (NO in step S307), an error message such as “There is no compatible service for the destination” is displayed (step S308), and then the registration menu screen is displayed. The display returns (step S302).

  When it is determined that the acquired communication means of the communication partner is a communication means suitable for the service provided by the information communication apparatus 100 (YES in step S307), automatic registration using the ENUM selected by the user or use of the ENUM An ENUM automatic registration process or an ENUM manual registration process is performed according to manual registration.

  If automatic registration using ENUM has been selected by the user (YES in step S309), information such as the communication means associated with the telephone number of the communication partner and the address of the communication means acquired by inquiry to the DUM 190 for ENUM Is registered in an address book (not shown) of the RAM 106 (step S310).

  When manual registration using the ENUM is selected by the user (NO in step S309), the communication means associated with the telephone number of the communication partner acquired by the inquiry to the ENUM DMS 190 is displayed on the operation / display unit 104. Then, ENUM manual registration processing is performed in which the user selects a desired communication means and registers it in an address book (not shown) of the RAM 106 together with information such as the address of the communication means (steps S311 and S312).

  When the destination information input by the user is registered in the address book by the registration process corresponding to each registration method of the address book selected by the user, the address book registration process ends (step S314).

  A priority setting type ENUM address automatic registration function, a priority setting type ENUM address manual registration function, a priority reflection type ENUM address automatic registration function, and a priority reflection type that are operated by the processing operation of the information communication apparatus 100. Each processing operation of the ENUM address manual registration function will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a registration menu screen 400 corresponding to the registration number in the address book.

  In the registration menu screen 400, as described above, the user presses an address book button (not shown) on the operation / display unit 104, and selects the registration number of the address book for registering the telephone number or communication means of the communication partner. Then, the registration menu screen 400 is displayed on the operation / display unit 104.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the registration menu screen 400 includes an input field of a “destination name” field 402 and a “destination number” field 403 for inputting a communication partner name and telephone number, a priority setting type, or a priority order reflection. "ENUM automatic registration" button 404 for operating the type ENUM address automatic registration function, "ENUM manual registration" button 405 for operating the priority setting type or priority order reflecting type ENUM address manual registration function, and the manual registration function The “Manual registration” button 406 for operating the input data and the “CANCEL” button 407 for invalidating the selection of the input data and function buttons 404, 405, 406 are displayed. The user can select the communication partner to be registered in the address book. After entering the “destination name” and “destination number” using a numeric keypad (not shown), the “ENUM automatic registration” button 404, “ENUM Dynamic Registration "button 405, selects a desired one of the buttons of the" manual registration "button 406.

  Note that various screens such as the registration menu screen 400 displayed on the operation / display unit 104 are touch panel types, and the buttons 404, 405, 406, and 407 displayed on the screen are touched with a finger or the like. Functions registered in the button can be executed.

  When the user registers information such as the communication partner's telephone number and each communication means and the address of each communication means in the address book in conjunction with ENUM, the “ENUM automatic registration” button 404 or “ENUM manual registration” is used. ”Button 405 is touched, and when the user inputs all information such as the telephone number, each communication means, the priority of each communication means, and the address without interlocking with ENUM, Select Register.

  The “ENUM automatic registration” button 404 is a priority setting type for automatically registering information such as each communication means corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner and the address of each communication means in the address book in conjunction with the ENUM. Or, when it is desired to operate the priority-reflecting type ENUM address automatic registration function, an “ENUM manual registration” button 405 is used to connect each communication means corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner in conjunction with the ENUM, This is selected when the user wants to operate the priority order setting type or priority order reflecting type ENUM address manual registration function in which the user selects information such as the address of each communication means and registers it in the address book.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation screen 500 showing an operation for operating the “priority setting type ENUM address automatic registration function” on the registration menu screen 400.

  As shown in the operation screen 500 of FIG. 5, the destination name of the communication partner that the user registers in the address book on the registration menu screen 400 displayed on the operation / display unit 104 is, for example, “Taro Fuji” 402 and the destination number is, for example, “ When “03-1234-5678” 403 is input and the “ENUM automatic registration” button 404 is touched, the information communication apparatus 100 makes an inquiry corresponding to the destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 to the DNS 190 for ENUM. The communication means and address that can be used by the terminal device are acquired.

  The inquiry processing for the ENUM DNS 190 is mainly performed by the ENUM DNS processing unit 150, and the data of the input destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 is received from the operation / display unit 104 according to a command instruction of the system control unit 101. The destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 sent to the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 via the bus 107 and input by the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 is converted into a domain name in the ENUM format.

  The method of converting the destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 into the domain name in the ENUM format is similar to the conversion method described above, based on the telephone number starting from the Japanese area code, the destination number “03-1234”. 5678 ”403 deletes the leading“ 0 ”. In accordance with the 164 number rule, the country code “81” of Japan is added, and a dot “.” Is added between numbers excluding symbols other than numbers, “8.1.1.3.2.3.4.5. .6.7.8 "and then the numbers are reversed in order and the character string" .e164.arpa "is appended to the end of" 8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.3.1.1 ". .8.e164.arpa "is converted into a domain name.

