JP4612365B2 - Information processing method, communication system, server device, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing method and a communication system using an IP telephone connected via a network such as an IP communication network, a server apparatus, and a program for causing a computer to execute.

  Voice data communication VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is rapidly spreading, and IP telephones are beginning to become popular. In addition, as a FAX apparatus (facsimile), an apparatus applicable to IP network (IP communication network) such as the Internet has been put into practical use.

  Regarding a facsimile for IP network communication, there is disclosed a facsimile capable of performing communication by simultaneously using a plurality of transmission / reception means by identifying voice data packets and character data packets using an IP network as a transmission path (for example, , See Patent Document 1). In this facsimile, the packet classification unit identifies voice packets or IFP (Internet Facsimile Protocol) packets from the IP network interface unit, and packet processing is performed at each processing unit such as a voice packet processing unit and an IFP packet processing unit. And encoding.

  Transmission / reception of a FAX document in a conventional communication system will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional communication system.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the communication system includes an IP telephone set 101-103 and a FAX apparatus 401 connected to an IP communication network, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 301 connected to each of the IP telephone sets 101-103. To 303, a telephone exchange 502 connected to the public telephone communication network, a gateway 501 connecting the IP communication network and the public telephone communication network, and telephones 201 and 202 connected to the telephone exchange 502. The telephone exchange 502 manages communication connections among the IP telephone set 101, the IP telephone set 102, the IP telephone set 103, the telephone set 201, and the telephone set 202.

  The operation of the IP telephones 101 to 103 is the same as the button telephone system of the telephone 201 and the telephone 202 that do not perform IP voice communication, and an extension call can be freely made by making / receiving an extension number.

  FIG. 12 shows a connection port of the IP telephone. The upper side surface of the IP telephone is provided with an ETHERNET port A 1001 for connecting to an IP communication network and an ETHERNET port B 1002 for connecting a PC in order to efficiently use the ETHERNET port. A PC 301 is connected to the ETHERNET port B 1002 of the IP telephone 101. Each of PC 302 and PC 303 is connected to IP telephone 102 and IP telephone 103 via ETHERNET port B 1002.

A FAX apparatus 401 is an IP facsimile apparatus that can send and receive documents via an IP communication network. About one fax machine 401 is provided per floor or in a department or group in a normal company or the like. When transmitting a document using the FAX apparatus 401, the user usually goes to the FAX apparatus 401 and operates the FAX apparatus 401 to transmit the document. On the other hand, when the FAX apparatus 401 receives a document from the outside via the IP communication network, the FAX apparatus 401 temporarily stores the contents of the document in a memory and then outputs the document to a sheet. In this way, the FAX apparatus 401 does not require any user operation when receiving a document, and receives the document and outputs it on paper without the user's knowledge. In most cases, the user does not know when the fax is received unless the reception time display of the FAX apparatus 401 is confirmed.
JP 2002-101256 A

  In recent years, the frequency of use of a FAX apparatus has decreased due to improvement in the environment for using e-mail and the expansion of demand for using e-mail. For this reason, it has become difficult for companies to make large capital investments in parts specialized for FAX machines. However, although the frequency of use of the FAX apparatus is decreasing, the FAX apparatus is not unnecessary at all, and since there are people who do not use e-mail, it does not disappear suddenly.

  Further, as described above, the normal FAX apparatus is shared by a group in a company office or the like. Therefore, when transmitting a document with the FAX apparatus, the user has to go to the FAX apparatus, which is troublesome.

  Further, as described above, one FAX apparatus installed in the group only receives all the FAX documents addressed to the members in the group and outputs them to a sheet. Therefore, each member did not know whether there was a fax document addressed to him or not until he went to the fax machine himself or someone brought in the fax document.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides an information processing method, a communication system, a server device, and a program that can save time and labor for transmitting and receiving a FAX document as compared with the prior art. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing method of the present invention comprises:
When the server device receives a document including information on the telephone number of the destination from a facsimile connected via the network, the server device stores the document in its own device, and makes a call corresponding to the IP telephone connected to the network. With reference to the table in which the telephone number and the telephone number for document communication are described, the IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for document communication is identified, and the document is stored for the identified IP telephone. Send a reception notification signal to notify
When the IP telephone receives the reception notification signal, the IP telephone notifies the user that the document has been received ,
When the server apparatus receives a connection request signal including telephone number information from the other IP telephones via the network, the server apparatus refers to the table and selects an IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for calling. Identify and send a connection request signal for a call to the identified IP phone,
When receiving the connection request signal from the server device, the IP telephone transmits a response signal to the other IP telephone via the network .

