JP3440186B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus for transmitting / receiving a facsimile document and transmitting the facsimile document as an electronic mail to a network such as the Internet or Ethernet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile document (FAX document) is received via a public telephone network (PSTN) and the FAX document is received.
An e-mail address is created based on information such as a sub-address of a document, the FAX document is added to the e-mail address to form an e-mail, and the e-mail address is provided in a server on a network such as the Internet or Ethernet. F converted to e-mail in the mailbox corresponding to the e-mail address (Mailbox)
There has been a network-compatible facsimile apparatus such as a FAX-Mail gateway for transferring an AX document (see, for example, JP-A-6-164645 and JP-A-6-261164).

Then, the user of each client terminal device on the network retrieves and refers to the FAX document converted into an electronic mail delivered to the mailbox corresponding to the electronic mail address of the client terminal device of the server itself. You can

The Internet is a world-wide communication network composed of a large number of networks connected by a large number of servers, and can utilize service functions such as electronic mail and World Wide Web (WWW).

In such a facsimile apparatus, when the information such as the subaddress of the received FAX document designates a plurality of destinations, the received FAX document is duplicated for each designated destination to create an electronic mail. Then, it was transferred to the mailbox corresponding to the e-mail address of each e-mail of the server on the network.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus, the FAX received is the FAX.
Because the destination of the document is different, but multiple e-mails with the same content are sent to the server on the network.
There was a problem of increasing the processing load on the server.

In particular, since a fax image converted into an electronic mail has a large data size, unlike an ordinary electronic mail containing only character data, sending a large number of such electronic mails to the server at one time causes a load on the server. However, there was a problem in that the exchange of e-mails on the network was delayed due to the increase in the size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and each client terminal device does not need to transfer a plurality of FAX documents of the same content converted into electronic mail to a server on a network at one time. The purpose is to be able to receive e-mail addressed to the device without delay.

[0009]

Since SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention to achieve the above object, a means for performing electronic mail communication control with the network, means for performing a facsimile communication control of the image data with the public telephone network, Means for receiving image data and address information of the destination from the public telephone network and accumulating the image data, and creating an incoming notification mail notifying the destination of the image data based on the address information of the destination Means, means for transmitting an incoming notification mail created by the means to a server on the network, means for receiving an image request mail from the destination of the incoming notification mail via the server, and means received by the means Based on the image request mail, a means for creating an e-mail of the corresponding image data from among the above accumulated data, and the means In the facsimile apparatus was created email with means for transmitting to said server,
Image for each destination of image data received from the public telephone network
Destination management table that manages the presence or absence of incoming request mail
Image from all destinations based on the destination management table.
Receives the request email and emails image data to each
After determining that it has been delivered,
A means for deleting the corresponding image data is provided.

[0010]

In addition, in the above facsimile machine
Further, it is preferable to provide a timer that counts the holding time set in the image data and a unit that deletes the corresponding image data from the accumulated data when the holding time has elapsed by the timer.

Further, in the facsimile machine as described above,
In addition, means for adding a scheduled time for deleting image data to the incoming notification mail, a timer for counting the holding time set in the image data, and the image request when the holding time has elapsed by the timer A means to create and send a warning mail notifying that image data will be deleted to a recipient who has not received the mail, and when a predetermined time has elapsed after sending the warning mail by that means It is advisable to provide means for deleting the image data to be edited.

In addition, in the above facsimile machine
And a means for adding a scheduled time for deleting the image data to the incoming notification mail, a timer for counting the holding time set in the image data, and the image request mail when the holding time has elapsed by the timer. When there is a destination that has not been received, it is advisable to provide a means for deleting the corresponding image data from the accumulated data after printing it out.

Further, in the above facsimile machine
In the above, a timer for counting the holding time set in the image data, and when the holding time has elapsed by the timer, when a plurality of individuals are specified in the image data, the image request mail has not been received. of may be provided with means for deleting the image data to be the appropriate after sent at regular time intervals corresponding image data for each destination from among the above-mentioned storage to the destination.

Furthermore , the facsimile device as described above is used.
In this case , it is preferable to provide a means for processing, when an e-mail specifying that transmission of the e-mail of the image data is unnecessary is received from the destination, without transmitting the e-mail to the destination and processing it as already transmitted.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the facsimile device receives image data from the public telephone network and the address information of the destination, accumulates the image data, and based on the address information of the destination, the image data to the destination. Create an incoming notification mail to notify the arrival of the incoming call, send it to a server on the network such as the Internet or Ethernet, and receive the image request mail from the destination of the incoming notification mail via the server, and based on the received image request mail Create an e-mail of the corresponding image data from the accumulated data and send it to the server. In addition, images received from the public telephone network
Manages the presence or absence of incoming image request emails for each data destination
Image request messages from all destinations based on the destination management table
Of the image data and distribute the image data e-mail to each
After determining that the image has been received, the image
Delete the image data.