  The ENUM DNS processing unit 150 sets the destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 to the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” in the ENUM format. The domain name thus converted is transmitted to the DNS 190 for ENUM connected to the Internet 180 via the TCP / UDP / IP control unit 108, the network interface 109, and the network 170, and the domain name “8.7. 6.5.4.3.2.2.1.1.8.e164.arpa "is inquired about NAPTR-RR information.

  The ENUM DNS 190 includes an ITU-T E.264 as shown in FIG. NAPTR-RR information 600 is recorded in which the domain name corresponding to the telephone number based on the 164 recommendation, each communication means associated with the domain name, the address corresponding to each communication means, and information such as the priority of the communication means are recorded. It is registered in a database not shown.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the NAPTR-RR information 600 registered in the ENUM DNS 190.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the NAPTR-RR information 600 registered in the ENUM DNS 190 is configured such that a plurality of resource records can be defined for one domain name.

  Specifically, the format of the NAPTR-RR information 600 includes a “$ ORIGIN” line and an “IN NAPTR” line. The “$ ORIGIN” line includes a domain name, and the “IN NAPTR” line includes “ It is configured to be able to record and register information such as the protocol service of the communication means associated with the domain name in the “$ ORIGIN” line, the address, and the priority order of the communication means.

  For example, the NAPTR-RR information 650 corresponding to the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” has a “$ ORIGIN” line indicating the domain name. A plurality of “IN NAPTR” lines 61 indicating resource records for one domain name of “8.7.7.6.5.4.3.2.2.1.1.8.e164.arpa” of 601; 62 and 63 are recorded and registered.

  The format of the “IN NAPTR” line is defined by a format such as “IN NAPTR order preference flags service registration replacement”, and “order” and “preference” indicate priority information, and the “order” value is prioritized in ascending order. When there are a plurality of values having the same rank and the same value of “order”, it indicates that the priority is higher in order of decreasing “preference” value.

  A character string defined in “service” indicates a protocol service, and “regexp” and “replacement” indicate address information.

  “IN NAPTR” line 61 “IN NAPTR 100 10“ U ”” E2U + ifax: mailto “”! ^. * $! mailto: info-fax @ ifax. com! "." Is "order" is "100", "preference" is "10", "flags" is "" U "", "service" is "" E2U + ifax: mailto "" 611, and "regexp" is "" ! ^. * $! mailto: info-fax @ ifax. com! "" Indicates that the address is "info-fax@ifax.com" 612 when the Internet fax protocol is available and Internet fax communication is performed.

  The “IN NAPTR” line 62 indicates that the e-mail communication protocol “E2U + mailto” is available and the address when performing e-mail communication is “info-mail@mail.com!” 622. , “IN NAPTR” line 63 indicates that the address “81313455678” 632 is available when the “E2U + tel” protocol is available and the fax communication is performed via the public network telephone line 200.

  As described above, communication means set in a plurality of “IN NAPTR” lines 61, 62, 63,... Are associated with one domain name 601 and registered.

  In response to the inquiry about the NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa” from the information communication apparatus 100, the DNS 190 for ENUM Refers to the NAPTR-RR information 600 registered in the DNS 190 for ENUM and corresponds to the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa”. Domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” 601 in the “$ ORIGIN” line 60 of the NAPTR-RR information 650 to be searched The information of a plurality of “IN NAPTR” lines 61, 62, and 63 associated with “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” 601 is transferred to NAPTR− Information communication as RR information Reply to location 100.

  If the domain name transmitted from the information communication apparatus 100 is not registered in the ENUM DNS 190, information indicating that the destination number is not registered in the ENUM DNS 190 is returned to the information communication apparatus 100.

  FIG. 7 shows the flow of inquiry information and response information between the information communication apparatus 100 for inquiry processing for the ENUM DNS 190 and the ENUM DNS 190.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the information communication apparatus 100 makes an inquiry to the ENUM DNS 190 for the domain name 601 in the ENUM format corresponding to the destination number 403 input by the user, so that the information communication from the ENUM DNS 190 is performed. NAPTR-RR information 650 is returned to the device 100.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the information corresponding to the domain name 601 is not registered in the ENUM DNS 190 in response to the inquiry of the domain name 601 of the information communication apparatus 100, “destination is in ENUM Information 651 indicating “Not registered” is returned from the ENUM DNS 190 to the information communication apparatus 100.

  The NAPTR-RR information 650 corresponding to the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” returned from the ENUM DNS 190 includes the Internet 180 and the network. The information is input to the network interface 109 of the information communication apparatus 100 via 170, and further input to the DNS processing unit 150 for ENUM via the TCP / UDP / IP control unit 107.

  Protocol information of “E2U + ifax: mailto” 611, “E2U + mailto” 621, “E2U + tel” 631 of “IN-NAPTR” lines 61, 62, 63 recorded in the NAPTR-RR information 650 returned from the ENUM DNS 190 Based on the URI information of “info-fax@ifax.com” 612, “info-mail@mail.com” 622, “8113345678; svc = fax” 632, the terminal device of the communication partner is Internet fax communication, e-mail communication It can be recognized that communication is possible by a plurality of communication means of fax communication via the public network telephone line 200.