  In the present invention, a document transmitted from a facsimile is stored in the server device, and a notification that the document has been stored is sent to the IP telephone that is the destination of the document. Therefore, if an IP telephone is provided for each user, the user can know that a document addressed to him / her has been sent when receiving the notification.

In this case, the IP phone includes a display unit capable of displaying the document,
When an instruction for requesting the document is input, the IP telephone may receive the document from the server device and display the document on the display unit.

  In the present invention, an IP telephone is provided for each user, and if the document received from the server device is displayed on the IP telephone, the user can check the contents of the document at his / her seat.

On the other hand, the communication system of the present invention for achieving the above object is:
A table storing a telephone number for calling and a telephone number for document communication corresponding to an IP telephone connected to a network, and a document including information on a telephone number of a destination from a facsimile connected via the network Is received, the document is stored in its own device, the IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the document communication telephone number is identified, and the fact that the document is stored is notified to the identified IP telephone. A server device that transmits a reception notification signal to the outside via the network;
An IP telephone connected to the server device via the network and notifying a user that the document has been received when the reception notification signal is received from the server device;
I have a,
When the server apparatus receives a connection request signal including telephone number information from the other IP telephones via the network, the server apparatus refers to the table and selects an IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for calling. Identify and send a connection request signal for a call to the identified IP phone,
When the IP telephone receives the connection request signal from the server device, the IP telephone transmits a response signal to the other IP telephone via the network .

Further, the server device of the present invention for achieving the above object is
A storage unit storing a table in which telephone numbers for telephone calls and telephone numbers for document communication are described corresponding to IP telephones connected to the network;
When a document including information on a destination telephone number is received from a facsimile connected via the network, the document is stored in the storage unit, and the received telephone number matches the document communication telephone number. A connection request including information on a telephone number via the network, by sending a reception notification signal for notifying that the document is stored to the identified IP telephone. When a signal is received from another IP telephone, the table is referred to, an IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for calling is identified, and a connection request signal for calling is transmitted to the identified IP telephone. A control unit;
It is the structure which has.

Furthermore, the program of the present invention for achieving the above object is a program for causing a computer connected to an IP telephone through a network,
When receiving a document including information of a telephone number of a transmission destination from a facsimile connected via the network, the document is stored in its own device,
Refer to a table in which a telephone number for communication and a telephone number for document communication are described corresponding to the IP telephone, and identify an IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for document communication;
A reception notification signal for notifying that the document is stored to the specified IP telephone ;
When a connection request signal including telephone number information is received from another IP telephone via the network, the IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for calling is identified by referring to the table. The computer is caused to execute a process of transmitting a connection request signal for a call to the IP telephone .

  In the present invention, a document transmitted from a facsimile is stored in the server device, and a notification that the document has been stored is sent to the IP telephone that is the destination of the document. Therefore, if an IP telephone is provided for each user, the user can know that a document addressed to him / her has been sent when receiving the notification. This prevents the user from noticing it even though the document is received.

  Also, an IP telephone is provided for each user, and if the document received from the server device is displayed on the IP telephone, the user can check the contents of the document received from the facsimile at his / her seat. Further, paper resources can be saved by causing the printer to print only documents that need to be left as paper.

  Further, the format and sentence for document creation are stored in the server device, and the user can operate the IP telephone to display the format and sentence stored in the server device to create and send the document. . If an IP telephone is provided for each user, the user can send a document to a facsimile at his / her seat.

  The communication system according to the present invention includes an IP telephone capable of transmitting / receiving a document to / from a FAX apparatus, and a server apparatus that stores a document received from the FAX apparatus and notifies the destination IP telephone of the document that the document has been received. It is characterized by having.

  The configuration of the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system includes an address table server 611 and a FAX server 612 connected to the IP communication network of the communication network. Connected to the IP communication network are IP telephones 111 to 113 having a facsimile function, a FAX apparatus 411, and a mail server 613. PCs 311, 312 and 313 are connected to the IP telephones 111, 112 and 113, respectively.