Therefore, when a FAX document is delivered to each client terminal device on the network as an electronic mail via a server on the network such as the Internet or Ethernet, when there is a request for an incoming notification of the FAX document. Only to that client terminal device FA
Since transferring X document without hoards email of the FAX document of the same content to a server on the network at a time, receive can Rukoto each client terminal device without stagnation email addressed to itself, receives Fax documents
Promptly after confirming that delivery to all recipients of
You can delete the image data of the FAX document
Therefore, keep unnecessary image data in the image memory for a long time.
To save memory capacity and use memory capacity effectively
You can

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the facsimile device according to the second aspect of the present invention adds the scheduled time for deleting the image data to the incoming notification mail, and the holding time has passed by the timer for counting the holding time set in the image data. At this time, a warning mail is created and sent to notify the recipients of the image request mail that the image data will be deleted. When a predetermined time has elapsed after sending the warning mail, the corresponding one of the stored mails Delete the image data.

Therefore, the preset deletion deadline for the image data of the received FAX document can be notified to the client terminal device of the delivery destination, so that each client terminal device is prevented from forgetting to receive the necessary FAX document. can do.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the facsimile device adds the scheduled time for deleting the image data to the incoming notice mail, and the holding time elapses by the timer for counting the holding time set in the image data. When there is an unreceived destination of the image request mail, the corresponding image data in the accumulated data is printed out and then deleted.

Therefore, since the image data of the received FAX document can be printed and left before being deleted by the preset deletion deadline, each client terminal device can receive the FAX document. You can provide the contents even if you forget it.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus, when the holding time is counted by the timer for counting the holding time set in the image data, when the image data is designated to a plurality of individuals, It deletes the image data corresponding to image data in the appropriate accumulated to the image request mail unreceived destination after sending at regular time intervals for each destination.

Therefore, since the FAX document e-mails are transmitted and deleted at fixed time intervals to a plurality of client terminal devices that have not received the request within the predetermined time, a load on the server on the network may be imposed. The image data is no longer stored in the image memory for a long time.

Further, when the facsimile device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention receives an electronic mail designating that it is unnecessary to send the electronic mail of the image data from the destination to which the incoming notification mail is sent, the electronic mail is sent to the destination. Process as sent without executing. Therefore, it is not necessary to distribute the FAX document which is not required by the client terminal device.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a fax mail gateway (FAX-Mail Gateway, hereinafter abbreviated as "FAX-MG") which is an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

This FAX-MG has CPU1, ROM
2, RAM 3, timer 4, image storage memory 5, mail destination management table 6, subaddress / mail address correspondence table 7, LAN controller 8, transformer 9, modem (M
An ODEM) 10, a network control unit (NCU) 11, an encoder / decoder (DCR) 12, a scanner 13, a printer 14, and the like.

The CPU 1 is a central processing unit that controls the entire facsimile apparatus and performs facsimile control and the like for distributing the FAX document according to the present invention by electronic mail. The ROM 2 is a read-only memory that stores a program such as a facsimile control procedure according to the present invention. RA
M3 is a readable / writable memory for temporarily storing data required for facsimile control according to the present invention.

The timer 4 manages the retention period of the image data of the FAX document. The image storage memory 5 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or an optical disk device that stores and saves image data of a FAX document. The mail destination management table 6 is a management table for each delivery destination of the image data of the FAX document. The sub-address / mail address correspondence table 7 is a reference table for determining the destination of the client terminal device which delivers the image data of the FAX document by electronic mail.

The LAN controller 8 controls the network communication. The transformer 9 transfers data onto the network. The modem 10 performs a process of modulating the binary-coded image information so that it can be transmitted to the public telephone network, and a demodulation process of returning the code of the modulated image data from the other party to the original binary code. The NCU 11 controls facsimile communication with the public telephone network.

The encoder / decoder 12 performs a process of compressing and encoding the binary image read by the scanner 13 and a process of decoding the compression code sent from the other party into a printable binary image. To do. The scanner 13 is an image reading device that reads an image of a document. The printer 14 is a printing device such as a laser printer or an inkjet printer that prints the decoded image data.