  The “IN-NAPTR” line 61 indicates Internet fax communication, the “IN-NAPTR” line 62 indicates electronic mail communication, and the “IN-NAPTR” line 63 indicates fax communication via the public network telephone line 200.

  In the NAPTR-RR information 650, the address information of the communication partner is included in the URI information. For example, the address for performing Internet fax communication is “info-fax@ifax.com” 612, e-mail communication. The address in the case of performing “info-mail@mail.com” 622 is “8113345678” 632 in the case of performing fax communication via the public network telephone line 200.

  When the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 uses a communication unit capable of communicating with a communication partner terminal device based on the NAPTR-RR information 650 returned from the ENUM DNS 190 based on a command instruction of the system control unit 101, and the communication unit. The address of the communication partner is extracted in the URI format.

  The system control unit 101 transmits the communication means of the communication partner corresponding to the destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 extracted by the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 and the address information corresponding to the communication means in the RAM 106 via the bus 107. Automatically register in the address book.

  The priority order is registered in accordance with the priority order of communication services set and registered in advance in the system data by the user.

  When the communication means of the communication partner corresponding to the destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 and the address corresponding to the communication means are automatically registered in the address book of the RAM 106, the operation / display unit 104 performs ENUM automatic registration. An ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800 includes a destination information display column 801 (a portion surrounded by a broken line) for displaying a destination name and a destination number of a communication partner automatically registered in the address book, and a destination information display. A message display field 802 (a part surrounded by a broken line) for displaying an information message such as whether the “destination number” displayed in the field 801 is registered in the ENUM DNS 190 and whether automatic registration has been processed; , A priority order communication means display field 803 (a part surrounded by a broken line) for displaying the communication means corresponding to the “destination number” displayed in the destination information display field 801 and priority order information, and a priority order communication means display field 803. Edit buttons 8031, 8032, and 8033 for editing the address of the communication means corresponding to each priority displayed on the screen, and the communication means and communication corresponding to each priority To set and registered the address information after the editing process of the address corresponding to the stage in the address book to invalidate the "Settings" button 804 and the editing process "CANCEL" button 805 is displayed.

  Note that the communication means corresponding to each priority displayed in the priority order communication means display field 803 is displayed corresponding to the priority of the communication service of the communication means that the user wants to use and is previously set and registered in the system data.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the destination number “03-1234-5678” of the destination name “Taro Fuji” displayed in the destination information display field 801 input by the user is automatically registered using ENUM, the destination of the communication partner Of the communication means that can be used by the terminal device corresponding to the number “03-1234-5678”, the communication means that matches the communication service that can be used by the information communication apparatus 100 is selected, and the communication priority set in the system data is selected. For example, “priority 1: Scan to Email” with the highest priority, “priority 2: iFAX” with the second highest priority, “priority 3: FAX” with the third highest priority, etc. It is displayed in the display column 803.

  In the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800, when it is desired to edit the address information of the communication means corresponding to each priority order of the automatically registered communication partner, an “edit” button 8031 corresponding to each communication means in the priority order communication means display field 803 is displayed. , 8032 and 8033 can be edited.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing “edit screens” 810, 820, and 830 when the “edit” button of the communication means corresponding to each priority order of the automatically registered communication partner is pressed on the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800. It is.

  FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an “edit screen” 810 of “priority 1: Scan to Email” having the highest priority, and FIG. 9B shows “priority 2. scan priority” having the second highest priority. FIG. 9C is a diagram showing an “edit screen” 830 of “priority 3. FAX” having the third highest priority. FIG. 9C is a diagram showing an “edit screen” 820 of “Internet iFAX”.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the “Edit” button 8031 of “Priority 1: Scan to Email” is touched on the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800, an “edit screen” 810 is displayed, and an “edit screen” 810 is displayed. The "priority 1: Scan to Email" address "info-mail@mail.com" information and "sex: Fuji" and "name: Taro" information corresponding to the email communication means are displayed and edited or It is configured so that it can be confirmed.

  After editing or confirming on the “edit screen” 810, touch the “return” button 811 to transition to the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800, and then touch the “setting” button 804 on the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800 to edit it. Each information of the address “info-mail@mail.com” or “sex: Fuji” and “name: Taro” is updated and registered.

  As shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, in the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800, an “edit” button 8032 of “priority 2.Internet iFAX” or an “edit” button 8033 of “priority 3.FAX”. When is touched, an “edit screen” 820 or an “edit screen” 830 is displayed corresponding to each touched “edit” button, and similarly to the operation of the “edit screen” 810 shown in FIG. After editing or confirming address information corresponding to each communication means, touch the “return” button 821 or 831 to transition to the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800, and then touch the “setting” button 804 of the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800. Thus, each information such as each edited address is updated and registered.

  Next, the operation of the priority setting type ENUM address manual registration function in which the user selects and registers the communication partner's telephone number, each communication means, and the address corresponding to each communication means in the address book in conjunction with ENUM. Will be described.