  The general telephones 211 and 212 are connected to a telephone exchange 512, and the telephone exchange 512 is connected to a public telephone communication network. The public telephone communication network is connected to the IP communication network via the gateway 511. Since the configurations of the telephone exchange 512 and the gateway 511 are the same as those in the prior art, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The FAX server 612 will be described. FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a FAX server, and FIG. 2B is a tree diagram illustrating information stored in the FAX server.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the FAX server 612 includes a communication unit 630 that transmits and receives data to and from the outside via an IP communication network, and IP telephones 111 to 113 and a FAX apparatus 411 in the company via the IP communication network. A storage unit 632 for storing a document transmitted to the outside and a document received from the outside, and a control unit 634 for processing the received document into a predetermined file format and storing the document in the storage unit 632. As shown in FIG. 2B, the data stored in the storage unit 632 is managed by a directory name according to the type. The directory name includes “reception document information” for storing the received FAX document, “transmission document information” for storing the FAX document to be transmitted, and the base of the simple document transmitted from the IP telephones 111 to 113. There is “simple document creation information” for storing information on the document material.

  The control unit 634 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 636 that executes predetermined processing according to a program, and a program memory 638 for storing the program. When the control unit 634 receives a document addressed to the IP telephones 111 to 113 in the company, the control unit 634 processes the file into a file format that can be displayed on the IP telephones 111 to 113 and stores the directory name “received document information” in the storage unit 632 To store. When the document addressed to the FAX apparatus 411 is received, the received document is processed into a file format that can be output by the FAX apparatus 411, stored in the storage area of the directory name “received document information” in the storage unit 632, and processed. The received document is transmitted to the FAX apparatus 411. When a document transmitted by FAX is received from the IP telephones 111 to 113, the received document is stored in the storage area of the directory name “transmission document information” in the storage unit 632 and processed into a predetermined file format and transmitted. Send to the destination terminal. The control unit 634 stores the received document and transmits a FAX reception notification signal for notifying that the FAX document has arrived to the IP telephone corresponding to the destination of the document.

  Examples of the file format that can be displayed on the IP telephones 111 to 113 and the file format that can be output on the FAX machine 411 include TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), PDF (Portable Document Format), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group, IF Group). (Graphics Interchange Format) and BMP.

  The storage unit 632 stores a plurality of transmission formats for transmitting a simple document created by the user's operation of the IP telephones 111 to 113 by FAX, and item sentences used in the simple document. As shown in FIG. 2B, the information stored as the directory name “simple document creation information” is hierarchized, the transmission format information is stored under the subdirectory name “transmission format”, and the subdirectory name “item sentence” is stored. Item sentence information is stored in a storage area corresponding to “”.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission format. As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission format 702 includes an item sentence indicating an address 710, a greeting sentence 712, a content sentence 713, a conclusion sentence 714, and transmission source information 715. Here, only one type of greeting sentence 712 and knot sentence 714 is displayed, but a plurality of types of item sentences are stored in the storage unit 632.

  Upon receiving a document material request signal for requesting a predetermined transmission format and item text from the IP telephones 111 to 113, the control unit 634 reads the predetermined transmission format and item text from the storage unit 632 and requests the IP telephone of the request source. Send to.

  Next, the address table server 611 will be described.

  The address table server 611 stores and manages an address table in which addresses for telephone calls and fax addresses are described for IP telephones 111 to 113 in the enterprise.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an address table. As shown in FIG. 4, the address table 2201 describes the terminal type, IP address, voice call EXT indicating the number for calling, external line number, FAX address, mail address, and user name. In the case of the IP telephone 112, the IP address is “172.168.112”, the voice call EXT is “112”, the external line number is “03-0000-0112”, and the FAX address is “122”. Is. When calling the IP telephone 112 for a telephone call, the telephone number is “03-0000-0112”, and when calling for FAX transmission, the telephone number is “03-0000-0122”. . In the case of a general telephone, a voice call EXT and an outside line number are described. If the terminal is from another company, not only the name of the user but also the company name is described.