That is, the functional unit such as the CPU 1 controls electronic mail communication with a network such as the Internet or Ethernet, means for controlling facsimile communication of image data with a public telephone network, and the public telephone. Means for receiving the image data and the address information of the destination from the network and accumulating the image data, and means for creating an incoming notification mail notifying the destination of the image data based on the address information of the destination, A means for transmitting an incoming notification mail created by the means to a server on the network, a means for receiving an image request mail from the destination of the incoming notification mail via the server, and an image request mail received by the means And a means to create an e-mail of the corresponding image data from the above accumulated based on The e-mail created by the means serve means for transmitting to said server.

Further, a destination management table for managing whether or not an image request mail is received for each destination of image data received from the public telephone network, and image request mails are received from all destinations based on the destination management table. After it is determined that the electronic mail of the image data has been delivered to each of them, the function of the corresponding image data is deleted from the accumulated data.

Further, it functions as a timer for counting the holding time set in the image data, and means for deleting the corresponding image data from the accumulated data when the holding time has elapsed by the timer.

Further, means for adding a scheduled time for deleting image data to the incoming notification mail, a timer for counting the holding time set in the image data, and when the holding time has elapsed by the timer, the A means for creating and sending a warning mail notifying that the image data will be deleted to the unreceived destination of the image request mail, and a predetermined time after the warning mail is sent by the means It fulfills the function of a means for deleting the corresponding image data from.

Further, means for adding a scheduled time for deleting the image data to the incoming notification mail, a timer for counting the holding time set in the image data, and the above-mentioned timer when the holding time has passed by the timer. When there is an unreceived destination of the image request mail, it fulfills the function of a unit for deleting the corresponding image data from the accumulated data after printing it out.

Further, a timer for counting the holding time set in the image data, and when the holding time has elapsed by the timer, when a plurality of individuals are designated in the image data, the image request mail is sent. It fulfills the function of a unit that deletes the corresponding image data after transmitting the corresponding image data among the accumulated data to the unreceived destination at a constant time interval.

Furthermore, when an e-mail designating the transmission of no e-mail of image data is received from the above destination,
It fulfills the function of a means for processing as having been sent without executing the sending of the electronic mail to the destination.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic facsimile communication protocol in this FAX-MG. This F
The AX-MG communicates with the other party by facsimile based on the protocol shown in the figure, and receives the image data from the other party by facsimile.

First, the transmitting side (TX) is the receiving side FA
When connected to the X-MG (RX), a CNG signal is transmitted to declare that the device is a facsimile terminal device.
On the other hand, when the receiving side (RX) connects the line, it sends out a CED signal in order to declare that its own device is a facsimile device and is in a receiving state. And the receiving side (RX)
Continuously sends an NSF signal (non-standard function) and a DIS signal (standard function) to inform the transmitting side (TX) of the function of its own device.

The transmitting side (TX) receives the FAX based on the contents of the NSF signal and the DIS signal received from the receiving side (RX).
Decide the function to use when sending the document, and
X) sends an NSS signal (non-standard function) and a DCS signal (standard function) to notify. After that, the TCF is executed at the modem speed used for transmitting the image data from the determined function.
Do (training). When the training is successful, the receiving side (RX) returns the CFR signal to the transmitting side (TX), and shifts to the image data receiving state.

When the transmitter (TX) receives the CFR signal, it receives the receiver (R) at the modem speed used for training.
X), and when the transmission of the image data ends, the EOP signal is issued to notify the receiving side (RX) of the end of the image data transmission. The receiving side (RX) sends MCF to the transmitting side (TX) when the image data is normally received.
Send a signal. Then, the line is disconnected by transmitting the DCN signal.

This FAX-MG uses information such as subaddress from the DIS signal in the above protocol as distribution information. Then, based on the sub-address / mail-address correspondence table 7, which is a correspondence table between the sub-address and the mail address of the delivery destination, it is determined to which mail address destination the image data of the FAX document received from the sender (TX) should be delivered. To do.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a software configuration relating to the facsimile control relating to the present invention of this FAX-MG. This software has two protocol stacks, "FAX protocol" and "TCP / IP".

The "FAX protocol" is defined by T.W. It controls the facsimile protocol defined by 30. "Modem control" is used for FAX data communication in the public switched telephone network (PSTN). "DCR control" is a T.I. Four
It controls the image compression and decompression of the facsimile specified by. The "image information management" manages and stores FAX image information (image data) and the like.

On the other hand, "TCP / IP" is a communication protocol on a network such as the Internet and Ethernet. "SMTP (simple mail tr
"transfer protocol)" is an electronic mail transfer protocol. "MIME (multipurp
ose internet mail extententi
"on)" controls the conversion of binary data into character data, whereas the data that can be handled by SMTP is character data. “Create mail” creates an electronic mail of image data of a FAX document. Then, the "overall control" performs other processing such as a user interface.

FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram showing a process of delivering a FAX document in this FAX-MG by electronic mail. In this FAX-MG, in the process (indicated by “P” in the figure) 1, FAX document data is sent to the FAX document via the public telephone network.
X is received, and the image data (image data) of the received X is stored in the memory.

Further, when the FAX document is received, the FAX protocol sends the received data such as the sub-address including the transfer information to P2 which determines the destination of the electronic mail, and the "Sub"
adr. The subaddress / mail address correspondence table showing the correspondence with "Mail adr." Is referred to and the destination of the electronic mail is determined.

Further, the process shifts to P3, an incoming notification mail of the FAX document is created based on the destination of the electronic mail determined in P2, the process proceeds to P4, and the mail server on the network is operated by an appropriate delivery protocol of the electronic mail. Send an incoming notification email to.

Thereafter, if there is a request for a FAX document from the client terminal device of the destination of the incoming notification mail via the network, the corresponding image data stored in the memory at P5 is converted into character data by MIME encoding, Proceeding to P6, an electronic mail corresponding to the destination of the FAX document is created, and the electronic mail with the image data is transferred to the mail server on the network by an appropriate protocol by P4. In this way, the FAX document is converted into an electronic mail and delivered to the client terminal device on the network.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network system using this FAX-MG. In this network system, the FAX-MG 20 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to another facsimile device (FAX) 2 via the public telephone network 21.
2 is connected so as to be capable of facsimile communication. Although a plurality of FAX machines are connected via the public telephone network 21, only one FAX machine is shown in FIG. In addition, FAX-MG
Reference numeral 20 is connected to the network 23 such as the Internet and Ethernet so that network communication is possible.

On the other hand, the network 23 includes a mail server 24 and a plurality of client terminal devices 30, 31, 32,
...... is connected. The mail server 24 and the client terminal devices 30, 31, 32, ... Are devices such as personal computers equipped with microcomputers.

The mail server 24 includes the mail boxes 26, 2 of the client terminal devices 30, 31, 32, ....
7, a client terminal device 30, which is sent to each of the mailboxes 26, 27, 28, ...
Stores e-mail addressed to 31, 32, ....

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a FAX document delivery process in the network system of FIG. First, the FAX-MG20 receives the FAX from the FAX22.
The document is stored in the image storage memory 5, and is transferred to the mail server 24 in the form of electronic mail. The destination is
The sub-address / mail address correspondence table 7 managed by the FAX-MG 20 and the information such as the sub-address obtained by the communication between the FAX 22 are used.

The mail server 24 sends the received electronic mail to each of the mailboxes 26, 27, based on its destination.
28, ... The client terminal devices 30, 31, 32, ...
It is confirmed by polling via 3 whether or not an electronic mail exists in the mailbox of the own device, and if it exists, the electronic mail is fetched and received. In this way, FAX
22 to client terminal devices 30, 31, 32, ...
FAX documents can be transferred to e-mail.

Next, a delivery process when the FAX-MG 20 receives a FAX document of the same content for a plurality of destinations by facsimile will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of the processing, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the subaddress / email address correspondence table, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the header part of the incoming notification mail, and FIG. 10 is an incoming notification mail. It is a figure which shows the example of a format.

As shown in FIG. 7, FAX 22 to FAX
-When a fax document is sent to the MG20, the fax-MG
Reference numeral 20 refers to the subaddress in the DIS signal on the FAX protocol and the subaddress / mail address correspondence table 7 to determine the destination client terminal device.

When the FAX-MG 20 determines the destination client terminal device, it creates an incoming notification mail notifying the incoming of the FAX document and sends it to the mail server 24 instead of the image data.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sub-address / mail-address correspondence table is a reference table of sub-addresses, mail addresses indicating delivery destinations, and types indicating individuals and groups.

As shown in FIG. 9, the header part of the incoming notification mail is "Message" defined in RFC822.
Fields such as "-Id:" and "From:" are required, and an ID that uniquely determines the image of the FAX document is defined in the "Message-Id:" field portion.

In the "From:" field, the destination of the image request mail, which is an electronic mail address (for example,
"Fax@××××.co.jp"), and
The sender information (for example, TSI, RTI) of the FAX document of the other party is set in the parentheses "()" after that.

It is also possible to write the sender information in the "From:" field and then write the destination of the image request mail in the key brackets "<>". By doing so, when the client terminal device receives the incoming notification mail, the sender of the request mail of the client terminal device can know the sender of the FAX document, and the image of the FAX document can be displayed in the incoming notification mail. Can be uniquely determined.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the body of the incoming notification mail, the content for notifying the incoming of the FAX document is entered like the text surrounded by the broken line frame in the figure.