  When operating the priority setting type ENUM address manual registration function, as described above, on the registration menu screen 400 shown in FIG. 4, the user selects the “destination name” and “ After inputting the “destination number” using a numeric keypad (not shown), the “ENUM manual registration” button 405 button is selected to operate the priority setting type ENUM address manual registration function.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation screen 900 showing an operation for operating the ENUM address manual registration function on the registration menu screen 400.

  As shown in the operation screen 900 of FIG. 10, on the registration menu screen 400 displayed on the operation / display unit 104, the destination name of the communication partner that the user registers in the address book is “Taro Fuji” and the destination number is “03”, for example. -1234-5678 "and touching the" ENUM manual registration "button 405, the information communication apparatus 100 uses the destination terminal device of the destination number for the ENUM DNS 190 as a communication means or communication means that can be used. Perform inquiry processing to obtain the corresponding address.

  As described in the operation of the ENUM address automatic registration function, the inquiry processing for the ENUM DNS 190 is performed by using the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 of the information communication apparatus 100 to input the data of the destination number “03-1234-5678”. After converting the domain name of the format “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” into the domain name, the domain name “8.7.6. "5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa" is inquired to the ENUM DNS 190 and returned from the ENUM DNS 190 "8.7.5.6.5.4. NAPTR-RR information associated with “3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” is acquired.

NAPTR-RR information corresponding to “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa” is, for example, “IN ^ NAPTR 100 10“ U ”” “E2U + ifax: mailto ""! ^. * $! mailto: info-fax @ ifax. com! "." And "IN NAPTR 100 10" U "" E2U + mailto ""! ^. * $! mailto: info-mail @ mail. com! "." And "IN NAPTR 100 10" U "" E2U + tel ""! ^. * $! tel: +81312345678; svc = fax! "."
The system control unit 101 transmits the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa” via the network interface 109 and the TCP / UDP / IP control unit 107. When the DNS processing unit 150 confirms that the NAPTR-RR information corresponding to is received by the DNS processing unit 150, the operation / display unit 104 displays an ENUM manual registration setting screen 910 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the ENUM manual registration setting screen 910 includes a destination information display field 911 (a portion surrounded by a broken line) for displaying a destination name (name) and a destination number (phone number) of a communication partner to be registered. Whether or not the “destination number” displayed in the destination information display field 911 is registered in the DNS 190 for ENUM, and a message display field 912 for displaying an information message prompting an operation for selecting and registering the service (part surrounded by a broken line) ), A priority order communication means registration field 915 (a part surrounded by a broken line) for registering the priority order of the communication means of the communication partner corresponding to the “destination number” displayed in the destination information display field 911, and priority order communication “Setting” button 913 for setting and registering communication means corresponding to each priority order registered in means registration field 915 in the address book of RAM 106 and priority order communication means registration field 915 "CANCEL" button 914 for disabling the registration processing of the communication means corresponding to each priority is displayed.

  In the “priority 1:” field 916 (the part surrounded by a one-dot chain line) of the priority order communication means registration field 915, the communication means having the highest priority among the communication means that can be used by the communication partner, for example, “Scan to” “mail” is displayed, and “Scan to mail” displayed by touching the registration button 9161 is registered as the communication means with the highest priority.

  The priority order is displayed in accordance with the priority order of communication services set and registered in the system data by the user in advance.

  When an arrow button 9162 is touched, a list of communication means that can be used by a communication partner is displayed on a pull-down screen 9163. A desired communication means is selected, and a communication button selected and displayed by touching a registration button 9161. The means is registered in the “priority 1:” column 916 as the communication means with the highest priority.

  In this example, “priority 1: iFAX” is registered.

  When a communication means is set in the “priority 1:” field 916 and the “register” button 9161 is touched, the “priority 2:” field 917 (a part surrounded by a one-dot chain line) of the priority order communication means registration field 915 is displayed. The communication means with a higher priority other than the communication means “iFAX” registered in the “Priority 1:” column 916 among the communication means that can be used by the communication partner, for example, “Scan to mail” is displayed.

  When the registration button 9171 is touched, “Scan to mail” displayed is registered as the second highest priority communication means.

  In this example, it is registered as “priority 2: FAX”.

  When an arrow button 9172 is touched, a list of communication means that can be used by the communication partner is displayed on a pull-down screen 9173. A desired communication means is selected, and a communication button selected and displayed by touching the registration button 9171. The means is registered in the “priority 2:” column 917 as the second highest priority communication means.

  Communication means corresponding to each priority order registered in the priority order communication means registration field 915 by prioritizing the number of communication means that can be used by the communication partner and touching the “set” button 913. Is registered in the address book of the RAM 106.

  As described above, the address book function of the information communication apparatus 100 according to the present invention reflects the priority setting of the communication means set by the communication partner for the communication means for performing information communication with the communication partner to be registered. It is configured to be able to.