  When the address table server 611 receives the connection request signal from the IP telephone, the address table server 611 reads the telephone number included in the connection request signal, obtains an IP address corresponding to the telephone number by referring to the address table, and connects to the terminal having the IP address. Send a request signal.

  Further, when the IP telephones 111 to 113 perform FAX transmission, the address table server 611 receives an address request signal including the destination telephone number 711 from the IP telephones 111 to 113 in order to describe the address 710 in the transmission format. Then, address information including information on the company name and name of the other party described in the address table together with the telephone number is transmitted to the requesting IP telephone.

  Next, the IP telephones 111 to 113 will be described. Since the IP telephones 111, 112, and 113 have the same configuration, the following description will be made on the case of the IP telephone 112.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an IP telephone.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the IP telephone 112 includes a communication unit 11 that transmits and receives data to and from the outside, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, a control unit 14, and an operation unit 15 for a user to input instructions. It is the structure which has. Further, a lamp 18 and a speaker 19 are provided for notifying the user that the FAX document has been received. The storage unit 12 stores an IP address such as its own terminal, a FAX server 612, an address table server 611, a gateway 511, and a DNS (Domain Name System) not shown in the figure. This IP address is described in the header as information on the transmission destination and transmission source of the packet when transmitting and receiving the packet. The storage unit 12 stores transmission source information attached to a simple document when the simple document is transmitted. The transmission source information includes the company name to which the user belongs, the user's name, the e-mail address, and the FAX telephone number. Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores information on a simple document including a transmission format and item sentences when a simple document is created.

  The control unit 14 includes a CPU 16 that executes predetermined processing in accordance with a program, and a program memory 17 that stores the program. The control unit 14 separates data to be transmitted and received into voice packets and IFP packets. Since the configuration of the IP telephone 112 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-101256, a detailed description of the configuration and operation related to the separation of voice packets and IFP packets is omitted here. Further, since the configuration and operation for calling with other telephones are the same as those of the conventional IP telephone, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the telephone number of the other party is input for a call, the control unit 14 transmits a connection request signal including the telephone number information to the address table server 611 to the address table server 611. Thereafter, when receiving a temporary response signal for ringing and a final response signal indicating success of the request from the counterpart terminal, the final response confirmation signal serving as a response reception confirmation message (ACK) is sent to the counterpart terminal. Send. In addition, when a simple document is created by the user and an instruction for FAX transmission is input, the control unit 14 transmits a simple document including information on a destination telephone number to the FAX server 612. Further, when the control unit 14 receives the FAX reception notification signal from the FAX server 612, in order to notify the user that the FAX document is stored, the control unit 14 outputs the information to the speaker 19 by voice, 18 is turned on.

  Next, a simple document creation method for FAX transmission in the IP telephone 112 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an IP telephone.

  As shown in FIG. 6, on the upper surface side of the IP telephone 112, there are a receiver 20, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display unit 13, an operation unit 15, a lamp 18, and a speaker 19. The operation unit 15 includes a function button unit 150 and a dial key unit 170. In the function button section 150, a directory reference button 152 for referring to various information stored in the storage section 632 of the FAX server 612, a selection button 154 for selecting data from the directory, and a FAX server 612 are stored. A print button 156 for outputting the printed document to a sheet. The selection button 154 is a switching / conversion button for switching the type of characters to be input by operating the dial key unit 170 or performing input conversion when the contents of the directory are not displayed on the display unit 13. It becomes. Further, the selection button 154 becomes a FAX transmission button for FAX transmission of the simple document when the simple document creation is completed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dial key unit of the operation unit.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the dial key unit 170 of the operation unit 15 is provided with a dial key displaying numbers “0” to “9” for inputting a telephone number. In addition, each dial key is displayed with inputable Roman characters. By pressing the switching / conversion button, it is possible to input Roman letters “A”, “B”, and “C” with the dial key of the numeral “2” among the dial keys shown in FIG. It is also possible to input hiragana and katakana by pressing the switch / conversion button. Furthermore, it is also possible to convert the input words into kanji by pressing the switching / conversion button. These character input operations are the same as those of a conventional mobile phone having an e-mail transmission / reception function.