Returning to FIG. 7 again, when the client terminal device receives the incoming notification mail, it simply returns (replies) the incoming notification mail to the FAX-M.
The FAX document addressed to the own device can be received from G20 by e-mail.

First, when the client terminal device replies to the incoming notification mail, the "In-Reply-T"
"o:" field is created, and "Message-Id:" of the incoming notification mail from which the reply is made is inserted therein. Since the "Message-Id:" contains an ID for uniquely determining the image of the FAX document, the ID is received.

When the "In-Reply-To:" field is not added, "Subj" of the incoming notification mail is sent.
The same ID as "Message-Id" is written in the "ect:" field. Normally, when sending back an e-mail, the same "Subject:" is used (a field such as "Re:" may be added at the beginning), so the image ID of the FAX document can be calculated from the "Subject:". Obtainable.

Note that "Message-Id:" and "S
If the field IDs of “object:” are different, either one is preferentially adopted according to the user's designation.

When the FAX-MG 20 receives the image request mail from the client terminal device, the FAX-MG 20 determines the destination of the image data of the FAX document based on the "From:" field, and "In-Reply-T".
The image data of the FAX document determined in the “o:” field is sent to the mail server 24.

In this way, the FAX-MG 20
When an X document is received, an incoming notification mail is sent by e-mail to the destination client terminal device to notify the incoming call, and when the image request mail is received from the client terminal device, the corresponding image data of the FAX document is displayed. Since the e-mail is transferred by e-mail, the e-mail is sent to each client terminal device 30, 31, 32 on the network 23.
It is possible to prevent a large amount of e-mail composed of image data from being stored in the mail server 24 for delivery to ... And to significantly reduce the load on the mail server 24.

Next, since the FAX document image request mail comes from each client terminal device separately, it is advisable to manage the time when the image data of the FAX document is deleted. Therefore,
A process of deleting the image data stored in the image storage memory 5 in the FAX-MG 20 will be described. First, the FAX-MG 20 prepares the mail destination management table 6 each time a FAX document is received.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a format example of the mail destination management table. This mail destination management table 6 is a copy of the part corresponding to the sub-address of the facsimile received FAX document in the sub-address / mail address correspondence table 7 from the part corresponding to the mail address of the delivery destination, and an image of the image data of the FAX document is copied to each. Is uniquely determined, and a state field is added to create an ID.

Immediately after the arrival notification mail is transmitted, the undelivered information is recorded in the status field corresponding to the delivery destination mail address. After that, when the image request mail is received from the client terminal device, the message "Mess
The destination management table is searched for a portion in which the ID of the image data of the FAX document indicated in the "age-Id:" field and the delivery destination address indicated in the "From:" field both match.

The image data of the FAX document corresponding to the address of the searched delivery destination is converted into an electronic mail and transmitted, and the unsent state in the state field of the previously searched portion is rewritten as delivered. However, if it is not found, nothing is done. Then, when all the status fields of the ID of the image data of the FAX document have been delivered, the image data is deleted from the image storage memory 5.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the reference relationship between the FAX document, the subaddress / mail address correspondence table, and the mail destination management table. First, when you receive a fax document,
The "sub-address" of the FAX protocol information is acquired, and in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 1, the sub-address column of the sub-address / mail address correspondence table is referenced based on the "sub-address", and the corresponding "sub-address"
"Delivery destination email address" corresponding to.

Further, in step 2, a mail destination management table is created from the "delivery destination mail address" and the "FAX image ID" of the FAX document. This mail destination management table is created each time a FAX is received.

After that, when the image request mail is received from the client terminal device, the delivery status for each destination is confirmed based on the "state" field of the mail destination management table. Then, in step 3, the FAX image ID is determined based on the message ID of the incoming notification mail included in the image request mail, and the image data of the FAX image body is acquired.

In this way, since it is confirmed that the FAX document has been delivered to the client terminal devices of all the destinations, it is deleted, so that the unnecessary image data that has been delivered to all the destinations is stored in the image storage memory 5 at a good timing. You can delete the FA without saving unnecessary image data.
It is possible to effectively utilize the memory capacity of the X-MG20.

Next, when the mail address to which the FAX document is transferred by the FAX-MG 20 is a group address or an alias address managed by the mail server 24, the address on the mail destination management table 6 and the address in the image request mail are Since they do not match, it becomes difficult to judge whether or not the data has been delivered to all the destinations. Therefore, this FAX-
A process of deleting the image data stored in the image storage memory 5 of the MG 20 when a preset expiration date has passed will be described.