  That is, at the time of registering the telephone number of the communication partner, an inquiry is made to the ENUM DNS 190 in conjunction with the ENUM, and the communication partner specifies the communication means suitable for the communication service supported by the communication partner terminal device and the address corresponding to the communication means. "Priority order reflection type ENUM address automatic registration function" for automatically registering in the address book reflecting the prioritization that has been set, and communication means desired from among communication means suitable for the communication service supported by the terminal device of the communication partner The “priority reflection type ENUM address manual registration function” that the user selects and registers in the address book together with the address of the communication means is reflected.

  The determination as to whether or not to reflect the priority setting of the communication means set by the communication partner is made by reflecting flag information “0” (not shown) set in the system data of the information communication apparatus 100: “1” ": Process based on information to be reflected.

  The flag information is set in advance by the user using a system data setting screen (not shown).

  The operations of the “priority reflection type ENUM address automatic registration function” and the “priority reflection type ENUM address manual registration function” will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation screen 510 showing an operation for operating the “priority reflection type ENUM address automatic registration function” on the registration menu screen 400.

  As shown in the operation screen 510 of FIG. 12, the destination name of the communication partner that the user registers in the address book on the registration menu screen 400 displayed on the operation / display unit 104 is, for example, “Taro Fuji” 402 and the destination number is, for example, “ When “031234-5678” 403 is input and the “ENUM automatic registration” button 404 is touched, the information communication apparatus 100 can communicate with the communication means and communication that can be used by the terminal apparatus of the destination number with respect to the DNS 190 for ENUM. Inquiry processing is performed in order to acquire information such as the address corresponding to the means and the priority of each communication means.

  The ENUM DNS 190 includes an ITU-T E.264 as shown in FIG. NAPTR-RR information 700 is recorded in which the domain name corresponding to the telephone number based on the 164 recommendation, each communication means associated with the domain name, the address corresponding to each communication means, and information such as the priority of the communication means are recorded. It is registered in a database not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 13, based on the NAPTR-RR information 700 registered in the ENUM DNS 190, for example, the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164 NAPTR-RR information 750 corresponding to “.arpa” is “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa” in the “$ ORIGIN” line 601 indicating the domain name. A plurality of “IN NAPTR” lines 71, 72, 73 indicating a resource record are recorded and registered for one domain name.

  Focusing on the priority levels of the “IN NAPTR” lines 71, 72, 73, “IN NAPTR 100 10” in the “IN NAPTR” line 73 has the highest priority, and the “IN NAPTR” line having the second highest priority. This indicates that the communication partner is prioritized with the priority of “IN NAPTR 101 10” of 71 and “IN NAPTR 102 10” of the “IN NAPTR” row 72 having the third highest priority.

  As described above, the communication means set in a plurality of “IN NAPTR” lines 71, 72, 73,... For one domain name 701, the priority of the communication means, the address corresponding to the communication means, etc. Information is registered in association with each other.

  In response to the inquiry about the NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa” from the information communication apparatus 100, the DNS 190 for ENUM Refers to the NAPTR-RR information 700 registered in the DNS 190 for ENUM and corresponds to the domain name “8.7.6.55.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” The domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” 601 in the “$ ORIGIN” line 60 of the NAPTR-RR information 750 to be searched The information of a plurality of “IN NAPTR” lines 71, 72, 73 associated with “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” 601 is transferred to NAPTR− Information communication as RR information Reply to location 100.

  If the domain name transmitted from the information communication apparatus 100 is not registered in the ENUM DNS 190, information indicating that the destination number is not registered in the ENUM DNS 190 is returned to the information communication apparatus 100.

  The flow of inquiry information and response information between the information communication apparatus 100 for inquiry processing for the ENUM DNS 190 and the ENUM DNS 190 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the information communication apparatus 100 makes an inquiry about the domain name in the ENUM format corresponding to the destination number 403 input by the user to the ENUM DNS 190, so that the information communication apparatus 100 receives the information from the ENUM DNS 190. NAPTR-RR information 750 is returned to 100.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, when the NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the domain name 701 is not registered in the ENUM DNS 190 in response to the domain name inquiry of the information communication apparatus 100, “the destination is Information 751 “not registered in ENUM” is returned from ENUM DNS 190 to information communication apparatus 100.

  The NAPTR-RR information 750 returned from the ENUM DNS 190 is input to the network interface 109 of the information communication apparatus 100 via the Internet 180 and the network 170, and further, the ENUM DNS processing via the TCP / UDP / IP control unit 107. Input to the unit 150.

  “IN NAPTR 101 10... E2U + ifax: mailto” 71, “IN NAPTR 102 10... E2U + mailto” 72, “IN NAPTR 100 10... Based on E2U + tel "73, the terminal device of the communication partner can perform fax communication via the public network telephone line 200 having the highest priority, Internet fax communication having the second highest priority, e-mail communication having the third highest priority, etc. It can be recognized that communication is possible using a plurality of communication means.

  If the priorities are the same, the priorities follow the priorities of the communication services that the user has previously set and registered in the system data.

  The ENUM DNS processing unit 150 is configured to communicate with a communication unit that can communicate with a communication partner terminal device based on the NAPTR-RR information 750 returned from the ENUM DNS 190 based on a command instruction from the system control unit 101. The address of the communication partner when the communication means is used is extracted in the URI format.