  When creating a simple document, the user presses the directory reference button 152 or the selection button 154 shown in FIG. 6 to select a predetermined transmission format from the information in the subdirectory “transmission format” of the directory “simple document creation information”. When a predetermined item sentence is selected from the information of the subdirectory “item sentence”, the control unit 14 transmits a document material request signal to the FAX server 612. When receiving a predetermined format and item sentence from the FAX server 612, the control unit 14 combines the transmission format and the item sentence. Subsequently, when the destination telephone number is input by the user, an address request signal is transmitted to the address table server 611. When the address information is received from the address table server 611, the company name and name of the other party are described in the address 710 of the transmission format and displayed on the display unit 13.

  Further, the control unit 14 reads the transmission source information 715 from the storage unit 12 and describes it in the transmission format. When the user operates the dial key unit 170 to input the content sentence 713, the control unit 14 adds the input content sentence 713 to the transmission format, and creates a simple document as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the display unit 13. Thereafter, the user confirms the contents of the simple document displayed on the display unit 13 and then presses the FAX transmission button, whereby the simple document is transmitted to the FAX apparatus via the FAX server 612 as described above. Note that the simple document may be a document that does not include the content sentence 713 when the content sentence 713 is not necessary.

  Next, a method for displaying the FAX document by the IP telephone 112 will be described.

  When the control unit 14 notifies the user that the FAX document is stored, when the voice is output to the speaker 19 or the lamp 18 is turned on, the user can select the directory browsing button 152 and the selection on the operation unit 15. The button 154 is operated to input an instruction to call a FAX document stored in the directory “received document information” in the storage unit 632 of the FAX server 612. When an instruction to call a FAX document is input, the control unit 14 transmits a signal requesting the FAX document to the FAX server 612. When a FAX document is received from the FAX server 612 via the IP communication network, the document is displayed on the display unit 13. When the user presses the print button 156 of the operation unit 15, the control unit 14 causes the printer or FAX apparatus 411 (not shown) to output the received document.

  In this way, by storing the transmission format and item text in the FAX server 612 in advance, the user can operate the IP telephone 112 to create a document for FAX transmission and transmit the created document. It becomes possible. Therefore, the user can save time and effort to create a document by operating the PC, and does not need to go to the FAX apparatus 411 to send the document by FAX. In addition, the user can check the contents of the FAX document addressed to himself / herself at his / her seat by operating the IP telephone 112.

  Next, the PCs 311 to 313 will be described. Since the PCs 311, 312, and 313 have the same configuration, the case of the PC 312 will be described below.

  Similar to the conventional configuration, the PC 312 includes a communication unit that transmits and receives data via an IP communication network, a storage unit that stores data, a display unit that displays data, a control unit that controls each unit, and a user And an operation unit for inputting the instruction. In this embodiment, an authentication password for accessing the FAX server 612 is stored in the storage unit in advance.

  When a user inputs an instruction to access the FAX server 612 by operating the operation unit of the PC 312, the control unit transmits the authentication password stored in the storage unit to the FAX server 612. Subsequently, when a connection permission signal is received from the FAX server 612, the directory name received from the FAX server 612 is displayed on the display unit. When the user operates the operation unit to select a document addressed to himself / herself from the “received document information” in the directory, the control unit receives the selected document from the FAX server 612 and displays it on the display unit. When the user inputs an instruction to print the document displayed on the display unit by operating the operation unit, the control unit causes the printer or FAX apparatus 411 not shown to output the document.

  Note that the mail server 613 has the same configuration as the conventional one, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a procedure for establishing a session for a call between the IP telephone 112 configured as described above and the telephone 2001 will be described. Here, the telephone 2001 is an IP telephone. The telephone 2001 may be connected to an IP communication network or may be connected to a public telephone communication network.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a session establishment sequence for a call.

  When the operator lifts the handset 20 of the IP telephone 112 and presses the telephone number “03-0000-2001” with the dial key unit 170, the IP telephone 112 requests the connection to include the temporary address “0300002001 @ IPnet01” in the address table server 611. A signal is transmitted (step S101). When the address table server 611 receives the address information from the IP telephone 112, the address table server 611 reads the IP address “192.168.002.001@IPnet01” corresponding to the telephone number of the received temporary address with reference to the address table 2201. Subsequently, a connection request signal is transmitted to the IP address “192.168.002.001@IPnet01” (step S102).