In this process, immediately after the incoming notification mail is sent to the delivery destination mail address, undelivered information is recorded in the status field corresponding to the delivery destination mail address in the mail destination management table 6. However, the subaddress
When an attribute of group (or alias) is recorded in the type field of the mail address correspondence table 7, “N / A (invalid)” is recorded instead of recording undelivered.

When the mail destination management table 6 is created, the timer attribute is added. In the attribute of the timer, the retention time of the image data of the received FAX document preset by the user is recorded. After that, when the image request mail is received from the client terminal device, the “Message” is received.
A part in which the ID of the image data of the FAX document shown in the "-Id:" field and the delivery destination address shown in the "From:" field both match is searched from the destination management table.

The image data of the FAX document corresponding to the address of the searched delivery destination is converted into an electronic mail and transmitted, and the untransmitted state field of the previously searched portion is rewritten as delivered. However, when it is not found, nothing is done, and when N / A (invalid) is recorded in the status field, it is left as it is.

When all the status fields of the ID of the image data of the FAX document have been delivered, the image data is deleted from the image storage memory 5. However, a FAX document in which N / A (invalid) is recorded in the status field is a group and therefore is not deleted.

Therefore, the timer 4 searches the holding time of all FAX documents in the mail destination management table 6 and finds the elapsed time by comparing with the current time. As a result, the status field of the FAX document whose retention time has elapsed is rewritten to "delivered". In this case, even if N / A (invalid) is already recorded, it is rewritten as already delivered.

When all the fields of the ID of the image data of the FAX document have been delivered, the image data of the FAX document is deleted. Therefore, in the case of a group, the attribute of the status field remains N / A (invalid) within the preset holding time, but when the holding time elapses, it is rewritten and deleted.

In this way, when the delivery destination is a group including a plurality of client terminal devices, the image data of the FAX document can be deleted after a lapse of a predetermined time. When the device cannot be specified, it is possible to avoid a state in which the image data of the FAX document cannot be deleted while being accumulated. Further, the facsimile machine according to claim 3 of the present invention.
The device counts the retention time set in the image data.
Accumulated when the holding time has passed by the timer
Delete the corresponding image data from the inside. Therefore,
Expiration date set in advance for the image data of the received FAX document
Can be deleted after the passage of
No longer storing image data for a long time, memory
The capacity can be effectively utilized.

Next, if the timer 4 unilaterally deletes the image data for which the holding time has elapsed, it is inconvenient if the user of the client terminal device who did not accidentally send the image request mail cannot receive the FAX document. Before deleting the data, it is advisable to send a mail warning that the image data will be deleted to the client terminal device that has not received the image request mail to call attention. Therefore, the FAX is sent to the client terminal device in this FAX-MG20.
A process of warning the deletion of the image data of the X document will be described.

In this process, when the FAX-MG 20 prepares and sends an incoming notification mail, the retention time of the image data designated by the timer 4 is entered in the text (shown by a chain line in FIG. 10). Send. After sending the incoming notification mail, the timer 4 searches the retention time of the image data in the mail destination management table 6 and warns that the image data will be deleted before the elapsed time is found compared with the current time. Create a warning email.

The destination of the warning mail can be obtained from the mail destination management table 6, and the header is "Message-ID" and "Subject" with FA.
The "FAX image ID" of the X document is added. In this way, the client terminal device side can make an image request mail by directly returning the received warning mail.

In this way, the user of each client terminal device can easily know the deadline for deleting the FAX document addressed to itself, and can request the necessary FAX document within the deadline.

Next, when the destination of the warning mail includes the destination of the group, it becomes difficult to judge whether or not the image request mail has been received from all the members (users of the client terminal devices) of the group. Therefore, the user of the client terminal device who did not inadvertently send out the image request mail cannot receive the FAX document, and F
Since there is a risk that an unnecessary warning mail will be sent every time an AX document is received, it is advisable to print the FAX document on the recording paper and leave it. Therefore, the print processing of the FAX document in the FAX-MG 20 will be described.

In this processing, the FAX-MG 20 is a FAX machine.
When a document is received, the delivery destination address is determined from the subaddress in the DIS signal, the "type" field of the subaddress / email address correspondence table 7 corresponding to the delivery destination address is checked, and the group is added to the "type" field. If it is entered, the printer 14 is activated and the image data of the received FAX document is printed during reception.

Thus, even when the image request mail is received from the client terminal device after deleting the image data of the FAX document, it can be easily provided as a document in which the contents are described.