  The system control unit 101 sets the communication set by the communication partner based on the communication means, address, and priority information of the communication partner corresponding to the destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 extracted by the ENUM DNS processing unit 150. The communication means corresponding to the priority ranking of the means and the address information corresponding to the communication means are automatically registered in the address book of the RAM 106 via the bus 107.

  The communication means corresponding to the priority setting of the communication means set by the communication partner corresponding to the destination number “03-1234-5678” 403 and the address information corresponding to the communication means are automatically registered in the address book of the RAM 106. Then, the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 850 as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed to notify the user that the ENUM automatic registration has been performed by reflecting the prioritization of the communication means set by the communication partner on the operation / display unit 104. The

  As shown in FIG. 15, the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 850 is similar to the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800 shown in FIG. 8 in the destination information display field 851 (destination information display field 851 for displaying the destination name and destination number of the communication partner automatically registered. Whether the "destination number" displayed in the destination information display field 851 and the "destination number" registered in the ENUM DNS 190 and automatic registration reflecting the prioritization set by the communication partner have been processed A message display field 852 for displaying an information message such as whether or not (portion surrounded by a broken line), a communication means corresponding to the “destination number” displayed in the destination information display field 851, and priority order for displaying priority information The communication means display column 853 (the portion surrounded by the broken line) and the communication means address corresponding to each priority displayed in the priority order communication means display column 853 are edited. The edit button 8531, 8532, 8533, the communication means corresponding to each priority order, the “setting” button 854 for setting and registering the address information after the edit process of the address corresponding to the communication means in the address book, and the edit process are invalidated. A “CANCEL” button 855 is displayed.

  The communication means corresponding to each priority displayed in the priority order communication means display field 853 is displayed corresponding to the priority setting of the communication service of the communication means that the communication partner wants to use preferentially.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the priority of communication means set by the communication partner using the ENUM for the destination number “03-1234-5678” of the destination name “Taro Fuji” displayed in the destination information display field 851 is set. When reflecting and automatically registering, the communication means that matches the communication service that can be used by the information communication apparatus 100 is selected from the communication means that can be used by the terminal apparatus corresponding to the destination number “03-1234-5678” of the communication partner. In accordance with the prioritization of the communication service of the communication means that the communication partner wants to use preferentially, for example, “priority 1: FAX” having the highest priority, “priority 2: iFAX” having the second highest priority, 3 “Priority 1: Scan to Email” or the like having the second highest priority is displayed in the priority order communication means display field 853.

  In the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 850, when it is desired to edit the address information of the communication means corresponding to each priority order of the automatically registered communication partner, an “edit” button 8531 corresponding to each communication means in the priority order communication means display field 853. , 8532 and 8533 can be edited.

  In the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 850, the description of the processing operation for editing the address information of the communication means corresponding to each priority order of the automatically registered communication partner is the same as the processing operation described in FIG. For convenience, it is omitted.

  Next, the user selects the desired communication means from among the communication means suitable for the communication service supported by the terminal device of the communication partner, reflecting the prioritization set by the communication partner, and enters the address book together with the address of the communication means. The operation of the “priority reflection type ENUM address manual registration function” to be registered will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operation screen 950 showing an operation for operating the “priority reflection type ENUM manual registration function” on the registration menu screen 400.

  As shown in the operation screen 950 of FIG. 16, the destination name of the communication partner that the user registers in the address book on the registration menu screen 400 displayed on the operation / display unit 104 is, for example, “Taro Fuji” 402 and the destination number is, for example, “ When “031234-5678” 403 is input and the “ENUM manual registration” button 405 is touched, the information communication apparatus 100 can communicate with the ENUM DNS 190 using communication means and communication that can be used by the destination terminal device of the destination number. An inquiry process for acquiring information such as an address corresponding to the means and the priority order of each communication means is performed.

  As described above, the information communication apparatus 100 corresponds to the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa” in the inquiry process for the ENUM DNS 190. NAPTR-RR information 750 corresponding to the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa” from the ENUM DNS 190 Information of a plurality of “IN NAPTR” lines 71, 72, 73 associated with the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” 701 get.

  The system control unit 101 transmits the domain name “8.7.6.5.5.4.3.2.1.3.1.8e164.arpa” via the network interface 109 and the TCP / UDP / IP control unit 107. When the ENUM DNS processing unit 150 confirms that the NAPTR-RR information corresponding to the ENUM is received, the ENUM manual registration setting screen 960 as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the operation / display unit 104.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the ENUM manual registration setting screen 960 includes a destination information display field 961 (a portion surrounded by a broken line) for displaying a destination name (name) and a destination number (phone number) of a communication partner to be registered. A message for displaying an information message for prompting an operation for selecting and registering a service in which the service priority is designated from the registration destination whether or not the “destination number” displayed in the destination information display field 961 is registered in the DNS 190 for ENUM A priority order communication means registration field 965 (indicated by a broken line) for registering the priority of the communication means of the communication partner corresponding to the display field 962 (the part surrounded by a broken line) and the “destination number” displayed in the destination information display field 961 A “set” button for setting and registering communication means corresponding to each priority displayed in the priority order communication means registration field 965 in the address book of the RAM 106. 963 and priority communication means registration fields 965 to invalidate the registration processing of the communication means corresponding to each priority "CANCEL" button 964 are displayed.