  Upon receiving the connection request signal via the address table server 611, the telephone 2001 transmits a provisional response signal to the IP telephone 112 (step S103). Subsequently, a final response signal is transmitted to the IP telephone 112 (step S104). When receiving the provisional response signal and the final response signal from the telephone 2001, the IP telephone 112 transmits a final response confirmation signal to the telephone 2001 (step S105). When the telephone set 2001 receives the final response confirmation signal from the IP telephone set 112, a session is established between the IP telephone set 112 and the telephone set 2001, and data transmission / reception for a call becomes possible.

  Next, an operation procedure for FAX transmission from the IP telephone 112 will be described. A FAX apparatus 2002 that is a transmission destination of a FAX document is an IP facsimile, and may be connected to an IP communication network or may be connected to a public telephone communication network.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence for transmitting a document.

  The user operates the operation unit 15 of the IP telephone 112 to create a simple document as shown in FIG. Subsequently, when the user presses the telephone number “03-0000-2002” with the dial key unit 170 and presses the FAX transmission button, the IP telephone 112 transmits a connection request signal including the telephone number “0300002002” to the address table server 611. (Step S201). When the address table server 611 receives the connection request signal from the IP telephone 112, the address table server 611 refers to the address table 2201 and reads the temporary address “192.168.002.002” corresponding to the telephone number. Subsequently, a connection request signal including the temporary address “192.168.002.002” is transmitted to the FAX server 612 (step S202).

  Upon receiving the connection request signal from the address table server 611, the FAX server 612 transmits a connection request signal to the FAX apparatus 2002 having the IP address “192.168.002.002@IPnet01” corresponding to the temporary address (Step S203). . When the FAX apparatus 2002 receives the connection request signal from the FAX server 612, the FAX apparatus 2002 transmits a provisional response signal to the IP telephone 112 via the FAX server 612 (step S204). Subsequently, the FAX apparatus 2002 transmits a final response signal to the IP telephone 112 via the FAX server 612 (step S205).

  When the IP telephone 112 receives the provisional response signal and the final response signal from the FAX server 612, the IP telephone 112 transmits a final response confirmation signal to the FAX apparatus 2002 via the FAX server 612 (step S206). When the FAX apparatus 2002 receives a final response confirmation signal from the IP telephone 112, a data transmission / reception connection is established. Subsequently, the IP phone 112 transmits a simple document including the destination information to the FAX server 612 (step S207). When the FAX server 612 receives the simple document from the IP telephone 112, the FAX server 612 processes the simple document so that it can be received by the FAX apparatus, and transmits it to the FAX apparatus 2002 (step S208).

  When the transmission of the simple document is completed, the IP telephone 112 transmits a data transmission completion signal to the FAX apparatus 2002 via the FAX server 612 (Step S209). When the FAX apparatus 2002 receives the data transmission completion signal from the IP telephone 112 via the FAX server 612, the FAX apparatus 2002 transmits a completion OK signal indicating acceptance of the completion to the IP telephone 112 via the FAX server 612 (step S210).

  Next, an operation procedure for receiving a FAX document addressed to the IP telephone 112 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence for receiving a document.

As shown in FIG. 10, the user pushes the operation telephone number "03- 0000 -0122" to the FAX device 2002 and inputs an instruction to send the FAX to the addressed FAX address of IP telephone 112, FAX device 2002 Transmits a connection request signal including the telephone number “03 0000 0122” to the FAX server 612 via the IP communication network (step S301).

When the FAX server 612 receives the connection request signal from the FAX apparatus 2002, the FAX server 612 refers to the address table of the address table server 611 and confirms whether the telephone number “03 0000 0122” is described in the address table. When it is confirmed that there is a telephone number in the address table, a provisional response signal is transmitted to the FAX apparatus 2002 (step S303). Subsequently, the final response signal is transmitted to the FAX apparatus 2002 (step S304). Upon receiving the final response signal from the FAX server 612, the FAX apparatus 2002 transmits a final response confirmation signal to the FAX server 612 (Step S305), and transmits a FAX document to the FAX server 612 (Step S306).