Next, even if there is no group or alias at the delivery destination, if a fax addressed to an individual is received, image data cannot be deleted forever unless an image request mail is sent from that destination, and the image storage memory 5
Since it becomes impossible to effectively utilize the area of No. 3, it is preferable to send the FAX document e-mail to the client terminal device to which the image request mail has not yet arrived when the predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, a process of transmitting the image data of the FAX document to the undelivered client terminal device after the lapse of a predetermined time in the FAX-MG 20 will be described.

In this process, the FAX-MG 20 additionally sets the scheduled transmission time in addition to the holding time managed by the timer 4 when the mail destination management table 6 is created. And
Normally, "N / A (invalid)" is set in the "state" field.

When the timer 4 finds an item in the FAX document whose holding time has expired, the "scheduled transmission time" is set to a valid value instead of setting "transmitted" in the "status" field. At this time, if the scheduled transmission times of a plurality of destinations are found, the scheduled transmission times are changed so as to be shifted by a preset fixed time. Then, if the delivery time has not arrived, the image data of the FAX document is delivered as an electronic mail to each destination.

Since undelivered e-mails are sent to a plurality of destinations at different times in this way, the mail server 24 is not burdened and the fax document is reliably delivered to the user of each client terminal device. can do.

Next, the user of the client terminal device
For example, even if the image request mail is not transmitted due to lack of disk space, if the image data of the FAX document is delivered after a predetermined time, the mail server 24
Since it imposes a burden on the user, it is advisable to execute delivery and non-delivery of the FAX document according to the notification from the client terminal device. Therefore, a process of switching delivery and non-delivery of the image data of the FAX document according to the notification from the client terminal device in the FAX-MG 20 will be described.

In this process, the client terminal device that has received the incoming notification mail creates an image request mail or a rejection mail based on the incoming notification mail and creates a FAX-M.
Reply to G20.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a format example of the header parts of the image request mail and the reject mail, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a format example of the image request mail and the reject mail.
In the client terminal device, the header part of the incoming notification mail is used to create the header parts of the image request mail and the reject mail as shown in FIG. 13, and the header part is used to create the image request mail or the reject mail. Then, in the case of the rejection mail, as shown by the broken line frame in FIG. 14, a message of "No Use" is entered in the body.

When the FAX-MG 20 receives an e-mail from the client terminal device, the FAX-MG 20 is a keyword "No" which refuses to send the image data to the head portion of the text.
Use ”is checked. If there is no such keyword, it is determined as an image request mail and the image data of the corresponding FAX document is delivered by electronic mail.

In addition, the keyword "No Use"
If there is, the mail is judged to be a rejection mail and the FAX document is not distributed, and the “state” field of the mail destination management table 6 is rewritten to “delivered”. And
If all the "Status" fields corresponding to the "FAX image ID" of the FAX document become "Distributed", FA
Delete the image data of the X document.

In this way, it is possible to appropriately respond even when the delivery of the FAX document is not necessary due to the convenience of the user of the client terminal device.

[0105]

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, each client terminal does not have to transfer a plurality of FAX documents of the same content converted into electronic mail to a server on the network at one time. The device can receive e-mail addressed to itself without delay.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a fax mail gateway which is an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic facsimile communication protocol in the FAX-MG shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a software configuration related to facsimile control of the FAX-MG shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram showing a process of delivering a FAX document in the FAX-MG shown in FIG. 1 by electronic mail.

5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network system using the FAX-MG shown in FIG.

6 is an F in the network system shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the delivery process of an AX document.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of distribution processing when the FAX-MG shown in FIG. 1 receives a FAX document of the same content for a plurality of destinations by facsimile.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a format example of a sub-address / mail address correspondence table shown in FIG. 1.

9 is a diagram showing a format example of a header part of an incoming notification mail transmitted by the FAX-MG shown in FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a format example of an incoming call notification mail transmitted by the FAX-MG shown in FIG.

11 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a mail destination management table shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a reference relationship between a FAX document, a sub-address / mail address correspondence table, and a mail destination management table.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a format example of header portions of an image request mail and a reject mail.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a format example of an image request mail and a reject mail.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: CPU 2: ROM 3: RAM 4: Timer 5: Image storage memory 6: Mail destination management table 7: Subaddress / email address correspondence table 8: LAN controller 9: Transformer 10: Modem (MODEM) 11: Network control unit (NCU) 12: Encoder / Decoder (DCR) 13: Scanner 14: Printer 20: Fax mail gateway (FAX-MG) 21: Public telephone network 22: Facsimile machine (FAX) 23: Network 24: Mail Server 25: Memory 26-28: Mailbox 30-32: Client terminal device

Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/32-1/36

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Communication control of electronic mail with a network
Of image data between the public telephone network and
Image from the public telephone network and means for controlling millimeter communication
The image is obtained by receiving the data and the address information of the destination.
A means for accumulating data and image data for the destination based on the address information of the destination.
And a means to create an incoming notification email to notify you of incoming
The incoming call notification mail created by the means is sent to the net
A means for sending to a server on the work and an image from the destination of the incoming notification mail via the server
The means for receiving the request mail and the means for receiving it
Applicable from the above accumulated based on the image request mail
A means for creating an electronic mail of image data,
Means for sending an email created by the server to the server
In a facsimile apparatus including, a destination management table that manages whether or not an image request mail has arrived for each destination of image data received from the public telephone network, and image request mails from all destinations based on the destination management table. A facsimile apparatus comprising: means for deleting the corresponding image data from the accumulated data after receiving and determining that the electronic mail of the image data has been delivered to each. 2. Communication control of electronic mail with a network
Of image data between the public telephone network and
Image from the public telephone network and means for controlling millimeter communication
The image is obtained by receiving the data and the address information of the destination.
A means for accumulating data and image data for the destination based on the address information of the destination.
And a means to create an incoming notification email to notify you of incoming
The incoming call notification mail created by the means is sent to the net
A means for sending to a server on the work and an image from the destination of the incoming notification mail via the server
The means for receiving the request mail and the means for receiving it
Applicable from the above accumulated based on the image request mail
A means for creating an electronic mail of image data,
Means for sending an email created by the server to the server
In a facsimile apparatus including, a means for adding a scheduled time for deleting image data to the incoming notification mail, a timer for counting a holding time set in the image data, and a holding time elapsed by the timer. At this time, means for creating and transmitting a warning mail notifying that the image data is deleted to the unreceived destination of the image request mail, and a predetermined time after the warning mail is sent by the means, And a means for deleting the corresponding image data from the accumulated data. 3. Communication control of electronic mail with a network
Of image data between the public telephone network and
Image from the public telephone network and means for controlling millimeter communication
The image is obtained by receiving the data and the address information of the destination.
A means for accumulating data and image data for the destination based on the address information of the destination.
And a means to create an incoming notification email to notify you of incoming
The incoming call notification mail created by the means is sent to the net
A means for sending to a server on the work and an image from the destination of the incoming notification mail via the server
The means for receiving the request mail and the means for receiving it
Applicable from the above accumulated based on the image request mail
A means for creating an electronic mail of image data,
Means for sending an email created by the server to the server
In a facsimile apparatus including, a means for adding a scheduled time for deleting image data to the incoming notification mail, a timer for counting a holding time set in the image data, and a holding time elapsed by the timer When there is an unreceived destination of the image request mail, the facsimile device is provided with means for deleting the corresponding image data from the accumulated data after printing it out. 4. Communication control of electronic mail with a network
Of image data between the public telephone network and
Image from the public telephone network and means for controlling millimeter communication
The image is obtained by receiving the data and the address information of the destination.
A means for accumulating data and image data for the destination based on the address information of the destination.
And a means to create an incoming notification email to notify you of incoming
The incoming call notification mail created by the means is sent to the net
A means for sending to a server on the work and an image from the destination of the incoming notification mail via the server
The means for receiving the request mail and the means for receiving it
Applicable from the above accumulated based on the image request mail
A means for creating an electronic mail of image data,
Means for sending an email created by the server to the server
In a facsimile apparatus including: a timer that counts a holding time set in the image data; and when the holding time has elapsed by the timer, when a plurality of individuals are designated in the image data, the image in that a means for deleting the corresponding image data after <br/> sent at regular time intervals corresponding image data for each destination from that the storage for the request mail unreceived destination Characteristic facsimile machine. 5. Communication control of electronic mail with a network
Of image data between the public telephone network and
Image from the public telephone network and means for controlling millimeter communication
The image is obtained by receiving the data and the address information of the destination.
A means for accumulating data and image data for the destination based on the address information of the destination.
And a means to create an incoming notification email to notify you of incoming
The incoming call notification mail created by the means is sent to the net
A means for sending to a server on the work and an image from the destination of the incoming notification mail via the server
The means for receiving the request mail and the means for receiving it
Applicable from the above accumulated based on the image request mail
A means for creating an electronic mail of image data,
Means for sending an email created by the server to the server
And a means for processing an e-mail to the destination when the e-mail specifying that transmission of the image data e-mail is unnecessary is received from the destination without executing the e-mail transmission to the destination. A facsimile device characterized by the above.