  In the “priority 1:” field 966 (the part surrounded by a one-dot chain line) of the priority order communication means registration field 965, the highest priority corresponding to the prioritization set by the registration destination among the communication means that can be used by the communication partner. A high-priority communication means such as “FAX” is displayed, and “FAX” displayed by touching the registration button 9661 is registered as a communication means with the highest priority.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17B, the “priority 2:” column 967 (portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line) of the ENUM manual registration setting screen 960 is registered among communication means that can be used by the communication partner. When a communication means having the second highest priority corresponding to the prioritization set previously, for example “iFAX” is displayed and an arrow button 9672 is touched, a list of communication means available to the communication partner is displayed in a pull-down screen. The desired communication means is displayed in 9673, and the communication means selected and displayed by touching the registration button 9671 is registered in the “Priority 2:” column 967 as the communication means having the second highest priority. The

  Communication means corresponding to each priority order registered in the priority order communication means registration field 965 is obtained by prioritizing such processing as many as the number of communication means available to the communication partner and touching the “set” button 963. Is registered in the address book of the RAM 106.

  Thus, priority order setting type ENUM address automatic registration function, priority order setting type ENUM address manual registration function, manual registration function, priority order reflection type ENUM address automatic registration function, priority order reflection type priority order manual registration function One example of the operation in the case of performing information communication with a registered communication partner using an address book in which any of the above is operated to register information of the communication partner will be described.

  When the user presses an address book reference function key (not shown) arranged on the operation / display unit 104 of the information communication apparatus 100, an address book registration number selection screen (not shown) is displayed, and when an address book registration number is selected or entered. An address book reference screen 980 corresponding to the address book registration number as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the address book reference screen 980 includes a destination information display field 981 (a portion surrounded by a broken line) for displaying the destination name and destination number of the communication partner registered in the address book registration number of the address book. , A priority order communication means display field 983 (a portion surrounded by a broken line) for displaying the communication means and priority information corresponding to the “destination number” displayed in the destination information display field 981, and a priority order communication means display field 983. A “transmission” button 984 for transmitting information by the communication means corresponding to each priority displayed in “” and a “CANCEL” button 985 for disabling transmission processing are displayed.

  When the user touches the “send” button 984 on the address book reference screen 980, the information is sent to the address associated with “priority 1: iFAX” by the “priority 1: iFAX” communication means having the highest priority. The

  FIG. 19 shows a procedure of information flow between the information communication apparatus 100 and various servers when information communication is performed with a communication partner registered using the address book of the information communication apparatus 100. .

  As shown in FIG. 19, the information communication apparatus 100 uses “priority 1: iFAX” communication means based on information on the address book reference screen 980 corresponding to the address book registration number specified by the user. The address “info-fax@ifax.com” associated with “” is sent to the SMTP server 191 and associated with the address “info-fax@ifax.com” of the communication partner via the SMTP server 191. Sent to the selected terminal device.

  As described above, the information communication apparatus to which the information communication method according to the present invention is applied corresponds to the available communication means and communication means of the terminal device associated with the telephone number of the communication partner in conjunction with ENUM. Since information such as addresses and priority of communication means can be registered in the address book, it is possible to prevent erroneous registration when registering a communication partner in the address book and to save user input. Become.

  In addition, the user can select and register a communication means that communicates with the communication partner, and can also perform registration reflecting the intention of prioritizing the communication means set by the communication partner. Registration can be prevented and communication can be performed by communication means desired by the communication partner.

  Further, even if a server such as ENUM DNS server is down, a communication can be performed based on the registered communication means and address information corresponding to the communication means.

  The present invention can be used in an information communication apparatus having a plurality of communication means such as electronic mail, Internet fax, and fax.

  According to this invention, by inputting the telephone number of a communication partner, at least one address of an Internet resource such as an Internet fax or an e-mail address corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner can be acquired.

Schematic showing an example of the connection state of the information communication apparatus 100 according to the present invention The block diagram which shows the structural example of the information communication apparatus 100 concerning this invention The flowchart which shows the processing operation which operates each function of the information communication apparatus 100 The figure which shows an example of the registration menu screen 400 corresponding to the registration number of an address book The figure which shows an example of the operation screen 500 which operates the priority order setting type ENUM address automatic registration function The figure which shows an example of the NAPTR-RR information 600 registered into DNS 190 for ENUM The figure which shows the procedure of the flow of the information between the information communication apparatus 100 and the DNS 190 for ENUM in an inquiry process. The figure which shows an example of the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 800 The figure which shows an example of "edit screen" 810,820,830 The figure which shows the operation screen 900 which operates the priority order setting type ENUM address manual registration function The figure which shows an example of the ENUM manual registration setting screen 910 The figure which shows an example of the operation screen 510 which operates the priority order reflection type ENUM address automatic registration function The figure which shows an example of the NAPTR-RR information 700 The figure which shows the procedure of the flow of the information between the information communication apparatus 100 and the DNS 190 for ENUM in an inquiry process. The figure which shows an example of the ENUM automatic registration notification screen 850 The figure which shows an example of the operation screen 950 which operates the priority order reflection type ENUM address manual registration function The figure which shows an example of the ENUM manual registration setting screen 960 The figure which shows an example of the address book reference screen 980 corresponding to an address book registration number The figure which shows the procedure of the information flow between the information communication apparatus 100 and various servers at the time of performing information communication with the communication partner registered in the address book