  The FAX server 612 processes the FAX document received from the FAX apparatus 2002 into a file format that can be browsed by the IP telephone 112 or the PC 312, and saves it in the “received document information” directory in the storage unit 632. When the FAX apparatus 2002 ends the transmission of the FAX document, the FAX apparatus 2002 transmits a data transmission completion signal to the FAX server 612 (Step S307). Upon receiving the data transmission completion signal from the FAX apparatus 2002, the FAX server 612 transmits a completion OK signal to the FAX apparatus 2002 (Step S308). Further, a FAX reception notification signal is transmitted to the IP telephone 112 that is the destination of the FAX document (step S309).

  Thereafter, the user who knows that there is a FAX document addressed to him / her presses the directory browsing button 152 shown in FIG. 6 to display the contents of the directory “received document information” on the display unit 13 of the IP telephone 112. Subsequently, when an instruction to select own document information is input, the IP telephone 112 reads the document from the FAX server 612 and displays it on the display unit 13. The user can refer to the target FAX document on the display unit 13.

  Further, in order to print the FAX document referred to by the IP telephone 112, the user operates the print button 156 after designating the target FAX document with the selection button 154 or the like, so that the FAX document is displayed on a printer not shown in the figure. Can be printed. Further, the user may operate the PC 312 to display on the display unit of the PC 312 or print the document displayed on the display unit.

  As described above, in the present invention, FAX transmission or IP voice transmission can be switched by button operation of an IP telephone. Further, in an enterprise, one IP telephone is often installed at each user's seat. Therefore, when a document is transmitted by FAX, it is possible to transmit the FAX document from the IP telephone at his / her seat without having to go to a certain place of the FAX apparatus. Further, even when a document having simple contents is transmitted, it has been conventionally necessary to transmit the document by a shared FAX apparatus. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to transmit a document from an IP telephone at its own seat. Further, when receiving a FAX document addressed to the user himself / herself, if the user can receive a FAX document reception notification, he / she does not have to worry about whether the FAX document addressed to himself / herself is received, so that the work efficiency is improved. Improve. It is possible to prevent the user from noticing it even though the FAX document is received.

  The IP telephone has two telephone numbers for calling and FAX. For this reason, the caller can establish a session by calling a telephone number for a call in the case of a call, and by calling a FAX telephone number in the case of a FAX transmission. The reception of the call can be handled by the handset as usual. For FAX reception, a notification that there is a FAX document is received from the IP telephone from the FAX server, and the FAX document is stored in the FAX server. The user can browse the FAX document later by operating the IP telephone or PC.

  Further, if a PC is provided for each user and the PC is connected to the IP telephone, the received FAX document can be referred to by the own IP telephone or PC. In addition, only documents that need to be left as paper can be printed by operating the IP telephone or PC, which has the effect of saving paper resources and improving business efficiency.

  Furthermore, if the IP phone is connected to the PC and the PC is operated by an input signal from the function button unit 150 of the IP phone, a file stored in the PC can be displayed or displayed by a button operation on the IP phone. Printed documents can be printed. If the operation unit of the IP phone is provided with a button for sending and receiving e-mail, it is possible to send a document created on the PC by e-mail by operating the button on the IP phone.

  Each server of the address table server 611, the FAX server 612, and the mail server 613 may not be physically separate server devices as long as the server task can be executed. Moreover, you may apply to the program for making a computer perform the process of these server apparatuses.

  In addition, if an IP phone can be used to send and receive e-mail, a simple document created by operating the IP phone can be sent as an attachment to the other party by e-mail. In addition, by transmitting and receiving a FAX document and other documents via an IP telephone by e-mail, the FAX document can be easily transferred and transmitted / received among a plurality of users, and information can be shared among a plurality of users. .

  Further, the FAX document information processing method may be applied to an electronic mail. In this case, the mail server 613 stores an electronic mail sent from the outside to its own IP telephone, and the mail server 613 transmits an incoming notification signal for notifying that the electronic mail has been received to the IP telephone. When the IP telephone receives the incoming notification signal from the mail server 613, the IP telephone can notify the user that the electronic mail is stored by the speaker 19 or the lamp 18.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the communication system of this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a FAX server and information stored in a storage unit. It is a figure which shows an example of a transmission format. It is a figure which shows an example of an address table. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of an IP telephone. It is a figure which shows the example of an external appearance of an IP telephone. It is a figure which shows an example of a dial key part. It is a figure which shows the sequence of the session establishment for a telephone call. It is a figure which shows the sequence for transmitting a document. It is a figure which shows the sequence for receiving a document. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the conventional communication system. It is a figure which shows the connection port of an IP telephone.