Explanation of symbols

10 Telephone 40 Computer 50 Internet FAX Device 60 ENUM System 100 Information Communication Device
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 System control part 102 Scanner part 103 Printer part 104 Operation / display part 105 Image storage part 106 RAM
107 Bus 108 TCP / UDP / IP Control Unit 109 Network Interface 110 Image Processing Unit 111 File Conversion Unit 120 Fax Unit 121, 141 Communication Image Processing Unit 122 T30 Control Unit 123 Modem 124 NCU
140 E-mail part 143 Mail protocol control part 150 ENUM DNS processing part 170 Network 180 Internet 190 ENUM DNS
191 SMTP server 200 Public network telephone line (PSTN)
400 Registration menu screen 500 Operation screen for operating the priority order setting type ENUM address automatic registration function 510 Operation screen for operating the priority order reflection type ENUM automatic registration function 600, 700 NAPTR-RR information 800, 850 registered in DNS 190 for ENUM ENUM automatic registration notification screen 810, 820, 830 "Edit screen" for each communication means of the communication partner that has been automatically registered
900 Operation screen for operating the priority setting type ENUM address manual registration function 910, 960 ENUM manual registration setting screen 950 Operation screen for operating the priority order reflection type ENUM manual registration function 980 Address book reference screen

Claims (10)

In an information communication apparatus having an address book for registering destination information of a communication partner,
Telephone number input means for inputting the telephone number of the communication partner;
DNS inquiry means for obtaining at least one NAPTR resource record corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner by making an inquiry to a DNS server using the telephone number input by the telephone number input means as a key;
Destination information extraction means for extracting communication means and address destination information from the NAPTR resource record acquired by the DNS inquiry means;
A suitable communication selection means for selecting a suitable communication means among the communication means extracted by the destination information extraction means;
An information communication apparatus comprising: a communication unit selected by the suitable communication selection unit; and a registration unit that registers an address corresponding to the communication unit in the address book as destination information of the communication partner. Suitable communication display means for displaying the communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means;
Communication selection means for selecting the communication means to be registered in the address book from the communication means displayed by the compatible communication display means,
The information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit selected by the communication selection unit and an address corresponding to the communication unit are registered in the address book as destination information of the communication partner. A prioritizing means for prioritizing the communication means selected by the suitable communication selecting means;
The communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means is prioritized by the priority ordering means, and the address corresponding to the communication means is registered in the address book as destination information of the communication partner. The information communication apparatus according to claim 1. The prioritizing means includes:
4. The information communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein priority is given to the communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means based on the priority assigned to the communication means set by the communication partner. Select a communication service corresponding to the communication means based on the destination information of the communication partner registered by the registration means,
5. The information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein communication is performed to an address corresponding to the communication unit with a priority ranking given to the communication unit. In the information communication method of the information communication apparatus provided with the address book for registering the destination information of the communication partner,
Enter the telephone number of the communication partner by telephone number input means,
The DNS inquiry means obtains at least one NAPTR resource record corresponding to the telephone number of the communication partner by making an inquiry to the DNS server using the telephone number input by the telephone number input means as a key,
From the NAPTR resource record acquired by the DNS inquiry means, the destination information of the communication means and address is extracted by the destination information extraction means,
Select a suitable communication means from among the communication means extracted by the destination information extraction means by a suitable communication selection means,
An information communication method comprising: registering a communication unit selected by the suitable communication selection unit and an address corresponding to the communication unit in the address book as destination information of the communication partner. The communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means is further displayed by the suitable communication display means,
The communication selection means further selects the communication means to be registered in the address book from the communication means displayed by the compatible communication display means,
The information communication method according to claim 6, wherein the communication means selected by the communication selection means and an address corresponding to the communication means are registered in the address book as destination information of the communication partner. Prioritizing the communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means by prioritizing means,
The communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means is prioritized by the priority ordering means, and the address corresponding to the communication means is registered in the address book as destination information of the communication partner. The information communication method according to claim 6. The prioritizing means includes:
9. The information communication method according to claim 8, wherein priority is given to the communication means selected by the suitable communication selection means based on the priority assigned to the communication means set by the communication partner. Selecting a communication service corresponding to the communication means based on the destination information of the communication partner registered by the registration means, and communicating to an address corresponding to the communication means in a priority order prioritized by the communication means. The information communication method according to claim 6, wherein:

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