Explanation of symbols

111, 112, 113 IP telephone 11 Communication unit 12 Storage unit 13 Display unit 14 Control unit 15 Operation unit 18 Lamp 19 Speaker 20 Handset 311, 312, 313 PC (personal computer)
411 FAX apparatus 611 Address table server 612 FAX server 630 Communication unit 632 Storage unit 634 Control unit 613 mail server

Claims (9)

When the server device receives a document including information on the telephone number of the destination from a facsimile connected via the network, the server device stores the document in its own device, and makes a call corresponding to the IP telephone connected to the network. With reference to the table in which the telephone number and the telephone number for document communication are described, the IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for document communication is identified, and the document is stored for the identified IP telephone. Send a reception notification signal to notify
When the IP telephone receives the reception notification signal, the IP telephone notifies the user that the document has been received ,
When the server apparatus receives a connection request signal including telephone number information from the other IP telephones via the network, the server apparatus refers to the table and selects an IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for calling. Identify and send a connection request signal for a call to the identified IP phone,
When the IP telephone receives the connection request signal from the server device, the IP telephone transmits an answer signal to the other IP telephone via the network . The IP telephone includes a display unit capable of displaying the document,
The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the IP telephone receives the document from the server device and displays the document on the display unit when an instruction to request the document is input. A table storing a telephone number for calling and a telephone number for document communication corresponding to an IP telephone connected to a network, and a document including information on a telephone number of a destination from a facsimile connected via the network Is received, the document is stored in its own device, the IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the document communication telephone number is identified, and the fact that the document is stored is notified to the identified IP telephone. A server device that transmits a reception notification signal to the outside via the network;
An IP telephone connected to the server device via the network and notifying a user that the document has been received when the reception notification signal is received from the server device;
I have a,
When the server apparatus receives a connection request signal including telephone number information from the other IP telephones via the network, the server apparatus refers to the table and selects an IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for calling. Identify and send a connection request signal for a call to the identified IP phone,
When the IP telephone receives the connection request signal from the server device, the IP telephone transmits a response signal to the other IP telephone via the network . The IP telephone includes a display unit capable of displaying the document,
The communication system according to claim 3 , wherein the IP telephone receives the document from the server device and displays the document on the display unit when an instruction to request the document is input. A computer connected to the IP telephone;
The computer, if an instruction to display the document is input, according to claim 3 or claim 4 communication system according receives and displays the document from the IP telephone. A printer connected to the network;
The communication system according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein, when an instruction to print the document is input, the IP telephone transmits the document to the printer via the network. The IP telephone has an e-mail transmission / reception function,
The server device has a function as a mail server,
The IP telephone, when that instruction and to send e-mail destination address and e-mail attached with the document is input, claims 3 to send the document with the destination address to the server device The communication system according to claim 6 . A storage unit storing a table in which telephone numbers for telephone calls and telephone numbers for document communication are described corresponding to IP telephones connected to the network;
When a document including information on a destination telephone number is received from a facsimile connected via the network, the document is stored in the storage unit, and the received telephone number matches the document communication telephone number. A connection request including information on a telephone number via the network, by sending a reception notification signal for notifying that the document is stored to the identified IP telephone. When a signal is received from another IP telephone, the table is referred to, an IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for calling is identified, and a connection request signal for calling is transmitted to the identified IP telephone. A control unit;
A server device. A program for causing a computer connected to an IP phone via a network,
When receiving a document including information of a telephone number of a transmission destination from a facsimile connected via the network, the document is stored in its own device,
Refer to a table in which a telephone number for communication and a telephone number for document communication are described corresponding to the IP telephone, and identify an IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for document communication;
A reception notification signal for notifying that the document is stored to the specified IP telephone ;
When a connection request signal including telephone number information is received from another IP telephone via the network, the IP telephone whose received telephone number matches the telephone number for calling is identified by referring to the table. A program for causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting a connection request signal for a call to an IP telephone .

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